Hi Cyn - thanks for your comments on "dont let go" - I can see what Isobel & Chris mean - it could easily be expanded upon - but I'd said all I had to say. thanks. B

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cynthia I'm really flattered by your comments on Gasometers. You never know when you write something whether it will appeal to others or even make much sense. I thought this one was a bit risky in places, so am really pleased you liked it.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Good morning Larisa-just saying that I hope you and yours and McCoy are all well-catch you later-Stef-xx(M-xx)

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Re: 'why' - great response, Josh, well argued.

Comment is about Joshua Van-Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

Good morning Lynn-hope you are well-enjoy your week-see you later young Lady-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Good morning Bernadette-just popped in to say hope you are well and enjoy your day-catch you later-Stef-xx

Comment is about bernadette herbertson (poet profile)

Original item by bernadette herbertson

I can see what you're saying Cynthia. However I was trying to come across from an angle of the picture being nearly completely unambiguous. I do think that 'why?' is a question while not under-asked exactly but that curiosity only seems to go so far for quite a few people and that 'why?' can be asked about a variety of subjects a lot of times before all possible light is shed.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for commenting, Cynthia. 'Lovely chum' is a phrase which the friend in question uses about her friends, so that's how I think of her

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Lynn - thank you for recent comments - you are very kind! xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thank you Gus for your lovely feedback on 'Enlightenment 82' will stop an d read your work soon and leave a note :o)

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Ann. Yes, I went on an Arvon course in 2004, for prose not poetry. I hadn't really looked at the small print, but when I got there discovered the course was primarily designed to root out bad habits. It was tough. I think I wrote my best piece at the beginning of the week, and my worst at the end. Two people left the course in midweek. We were given a template to construct fiction, and I could see the sense in it, but I don't think I've ever used it. Write the kind of poetry you enjoy writing - I guess that's obvious - it shouldn't be like a grinding school exercise. But sometimes it's enjoyable to try something new. And read as much as you can. And don't beat yourself up about not getting published. Blimey, that's good advice. It's about time I started following it!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Alain, thank you for your kind comments on "Candyfloss", much appreciated. x

Comment is about Alain English (poet profile)

Original item by Alain English

Cheers for the notice Cynthia. Foggy!

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Alain - thanks for dropping by and commenting on 'Future Archaeology'. Best wishes, Dave

Comment is about Alain English (poet profile)

Original item by Alain English

AS ever thanks for positive comms. It was one of those things I wanted to write something about for a while and then out of the blue it came.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cynthia, your enthusiasm always comes across as genuine and lovely, and your praise is prized, as it often balanced by careful criticism, and morale-boosting. Don't stop, please! The nomination was for WOL poem of the month, for next Jan! It is made by the month's previous winner, in this case David. I must admit it has gone under my radar in the past, but I guess it pops up in the Features section?

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson, by Camille Paglia, Vintage Books, September, 1991.

My friend in Canada forwarded this information, bless his pea-pickin' heart.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Greg, do I sometimes come across as insincere? I would bend over backward to avoid that. But sometimes a poem makes me want to jump up and shout, the connection with someone else's mind feels so good!

What nomination?

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Greg, Nomination was well deserved. You're well overdue for recognition on the site. As for the pic, I hope it reveals the inner man. I was quite impressed with myself for 'uploading' it. Next hurdle is the MP3. Need one of the kids home to show me how to do that. Way too clever for me!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi David. Cheers for the nomination - a happy new year for me! The welcome news coincided with an email from a colleague congratulating me on a headline I'd written, which doesn't happen very often, I can tell you! He'd also spotted something in it that I hadn't, which almost makes it on a par with poetry. Almost. Thanks for your suggestions about my samples; it's true, I suppose, I must spruce up my act. Good to see your pic, too. Mine's a pint of cider ...

Comment is about David Cooke (poet profile)

Original item by David Cooke

Interesting to read that you went on an Arvon course. I really enjoyed the one I just went on but it threw me a bit, I know I need to improve by masses and I have an idea of part of what is bad about my stuff, but it is so hard to try and refine your work without losing your poetry voice. Keeping at it is the best idea I guess! I haven't really tried sending off anything to poetry magazines, but there are so many! And of course, the rejection slips will make me question myself even more! Sometimes it just seems the easiest option to just write tons and bung it all on WOL (my strategy so far!)but that won't maybe get me anywhere in the long term. HELP!! xx PS Just saw your comment on my Field Boundaries poem. Thanks! You have spotted the change in tone. This is all due to the Arvon experience. Even the place is Totleigh Barton. xx

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for your comments on 'Invictus' Cynthia. As for your question I can see what you mean but the rhyme scheme of the second and third stanzas was what I was trying to follow through with. The additional assonant line in the first stanza was simply coincidental.

- Josh

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks, I wrote it at night where I'm generally at a creative high but my spelling suffers. I'll take into account your advice about the first couple of lines. But it generally takes me a while to think of alternatives.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I used to work at Kew Bridge Steam Museum. Well worth a visit, esp if the engines are in steam (some weekends, I should think they will be in steam this weekend as it's bank holiday). It used to be a water pumping station, and the engines are massive things, many built in Cornwall. They have lots of other old machines that they've rescued from other pumping stations as they closed down. The huge standpipe tower is unmissable! You can see it for miles! (So that's your weekend sorted then!) xx

Comment is about David Cooke (poet profile)

Original item by David Cooke

Hi Ann glad you liked the old Gasometer. I've wanted to write something about it for Ages. Funny you should mention ones near Kew. My son has just moved to the Richmond, so I've started exploring that area.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hallo Ann. Well done for plucking up the courage to talk to Helen Dunmore; does she live in St Ives? I tend to profess an anti-celebrity scorn which probably just masks shyness. I didn't talk to Carol Ann Duffy about poetry at all, just football, a bit. After the reading in the evening my walking compadres queued up to have their books signed, and mentioned that we had been in the pub that afternoon. I just took their pictures to put on my Facebook page - but at the same time talked to a very nice lady who runs the Much Wenlock poetry festival which had taken place just up the road a few weeks before.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks Lynn(guardian angel poem)xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thanks Cyn(guardian angel poem) xx
BTW - Midnight Gardens - I think I am just a bit thick sometimes. I'm not dyslexic or anything, but sometimes I read some of "The Greats" poems also & for the life of me, they may as well be written in Chinese. Oh well. xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your comment on Untitled - you bastard

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

No Gus - a shaggy old buzzard!! xx (Field Boundaries)

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Greg, This one is really impressive & very enjoyable: real lived experience, substantial, sustained, and technically adroit. I think you should put it in your showcase samples. Your stuff is getting better and better.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thanks for your comment on Untitled - you bastard. How did you know it was about you really ;)

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Thanks for your comment on "Untitled - you bastard".

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thanks for your comment on "Untitled - you bastard".

Comment is about Rodney Wood (poet profile)

Original item by Rodney Wood

Thanks for your comment on "Untitled - you bastard".

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

X. Will correct the latest poem. Thanx!!! (BTW it's Helena's gallery launch in Chorlton on 10th)

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Rachel I'm Really flattered that you chose 'My Chair' as poem of the month. Thanks!

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

That's okay, I understand and I wouldn't want anyone missing out on a read of your poem just because it looks like you've got a lot of feedback :) And that makes a lot of sense, it does feel more in character ^^

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your comment on "Untitled - you bastard". I should have said that this poem is a homage to, and a pastiche of, one by Dermot Glennon called "Untitled" which is far more disturbing than my poor effort and could be regarded as his 'signature poem'. So it's just a bit of fun that anyone who has seen Dermot perform will understand and hopefully have a laugh. I performed it last night and Dermot got it right away but it took the rest of the group about a third of the poem before it dawned on them what it was about and it did cause some merriment.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Greg - I was reminded of your meeting with Carol Ann Duffy yesterday. I was in St Ives and I saw Helen Dunmore - I was brave enough to say "Excuse me, are you Helen Dunmore?" and she said she was. I told her that I love her poetry (which I do). Then afterwards I thought "Oh dear, she might think I don't like her novels!" (I do!) But it was rather nice to say hello to her. Afterwards, I seemed to keep seeing her all around St Ives, but pretended not to have spotted her in case she thought I was stalking her!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Heather,thanks for your input. I don't respond to all comments only because they take so much time, and tend to make any given poem look like it has a lot 'reader feedback' when it doesn't. In "Midnight Gardens" I used 'assignation' to define the type of man; I knew 'affair' was a better 'fit', but it didn't suit him; so I went with 'character clue'.

Comment is about Heather (poet profile)

Original item by Heather

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comments on Climbing the Malverns. As always, you are very generous

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Ty Lynn for your kind comments I read your poem When the World Stood Still I thought exactly the same :) Really good x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Ann, as you must have seen, I did post my idea of heaven, I agreed with you that it would include chocolate that is slimming and wine that is free, but you may also have noticed, I too thought that men being nice and polite may be stretching things too far!! Lol. Love, Lynn xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good evening John-'Fog at sea'..brilliant! your work is a 'must read' without doubt-and very much intend to do so-hope your health improves and quickly-thank you John-best regards-Stef

Comment is about John E Marks (poet profile)

Original item by John E Marks

Hi Cynthia, thank you for your kind comments on "Cloud Eleven", it was inspired by Stefan's "Yessss!" I very much enjoyed your "Midnight Gardens" too, and have left a comment. xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Andy, thank you so much for comments on "Jimmy", much appreciated, glad you liked it. :)

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Alison and thanks; xx

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

I really like your poem 'Gone' Ann; its just like it is and I can also relate :)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

hello Cynthia, glad you enjoyed 'rowan tree' thanks for the comments

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas