Ann, I know just what you mean. I was always a daddy's girl and often the trips to the country involved dad, my brother and I. Mum didn't join in so much in the outdoor activities. You've captured your awareness of your mum so well in your poem. It's so honest and heartfelt. I felt it x

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanx for commenting on West Window, Cynthia. I enjoyed writing it and it took at trip to York at Christmas to get a feel for it.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Steve, found your poem, thank you, and for your email too. I can't imagine how it would feel to experience an illness like this with the one you love, for you are both going through it together. My partner and I were lucky in the sense that he died instantly and unexpectedly, a heart problem that had never been detected and had never affected him until that last few seconds of his life. Makes it more of a shock, but easier to know they knew nothing about it and did not suffer. I think your "topping and tailing" of the poem makes it!

Comment is about The Sun Shone (blog)

phew... powerful, very well written stuff, mia.. don't know what else to add there except i hope it ain't true

Comment is about He ain't heavi(ly pregant), he's my brother (blog)

Original item by Mia Darlone

Dear 'quiet widow'
Hospital; Bereavement; Ghost House? catharsis?

My/our old house is let, and I don't want to even look in the window.

Beautiful poems though.
Steve M.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

er..........use slate to scrawl on 'tpavement!

Comment is about Martin Nelson (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Nelson

Your poetry and words melt like butter upon warm toast
But I feel that you are in pain of sorts.
Gain strength from your writing you are truly a very talented poet.

Augusta x

Comment is about Drifting (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

Oh Mia .. What a superb piece of shadow boxing criss crossing metaphors and spitting such bile ...yet still retaining a gentleness, very clever and honest, a sister of some strength indeed.

Augusta x

Comment is about He ain't heavi(ly pregant), he's my brother (blog)

Original item by Mia Darlone

Marianne, it's like getting on a roller coaster cum roundabout, a bit dizzying but always energizing. I liked it - didn't understand all of it, but that's irrelevant. Wish I were part encyclopaedia.

Comment is about Mothers (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Is this the pulsing rhythm of the famous 'Hiawatha' by Longfellow? I memorized reams of lines from this in school, and walked in its cadence for weeks, mesmerized by its very sound.
This is a lovely poem, really enchanting, hypnotic.

Comment is about The shopping of Hiawatha. (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

A tale told with vivid imagination and verve, well-hooked together with a crafty eye for the vast picture and the telling details, like a camera zooming and panning. I also enjoyed the time warp. Reminded me of the York legend about the sightings of the marching Roman legion. This must have taken much thought.

Comment is about The West Window: A Saga of York and Constantine (blog)

Original item by jane wilcock

I enjoyed this, Andy - great list that kept me smiling all the way through. Except for the last line.
I cannot imagine living each day hoping that tomorrow one's life will feel complete.

Comment is about Patience (blog)

Original item by Andy Williamson

Keep writing. Just keep writing such very good poetry.
You might enjoy 'The Last Verse' which I posted months ago.

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I think this is a great poem - really honest in its exposure of the individualism of grief. I believe it's the flip side of the 'love - nobody knows but me' syndrome. And that's how it should be - constant reinvention. Superb ending.

Comment is about Bereavement (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi, Ann. Especially with 'jokes' poems, keep your rhythm clean. Quite "Suess-y' this one. And I'm not sure I've spelled that name right. Good grief!

Comment is about Nightmare of the Dancing Cats (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ann
I keep making a resolution that I won't even look at Discussion groups; then I think "ok, I'll just risk one eye" and then, before you know it, you're sucked back in.
I shall resolve to keep my resolve.

Steve M.

ps
I neither smell of oil/engines, nor am I able to put one foot in front of the other. What chance I?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ann
It was a quick 'in and out' military operation, trying to save young lives.
;-))

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ann, thanks for sharing this poem with us. I particularly like these lines towards the end ...

"leaning against her legs

at the bus stop, the harsh street light

making her lipstick blue

on our way back from grandma’s.

I’m so tired that I can hardly move.

I look up and see her face against

a dark blue Ealing sky.

my mum was hard to spot, but then,

some people are all talk.

compare the wren’s sweet song

to the peacock's ugly squawk."

Greg

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hello Cynthia, how are you? Meant to thank you earlier about your comment on my foxy poem! I loved your tale of the huskies! (I wonder if she remembers you too!) xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks guys for lovely comments. My mum died over ten years ago and that grief was a normal, gentle sadness. All my angry raging grief poems are for my partner, and he died nearly two years ago. This is probably "too much information" (don't want everyone to be all sorry for me, that's not my intention) just wanted to put my Bereavement poem in context. That's why this one has a held back feel.Yes Stef, she does look lovely doesn't she, and her character was just like her face, gentle, shy and sweet.

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Read this a couple of times before I could pluck up the courage to comment, it is a very stongly descriptive poem which more than adequately describes your feelings, some of the metaphors you use are clever too. I think you brother on reflection had a lucky escape.
TC

Comment is about He ain't heavi(ly pregant), he's my brother (blog)

Original item by Mia Darlone

Really beautiful Ann, all the way through.
TC X

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for the feedback Jane ;-) My Mum used to sing in Gilbert and Sullivan when I was a wee nipper ;-) I took at shuffty at the lyrics, there may well be a faint echo there ;-) Please stay off the line of neutrality ha ha ;-)
TC X

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

John thanks for your more than amusing blog on ' The Enigma of Perception' Far from getting up my arse, I thought your constructive suggestions quite acceptable, in fact if I write a peice like that again, I will structure it in the way you suggest. By the way you missed out super symmetry, 'The Anthropic Solution' and most importantly 'The Grand Unified Theory'. But you knew that didn't you ? ha ha Cheers TC

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

oh Ann! was,nt your Mother beautiful! I honestly think you held back a lot,considering your loss.And what a loss.the poem puts a lovely brave face on your association with her and Dad too-lovely-thanks Stef

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Ann
In entering the Discussion forum, I hope you are aware that, under H&S guidelines, you have to wear fire retardant under-garments.
There is often some of the most personally vitriolic c**p posted, claiming to be 'discussion', that there are some (I mean me and at least one other) who will no longer join in.
I wish you a joyous journey thru the WOL site

Steve M.
p.s. I don't smell of oil and engines (just thought I'd mention it) ;-))

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good evening Katie

I enjoyed this sample poem. I thought of Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and it reads like a good performance piece. Loved 'rehab ... kebab'.

And you are making a really good point also. It seems few are able to operate outside the superficial appearance of everything these days even if they think they are above it.

Recent chat with Politics grad. 'Brown, nah he'll never win the election ... look at that jaw problem for a start and he's only got half an eye'. No mention of policies and the economic disaster.

Anyway, mwoar please.

Joseph

Comment is about Katie Sandham (poet profile)

Original item by Katie Sandham

Good evening Jeff

I would just like to say how inspiring I found your 3 sample poems. I have to confess to sharing the views in the Glastonbury one particularly. At the point when freedom from the machine became a weekend going TO the machine, like you, I chose the radio. Some great truths in your poems.

not perturbed at all!


Joseph

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Hi again Pauline, thank you for your comments on my dancing men poem! Would like to read some more of your stuff - have you thought about putting something on the "bloggs"?

Comment is about pauline sewards (poet profile)

Original item by pauline sewards

Hello and nice to meet you John - don't be shy! I have only been a member of WOL for about five minutes and have become totally hooked, and can't seem to stop "blogging"! The first one I put up, I felt all embarrassed, but it's so exciting. And in a couple of hours there are about another three million poems added, so you can hope (or feel very very sad!) to think that your/my poem has been long forgotten! Yesterdays virtual fish and chip paper! But if anyone stumbles upon it, they may well enjoy it. Go there!

Comment is about John Armstrong (poet profile)

Original item by John Armstrong

Thank you so much for your kind words about my poems. I have just been reading yours and they are wonderful. I have only just started writing and in a way it is easy to just let the poems come, but they are totally "as is", if I try and improve on them I just make them worse! When I read "real" poems like yours I can't imagine how you could produce something so perfect. I am not trying to lick parts of your anatomy here, I enjoy my poems but I think they are like a child's drawing that may delight enough to be stuck on the fridge, but not a polished complex work of art. But maybe that's just how they are meant to be. I loved myspace and the one about the Downs child made me cry. OH, I live in the west country too! xxx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Thank you Dave for your kind comments on 'Human' Glad you liked it. I have done some editing on it and will repost it.
Hope you don't leave the site. Im new to it and there are some nice people here.
I will read and coment on your work too.
Take care, em.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

I agree,,,,,,,,,L.y.n Trus's...iz wrrrrrrong

www.frankburton.co.uk

Comment is about Angry Sam (poet profile)

Original item by Angry Sam

Hi Ann,

Just to let you know that I'm enjoying reading your work. I especially like your eclectic mix of styles, themes and subjects. You obviously have a lively and thoughtful mind.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about eyelash (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Powerful words...
This is why you must express yourself!

'I carry the weight of unspoken words heavier than any bags I take from town to town'

Always remember that tomorrow is another day : )

Comment is about Drifting (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

Hi John,

Hope all is well with you and thanks for the heads up. If you ever want to get in touch, my email is: jtt@downeshouse.freeserve.co.uk (but don't tell everyone, I fear I may currently be the subject of a fatwa, especially having such misguided opinions - or even ANY opinion!) Although I have never been published, won any competitions or prestigious awards (unsurprisingly, since I've never submitted anything for publication or entered a competition) at least I am happy in the knowledge that I may have at least something in common with a Nobel Laureate!

Yours (certified 100% anger free and happy in my pompous, passive-aggressive, elitist nonsense)
With regards,

A.E.

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

and heres me thinking you did,nt give a shit!-good poetical posting Squire.

Comment is about Behind The Event (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

John, time to put us out of our misery and give us a poem.

Comment is about John Armstrong (poet profile)

Original item by John Armstrong

Thank you so much for these encouraging comments. I love this website and met Julian last night at a poetry event. Long may it continue!

Comment is about Helen Shay (poet profile)

Original item by Helen Shay

I am a staunch atheist I never infer otherwise in my poetry.

Comment is about Anna Percy (poet profile)

Original item by Anna Percy

Be warned. If I stick my head above the parapet, you'll know all about it (wishful thinking)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hiya, I was reading a book called 'Boy A' today, and recalled your poem titled the same, I wanted to have a read again, but it seems to have disappeared, did you remove it? Or am I just not looking >? :D

Comment is about Memoir. (poet profile)

Original item by Memoir.

concrete sepulchre to love-love it just for that one line-nothing else...........ha! had you going,beautifully poignant poem.thanks Stef

Comment is about The Hospital (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

loved the poem Ann,angry sentiments! now I,ll just go and eff off!-regards young-ish? Lady-Stef

Comment is about Bereavement (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Yes I would say this is a dark poem, too, probably because you are going through so much upheavel right now, but from purely from a written perspective, it has powerfully imagery, most of us get those nagging self doubt voices too at times. Roll on Summer ;-)
TC

Comment is about Drifting (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

Now that's what I call a shock ending !! ;-)) and you are so sweet too ;-))
TC

Comment is about Bereavement (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I am teetering on the edge of several double-entendres.
I have erased most of this thanks, but I'm sure that you aren't amongst the clitorati.
I have to go now before I am tempted ...........
xxxxxxxxxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

This was where I was at a year ago - feeling a bit better now thank you

Comment is about Bereavement (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Steve,
hmm, i think i am perpetually in a strange place, metaphorically and physically,so that i don't think I am communicating in a 'dark' or 'spooky' way but I can see how it might be thought of in that way. I think I dip in and out of my subconscious mind so often that I am used to it but it can be dark I guess.I see my life as comprising of many small lives inside one,like a Russian doll. I am currently moving out of another place,again in both senses,and it feels as if I haven't made the best of this part of my life within a life lately for many reasons.I feel like I have been drifting and another season comes along and I'm not ready for it. There wasn't enough sunshine this year and I wasn't ready for winter.i don't know if you're missing something,i don't know how more to explain it,sorry, i didn't mean to disturb you. Deb xx

Comment is about Drifting (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey

deb
I accept that I am no literary giant (or midget for that matter), but the way I read it, is that it is one of the darkest pieces of poetry I've seen.
I find it a bit too spooky. Anyway, spooky enough for me to 'comment' on.
Am I missing something?
xx Steve xx

Comment is about Drifting (blog)

Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey