Thanks for commenting Isobel, glad you enjoyed it.

All comments are welcome lass whether I know folk or not - Cynthia is quite right to pull me up on the extraneous apostrophes, bit of a blind moment there - it's exactly the sort of error I've often pointed out to my daughter, lol.

Thanks again, Dave

Comment is about Brand New View (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Nice one Cynthia, much cleverer than mine. Two of my favourite poems are "Emperor Moon" by Gary Snyder and "When I heard the learned astronomer" by Walt Whitman. Both on similar themes. We're in good company.

Comment is about Television Moon (after the Moon Landing, July, 1969) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A lovely poem Dave - I don't often like poems about nature or still life but this isn't still life and some things can take your breath away and be so hard to describe as you capture so well. I'm presuming you know previous commentors well. Such pointed one sided commentary can only come from very good friends indeed.

Comment is about Brand New View (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Hello Cynthia - thank you for your kind comments on 'Brand New View' - I have removed the offending apostrophes now - good of you to draw my attention to that oversight :)

Best wishes

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Simply super ... spare of word and steeped in worldliness.

Comment is about Searching for Chains (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Dave, I really like this, the idea and the charm of the language used. But, because you're working almost in the basic couplet form, I personally would like all of it to scan as well as the last four lines ... a little 'tighter' as they say. By the way, so you'll know, 'it's' means 'it is' and 'its' means 'belonging to' as in 'its beauty'. Just a smallish point, but it is a reading bump.

Comment is about Brand New View (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Dave, this is really good; I greatly enjoyed it. May I ask if you have read my own Television Moon? I only do so because we share so much of the same sentiment.

Comment is about Ten Years After (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

Are these powerful lines just swelling out of you now with the events of this past week? Or have you been hovering over them for awhile, spinning them in your head? Very heart-rending images skillfully shared.

Comment is about Two war poems (edited!) (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Good one, Steve, very good. I like the universality of it ... could be a partner, father, brother ... an insightful social comment.

Comment is about the man I love to hate (blog)

a shocking end , no one should have to suffer so .

such a gentle start in life too, a little star

i almost wish i hadnt read the poem to the end

Comment is about A poetess worth words (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Hi Barrie,
I checked out the website you mentioned.
Saw your profile too. Very interesting artwork on there and some great poetry by yourself. I'll visit it again soon.
I need to stay away from ''darkness'' though for a while. I try to focus on the angelic and light.

Janet.x

Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Having just 'sampled you' Stephen, I see we are in accord. Your comment on 'Loss Leader' was the one I wished to provoke. Thanks.
Dear Maggie was, of course, worse than a dead loss.

Comment is about stephen smith (poet profile)

Original item by stephen smith

Hi Cynthia,
Not being a drinker - apart from the occasional glass of wine, I found these anthems to Martini and its obvious effects fascinating. Alcohol obviously loosens the tongue and the inhibitions - it's the morning after effects I dislike, leaving one both shaken AND stirred! Number IV was my favourite.
Regards
A.E.

Comment is about Martini Moments (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I think you have captured the allure of that secret moment of intoxication !
Steve Smith

Comment is about Martini Moments (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Barry, I'm glad you'e saying what should be siad...the choreographed hypocrisy of a military funeral is truly nauseating and you've rent the curtain!
Steve Smith

Comment is about Loss leader (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Well Ladies,
Thanks all for your comments. I would have you know that not everything I write is autobiographical! Yes, it is written frrom a male perspective - how strange then to only get reviews from the fairer sex. Perhaps the Lad's Mag brigade don't frequent these pages. I guess the poem was meant to illustrate the raw power of physical attraction for men, a power that seems to override all other insticts - including common sense. Those damned hormones can be a real pain in the . . . but fun too! ;-)
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about risk (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Anthony,
the reason i included the ''diamond'' and ''ice'' in my original post was to show a different image than the clichéd ''clear as crystal.''
To be completely honest. If i learned all the rules of writing poetry, i would stop writing altogether. Maybe i shouldn't be attempting poetry at all. I always seem to get something wrong and believe me when i say that is not a slight against your critique which really is welcome.
Maybe i should stick to story telling. I know i'm good at including imagery and injecting the right emotions for best effect.
Rules?
Seems to me that everyone is allowed to break the rules just so long as they've studied hard before-hand. I just cut out the middle man. :-)
Thanks for your insight and i'm sure it will help someone else too. That's what's good about this website.

Janet.x

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

Hi Janet,
Please don't stop including adjectives! Why shouldn't a poet use adjectives? I know the current trend in writing is to do away with the use of all adjectives/adverbs, but I can't say I've ever understood the reason for it. "Show not tell" is a good maxim, but that isn't always possible with the poetic form. For me it's not about not using adjectives/adverbs, but using the right ones, in the right context, in the right places. I think it's important to try to avoid cliched adjectives and to try to bring a fresh perspective to an image - unless you're doing it for a well-understood reason, but other than that, learn the rules - and then learn how to break them all!
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

Hi Stephen,
I found this to be an interesting poem, and a very different take on a tragic case. You have blended your ideas and themes well here. I wanted to read some of the poetry Shafi left behind and have tried to find it on the web, but with no luck.If you have access I would love to see it.
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about A poetess worth words (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Thank you Cynthia for your comment on my poem. How do you mean presentation disciplined?
Anyway, I like this poem , it touches that nerve we have when we have children and then see those who have had no other reason to be but parents..where does love go? Carried away by the loved and the residue condensed into a cat or a dog?
Steve Smith.

Comment is about Oh, Daughters, My Daughters! (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Dave

This is one of my favourite poems of yours; beautiful, gentle and traquil - delightful!

Comment is about Ten Years After (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

Hi Alain,

This case disturbs me too, especially when seen in the light of previous events:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2343930.ece

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about US/UK Extradition Treaty Debate in Parliament 15 July 2009 (blog)

Original item by Alain English

Isobel and Francine are right Pete. We're not all the same. If we were this life would be a very boring existence.
It is disheartening though when we feel let down because of misinterpretations or other things which get to us when we're not feeling very strong or tetchy depending on which end you're at. Overcoming the testing times can be hard work but is all part of the bigger picture. Is it worth it? Well only you can decide that!
One sided friendships/relationships never work for long without returning to the same gripes over and over again. Communication is the key. Without that you have nothing and even that is a two way process. See?

I like the way you've expressed the emotions in this Pete. You have a knack of doing that whether it is personal to you or not.

Janet.x

Comment is about on the outside (blog)

cheers me dear. prose looks exciting! i havnt the time to read it now, but am looking forward to sitting down with a brew and having a proper peruse...xx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

I'm glad you are back posting again Pete - your poetry cannot be ignored and goes straight to the heart of things. Not sure how much of this is based on personal experience and how much you are getting into the mind of a character as you have done in other poems. It is a sad one. But who said we are all supposed to be the same? That is not my experience. Re human nature - I would say there are more good people than bad on the whole. Us humans are very flawed though and each one to a different level. It is easy to see a flaw that you don't have yourself - not so easy to see your own. Or maybe I'm just talking shit.

Comment is about on the outside (blog)

Really like this...
Some people are truly good and give from the heart, and other people have hidden agendas... Not everyone is the same.

Comment is about on the outside (blog)

Hello Anthony. This will be brief as I am clobbered by adversity right now. You clearly have wide talent. Loved the prose style and was getting drawn in, but no time. Thanks for comment on 'Loss Leader'.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Dave

Thanks for your comments, it's always good to have some constructive criticism. Reading through some of your stuff I like the way that you set the scene. Good stuff ma man!

Answering your question about who inspires me?... I share a house with Mia Darlone! enough said! ha ha

Comment is about Dave Morgan (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Morgan

You are far too kind Cynthia, but thank you anyway.

A lot of people don't like this kind of stuff which I turn out from time to time whe n I am moved by something with feelings that I simply cannot express other than in verse. I don't think it will ever go anywhere other than this website though. :-)

Comment is about For The Love Of Little Children (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

Beautiful imaginative ideas pouring out of your mind in lovely phrases. I think they now need more discipline in presentation. But the originality sings out.

Comment is about Seasoned (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Quite fascinating...... I thought it was an old Celtic legend until I read your comment to Isobel!!
Cate xx

Comment is about Did a Spirit Knock On Rossbawns Walls (blog)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

This poem is brilliant, so subtly and chillingly does it expose the situation. This is a poem fit for the future studies of literature.

Comment is about For The Love Of Little Children (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

Beautiful descriptive lines here.
Cate xx

Comment is about Seasoned (blog)

Original item by stephen smith

Hi Thomas, thanks for your comment on Who do you See. Ive just been having a look at some of your work, and had a good chuckle at your Mc Gonagle poem.Ive always loved and quoted "Oh beautiful bridge o`er the Silvery Tay", as how not to do it, but as you have so rightly pointed out, how may poets have come and gone? and this still brings a smile to anyone who reads it...... makes you think!!
Cate xx

Comment is about Tomás Ó Cárthaigh (poet profile)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Ha grasshopper, the guru's life was changed irrevocably the day his karma ran over his dogma

Nogram Veda

Comment is about Guru (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

I enjoyed the light-hearted nature of this. I love the Ness mystery and wrote one with some similarities to yours.
Interesting you imagine Ness to be a ''she.''

Janet :-)

Comment is about Lonely Ness (blog)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Ah yes, now i see. Thankyou Anthony.
I do have a tendency to include adjectives but i'm trying harder. It does appear stronger now with the changes.

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

I too think this is excellent. I love rhyming poetry.
I also enjoy poetry which tells a story based around circumstance and fact, yet without judgement. Nice one.

Janet. :-)

Comment is about Loss leader (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Hi Janet,
I have considered what you say. The problem for me is that if that's the technical name for the object in question, then it has effectively three adjectives as qualifiers - diamond, ice and crystal. I don't think you would lose anything by dropping at least two of these terms. It seems to be, from what you say, a wand made from crystal. (and is probably neither diamond nor ice in reality.) Anyone familiar with the concept would know exactly what you meant simply by using crystal wand. You could still drop the "mind as clear" line, but then I suppose you dont get the idea that the "force" if you like is generated by a mind. Your poem - your call!
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

Hi Dave,
this is really good with some powerful imagery.
This is the kind of poetry i aspire to write myself one day. One day maybe a million miles away but i'll get there with a little help from my friends.

Janet.x

Comment is about Ten Years After (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

Hi Sian,
thanks for your recent comment.
Nice to see you back :-)

Janet.x

Comment is about sian howell (poet profile)

Original item by sian howell

ps. forgot to mention. I liked the cheeky pic you had before but this one is colourful and it makes me wonder if you chose it at random or if you were drawn to it.

Janet.x

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Anthony,
thanks for your comment and feedback on my poem ' The Healer '. I've included a comment below the poem if you'd like to assist further.
I do agree about the first line so your writing experience will be gratefully accepted.

Janet. :-)

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi everyone and thanks for comments.
Shoeless- i have a few poems like this one but don't post them here often because they are not the kind of work i would ever perform or read at a gig. Glad it made you think though, i know you can relate to the content :-)

Isobel- i think you have the underlying theme worked out so thanks.

Anthony- yes i actually agree with you on the first line but the diamond ice crystal wand is a spiritual tool essential to the nature of natural healing. Would it be better used as a second line or perhaps ditch the first part ''a mind as clear as.'' ?
Look forward to your opinion and thoughts on it.

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

Dear Cate,
Thanks for your comment on my poem, I appreciate it. I also came to this poem which I'd missed due to play-writing exertion. I love how you underscore the happy moment with the ominous - I think that's how we know we were happy!
Steve Smith x

Comment is about Old Photographs (blog)

Original item by Cate

Hi Pete,
Enjoyed this. Very imaginative and appropriate use of metaphor to encapsulate that state of mind. I think it could be tightened up - but to be honest there's not much slack in it.
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about lonely (blog)

Hi Janet,
I enjoyed the mystery and intangibility of this. The only bit I found a little ungainly was the first line;

a diamond ice crystal wand"

I feel you are trying to do too much with this image and it seems clumsy - too descriptive and unnecessary. I would drop either of the metaphors to "clarify" it!

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

Hi Barrie,

Relevant, thoughtful, true and an insightful comment on the value placed on human lives for political purposes. Excellent.
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Loss leader (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

a good poem janet , i have never felt the vacant space .

i wouldnt ever have thought of writing a poem about this experience , you have made me think

Comment is about The Healer (blog)

Ive come back to re visit this, as I find it a particulary haunting piece of work. The juxtaposition of the young dead girl and the beauty around her is so vivid and moving. It reminds me of one of my favourite poems when I was a young girl, The Lady of Shalott.
Not only is it beautifully written, it has a strong message too. A worthy requiem for the "poetess with words"
Cate xx

Comment is about A poetess worth words (blog)

Original item by stephen smith