The trouble is when you start a new relationship you may not want to bring all the baggage from your past, so you tend to maybe omit the complete truth! And its very difficult to let your mind rule your heart where loves concerned...... unless of course youre out to pull a millionaire!!
Cate xx

Comment is about An Anti-Love Poem (blog)

Original item by Neil West

A very powerful piece of work Steve, and very thought provoking. I suppose we`re all influenced by our upbringing even in our "rebel"years we are a product of our background. The big question of nature verses nurture is cleverly highlighted here.
On a completely different note altogether, my little grandson is called Jacob, which just goes to show how acceptance of names can change with the passing of time,and sometimes with changes in ethos and politics.
Cate xx

Comment is about Complicit (blog)

Woops - have I misinterpreted this? I think when you write through the eyes of someone else, you do take that risk. I remember many of us crucifying a young poet who did the same in a poem called 'Fat Birds, Small Tits'.
Your comment does say that you are looking through the eyes of a bastard though - so I should have picked up on that. Well done you - for sending up this bitter wanker, obviously barred, himself, from too many pubs...

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

Hi Isobel, Chris

The poem's intent is satirical, and most certainly not written from my point of view.

The humour/effect, if there is any, is meant to come from the relatively benign innuendoes in the first half, and then become uncomfortably amusing as we realise that the speaker is a not very nice person at all.

Chris, I'm glad, in a way, that it's uncomfortable, as that's the intent. I do find darker-hued things amusing, which may be my twisted problem.
(Any claims to genius should be treated with the utmost caution, though!)

Isobel, I am horribly offended that you did not like my work. (Not really.)

Cheers

HAH

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

Hi John
Good to meet you at Hebden, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
I try to at least acknowledge the wrongs that I have been complicit in. I wish I had the guts to do more.
I was 19 when I went to SA, which I think is equivalent to a mental age of about 12 in todays children.

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

Hi Steve, this made an impression on me when you read it at Hebden Bridge. Fascinating to someone like me who finds it difficult to imagine growing up in that situation. And very honest.

Thanks

John

Comment is about Complicit (blog)

I think that this is superb, Steve. I think that you manage to write it in a way that has a touch of mocking cynicism at the part that 'you' played in this complicity. You touch on very controversial issues, and develop them very cleverly throughout the piece. And you are quite correct Mr Mellor. 'Ignorance is no defence' - I think even as youngsters, we understand to a point what is good conduct and what is not.

Very thoughtprovoking. Really enjoyed it.
Nicky x

Comment is about Complicit (blog)

I've heard this many times, and I can never decide whether I think it is funny and clever, or disturbingly misogynistic. Either way, it leaves me feeling uncomfortable - which is not a bad thing, I like to be taken out of my comfort zone every now and then, but I also like to snuggle back in to it too; so - I would like to think you've managed to completely get in to the head of the 'bit of a bastard' - and out again, unscathed. In which case, you might just be the genius that I have been told you are.
Cx

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

A good one Steve, which tackles real issues and experiences. The fact that you were complicit means that you were in some way able to act differently, had you been of a different mind set. I think you therefore need to take away the notion of childhood all together because by and large, most children do as their parents. Wherever you mention child (2nd verse and last) perhaps you could replace with 'in my youth'. Or if you want to hold on to child imagery, say 'when I was child like' - I think it just emphasises a little more that you were an adult. Just a suggestion of course. Enjoyed the thought process and was touched by the sadness in it.x

Comment is about Complicit (blog)

Should I give you a slow clap?

I enjoyed the first 2 verses - it went down hill from there.

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

Tee hee. Yes - that's one way of suffering big time...

Comment is about Neil West (poet profile)

Original item by Neil West

Thanks chaps. It's not aimed at anyone specific - more from the point of view of somone who is a bit of a bastard.

Cheers

Anthony

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

Better fit saloon doors Anthony, thats one busy place. Win

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

Hi Carole,Loved this one... the cycle described beautifully. loved 'shift in her roots' and 'repeat to fade'. Win x

Comment is about Rowan tree (blog)

I dunno who this is aimed at, but the music is good. The lyrics had me larfing too.

Be well.

Mike

Comment is about If You Were A Pub... (blog)

yes , to your comments about a fishmonger , cold dead things , slabs , all those ideas instantly in your mind

i am fine , taking lunch break at uni :)

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi There Tommy, For some reason this reminds me of the Metalica lyrics from Through the never? Don't ask me to explain

All that is,
ever,
ever was
Will be ever twisting,
turning
Through the never

Comment is about not reading old poems but listening to Kate Bush (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi Isobel, Thanks for the comments on CAFCASS Survivor. Good observation. Thanks. Win

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Andy, thanks for reading CAFCASS Survivor, glad you liked.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

This is a re-posting. I have made very minor changes to clarify the circumstances surrounding the basis of the poem.

Comment is about Complicit (blog)

Thank you for your compliments on 'To write a poem', Win.This is the first poem I've written for a while.Found it exhilarating.
I see you have a quiet live poetry performing!!!!! Hope its going well for you,
Regards
Phil

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Chris, Thanks for your compliments. . I haven't written for a while, writers block. I remembered it was 'National Poetry Day', which knocked over 'block', so to speak.

Comment is about To write a poem! (blog)

Original item by Phil Golding

Thank you for your compliments, Win. This is the first poem I've written for a while.Found it exhilarating.

Comment is about To write a poem! (blog)

Original item by Phil Golding

I LOVE Jerry

Comment is about JERRY SADOWITZ (blog)

Original item by Rodney Wood

good stuff, pete.. the last line carries some impact indeed! x

Comment is about Dormant Virus (blog)

beauitful, janet

Comment is about Out of the Darkness (revised edition) (blog)

Rodney -May your imprecations be somewhere heard by a suggestible demon !
Steve Smith

Comment is about JERRY SADOWITZ (blog)

Original item by Rodney Wood

Like the sentiment and the drive - Steve Smith

Comment is about Mercy killing - my paean to shopping, because it is my local sport... (blog)

Original item by Danni Antagonist

thank you as ever my darling... you say the kindest things
love ya to bits
gusxx

Comment is about Valerie Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Valerie Cook

Hi Anthony - I'd also like to congratulate you on being NPOTM. I've been keeping my head down lately or I'd have acknowledged you earlier, I know I've already mentioned Beyond the Equinox but it is simply a terrific piece of writing and I wish I'd written it!

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Isobel. Sorry I've not been paying attention but I wholeheartedly agree with the choice of Anthony's 'Beyond the Equinox' for notable poem of the month, if I hadn't been burying my head in the sand lately I'd have voted for it too - good choice. By and by, thank you for your comments on An Anti-Love Poem, I'd intended it to come over as positive and affirming but perhaps I need to suffer a little more yet. I know, I'll post an opinion about next month's POTM:)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Cheers Isobel
Bank statement - full of dread
Yet again I'm in the red.

Comment is about Looking for Blues (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Nice advice, but I'm not sure many people could ever follow it. Some people just fall harder than others, some don't really know their own minds in the first place, others just change their minds as they go along. A myriad of combinations that make relationships such a minefield and the love game, such a cruel one.
A novel take on the theme though - I enjoyed the poem.

Comment is about An Anti-Love Poem (blog)

Original item by Neil West

Enjoyed listening to this at the Tudor. Very original and witty. You could take this further - make it a series by going through the spectrum - I'm looking forward to more.

Comment is about Looking for Blues (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Gram It was a lazy repasting from 'facebook' I composed the 3 stanzas on the 'hoof' without pause to a 'friend' with the time it took still evident. 8 minutes from start to internet. I thought she would be impressed. The effects of Dysphasia being an eagerness to please!

Comment is about Blackened Berries (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Yosh you certainly captured the scene.I agree with Winston most of us have all been there and wondered who in the world are they talking about. Good work.

Comment is about YOU WON IN THE END.... (blog)

I think we can all relate to these words. Good to have you back Pete.missed you.

Comment is about Dormant Virus (blog)

Flows beautifully with some fantastic images of life in our world : )

Comment is about Out of the Darkness (revised edition) (blog)

Yes, I totally agree about keys and doors, and giving and receiving etc - spot on. I'm not sure about 'visionary' in this context; visual maybe. Actually, I'm not keen to see your 'life' at all, but your mind is open territory.

Comment is about Introduction to my poetry (blog)

Original item by Daniel Hooks

first love lost (and never replicated) and loss of our youth. i related on both counts .i've just hit 40, too.
very evocative imagery . i really enjoy your style of writing Pete x

Comment is about Dormant Virus (blog)

'than stare at us from shallow eyes' great line. unfortunately i've seen that look a few times.
I agree with Janet on both points x

Comment is about An Anti-Love Poem (blog)

Original item by Neil West

ha ha leaning latrines... my only traumatic experience that weekend.(got off quite lightly considering the state of my festival head) i never did quite made it to the one i was aiming for from the queue.
great review. a wonderful read. see you guys there next year. maybe you could look up (and perform at) Festinho ,a fledgeling festival held in suffolk first weekend of Sept. there's definately the audience.

Comment is about Big Chill Festival (article)

Changes are superb - top class. Sorry I missed the 'off' syllable count; I was dotting off on my fingers too. Great job. Be thrilled!.

Comment is about Out of the Darkness (revised edition) (blog)

Hi Mike, your recording blew me away. i have read much of your work, and have been moved by your anger, sadness, love, injustice - the whole range of emotions really...but only through my own voice and intonation. listening, after reading first, added so much more for me in many ways. haunting x

Comment is about Moving Down the Line (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Done Steve, thanks for that.
I've really enjoyed writing this and the comments have been very helpful.

Janet.x

Comment is about Out of the Darkness (revised edition) (blog)

Hi Janet
How about 'bhodran beating loud' as the final line for the 'Women of Ireland'
the bhodran (sort of Irish drum used in Irish folk music) beating as the heart of the Irish women, beating loud.
Otherwise, super duper

Comment is about Out of the Darkness (revised edition) (blog)

I hate Jerry Sadowitz but i'm not sure i'd wish all that on him Rodney, ha ha.
It'll all come back at him sure enough.

Janet.x

Comment is about JERRY SADOWITZ (blog)

Original item by Rodney Wood

Great rhythm and some great lines too.
I enjoy reading your work, it is very performance oriented. I'd like to hear this too. :-)

Janet.x

Comment is about Mercy killing - my paean to shopping, because it is my local sport... (blog)

Original item by Danni Antagonist

Memories are made of this....

Enjoyed this read Pete but then you know i like this kind of poem from you. Simple expressions with a hint of reality thrown in for good measure.

Janet.x

Comment is about Dormant Virus (blog)

There's sadly a lot of truth in this poem Neil.
That last line is great advice for any would- be relationships.

Janet.x

Comment is about An Anti-Love Poem (blog)

Original item by Neil West