Our 3 n a bit found her mum's feather duster the other day, she was wielding it like a sabre...I sustained a severe dusting to the nose.

Comment is about A Golf Lesson (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

pity me not them
they're all to blame!

As The Daily Bile and its so-called "journalists" continue to pump out same old poisonous dog-whistling sewage.

Comment is about Complainers Complaint (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hello Alita. You say:
it's my vision that the reader take ownership over the poem

I think I know what you mean - another WOL contributor said something similar to me recently, when I was trying to" interpret" his poem.

Comment is about Irretrievably lost (blog)

Original item by Alita Moore

Funny you should mention gaslights John; as it 'appens, there was one of those right outside our house, and it was on Christmas eve, 1952 when my dad had one of his bright ideas............😢

Comment is about FAIRY LIGHTS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

My goal as an artist is to create something that makes people feel something. Something that reminds them of a memory, a moment from childhood, whatever. I want my poems to feel like a friend that understands how you feel. This friend can't fix your feelings but perhaps they will help you feel less alone or ashamed of it.

Emotions are very personal. So it's my vision that the reader take ownership over the poem. Your emotions are unique because they are the result of a lot of different influences that are unlikely to occur in another person exactly the same. Despite this we relate to each other. Its my goal to write something that makes you feel heard or understood in a way you can't describe with words.

I write all of my poetry in a single sitting and I write it directly. I write all poems with no planning or forthought. I simply feel something and write down what I visualize. The images go from one to the next and I write that down. That's important because it's worth noting that what I write could very well be total jibberish. So if you don't understand something it's not your fault.

In the case of this poem, I find it impossible to grasp the idea of something being lost. A good friend that I tried to help died recently at the age of 23 due to an overdose. I have grieved her death, but even still I simply can't fathom the idea that I'll never see her again. I can't fathom the idea that her dreams and my dreams for her were completely useless. They were intangible. I like the word "irretrievably" because it suggests you have tried. That after many attempts you have simply accepted it cannot be done. But at the same time it's not truly final. You never know. You never will know. You will never be able to comprehend the idea of something being irretrievable.

So the goal of this poem is to make you feel heard about this emotion of feeling just about this idea being on the tip of your tongue but never being able to take that last step and to fully grasp it. It's goal is to invoke your own experiences and memories and to connect them with the lines. Perhaps each line invokes a moment of your life. An image, a sound, whatever you like. My goal is for you to connect with the words written and take ownership in them.

If you didn't have emotions or memories all my poetry would be close to jibberish. I intentionally included the occasional comprehensible line because it helps keep the reader grounded. If instead you read my poetry and get lost and don't connect to it immediately then perhaps I have failed as an artist or the poem simply is not for you. Think of each poem as its own individual, where it can either accept or reject you. I like this idea because it let's the authority of words and imagery stand on their own. If you don't generally connect with imagery or words then that's a very valid reason to think my poetry is garbage (which I insist that this always be a possibility, because I can't know).

my goal is write something that you connect with. And I want that connection to be personal and private between the reader and the poem. I believe in many ways my poetry won't achieve its full potential until I'm dead. That's because I think it's at its most powerful when the writer is unknown. Perhaps you were to see this written on the wall I a public restroom, would that change its impact? I see myself as the mother of my poetry, but I do not have control over what the poem does. What it says to you or anyone else. How it's interpreted. Who it makes angry, sad, or happy. But I think in a way that speaks to how profound and fluid our understanding and connection to words, images, and ideas are. Perhaps the poem is well connected to in this century, but not the next, and then people like it the following. It's not necessarily because the poetry is bad, but perhaps it's simply that every poem is waiting for the right time in your life and the lives around you to be fully "understood" (as I discussed, the definition of this is decided by the reader). Indeed this could be the case in a single reader's lifetime (you like it at one point, abhore it the next, and like it again later). Perhaps if I were to write enough poetry I could capture enough emotions and feelings that there would always be at least one poem that spoke to the reader. If someone lived a very different life than me, then it would make sense they may not relate to emotions conveying, and that's okay.

My point is that if you don't connect to the poem then that's okay. If I accomplish my goal, then you understanding the poem comes secondary to you relating to it. Perhaps when trying to understand it you may focus on what each line makes you feel. What it reminds you of. Maybe then you can comprehend it. But if you can't or won't then that's perfectly alright. If it makes you feel something (ideally a sense of relief from finally feeling heard) then you don't *need* to understand more. Nor is there necessarily a reason behind each word choice. For instance line two suggests a commentary on self harm (and it could be), but I saw it as more the impact of bleeding one's self to feed another being. That's how it connected with me, anyway. But there's no invalid interpretation. The only person that can decide what's valid is your own heart.

Sorry for this super long rant. I have a lot to say about my poetry! Thank you for your comment. I'm happy to discuss more or clarify if you'd like. Otherwise, I'd be super interested if you read a line and it connects with you. Consider sharing what memory or emotion it brings up (if anything). I'd love to hear your story.

Comment is about Irretrievably lost (blog)

Original item by Alita Moore

I thought you were going to tell me the gas lamplighter lit them, Uilleam.
And thanks for the Likes, Stephen A. Holden, and Stephen G.

Comment is about FAIRY LIGHTS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Brilliant poem, Uilleam, written with great spirit and perception.

Comment is about Anti-Social-ist Behaviour Dis-Order (blog)

I loved 'prance en trance'. No, actually I loved all of it. Evocative, though I don't know why. Top job Frederick! 😎

Comment is about baggage claim delay (blog)

Original item by Red Brick Keshner

Beautiful poem, Julie. I lived your poem this very morning! 😀

Comment is about Crimson Leaves (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

A brilliant if desperately sad poem, Stephen.

Comment is about The Lowest of the Low (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks Stephen, Nigel and Uilleam for your comments plus thanks toHolden and Leon for the likes. 😀

Comment is about A Golf Lesson (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Profound and complex. I am unable to grasp the content but would welcome some understanding of it.
Thank you
Keith

Comment is about Irretrievably lost (blog)

Original item by Alita Moore

A poem which needs closer attention as there is a lot to uncover and understand. Written from experience and with courage.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Critical (blog)

Original item by Jamal Buchanan

In the those far-off days of my childhood 1948+, our fairylights were substantially made, of glass and brass-and filaments!
I kid you not, there were such things.

And when dad was putting them on the tree, if one wasn't working, a flick of a fingernail on the bulb would often shake the filament, causing it to re-connect then stay lit.

Oh, the wonders of technology in those days!

Comment is about FAIRY LIGHTS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I was very familiar with those things in my youth.

Comment is about Her Prayer Beads (blog)

Original item by Hélène

Aaaaaaw!

Silly me, I've just tried to click the "loudspeaker" on your pic-thinking I'd hear some birdsong.😕

I need to get out more-Really!

Comment is about Crimson Leaves (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

My square peg has been hammered

Into this round hole.

I know the feeling.

Comment is about Wrong Spaces (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Terrible truths hidden in humour!

it’s a ten hour wait for an ambulance call.

Comment is about A Golf Lesson (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

I'm intrigued by:

Poets think not,

Methinks I overthink!

Comment is about Poetry or Philosophy? (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Hope you sell plenty of your books John.
It sounds a worthwhile cause in the fight against Cancer thanks for the link up.

Comment is about J.G.Barwell's Radio Show (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

"don’t get too attached."...Always a good policy! 

i love you and i am leaving you because i love you and leaving you will hurt but not as much as being left by you will hurt and i love you

Sounds very much like real life.

Comment is about always moving, dont get too attached. (blog)

Original item by chaiaido

Grandad will have a bump as big as a golf ball me thinks
so next time you pick up a golf ball William hide it in the bushes like Grandad says he never does - - - great poem John.

Comment is about A Golf Lesson (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Thanks MC.

The policy of “Managed Decline” had been proposed prior to the Brixton and Toxteth riots, and despite there being 20% unemployment in Liverpool as a whole, and 60% among young black residents in Toxteth.

Heseltine was only sent to Liverpool as a reaction to the riots in Toxteth-see his minute titled “It Took a Riot”.

Could you elaborate on:

1. “society in general has, IMHO, taken a turn for the worse”…in what respects?

2. “its public services are filled by the results!”?

What public services? They are crumbling around our very ears.
An extremely well-managed decline on behalf of disaster capitalism, indeed!

Comment is about Anti-Social-ist Behaviour Dis-Order (blog)

He sounds like a natural, John - at golf, I mean. Great humour and empathy here.

Comment is about A Golf Lesson (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

I was hooked into reading this from the first line. You captured an emotional unfolding. Excellent!

Comment is about always moving, dont get too attached. (blog)

Original item by chaiaido

This poem Jamal is one well worth reading over and over again
great piece.

LS

Comment is about Critical (blog)

Original item by Jamal Buchanan

Thanks Leon!

Comment is about Any other Winners of this particular competition on Write Out Loud? (blog)

Original item by Red Button

Thanks for the likes for this rearrangement of words.

Comment is about Recharge (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

MC Newberry, yes... his emerald mine inheritance money from pops must surely help with this current status as King Troll of Trollville.. 😁

Comment is about Elon Musk Smells Of Wee (blog)

Original item by Jo Callisto

lol Uilleam... that's is such an amusing analysis of the word Musk... 😅😅

Comment is about Elon Musk Smells Of Wee (blog)

Original item by Jo Callisto

Quite right, Uilleam and MC. Many people think there is no such stuff.
And thanks for the Likes, Helene, Clare and Frederick.

Comment is about FAIRY LIGHTS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you, M.C. for reading and your comment.

I used to receive the response “Time to get new boots” whenever times got hard and I guess it works for this piece. 🙂

Comment is about Gray Man (blog)

Original item by kimberly

It has that air of "quiet desperation"- relieved by a last line that raises a wry smile.

Comment is about Gray Man (blog)

Original item by kimberly

Romans kept geese on Hadrian's Wall? Fascinating. It could
account for why Romans have a reputation for goosing female
tourists. 😋

Comment is about FAIRY LIGHTS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ah...the old conundrum.
Can't live with it...can't live without it.😒

Comment is about Hope For Our Love (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

The modern Conservative And Unionist Party certainly seems
occupied by the "wrong sort" - but then society in general has, IMHO, taken a turn for the worse and it can be no real surprise
when its public services are filled by the results!
As for the policy attributed to Thatcher - I seem to recall a certain
Michael Heseltine being sent to Liverpool on some sort of local
recovery/regeneration mission back in the distant past. Was that
doomed to failure - or was it never going to be enough?.

Comment is about Anti-Social-ist Behaviour Dis-Order (blog)

I wonder in my own small way what it must be like to be a hate figure for the disaffected? Perhaps best endured when you have
enough money to just smile and wave?

Comment is about Elon Musk Smells Of Wee (blog)

Original item by Jo Callisto

Sorry, that should have been "Catarrhy Voices"😊

Comment is about Their Favourite Things (blog)

forgive my long time ago acclaim to 5+ minutes of fame
( non intended rhyme-but hey! I'm a natch! )

having claimed Poem of the week with my poem

Skiffle

yours more sin than cerely

PS-should this notification be unacceptable I would like you to know that my arse takes a size ten boot

LS

Comment is about Any other Winners of this particular competition on Write Out Loud? (blog)

Original item by Red Button

Thank you for reading and responding Uilleam. I am in full agreement with your comments and observations.

Comment is about Any other Winners of this particular competition on Write Out Loud? (blog)

Original item by Red Button

I'm so glad that I spotted your post here-thank you.

I will read your post later on "Bemoaning the state of the high street", and give it the attention it deserves.

Further, on Mental Health,

I CAN well believe that Luciana Berger said:
"It was staggering so few with mental health conditions were in work",

Oh yes: "WORK MAKES YOU FREE", now where have we heard THAT before? Get back to bloody work or else!

And I CAN believe that Berger..."is spending too much time attacking Jeremy Corbyn."

It would not surprise me if Berger joined the Nasty Party, and took to singing the the "Horst Wessel Lieb" at the Tory party conference.

The several year long campaign of slander and smears against Corbyn, carried out from within-and from without the Labour Party has been, and still, is based on a pack of lies.

The NHS and the Mental Health services are doomed if we do not address the enemy within the Labour Party.

Comment is about Any other Winners of this particular competition on Write Out Loud? (blog)

Original item by Red Button

leave a small piece of goose cheese in with them.

That's why the Romans on Hadrian's wall kept geese as guards - to keep the hobgoblins away.

Comment is about FAIRY LIGHTS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

There's a theme developing this morning,
musk, rambling rose scents.

And in the moment's silence between notes
measured minds orientate themselves.

The silences - just as important as the notes.💐

Comment is about The Musician's Bleeding Fingers (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

“**HIS** WHOLE ARSE (and probably his scrotum..”
Funny you should mention that…..!

MUSK (Arabic): From the word muska, meaning “testicle”.

The deer gland was thought to resemble a scrotum.

Musk is a class of aromatic substances, including glandular secretions from a gland of the musk deer.

And about:

"the pissing rain (ha! 'wee/piss'.. get it??!? lol)"

I've often walked in the pissing rain whilst being pissed up,...thing is-
why does the rain never piss UP-
why is it always pissing DOWN?

Just asking like!

Comment is about Elon Musk Smells Of Wee (blog)

Original item by Jo Callisto

We look before and after,
And pine for what is not;
Our sincerest laughter
With some pain is fraught;
Our sweetest songs are those that tell
Of saddest thought.
Percy Bysshe Shelley,

Comment is about The significance of a pillow (blog)

Original item by M. Smith

O Lord, deliver me from the man of excellent intention and impure heart: for the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.

T. S. Eliot

Comment is about Intentionality (blog)

Original item by M. Smith

Hi Uilleam.. Bit of a accident this piece as I was researching for something else and I came across on this on google, and it left me thinking oh wow! lol. but thanks for the comment.

Also thank you to Frederick , Holden and Hélène for the love here.

Comment is about Black Sapote (blog)

Original item by Andy N

With regard to all things Brexity, my rule of thumb must be:
"Contempt for the conmen, compassion for the conned".

Comment is about THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for that John.
So it means what I take it to mean! Phew-I'm off the hook"!😇

Comment is about A place of recovery (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

You express your self eminently clearly Uilleam. When we send our poems out into the world we lose control of what they might mean. Whether or not "“an old Welsh witch,” and “this Abyssinian maid”, are two separate people, or are they separate representations of a single type of woman, for example oppressed women?" is down to you, the reader. TS Eliot said that “A good poem, indeed, is one which even the most accomplished reading cannot exhaust." So the poem means what YOU take it to mean.

Comment is about A place of recovery (blog)

Original item by John E Marks