Zion my sentiments also. Nationalise them under workers control and management.

Comment is about Who Pays the Real Cost? (blog)

It's hard to believe you are not writing from hard experience. This is a wonderful poem, simply superb. And trust me, it exemplifies the issue amazingly. My family used to ask: What are you doing? And my answer: I'm enjoying Breath. But I never made it into a poem. Well done!

Comment is about Breathing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

good stuff, Isobel.. Not much to add here to the other comments but on a performance level, you could break it up a bit certainly towards the end perhaps repeat 'it's not so easy' a few times to pace it out a bit, but I did enjoy this (Good to see you have another on the way also - am in the process too of posting another one myself) x

Comment is about Breathing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

The last two lines are outstanding. I think every idea of the poem should refer precisely to these final two lines, and support their power.

Comment is about comet tails (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Tee hee - I knew someone would level that one at me! I go through phases where I cab't write anything - then bang, I can't stop them coming. I've got another one lined up but it's performance and needs recording.
On the whole my kids are very healthy - but I do know others with asthma. Emotionally kids are always a challenge though.
Thanks for your comments. xx

Comment is about Breathing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Ann. Visiting Connie is not simplistic, or indeed simple. You've smuggled important stuff about men and women and relationships in there. You may have written it quickly, although I don't expect you did; it certainly appears to be well-crafted. You shouldn't abandon your earlier style as you develop, is what I'm trying to say.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Dave, must applaud you for starting a new themed competition, I think they are good fun. I seem to have written two which are loosely based on the phrase (in a metaphorical way), so now not sure which one to post - maybe I could post both, and then decide which one to tag. Must admit, the standard is so high already, but what the heck!

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

This is just so good, Cate, well done. xx

Comment is about Biting The Bullet (blog)

Original item by Cate

This is really good, Isobel, but like Ann, I do hope this is not written first hand about any of your own children. xx

Comment is about Breathing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Absolutely brilliant, Isobel. xx

Comment is about Biting the Bullet (blog)

Original item by Isobel

I love this Isobel - but I hope none of your own children are affected by breathing problems. My partner used to get bad asthma attacks - nothing worse than seeing (and hearing) someone you love fighting for breath! I particularly admire the last few lines. But hey!! You are becoming a bit too prolific on here! I really think you are blogging too much!! ;-) xxxxxx

Comment is about Breathing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hey Isobel,is this based on your life?
I like how you start off as a powerful creature who is then made vulnerable by the ill chiid.

Comment is about Breathing (blog)

Original item by Isobel

A good themed poem, powefully descriptive in its delivery, I think nobody would like to bite this piece of ordnance XX

Comment is about Biting The Bullet (blog)

Original item by Cate

I love your thought processes involved with this, and the way you juxtaposition avoiding the bullet with actually biting it. Was a fan of the first matrix. XX

Comment is about Biting the Bullet (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Ahh, it's my pleasure! congratulations on Poem of the Month, well deserved! :)
I entirely missed the theme thing, being strictly rationed on computer at the mo (Chris has discovered Facebook) :)
Loads of love
xxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Why thank you Greg! (Visiting Connie.) I wondered if it was a bit simplistic - but maybe simplistic is OK!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Why thank you Greg! I wondered if it was a bit simplistic - but maybe simplistic is OK!

Comment is about visiting connie (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hello Ann
Thanks for enquiring after me.
I am still plying my trade in this world but haven't posted for a bit as a result of technical reasons.
I had a computer crsah a while ago and lost the programme for doing audio files. My stuff doesn't sit well on the page so hence I haven't posted.
The thought occurs to me that you post audio stuff - what programme do you use? Perhaps I can get up and running again.
I do keep visiting the site and reading though.
Keep posting.
John

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for your comment Ann - it came as a huge shock to me - I only updated my profile with that poem by chance. Looking through yours I see that you don't have Coramandel on there - as I recall that was one of your most successful ones - you should add it. You never know your luck in a raffle as my dear old dad never used to say. x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Red meat, this one, Ann. Really good rhythm and structure, and tells a proper story. One of your very best!

Comment is about visiting connie (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Just noticed that you are the poem of the month. It is indeed a lovely poem. So very well done!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

One of the first poems I wrote. Just posting because I recently re-visited Connie and she gave me another poem. When I wrote this she was on her own but now she lives with her brother. They seem to get on OK - so far! But I'm sure she's the boss!

Comment is about visiting connie (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Greetings Cynthia.
Your kind words humble me. I am still after 25 years, still trying to develop this craft where 'words paint emotionscapes of sound and energy'. Not quite there yet, but I'm still working at it.
The passion flower, was always a fascination for me. It always reminded me of home, and family.
Be blessed.
OL.

www.enkbooks.co.uk

Comment is about MOMENTS (blog)

Original item by Eli Anderson

Mr Potato head calling in to say-hope you and yours are well Bernadette-and not too busy to miss out on the wonderful weather we are having-don,t worry about replying-see you along the way love-ta chuck-Stef-xx

Comment is about bernadette herbertson (poet profile)

Original item by bernadette herbertson

Gooooooooooooooooooooooood morning Darling Larisa-aww you have such a wonderful voice on this audio-you are such a brave brave open hearted person-you read this very very well in my-HONEST-and sincere opinion-I really am sorry I did,nt read this before now-its beautiful! many many thanks to you Darling-lots of love to you-Stefan-xx(M-xx)ps-yes I have just noted that you sent this to me on thursday-I,m so sorry to have left it so long before reading-please forgive me.

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
afternoon lovely Lynn-hope yer all having a nice weekend 'darn sarf' me is on DIY-keeps me outta mischief! catch you later-best regards Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hello Wonderwoman! Congratulations on The Quality of Love being voted The Poem of the Month -- it's terrific! It's arresting in its imagery and drive and content. It's WOWEEE! Moxy x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I know this walk -- how brilliant to read such a thrilling, beautifully controlled evocation: did they tell you about the ghost of the young woman who appears inside the manor and also by the mill pond? Your astute visual sense and rich, apposite vocabulary work in tandem to create a sense of mystery. Brilliant!

Comment is about field boundaries (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hello Cynthia, huge apologies for not responding to your very kind (and hugely flattering -- made me blush and then check I was reading the right comment box on the right profile!) comment sooner. I've been battling crazy deadlines and then I couldn't access the site for some reason until ably assisted by Mr Paul Blackburn. Heck, if you could see me you'd smile. I'm just a small bundle of excitement and curiosity. I'm also horribly bookish and probably decidedly odd. If I were a character in Harry Potter, I'd be Luna Lovegood. I'm going to be at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre on October 29th in the great hall from 6-7pm doing a musical thing as a loosely connected part of Manchester Comedy Festival. It'd be lovely to meet you if you can come along! Moxy x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi There Dave, Sorry for the delay. Welcome to Wol. Winston

Comment is about Dave Bryant (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bryant

I also meant to say I love the descriptions of Nature in your work, too. You can summon a whole season and terrain in a few words. Extraordinary!

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

Hello Jane! Big thanks for reading Cross Species -- you're quite right, the insurance costs of hurling/retrieving footballers by playful scientists would be extortionate, but I bet it'd be fun to watch! Love your Duck Parliament poem especially -- your work is so wonderfully vivid and full of gloriously unexpected twists and turns. Moxy x

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

This is absolutely brilliant Cate. Stylistically much more contemporary than your usual stuff - I love it.
From an emotional point of view it is heart breaking - made me cry in fact - but then I have been up half the night as well...
I know it must have been hard for you to write this. I should comment on the poetry - there is too much to say. I like the repetition at the beginning. I like the idea of empty space ricocheting round (strange we should have both chosen to use that unusual word!, I also love the ending - the short sentences - the repetition, the overwhelming sadness and denial it evokes.
I'm done. x

Comment is about Biting The Bullet (blog)

Original item by Cate

Hi Jane, Thanks for your comments on tyne dogger etc. will read it if we meet at a WOL event :-)Win

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

I've kept you up all night? You know what people will say - WOL being WOL.

Joking aside,Cate,this is really really good. It's the best poetic description I personally have ever seen of the universal human experience of being in denial. It's going to be an interesting competition

PS get some kip! xx

Comment is about Biting The Bullet (blog)

Original item by Cate

Excellent Isobel! I love doing these themed poems.... I purposely didnt look at anyone elses until mine was written in case I was influenced by other ideas, but we are all so different in our styles and take on things, which is what makes it so interesting.
Cate xx

Comment is about Biting the Bullet (blog)

Original item by Isobel

I cannot believe Ive been up all night doing this Dave!!! But when youve gotta write youve gotta write.Ive had somewhat of a literary wasteland recently.... thanks for getting my literary flow going again!Cate xx

Comment is about Biting The Bullet (blog)

Original item by Cate

Wow - the Edinburgh thing sounds great. You should write about it and send it to features - they've run a few things about it. I'll be mortified if you tell me you already have - I forget to look there - but always make the effort to read the work of people I feel I know.

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

Funny, but"Oh, I can't..." sounds a lot better to me than "Ah, I can't....". Here's the best bit, I think:I can own the shame

the neon phallus, the drink,

the scars on my fat white wrists.

It lingers in my insecurity

my displacement

the worry I will wrong foot myself somehow

and fall,

dragging the heavy curtain,

beaded with little leads

down around my ears.

Lies I’ve told, scurrying round my feet,

waiting for the scant light,

the unsteady step

to trip me.
wrong-foot needs a hyphen,the lies around your feet is clever. I think the ending, last 7 or 8 lines, is letting the poem down. It is self-indulgent and messy.Rest is good, though.

Comment is about Self Indulgence. (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

really good this Isobel some smart ideas, i like time/space theories. brilliant x

Comment is about Biting the Bullet (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Many thanks, Alison and Graham. It's Bardo, not Bardot, a stage in the afterlife according to The Tibetan Book of the Dead.I always have to smile when I see poets referred to as brave. It's not like the Poetry Police are gonna come round your house and stop you from

Comment is about Exhausted (blog)

No, my youngest is moving out, as a student, leaving myself and David. I will miss the noise of "children." I took a children's poetry show up to the Edinburgh Fringe for 8 nights with Jenny and her friend, Grace, performing. It was all,very exciting.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thanks for your comment on my bullet poem - you picked some of my favourite bits - if only I had the time to polish it better. Are you going to write one? I love reading themed poetry - am not always able to do it - have to be fired up at the right time - it's nice when it comes though. x

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Hello you! Thanks for the comment. Must try to make the Howcroft this month - it's been too long. I expect, like me, you are enjoying kids being back wherever... x

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

Hi Val, This is a lovely evocative poem and I agree entirely with your sentiments. Why successive governments have ignored walkers and cyclists is a mystery to me.

Comment is about The Child I Used to Be (blog)

Original item by Valerie Cook

absolutely. This should be on the inside of buses and trains!

Comment is about Play On (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

great poem and true as well!

Comment is about Biting the Bullet (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hi - bullet - many thanks for the comments. I went once many yrs ago when me & my friend were camping nearby. Having biked all day, I really didn't want to ride the 7-8 miles back into town, but had my arm twisted. It was totally unreal - at 8pm ALL the traffic stopped, Everyone stood still & it was absolutely silent, then he played. If I ever hear the last post or reveille now, I cant help blubbing, because they were paying tribute to us - the Brits - in a city centre in another country, and they do the exact same thing every night. I dont think anyone could not be moved by it. Thanks. B

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thanks for your comments folks. Yep - it was another quick write - I'm getting better at it!

I was trying to convey the idea that before we ever bite the bullet, often we have to wake up to an unpleasant reality. That is a hard thing to do - much nicer sometimes to bury your head in the sand. We are all heroes in that life dumps shit on us all the time and we are always having to pick ourselves up and carry on.

The very rare moments of true happiness that you get inbetween all the dross are what keep us going. That's the vacuum that it would be nice to freeze so we could enjoy it over again and it would have no end.

Comment is about Biting the Bullet (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Yes one of my favourite birds they are so fast too :)

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman