I felt it was inappropriate to judge this poem as it was already 'chosen' so I purposely didn't comment, however, I still found it engaging. If there was an invitation to criticise it would be on the blog - which it was at some point I assume. Anyway well done to you again and debate is good but we can't please all and why should we. The ethos of WOL is reflected in what happens on here!

Comment is about Richer, tomorrow (article)

I really enjoyed this, especially your delivery of the poem :), living in Japan, I really miss the way we Brits express our anger and pet hates, people don't tend to do that here in the east. I believe in expression and this poem is spot on.

Thank you, Belindax

Comment is about these things I despise (blog)

Hi Gus, Thank you for your encouraging comments about my poem, I agree, I think I've turned a corner with my poetry. Belinda x

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Its amazing how many people fall for advertisments. I dont know what lenor is, but Im sure we have the same product here, under a different name.I see what Tv does to my kids, and I remember believing it, long ago. I dont anymore, I hardley have the tv on, for any amount of time, as its really all lies.Good job

Comment is about The Wonderful World Of Oh Lenora (blog)

HI There, The vietnam war was a big one for sure, almost ever country had soldiers, there for a time, some more then others, and yes we are all expendable to the war machine, the Rothchilds dont give a crap about any of us, the wealthy bankers own the world, and all governments, elected and otherwise, they take their orders, and our children die.I think drugs of some sort were in all wars, why not drown the pain in some thing? I dont think I could be a soldier.Id run away, If I felt it was wrong, I could not do as told. the poems nice.I dont think I could write about war, as I have not been in it, shoot, regular life is like war, in some strange way.You do well, with it.I have known some guys messed up for life, from war, and I have pitty for them, and respect.I could never do it, unless a gun was put to my head, and I was forced to kill. good job Pete.

Comment is about Vietnam Diary (blog)

Hi antonio, your poem a subject near and dear to me.I wonder as well.I dont recall any verbage that says God knows what we will do.When I read about Job, I sure feel sorry for him, and that was a test for sure, and it was a deal made between God and the Devil. I cant say that I aprove, as a parent, and sub creator, I feel its wrong to test others.BUt Im not the one and only God. I sure feel like Im some kinda experiment, ants under glass, being watched. I think God is always there, in everything we see that was created, and just there. It bothers me that I dont hear a voice talking to me after my prayers, but then I figure Im not that big of a problem, and it could be, prob is, that there are worse problems out there, then my own. Im still waiting to hear rocks cry out Gods name, boy that will be a day to remember. Truth be told, I dont get the whole test thing, the free will deal.If today, I turned into God, The devil would not be alive in any way shape or form again, Id set up a large chair, for the world to see, and Id sit and chat.No more tests, you f -up and your gone, I guess would be how it would have to work, altho that seems kinda harsh to me, could be some kinda jail cell put up, so you get a fair warning, Im here and Im watching now. If Im wrong and there is no God, then I have not pissed anyone off, and I have tried to live a good life and be a good person, in the end thats what counts. Thats what Id be rememberd by.I think we need to be kind to others, and help people in need. Sure, I wish I could stop wars and such, but Im one person.I enjoyed the poem. sorry for going on and on.

Comment is about An interview with God (blog)

Glad you liked it Gus. By the way, I like your shoes!

Comment is about Memory Beach (blog)

Hi Belinda
Superdooperini... your best yet....in my opinion

Well Done
Gus

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

More Vitimin C than you throw a stick at!... Hey Anthony they don't get much better than this love it!

Gus

Comment is about "… not the only fruit" and "three kisses" (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Wonderful wonderful''''
love the pants of ya
GusX

Comment is about Memory Beach (blog)

Being a fan of clever rhyme and lyricism, I have to say that I loved reading '...not the only fruit'. I bet it's especially good in performance - I could see you winning slams with that one - that's if you haven't done so already.
HT

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Mike, I really am very impressed and touched by the words you have written, but then, I wouldn't have expected lesser quality from yourself. Poetry often means more to the author than those reading, but in your case, I truly think that the words you have written give insight into your soul, and mean equally the message you are giving, both to the reader and yourself. As Nabila has said, you have obviously given this some thought, but in doing so, you have given the reader much thought (and love), too. An inspiration, and a blessing to read. Thank you for sharing this. If these words be testimony to the amount of depth in feeling you posses, then you have a heart as deep as the well of life itself. Enough said, I have much to learn.

Comment is about Memory Dim (blog)

Original item by Mike S.

Thank you Janet, Alison and Anthony. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem - your comments are greatly appreciated!
I loved Enid Blyton as a kid. I know she's had a bad press more recently, but I would still count 'The Magic Faraway Tree' as a favourite book from childhood and recall the sense of loss that I felt when I finished it.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to read / listen and comment.
HT

Comment is about Memory Beach (blog)

reminds me a it of the song 'hello walls' by willy nelson'. Really like this poem.

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Dear Anthony, Janet, and Nabila,

Thank you so much for your feedback on my poem, it really was written from the heart, and your comments have brought from poem alive and leaping from the page, thank you again, I treasure your comments.

Love Belinda

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Hi Helen,
Your poem reminded me very much of the adventures of the famous five books by Enid Blyton. Great stuff with some fantastic lines and imagery.
On the other side of the coin, i could turn this into a beach meditation. A fun one.
Janet.x

Janet.x

Comment is about Memory Beach (blog)

Hi Belinda,
I enjoyed reading this too.
Really felt the emptiness and yet somehow the peace is there too.
Love and light to you, Janet.x

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Oranges to you sir!
I see you're familiar with the scientific experiments with said fruit. I hope you're as good at tongue twisters if you ever perform this live. The zest of jest.
I love it!

I like the little trifle you subjected us to as well.
In the last one, i feel you're a bit mean but i suppose you had your reasons. :-)

It's a well done from me sir!!
Janet.xxx

Comment is about "… not the only fruit" and "three kisses" (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Wow this is really good - when human emotions are touched through a poem , it is well written!

Lovelyx

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Hi Helen,
I just loved reading this poem. So vivd those precious memories of happy childhood days on 'Memory Beach'. As Anthony says, the sense of loss is present at the end as the tide sweeps away this day and that of our childhood innocence. Lovely

Comment is about Memory Beach (blog)

Hi Belinda.
I enjoyed this very much. It vividly demonstrates the sense of loss found in the everyday.
A.E.

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Hi Helen.
I found this very evocative with all its calls to memories and the senses. The sense of loss, not only at day's end, but of childhood innocence, is palpably demonstrated. Excellent.
A.E.

Comment is about Memory Beach (blog)

Hi Alison,

Thank you so much for your comments, it's really means alot. I wanted to convey the emotion I felt when my sister left after visiting me from the UK, and how I felt when she left.

Thank you for taking the time to read my poem.

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

Hi Belinda, your poem is filled with that empty feeling you get in the absence of someone. I really felt that. It's real because you remember the annoying things as well as the good. It's the whole person you miss, faults and all. I really enjoyed this..

Comment is about a space in my apartment (blog)

Original item by Belinda

I thank each of you for your kind words on my poem.

Comment is about I see you, but you’re not there (blog)

Original item by Phil Golding

I thank each and everyone who has commented on my poem. I especially thank Sean for choosing my poem as POM. I for one value this accolade. As with everything in life, learning and discovering poetry is a long and enjoyable experience.

May this feature continue as is.

Comment is about Richer, tomorrow (article)

I really love this poem - beautiful. you are a good writer


Like the inversion and general use of language - you have given it a lot of thought

Comment is about Memory Dim (blog)

Original item by Mike S.

Tim,

Good evening. Welcome to WOL - bet birds of the world have their heads all tucked under their wings, just now

Comment is about Tim Ellis (poet profile)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Finding your material interesting, especially the way you combine ancient-classical references with current grit. T'other Mike.

Comment is about Fuchsias are an Autumn Flower (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Great to see you getting out and into those gigs!
Good to non poetry audience
Hoping to see you soon
Joint compere somewhere sometime?

whaddd ya saaay

keep writing

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

left comment on Jaan

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

this is seriously good. Wish I'd written this.

Comment is about Early days, early doors (blog)

yeah u made it sound like u liked my poem...

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi I love it yes Fate has no say we can change our destiny at any given time x

Comment is about Fate (blog)

Original item by Richard Brooks

Hi Hun you are amazing I love the way you see life and your understanding of it fills my heart with a feeling of fire! My candle will always burn for you xx

Comment is about Richard Brooks (poet profile)

Original item by Richard Brooks

Hi Gus
I will always co host if you need help with that

I am a fan of 'where do we go from here'
great poem mate

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Two or three reads of my stuff Andy and yer hooked....ya old poem junkie!
See ya soon wid da pasties!
Gus

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Steve - Cheers for the comments over 'Perfect Place' - I must admit it is probably my personal fav poem, so clearly you have good taste! I've only ever read it live about two or three times probably because of the serious and deeply nature off it! The girl I wrote it about ages ago seriously cried when she read it, so clearly I did something right with it.

If I can build up the courage - I could well read this out at Freed Up next time, even though it is not about parties! lol

Comment is about Steve O'Connor (poet profile)

Original item by Steve O'Connor

very impressive

Comment is about Darren Thomas at the Tri-Lingual Mushaira, Bolton October 2008 (photo)

and after i broke though the ice the fish wus this big...

Comment is about After Russia turned off the gas, poets at Write Out Loud Hebden Bridge, Jan 2009. (photo)

Sometimes it's really healthy to let it all out. I could imagine you on stage doing an Atilla the Stockbroker impersonation.

Comment is about these things I despise (blog)

Just enjoyed your rhymes, Emma.

Comment is about Emma Roy- Williams (poet profile)

Original item by Emma Roy- Williams

yeah u gotta love vegimite haha

Comment is about Early days, early doors (blog)

The format is intersting and I can read it very easily as it has good rhythm and flows, but for some reason, I can't get all the contrasting images to harmonise in my head mm - will read a few more times (although I have read this a few times now)

Comment is about Early days, early doors (blog)

bloomin eck Steve I dont just do ranty poems

I don't understand what you mean by half finished!
am I half finished?
Probably.

I was half completed on an asembly line in Dagenham, or was that my Cortina? Jags are old hat.so passe.unecassary.guzzling.anti.lah.lah.chav tapes, hmm takes me back. Drum and Bass I like at the moment.

Im not a pOet Steve.
Hows it going
im not happy

Comment is about these things I despise (blog)

Where to start Darren? Yes, you can go against the consensus (hurrah!); that's the point of this. And, you do raise valid questions about the rationale and ethos of this site. Does it pretend to be a poetry mag? What is it for? Who is it for? etc.
If we are a poetry mag, what are the editorial guidelines (number one, have some guidelines)? I accept that we are disappointingly opaque about such matters, not least to ourselves.
On the choice itself, Phil would be the first to want his poem chosen for its merits rather than: Ah, bless, he's got Parkinson's. I also know Sean, and he has little patience with poor poetry. And Sean has a particular interest in such issues because of his medical background.
But the piece does have a great deal of merit and provides insight into a world of which I would otherwise know nothing. It does so with some good imagery and humour.
I do agree with you about what you generously call typo's. I really wish our poets would proof and edit their work before putting it on the site, but that applies across the piece. They would not dream of submitting to a poetry mag without triple-checking grammar and spelling (or would they?). But, let he who is without sin cast the first comma, Darren.
The sole criterion is that it must be picked by the previous month's POTM writer; a free choice within the poems not already chosen.
We decided on that approach after earlier criticism that we were making our own, apparently arbitrary choices (but that's what editors do). It was a temporary expedient that has stuck.
Come and join our editorial team and help us in our quest for the answers - or at least the next set of questions.
If you, or anyone else, has an idea for a role you would like to play in the website, please get in touch and we will take up your offer (if we feel like it - ?).
p.s. Didn’t know you had a coat?
Cheers.

Comment is about Richer, tomorrow (article)

Perfect Place.

Like this, Andy. I particularly like -

'I want to listen
To the cars parking
In the distance.'

It's an odd image, but a really engaging one. I think this might be my favourite poem of yours. It feels very focused.

Good one, Andy.

Steve

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I want to read/hear a Crompton poem called 'Half finished opportunity'. That's a belting line, Pete. There's a lot in that.

Good and ranty poem, Pete. Delivered well too.

Incidentally, I was very impressed with your Jag. Good, clean interior and a smooth runner. Disappointed with your choice in music though. Whatever happened to all those chavvy mix tapes you were banging on about not so long ago?

Comment is about these things I despise (blog)

Hi Winston,

thank you for your comment on my profile - it means a lot to know that you sense the strata : )

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

thank you for the tip andy
i like your poems they make
you think and see whats happening
they are really great cnt wait to read more
from you - Hollie

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N