Hello Sian, thank you very much for reading and commenting on Copse (I seem to be gawping at nature a lot lately, must get onto people stuff again soon). Noticed your new work, will read and comment as always. Great to see your creative juices flowing again and in a different style I think. Well done and speak soon. Graham

Comment is about sian howell (poet profile)

Original item by sian howell

Hello Allan
I really enjoyed your spot at the Trafford Arts Centre, Sale, the other week. Sorry I had to dash off part-way through - I was frightened to death of getting fenced in the car park which shut at !0.00!
I thought your poem "That's
Me" was really good - all the better for the performance although I'm sure it stands up in writing.

Comment is about Gordon Zola (poet profile)

Original item by Gordon Zola

Hi Cynthia. Many thanks for your comments about "Patience". Regarding the last line - you are indeed fortunate to feel in a position that your life is complete. I realise that it is a state of being, rather than a set of circumstances, but the sad truth is that there are many people who do not feel there, to greater or lesser degrees. And is often felt to be the ultimate goal.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanx for commenting on West Window, Cynthia. I enjoyed writing it and it took at trip to York at Christmas to get a feel for it.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Dear 'quiet widow'
Hospital; Bereavement; Ghost House? catharsis?

My/our old house is let, and I don't want to even look in the window.

Beautiful poems though.
Steve M.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

er..........use slate to scrawl on 'tpavement!

Comment is about Martin Nelson (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Nelson

Ann
I keep making a resolution that I won't even look at Discussion groups; then I think "ok, I'll just risk one eye" and then, before you know it, you're sucked back in.
I shall resolve to keep my resolve.

Steve M.

ps
I neither smell of oil/engines, nor am I able to put one foot in front of the other. What chance I?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ann
It was a quick 'in and out' military operation, trying to save young lives.
;-))

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hello Cynthia, how are you? Meant to thank you earlier about your comment on my foxy poem! I loved your tale of the huskies! (I wonder if she remembers you too!) xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for the feedback Jane ;-) My Mum used to sing in Gilbert and Sullivan when I was a wee nipper ;-) I took at shuffty at the lyrics, there may well be a faint echo there ;-) Please stay off the line of neutrality ha ha ;-)
TC X

Comment is about jane wilcock (poet profile)

Original item by jane wilcock

John thanks for your more than amusing blog on ' The Enigma of Perception' Far from getting up my arse, I thought your constructive suggestions quite acceptable, in fact if I write a peice like that again, I will structure it in the way you suggest. By the way you missed out super symmetry, 'The Anthropic Solution' and most importantly 'The Grand Unified Theory'. But you knew that didn't you ? ha ha Cheers TC

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Hi Ann
In entering the Discussion forum, I hope you are aware that, under H&S guidelines, you have to wear fire retardant under-garments.
There is often some of the most personally vitriolic c**p posted, claiming to be 'discussion', that there are some (I mean me and at least one other) who will no longer join in.
I wish you a joyous journey thru the WOL site

Steve M.
p.s. I don't smell of oil and engines (just thought I'd mention it) ;-))

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good evening Katie

I enjoyed this sample poem. I thought of Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and it reads like a good performance piece. Loved 'rehab ... kebab'.

And you are making a really good point also. It seems few are able to operate outside the superficial appearance of everything these days even if they think they are above it.

Recent chat with Politics grad. 'Brown, nah he'll never win the election ... look at that jaw problem for a start and he's only got half an eye'. No mention of policies and the economic disaster.

Anyway, mwoar please.

Joseph

Comment is about Katie Sandham (poet profile)

Original item by Katie Sandham

Good evening Jeff

I would just like to say how inspiring I found your 3 sample poems. I have to confess to sharing the views in the Glastonbury one particularly. At the point when freedom from the machine became a weekend going TO the machine, like you, I chose the radio. Some great truths in your poems.

not perturbed at all!


Joseph

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Hi again Pauline, thank you for your comments on my dancing men poem! Would like to read some more of your stuff - have you thought about putting something on the "bloggs"?

Comment is about pauline sewards (poet profile)

Original item by pauline sewards

Hello and nice to meet you John - don't be shy! I have only been a member of WOL for about five minutes and have become totally hooked, and can't seem to stop "blogging"! The first one I put up, I felt all embarrassed, but it's so exciting. And in a couple of hours there are about another three million poems added, so you can hope (or feel very very sad!) to think that your/my poem has been long forgotten! Yesterdays virtual fish and chip paper! But if anyone stumbles upon it, they may well enjoy it. Go there!

Comment is about John Armstrong (poet profile)

Original item by John Armstrong

Thank you so much for your kind words about my poems. I have just been reading yours and they are wonderful. I have only just started writing and in a way it is easy to just let the poems come, but they are totally "as is", if I try and improve on them I just make them worse! When I read "real" poems like yours I can't imagine how you could produce something so perfect. I am not trying to lick parts of your anatomy here, I enjoy my poems but I think they are like a child's drawing that may delight enough to be stuck on the fridge, but not a polished complex work of art. But maybe that's just how they are meant to be. I loved myspace and the one about the Downs child made me cry. OH, I live in the west country too! xxx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Thank you Dave for your kind comments on 'Human' Glad you liked it. I have done some editing on it and will repost it.
Hope you don't leave the site. Im new to it and there are some nice people here.
I will read and coment on your work too.
Take care, em.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

I agree,,,,,,,,,L.y.n Trus's...iz wrrrrrrong

www.frankburton.co.uk

Comment is about Angry Sam (poet profile)

Original item by Angry Sam

Hi John,

Hope all is well with you and thanks for the heads up. If you ever want to get in touch, my email is: jtt@downeshouse.freeserve.co.uk (but don't tell everyone, I fear I may currently be the subject of a fatwa, especially having such misguided opinions - or even ANY opinion!) Although I have never been published, won any competitions or prestigious awards (unsurprisingly, since I've never submitted anything for publication or entered a competition) at least I am happy in the knowledge that I may have at least something in common with a Nobel Laureate!

Yours (certified 100% anger free and happy in my pompous, passive-aggressive, elitist nonsense)
With regards,

A.E.

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

John, time to put us out of our misery and give us a poem.

Comment is about John Armstrong (poet profile)

Original item by John Armstrong

Thank you so much for these encouraging comments. I love this website and met Julian last night at a poetry event. Long may it continue!

Comment is about Helen Shay (poet profile)

Original item by Helen Shay

I am a staunch atheist I never infer otherwise in my poetry.

Comment is about Anna Percy (poet profile)

Original item by Anna Percy

Be warned. If I stick my head above the parapet, you'll know all about it (wishful thinking)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hiya, I was reading a book called 'Boy A' today, and recalled your poem titled the same, I wanted to have a read again, but it seems to have disappeared, did you remove it? Or am I just not looking >? :D

Comment is about Memoir. (poet profile)

Original item by Memoir.

I am teetering on the edge of several double-entendres.
I have erased most of this thanks, but I'm sure that you aren't amongst the clitorati.
I have to go now before I am tempted ...........
xxxxxxxxxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Ann, thanks for your kind comments on my little Haiku 'On Mondays I Fall in Love' This formof poetry is a particular favourite of mine. Win x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Kate

No I didn't catch Churchill on the slide with belly and trunks. But so typical of the man. He cared very little what people thought about him, and was determined to have fun, take risks and accept challenges. It's a wonder he lived as long as he did. He put it down to his destiny, so far as I know, without ever defining the term.

Dave

Comment is about Kate Tym (poet profile)

Original item by Kate Tym

Good afternoon,Anthony,I put a reply to you under the poem-'in full realisation'-thanking you for much needed encouragement!! but then,a very sensible man,who goes by the name of one Mr. Plowes advised me that replying to comments on the 'profile' column makes sure the person who has commented gets their,in your case,well deserved reply-thank you and Mr. W.-(Oh,a little rhyme there)-lol!-regards to you-Stef-ps. enjoyed the journey scrolling down-you popular person,you! LOL!-pps.blimey! how ignorant,I nearly was-re your above poems-truly,truly inspirational-I,ll be back!

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi John, Glad you appreciated my haiku in the blogs 'On Mondays I fall in Love' You are right of course that they are neither either easy nor are they vacuous if good. for me it is not enough for the poem to be called a haiku, rather it should bea good (Hopefully, lol) poem first and foremost. I have resisted the nonesence in the discussions area (Although tempted) and instead let my work speak for itself as you have seen. Thank you Winston

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

HI Dave - thanks for your comments... Did you see Andrew Marr's history programme last night? It was WWII and there was footage of Churchill going backwards down a water slide into a pool in a pair of black swimming trunks - fat belly sticking up proudly - I shall never see him in quite the same way again! I delete all my text messages apart from the ones from my husband ... he never texts me unless he's away and drunk - so they're all very drunkenly sweet! Kate

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Ann. Thanks for your comment on my poem 'Patience'. I've only just come across your profile. Really like the Dancing Men poem. Portrays stereotypical men. We're not all like that though - but I do like Wickes (and B&Q, and Focus). Bugger.........maybe we are.
Andy
x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good evening Winston

Thanks for the fine welcome. I enjoyed Decree Nisi. It's a powerful poem and very lyrical. Thought of The Pogues OrSomething. I like the refrain and the religious allusions. Thanks a lot.


Joseph

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Good evening Dave

I really enjoyed 'Old Texts'. The layout the defiant 'I care'. Such a tender piece. Such an important poem too. I have never thrown a letter away but I fear the widespread cull of communications by txt and email carries little discrimination or caution by people generally. Glad to hear you are an e-hoarder of sorts too!

thanks

Joseph

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Good evening Anna

I'm not really au fait with poetry critiquing so ...

Norwich Gravyard - great read. I found it quite moving. I wondered if the 'his hands' were the person who died fifteen years ago? If they are, how clever. If they aren't erm, were they God's? If neither, can you please explain yourself?!

I've a bus to catch and can't leave without knowing. I'll give you until a quarter-to.



Joseph

Comment is about Anna Percy (poet profile)

Original item by Anna Percy

Hebden was a bit of a one off for me - had the offer of a lift - am more of a Lancashire lass. The structure of a poem is always less important to me than the message and the imagery - mine are sometimes criticised for it. I find that when you are performing a poem, the structure isn't as important cos you know how you want to read it. There are a lot of serious poets on here though who do study the form. Still - it is easier to invent new structure, than it is fresh imagery or imagination, so there is hope for us yet. Perhaps we will be able to hear you in Wigan one day...Take care for now.

Comment is about Ross Kightly (poet profile)

Original item by Ross Kightly

Hello Dave, Thank you for commenting kindly on 'The Last Dance' it was my first posting, so WOL automatically posted it to my page as I had no sample work, still I am quite happy for it to be there.
Cheers ;-)) TC

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Kate

I like your profile poems. There's a humour and relish for being alive which breathes through them. More please!

Comment is about Kate Tym (poet profile)

Original item by Kate Tym

Hello Freda, thank you for your generous comment. I have to confess to being a doppelganger for your regular Dave Morgan to paraphrase Henry Miller, since I never visited Lancaster until about 1980, but I am flattered at being mistaken for anyone who has stayed etched on your memory for so long. I've been so overwhelmed at the growth of the WoL site that I've not been on recently, so thank you for leading me back into the fold.

Dave

Comment is about Freda Davis (poet profile)

Original item by Freda Davis

I liked your Churchill poem, Dave. He had all sorts of flaws, as you acknowledge, but he was the man for the hour. His spoken words still stir the blood and bring tears to my eyes. He remains THE symbol of Britishness for me, and that's why these other parties try to hijack him for their own purposes, of course. I didn't have a problem when a protester gave him a Mohican a few years ago ... he was big enough to take that in his stride and in some way it only added to his iconic (overused-word, but the right one here) status.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Good evening Kate,

I enjoyed your very funny poetry. I must say I didn't think a poem called Sunday Morning TV would take me on quite such a journey!

Look forward to seeing more of your stuff.


Joseph

ps. "Brothers in biscuity Arms" is brellyant. Loved it.

Comment is about Kate Tym (poet profile)

Original item by Kate Tym

Thanks for your continued support of WOLOP Cynthia - if only everyone could be so enthusiastic...I noticed that blogs dipped for the second month running, having peaked in September. If that trend continues, hopefully we will get back to a stage where looking through blogs will be less arduous....which should help on the commenting/judging front also.
Although I maybe being overly optimistic - have just checked and we were only 6 less in November than October...

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Isobel - after your kind comment on Queen Pin, I thought I'd have a look at your profile, and I was delighted by the poem - 'What's it all about'? indeed! Don't put yourself down about the singing either - the quality of the sound clip is excellent and does justice to the rhythmic verve of the poem. Terrific reading!
Cheers.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Mind, Isobel? How could I mind such a kind comment? I remember Hebden Bridge - unfortunately not able to make it this month - double-booked with family excursion to NMM Pictureville Cinema instead! Obviously I'm going to have to look at this whole issue of line breaks - Graham's are not the first comments - it has been said in workshops as well about other poems of mine. A redraft of 'Queen Pin' is in order some time, once she's out of the public eye, perhaps. Thanks again, Isobel - hope to see you again some time.

Comment is about Ross Kightly (poet profile)

Original item by Ross Kightly

Congratulations cobber on your Poem of the Month. Nice to see someone win it who I have actually met (Hebden Bridge briefly). There is much truth about long term relationships in your poem. Would agree with Graham that the line breaks are odd but like the interesting imagery and think that the poem is well executed. Hope you don't mind me commenting here.

Comment is about Ross Kightly (poet profile)

Original item by Ross Kightly

HtS,

I enjoyed your Ringworm & grease. Brilliant. Graham Fellows would be proud.

Mwoar!


Fassbinder

Comment is about Horace Thespider (poet profile)

Original item by Horace Thespider

Hi Cynthia. Thanks for looking at Social Algebra Alphabet. Glad you enjoyed it. Not really that cleaver, this one. just a bit of fun and anexperiment. Win x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

dear red shoes - Thanks for looking at Social Algebra Alphabet. I lost it at the begining! don't look too deeply at this one it was just a bit of fun. Win

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Ann, Thanks for looking at Social Algebra Alphabet. and for putting things right in your comments! lol win

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good afternoon Clare

"If I was" is a really clever poem and clever for its funny & sad. Loved the Grandmother knitted eyebrows story/poem. I thought of Alan Bennett with all that analytical detail of the woman. I can't get gravy-on-the-legs-to-give-the- impression-of-tights out of my mindl

Joseph


ps. Congrats on getting a prize at the Troubadour. Your name is on a list I have just received by email .... I am assuming you are THE Clare Kirwan!

Comment is about Clare Kirwan (poet profile)

Original item by Clare Kirwan