By example do we lead Janet. Very good Chloe you have made your first leap into poetry so keep on writing. You show great promise.

Comment is about 3 poems by Chloe Ramsden (Janet's niece) (blog)

Hi Chloe

I enjoyed reading these, especially 'Auntie Janet'. I hope you keep writing. You can learn from other people, but the main thing is to enjoy it and keep doing it. If you read your poems again after a few months, you'll probably feel how you want to improve. And it's how you feel that's important. Hope to 'see' you again on WOL

Comment is about 3 poems by Chloe Ramsden (Janet's niece) (blog)

i love this. very medative (is that a word?) last stanza is brilliant. well done.

Comment is about Familiar Environment? (blog)

Original item by Lenford White

Thank you, everyone for your comments on this poem.

And I love William Blake's work.

Comment is about Black Birds (blog)

You know what Beulah? I don't think this needed an explanation as to it's whereabouts.
The imagery for this could be in any major town or city, it is so very familiar everywhere.
I agree it's a good write.

Janet.x

Comment is about Hope Square (blog)

Original item by Beulah

Interesting one this. I studied Joan of Arc for GCSE along with ''To Kill a Mocking Bird.''
Not a dissimilar theme when you think about it in a literal sense.

Janet.x

Comment is about For I Have Sinned. (blog)

Hi Melissa

I've only just found this by following the trail from the fascinating William Blake discussion. It's hard to keep track of everything. I do like it.

Comment is about Black Birds (blog)

Hi Steve, great poem - I know exactly what you mean, which is always a plus in my book. Similarly could understand Langston Hughes, Wonderful poems. As it happens I had heard of langston, but not read anything by him. As it happens I am a Jazz person and like to capture this is some of my poems.

I thought that your But, Butt, Butt poem was interesting. Look on my blog. I wrote a poem about a big woman, on a train. Though from a very different perspective to you, I think. It's called Nintendo DS - Light.

Oh, see full version of My Hands Were Made Strong

Comment is about Touch Love (blog)

Thanks Janet, South Africa was very interesting. What do you think of my latest two?
Lenford x

Comment is about Broken - The Transformers (blog)

Original item by Lenford White

Hi Dominic

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, I 'm hoping to do a few more open mic nights this year but at present a bit restricted with hospital appointments due to my ticker.
Really enjoyed the 'Inside Out poetry night'
All the best to you and yours

Paul+Mary Broadhurst

Comment is about Dominic Berry (poet profile)

Original item by Dominic Berry

Hi Dave
Thanks for reading anc commenting on 'Important' - glad you liked it.
No _ I suppose the questions don't come much bigger than why are we here? and does anything matter? but I think I'm coming at them from a different point-of-view to yours. I don't have any religious or spiritual faith or convictions - I don't believe there is any kind of afterlife where we'll receive a reward for being virtuous - I believe this is it! and precisely because this is it ... is why our actions matter. But as you point out - equally - perhaps not. I know which way I prefer to try and conduct myself - but, in the end, I don't think the world notices much!

I, too, loved the Bill Bryson Short History. And although I don't have your spiritual beliefs ..... I do always wonder ......!
:-)
Cx

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

A good write which I am sure many will identify with.
Bernie

Comment is about Hope Square (blog)

Original item by Beulah

Hope Square is a 'rectangle' just outside McDonalds on Bishopsgate London, near Liverpool St. Station

Comment is about Hope Square (blog)

Original item by Beulah

your kind words of encouragement are really uplifting. thank you so much. x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

...hello Cynthia...thank you for the comment...in sixty years I've never heard anyone pointing out that 'religion' and 'time' are man-made ideas, and the Earth and universe will carry on perfectly well when man has gone...I just thought it needed saying.....chris.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cate
Thanks for commenting.
First of all I couldn't beat your Blog photograph (I'm not sure I phrased that correctly)
Secondly, if I'd put a photo of my bum on the Blog, it may have started a riot
Thirdly, if I'd put a photo of the sort of bum I saw on the bus, I'd have probably got crucified.
Us men just can't win
Steve :-))))

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

I've mulled this one over some. Think I half agree with Cate - it is human nature to seek happiness in others. Like it or not therefore we all have the potential to be hurt and to hurt. I guess just how much we so depends on how the pain is administered. A really super poem Cynthia. I am not good at discussing structure - just know that it makes us think.

Comment is about Do Not Lay the Burden (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cate

Thanks for your comments. Yes it was hard - extremely chewy and odd. Even though I hate waste, the attempt had to be abandoned. To top it all I forgot photos could be posted with blogs. A pic of the sad little object would have made a nice addition

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Your comments are always valued and appreciated Cynthia.
Cate xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Nicky, thanks for your lovely comment on Sunflowers. Yellow is one of my fav colours so I think you made a good choice there!
As to the not liking lilies, I think its the frame of mind I remember them in. Someone dear to me died a few years ago and I can still smell the lilies in the funeral parlour mixed with the unbearable grief.
On the other hand my daughter got married two years ago, and she had the most beautiful long spray of white lilies for her bouquet, so its just a case of the frame of mind I was in when I wrote the poem.
Cate xx

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hi again Dave, thanks for your comment on Sunflowers... a very perceptive comment you put up!
Cate xx

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Well written, and great sentiments! Our society places so much emphasis on the young and the beautiful.....if more women read and believed in this then less would feel the necessity to go under the knife!!
Cate

Comment is about in celebration of older women (blog)

Original item by Lydia

I get the sense of everything coming full circle here Carole. Beautifully written.
Cate xx

Comment is about Rowan tree (blog)

Te he he,,,,, glad to be an inspiration to you Steve BUT I see youve no butt picture in yours!!!!!!
Cate xx

Comment is about But Butt Buttt (blog)

"Sometimes, I feel him
on the breeze" what a lovely and poignant line.
This is beautiful, but very sad.
Cate xx

Comment is about Lilley (blog)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Yes I like this too Nicky. Not sure how many of us will be remembered when we`re dead for our poetry though!!
Cate xx

Comment is about Write Out Loud! (blog)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Someone once said this same thing to me before hurting me deeply. It`s easy to say we are not resposible for the happiness of others but in essence, really, we are. We may not want that resposibility, but it comes with the territory of being human.
A very clever and thought provoking gem Cynthia.
Cate xx

Comment is about Do Not Lay the Burden (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Rod,

I know the West End Centre - i once helped promote Courtney Pine and got free tickets for mi labour

there was also a bookshop within the shopping centre - i bought and read most of the work of the french masters there and some of Chekov's stuff

steve

Comment is about Rodney Wood (poet profile)

Original item by Rodney Wood

re-found it Isobel. Yep, it hits the mark exactly, thank you for reminding me, I'm going to print this now. ; ) deb x

Comment is about Cramping My Style (blog)

Original item by Isobel

I love this Isobel x

Comment is about Words (blog)

Original item by Isobel

sigh...lovely words. ..Deb

Comment is about Touch Love (blog)

I like this poem Cynthia - it is reflective and expresses things I believe in. We are all responsible for our own happiness - we just have to find the way.

Comment is about Do Not Lay the Burden (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello Cate,
thank you for your recent very kind comments on my poems דבורה and Virtuality..yes, hope is an uphill struggle sometimes and sometimes it slips away into the mist again..but then a new view opens up in it's place so it was worth the climb..I am trying to play that same violin but i have snapped 2 strings and anyone hearing me might be the ones to cry..never mind..it's fun : )) thanks again, debz xx

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Hi Gus, I can't remember if I thanked you for your lovely comments on Virtuality. No matter, i thank you anew because you are kind to have taken the time to post them, Debz xx

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hello Val,
thank you for your recent kind comments on my poem דבורה. : ) deb xx

Comment is about Valerie Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Valerie Cook

Good evening mr J, thank you very much for your kind comments on my poem דבורה. Do i have the right to return ?..not sure but if this weather keeps up i might give it a go.. thank you again, debz xx

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hello Cynthia,
thank you for your recent very kind comments on my poem דבורה. i am touched that you took the time to send me your thoughts, : ) deb x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello Win,
I hope you and Maisie are having a nice summer on your boat. Thank you for your recent comments on דבורה. Your supportive words are always appreciated, : )
deb x

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Thank an invented God for that, as I really like your style.
As far as I remember, Joyce thought himself too clever to rhyme, preferring assonance. Beckett didn't rhyme a lot...reading his poems are a penance for admiring 'Waiting for Godot'.
Steve Smith

Comment is about Michèle Vassal (poet profile)

Original item by Michèle Vassal

i like this poem

Comment is about Do Not Lay the Burden (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

ok Cynthia
Beautiful back.
This is the old story of saying bucket-loads in a thimble.
I know some people may use 'unguarded comment' as a weapon, but I can only hope that it isn't so for the great majority
Steve M.

Comment is about Do Not Lay the Burden (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi back
Thanks for the compliment.
'Touch' is certainly heartfelt. It sort of mirrors what I felt on my first and last days with ....
Together - forever
I'm romantic enough to hope that these feelings come along to everyone in their lifetime
Thanks again for taking the time
Steve

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello everyone

With my month drawing to its close, I’d just like to say thankyou all for your splendid comments. I was hoping to beat Alex Smith’s 42-comments record, but I still think we’ve done pretty well here. Particular thanks, in this respect, to Gus, who sent his comment twice. Every little helps.

I think Mr McGonagall may have read too much into my humble piece (always the best flattery a poet can get) - I know little of charity pimps or Gary Barlow. It’s more about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and George Formby, really. Also, I apologise for misspelling ‘lirra’. I was making no askance reference to obsolete Italian currency.

Finally, thanks for welcoming a South-Eastern girl like myself into this stronghold of North-West poetry. I hope to be up your way again soon. Last month I was in Preston, reading my poems in a lovely park. Very nice second-hand bookshops, too.

Best regards

Rachel P

Comment is about Lady of Shalott Day (article)

This is excellent, Stephen ... it comes across as really heartfelt...whether art or artifice, it doesn't matter.

Comment is about Touch Love (blog)

Hello Tomas

Thanks for your thoughts on my "Four Magnolia Walls". I think you have hit the nail on the head (see how I extend the DIY metaphor, there).

Best regards

Rachel P

Comment is about Tomás Ó Cárthaigh (poet profile)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

You have a lovely voice and accent Tomas - so wish I was able to record like that - I need to buy the technology. I enjoyed listening to your poetry - they are calm reflective pieces with much truth in them.

Comment is about Some Poems from Prague (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Lovely poem Steve...
Your words capture the feeling of love for many.

Comment is about Touch Love (blog)

Thanks for your comment Cynthia. You are kind. Don't feel like I'm writing much of great value at the moment - think I need another holiday!

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I would love to say a touching poem but you might think I was trying to be funny, so I will say poignant instead - very poignant.

Comment is about Touch Love (blog)

No prob Isobel, from my point of view pieces like this should be out in the public domain, it is I think importent to get occurances like this, which is by the way very common in the DRC out in the open, so people can have a idea of what is going on.

again Isobel, no probs.
Bernie

Comment is about Support Your Goverment Forces (blog)