Aah, just beginning to get the hand of this website, which is organised very differently to any I have ever visited before. If I may be forgiven for the observation that it is very idiosyncratic...threads all arse about face...e-
mail alerts all a bit random etc. ( I never got Isobel's). Tell me I wasn't a prick to Chris...I'm sure he's a spoof...or worse.

: )

Thanks for calling...I hope to be able to learn alot from here...and contribute too. I really am an OK guy...well, my family think so. :)

Jx

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Hi Dave, I enjoyed your discussion thread and was inspired to post a couple of poems about historical figures :)

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

I know St Albans well - a very busy place on a Saturday. Welcome to the site. Apparently only poems on profiles are looked at for POM - and not a lot of people know that.... So if you want to be considered on a regular basis, you need to update your profile with fresh stuff every month - putting it into blogs isn't enough. Good luck - I suggest you make your next one on bestiality or necrophilia...

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Troilism? Are you thinking of going for POTM? Welcome aboard, I look forward to reading more of your work John! (and yes, I did have to google what troilism is!)

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Hi Isobel
I'm all wrung out, but that's another story.
Steve M.
;-)))

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Dave
It appears my excitement has boiled over too soon. Such is life.
The poem is just a bit of fun. The child in me.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Cate
John Darwin brought me down to earth. I'd forgotten voting goes on until the 6th.
Is this a case of premature alliteration?
Dosh on the way
Steve M. ;-)))

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Hi John
Bugger. I'm always premature.

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

thanks Win, about hebdeb, wish that's all it was, am having probs finding a place for this creaky-kneed writer, Heb,so pretty but so hilly!! Know any boats going spare? Deb

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Isobel
My humble apologies, I was only joshing you.

Steve M.
;-))))

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Isobel
'a deluge of light-weight poems' !!!???
I thought you were the one to pour oil on troubled waters LOL
x Steve M. x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Andy, there have been some developments in the one big poem thread, have a look. Win

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Thanks for you reading and your comments - Daisy ....is, in fact, my cat. :)
I love so much of your work, but I can't find 'Cheese' on here? - I enjoyed it very much when you read it at the Greenroom a couple of months ago.
Cx

Comment is about Mia Darlone (poet profile)

Original item by Mia Darlone

Hi Nicky... Glad youu appreciated my collating efforts. I too was glad to be part of this thing and not too pleased with the M/cr diversion. However that was still a part of it and I have made something out of Andy n and Spencers Mancunian comments. Have a look on the orig discussions thread. Win x

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

thankyou for your comments win, always appreciated. I hope you had a wander to Sylvia's spot on sunday, I have never been but it is a beautiful cemetery.
Take care,
Marianne.
ps you can ask questions about my writing, I am not a completely closed person, i just sometimes feel abit out of myself regarding technique and form etc mustn't be so bashful with everything else.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi win, thanks for your comments on the poem that should never have been....... true, that words on a page can be very therapeutic.

great what you have done with Bone Dry, hope everyone appreciates it's birth and existence.

Take care

Nicky.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

hi andy,

thanks for your comments on the poem that should never have been....., was a bit of a heavy hitter for me and I nearly removed it on several occasions - but, I'm glad I didn't.

At the other end of the scale to your 'perfect place', ( that's from my subjective point of view ) and I'm lucky that I have been in that perfect
place with all my little ones.

Thanks again.

Nicky.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

haha!....too shay!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thank you Gus, hopefully the the layers of my dermis are delightful too.

I enjoy your poetry, I like pieces that make one step back and think.

Hope you are well

Nicky.

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

or would that be an exodus of Lapwing?


Many thanks
Gus

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Tra bloody La it like bein picked on by the Kray Sisters!!

Gusxx

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

An' Yoo Hoo to you too!

GusXX

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Nicky
Gauging from your profile pic the surface depth of your epidermis looks delightful and thank you for taking the time to read and re-act.

Once again many thanks
Gusxx

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Thanks for the comment , I like the piece it is a bit Trainspotting (well spotted - oh that's bad but I had to). On another note - Beyond the Equinox is a bit tasty , great images ,well written - you can easily picture everything.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Yes your probably right, it is time to have a peek and see what we have in our 'one big poem', (Woolworths pick and mix , another piece of history gone to the wall ) , you can have a go at jigging it about if you fancy old bean.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Anthony. I really like Beyond the Equinox, the imagery is sad and haunting yet very beautiful. I tried to pick out a favourite part but the whole poem is so effective that I couldn't.

Thank you for sharing my work. In answer to your question, I wouldn't like to tell people what to get from reading it but there are broad themes being explored. While I wanted to be ambiguous about time and place the initial inspiration came from the conflict in Bosnia when a seemingly modern and peaceful nation tore itself apart and committed terrible acts of genocide as a result of national and ethnic divisions and historic prejudices.

There are parallels with all conflict and I suppose the current war against terrorism and the experiences of Bristish troops in Afghanistan perhaps support the idea that we need to try harder to learn the lessons of history and find new ways of solving problems in the world.

The two characters represent ordinary people caught up in national events, one who seeks to be loyal but recognises his own conscience is at odds with the propaganda and one who blindly accepts what he is told out of jingoistic misplaced pride. As a result, it is perhaps easier for one to deal with the aftermath of war than the other. There is still the promise of redemption, in spite of the horrors both committed by and against these men. they have to work out that journey for themselves but the key is facing up to their guilt and accepting responsibility for what took place, perhaps inspired by the South African truth and reconciliation or Northern Ireland peace processes.

Finally, perhaps I wanted to place the events in a time just as modern mechanised warfare unleashed new horrors on mankind. While Cloverleaf experiences a traditional combat role riding in a cavalry charge the horrors described by Strongarm perhaps reflect the thoughts of soldiers encountering trench warfare, modern artillery and tanks for the first time in the early 20th century. I remember something about the French cavalry riding into battle on horseback in white gloves brandishing sabres only to be cut down in minutes by German machine gun fire.

Ultimately, I want to warn aginst the dangers of prejudice and remind people how easily this kind of scapegoating can lead to catastrophy. A reminder I think people need in a soceity where people vote for the BNP and live in fear of anyone from a different cultural background.

Thanks again, I think your work is of real quality and would appreciate any ideas you could offer.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Nicky
Glad 'Well Shod' brought a smile.

x Steve M. x

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hi Winston - those six words are usually used for military salutes

thanks for reading and making comment

steve x

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi neil, thanks for hanging around to comment on that piece.

I am trying to catch up on everything, but there is so much that I keep getting sidetracked.

Hope you are well.

Comment is about Neil West (poet profile)

Original item by Neil West

Hi Anthony,
I'd like to say thank you, not just for your comments on 'plum', but for leading me to your poems. What I loved about them is they demostrate how poetry reveals the reality we miss in every day life. Beyond the Equinox connects the reader to the season and to the earth.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

no, don't be spooked Winston, it's all part of the interconnectedness of everything.. yes, post it, re-name it if you like. So much in a touch. I had an aromatherapy massage for my Birthday (thanks Ellen/Clare) what can I say..touch reveals so much to both the one who gives and the one who receives, I think, in danger of getting very Indigo here but I can't help it. I wrote something too but have to save it for my dissertation but maybe I'll bring it along to next meeting,if I can remember how to read out loud..or leave my chair..you could read yours maybe too.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

gus - cheers for your reimaging off 'Fly to the moon' - really enjoyed it - lot more to come on this piece as i am gonna be ruthless on the editing soon, but will credit you with a thanks when this poem is on it's next draft as you have helped loads.. p.s. - you comin' to poets and.. next month still (let me know and I'll hold you a slot)

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

thanks for your comments reg. fly to the moon winston.. lot off work to come on this piece (posted it here as am having probs) - everybody has being so helpful.. need to email you as well (reminds me) over a idea i want to run past you (do it later)

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Winston: thanks for the kind words but my 'listing to port' is purely 'mental' My 'balance' remains perfectly Leftward!

Tommy

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Marianne - Aha so I have just read a partial explanation of your poetry style on Tommy's blog which you said he ad somehow forced out of you. Very interesting. It also comes accross that you want your work to speak for itself so maybe we should all just stop asking questions and just read the poems! lol . Win

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Hi Tommy, Hope your balnce is restored soon. Win

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi Gus,

thanks as ever for taking the time to read and make comment

steve x

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

HI Anthony - thanks for your comments on my work - happy that you get the rhythm and gravity of the work

steve x

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Win
Glad it raised a smile. It's a good job for nature to provide us with the absurd.
Hopefully see you around
Steve M.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Cate
Glad it brought a smile.
Again, loved your story of the Pumps. My humour only comes in short bursts (old age)
Steve M.

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for your comment, it's much appreciated.
I manage to squeeze out a little something silly every now and then. From where? who knows.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Anthony... Great descriptive piece. does exactly what it says on the tin. Lovely. Win

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Isobel, Glad you liked "On meeting a poet", and found you could make your own interpretation and be happy with that. Thx for commenting. see you soon. win x.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

http://www.songlyrics.com/radiohead/weird-fishes-lyrics/

Hi Cate

here's your starting point : )

steve x

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Thankyou for all your comments, they mean a lot as i enjoy your work so much. Thank you for all the encouragement!

jessie

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Anthony, so nice to see you posting again! Thanks for your lovely comment on Eer Olives Pumps. I love Lancashire dialect. Its dying out somewhat now with the closing of the mines and mills, but the older generation still use it in rural areas, and I find it a fascinating legacy of how Wigan used to be. I have written a few more dialect ones which might get an airing up here in time, so watch this space!!!
Cate xx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Greetings Cynthia, thanks for the comment on Eer Olives Pumps, and for always taking time to read my stuff. Much appreciated.
Cate xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Greetings Neil, thanks for the comment on Eer Olives Pumps, I love humerous poetry, its much underated! Yes I suppose technology has moved on somewhat, but in my area "parent power" seems to have come full circle, and we had to have locks put on the classroom outside doors to stop parents coming in and berating us!!
Cate xx

Comment is about Neil West (poet profile)

Original item by Neil West

Greetings Dave, thanks for the comment on Eer Olives Pumps. Have a good holiday and see you sometime at the Tudor.
Cate xx

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks for your comment on 'It's hard to be a mum' Winston. The women love the poem, some men don't like the swearing - what does that tell me? Women know exactly to the knuckle where I am coming from, understand the frustration and the swearing....I guess sometimes you have to have walked the same line to really empathise. I am grateful for your comments though - they are honest and I like that. x

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes