Hi Josh,
noticed your question to Darren - there are so many people on here who are very experienced performance poets - some of the best around, go and see as many of them as you are able - and don't be shy about getting up there yourself.
There is a monthly column about performing in 'Features' - written though by an actor who doesn't perform poetry! (no nerve for my own words)
Good luck.
Cx

Comment is about Josh Coates (poet profile)

Original item by Josh Coates

Hmmm, long time since you've posted but oh well. Saw you do a poem at the poetry pillow on friday and thought you were very good. That is all =]

Comment is about Rod Tame (poet profile)

Original item by Rod Tame

Hi - I mean to send you this before your email, but sent it to myself instead....durr.
Hi - Isobel - I agree that the chemistry has to be there - if it's not, then it's just not & you are wasting your time. I think internet dating etc can work if you're prepared to give it a go, play safe & look out for nutters & (for girls) the "quick shag brigade" - it worked for me - but you have to decide what works for you.
Chris - you are sooooo right! As long as the chemistry is there and you LIKE this person, you can work on the other stuff - none of us is perfect & to expect that is going to end in disappoinment. Also - dont give up on them at the first major hurdle; try & hang on in there - just staying together counts for a LOT - it's as if the more you give, the more you get back. And both have to be able to say sorry. I've known several other girls in my life who (had I been a bit more mature) might have been "the one". X

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Tom, thanks for your uplifting comment!

Comment is about Tomás Ó Cárthaigh (poet profile)

Original item by Tomás Ó Cárthaigh

Hi Josh - if people think you're 'really sarcastic' then you're well on your way to becoming a writer of considerable worth.

There is a WOL at Bolton as Win has rightly stated - it was where I first ventured into the world of performance poetry before I was covered in meaningless accolades and non-existant awards. It's an ideal night on which to cut your (first?) teeth. Fill ya' boots and enjoy WOL to its full potential.

DT

Comment is about Josh Coates (poet profile)

Original item by Josh Coates

Hi Dave, sorry for the long delay in responding, I have been away for a while, thank you so much for your kind comment on Oyster. : ) Deb

Comment is about Dave Dunn (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Dunn

Woops = just realised that I posted this on Banksy's profile - meant to post it on yours :)

Butting in on a private conversation here - hope that's ok. I think, for women in particular, we're led to believe that there is a 'someone' out there who is the 'right one', and all we've got to do is find him, prove that the glass slipper fits, and then hang on like grim death.
There's no 'right one', there's merely a choice of compromises to be made.
One of my favourite authors - Ann Tyler wrote in her novel 'A Patchwork Planet' (and I'm para-phrasing) ... after so many years to-gether, the other person sort of becomes the right person.
Cx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi - do you want another 2 cents??
most of what you say I agree with -I was in the same position that all the "sane" girls are already married etc. But if you perceive yourself as a Strong woman, dont you think that that can easily come across as "bolshie" & put off the "nice guys"? You've set yourself a prettty tall bar there -you're looking for "very special" -aren't we all? I'd be tempted to go for someone you fancy who treats you right & work on the rest later, as most women can twist their man round their little finger anyway & mould them to their needs (me included). sorry if it sounds like a lecture, but I'm just talking sincerely from my own experiences. X

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

my problem is that sometimes I make what are (to me) obvious jokes & people think I'm being serious ! It's the same with those defences of yours (and a lot of girls are the same BTW) - if you come across too "hard" you might put off the guys you want to reach & only the cocky idiots have a thick enough skin to take your banter - and they might not be what you're looking for. Only my 2 cents - it's not gospel, just my opinion as having "been there" myself quite a bit.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Its great to see rhyming poetry from the far side of Europe!

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hello from a fellow Irish poet!

Comment is about Pauline Fayne (poet profile)

Original item by Pauline Fayne

Hi, it's josh from poetry pillow the other night. Thank you for being so warm and welcoming for a first timer.
Shall be seeing you at the next freed up! =D

Comment is about Steve O'Connor (poet profile)

Original item by Steve O'Connor

BTW - bitter & twisted = I WAS only joking !!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I'd pray for you to win the lottery too - only I'm not much of a believer. I don't know how I got to be so lucky this time round, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I think that first you have to believe that such a thing (love) IS possible after all. X

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Lynn - "pearls" - many thanks for the very kind comments. B

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Alison - "pearls" - many thanks for the very kind comments.
If you want a really good cry, what about Anthony Emmerson's "Visiting Neil" ? B

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Hi Ann - "pearls" - many thanks for the very kind comments. B

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good evening Lynn.Hope the naughty poem was,nt too strong for you.And thanks,yes I am recovered from horrendous traffic jam-fortunately no one was hurt.Many thanks for all your comments tonight.Have a super holiday-that goes for the rest of the family too.Don,t forget to pack plenty of paper and pens(or quills depending on your age-joking!)will miss you-all have a safe flight and plenty of rest-do not try any Shirley Valenting! unless its a poet millionaire-lol! lots of love to all the family-Stefan-x oops! nearly forgot to answer your other comments-grandkids...thank God for them all..soooo funny and cute.They do keep you feeling young as well(or is that just while the pocket and present money lasts out!lol!)as for first attempt at painting in watercolours-When you come back off hols,remind me to make an exhibition of myself for you-lol! but you must promise not to laugh.And I promise the same of your attempts.Cheers chuck-Stefan-x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Your wish is my command!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi, Isobel! Thank you for your nice comments on my jokes. With warmest wishes, Larisa

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thanks Isobel, left a fuller comment on the poem.
Cx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Left a comment back on my poem :)
Cx

Comment is about Shoeless Carole (poet profile)

Original item by Shoeless Carole

Thank you Ann, both for comments and for sharing your poem

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

hello ann , thankyou for reading and commenting on my peg poem :) my sister collects vintage laundry tackle and displays it at farmers events , so she was really chuffed with the poem :)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Come on Josh! How about another blog? xx

Comment is about Josh Coates (poet profile)

Original item by Josh Coates

Thank you for comment on my "Play". Yes, i think aloud/allowed definitely would occur to people when the poem would be allowed to be read aloud :-)

I think a lot about poems how they look on paper and when they are being read and all these alliterations that make one's thought drift in certain direction.

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Ann! Thank you for your comment on "Child". I was just looking at a small child another day and thought that i'd be annoyed if people stare at me, even lovingly, when i sleep.

I like your "Pink"! It's about pain, but pain small, curable and self-inflicted, so it's quite comfortable to read, although of course u feel sorry for poor burnt person :-)Unfortunately it was about yesterday's weather - and now - back to normal! X

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

My poem on a similar theme

Gone

It’s gone now.
That gentle all-forgiving love,
the love that just accepted,
never saw the changes
as we melt softly into age.

A hand to hold
when walking down the slippery hill.
Shoulder to cry on.
Voice on the telephone.
Just gone.

I’d rather stay alone
than fight on,
than try to catch
another pair of eyes.
No eyes as gentle-kind
as yours.
No others to see me
and to know
the me that no others
ever see.

If you were here
you’d pass the tissues now.
Make me a coffee,
cheer me up.
Perhaps you’re giving me
some little bit of strength
to carry on.
Thanks for that darling
but I’d rather have you near.


The hand I thought
would hold mine
until deaths quiet call
has gone.

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Just looked now, didn't realise you meant today!! When i had looked on the net for the definition, one was 'a collector', i took that context.
urgh! such a confuddled morning today!! xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Ann, i honestly haven't seen that, i had written the word down months ago but wasn't able to do anything wqith it. I go back to my notepad sometimes and just sort of look at the words i have noted down and see what happens. Reaverman came from that x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Kath - did you see Chris Dawson's explanation of the word reave, she put it on Rachel Bonds page. Also a good word cos it makes your think of the grim reaper. He sounds like a character in a horror film! x

Comment is about Kath Hewitt (poet profile)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Yeh Isobel - our crayon chewer was Gwyn Price! Why on earth do I remember that! Maybe if we'd eaten crayons or stuffed them up our noses we'd be remembered for all time too.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thank you Alison for reading and commenting on 'C'est la vie...'
I found it to be quite an interesting challenge.

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Salut toi !
Eh bien tu vois...
Tu m'as inspiré d'écrire un poème aujourd'hui ; )
Merci beaucoup pour les beaux mots...

xxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Isobel
Thank you for your generous comments on my Jackie challenge. I think i kinda like being distinctive enough to be recognized lol
thanks again x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Good evening lovely Lady-don,t worry-bloggingtons has,nt turned into blockingtons-just that I spent most of today being an obligatory link in a very long chain of traffic on the A55-heading to my daughters house in Abergele,North Wales.As a consequence my preference is for a long soak in't tub! especially after running round the garden after the grandkids-been a lovely day nevertheless-catch you soon haiku-ing! lol! thanks-Stefan-x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hello Lovely! Wowee as always!10 into 5 is simply cillalelululiah! It sweeps like vitamins through the system and comes out glossy. xxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hello Jane, just caught up with your wonderful coffee soaked milkman and wild winds a-blowing in the discussions!I've been 'off-site' and missed your marvellous, joyous imaginings when your put them up!Apologies! Blame it on my erratic freelance worklife.I sometimes only visit for a few minutes (as a treat) then it's back to keeping the proverbial wolf from the door. I've been absent for quite a bit till v.recently.You've made me giggle like a true giggler! xx

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

Thanks for your comment on my latest Larisa - it was a fun exercise with a bit of a serious under belly.
Isobel x

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

hi there josh we met at poetica poetry night in manchester it was good to meet you should post up the poem you read there about humanities Dark psyhe I thought that was a really good poem

Comment is about Joshua Van-Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

Good morning Larisa-you are very kind to have read and commented on my poem'The way of many'I am enjoying reading all your poems with all the lovely pictures!-its very nice to have you blogging on here-many thanks again-Stefan-x

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Good morning Lynn.My gratitude to you for commenting on'The way of many'and as I mentioned previously,I like your change of poetry style-really good!enjoy your day Lynn.Thank you-Stefan-x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

HI Andy


Thank you for your comments on my tiny poems :-). U r too kind, but it definitely inspires me to write more X

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Ann. Thanks for commenting. Hope you understand if I don't always say thank you. The WOLosphere could get awfully clogged up. That survey of yours sounds really interesting. More power to ya!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I'm from St-Petersburg (left for UK 10 years ago ) :-)

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thanx for your comment to "Play". Spasibo i priyatno poznakomit'sya! :-)

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Hola Anthony ;-) re TC it was an afterthought for me too the 'Top Cat' thing ha ha I used to love that show .......
TC........ Officer dibble..... ;-))

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hello Joyous, Magnanimous & Glorious Poet! Thank you for your very generous comment on my biog. Life is one dickens of a doozy, ain't it?! Merry hours and funny days to you :) PS. I love the new photo. What are you staring at in the distance? xxx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

See how drunk I get 2moro after work first, Isobel.. If I get very drunk - I may just arrive and perform in a drunken, wild manner.. Not much change from norm I know!! lol x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Kath;

Just the Mary Bell case itself - not a case I know tons about that's all, chick. Yours is the sort of piece that is I need to read up on a bit before I can really offer a comment...

I do like the piece from what little I know... The structure is very clever and disturbing..

Comment is about Kath Hewitt (poet profile)

Original item by Kath Hewitt