Thank you so much Frances Macaulay Forde for your kind words – they really mean so much to me, especially as I am very new to putting myself “out there” poetically online. You may be amused to know this sample poem (which does need a title, now you mention it) actually exists in 2 versions – the original is much freer in its rhythm and rhyming scheme, but somehow I couldn’t leave the text alone until I’d got the pattern to match in every verse.

Regarding describing myself as a slam poet – I hadn’t considered the label as a restriction as such, but I have to say I chose this particular poem to post as a sample because it is one I consider to be closer to “page poetry” than “slam poetry”. The relationship between these art forms fascinates me. I guess a lot of poetry (although not all) can be successfully presented in oral form, and can benefit from being recited well, but for me slam poetry really needs to be performed to be fully what it is. Page poetry can make paper sing, but a lot of slam poetry loses something when restricted to written form. I have always tinkered with words, but my discovery of the slam scene allowed me to at last find my writing voice, and to also get my adrenalin fix from the performance “buzz”. Now I am keen to explore other poetic forms too. Unfortunately living in a non-anglophone country limits my opportunities for exchange and for getting some measure of the success of my writing (and performances). So I was overjoyed to find this website!

Thank you again, I look forward to exchanging further!

Comment is about Becky Who (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Who

Hello everyone! I have sad news to relate to those of you who met my friend Christine (Turner); she attended a couple of WOL meetings at Stockport. Christine died yesterday following a brain tumour some time ago. Please would you say a prayer for her family? Thank you - Dorinda x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Hi Big Sal, Thanks for taking the time and for the feedback, Much appreciated

Comment is about Anthony Smith (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Smith

I love you sample, 'Busy switching lanes...', Matt!
Such an intimate journey - moments caught perfectly in very clever rhyme.
I will make sure I read more of your words and have now added you to my favourites.

Comment is about Matt Tyldesley (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tyldesley

Nice to 'meet' you Becky Who.
I absolutely loved every considered and carefully placed word of your sample poem which I presume is entitled 'There's a poem...'
I will certainly make sure I read everything you post, so looking forward to many more from you.

IMHO the words of this poem demonstrate a heightened poetic ability but you restrict the perception of your talent - you are so much more than a 'slam' poet!

Comment is about Becky Who (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Who

I noticed your fluid usage of rhymes. More so than the average poet, and wanted to tell you it's pretty damn good so far. Keep up the fluidity and good rhymes, and your poetry will only get better with time.??

Comment is about Anthony Smith (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Smith

I'm more honoured Anya!!
❤

Comment is about uncover (poet profile)

Original item by uncover

Your samples are eye-catching and interesting reads.?

Comment is about Taylor Crowshaw (poet profile)

Original item by Taylor Crowshaw

Hello Greg- thanks for the comment about Meditterranean August - have only just realized that incredibly it was POW
Jennifer

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Keith, Thanks for the positive feedback on Meditterranean August. Have onlu just realised that incredibly, it was POW. Thanks for your encouragement.It was reallly the wine which lulled us to sleep more than the breakers!

Jennifer

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hello Martin,

Thanks for your comment on Meditterranean August! Much appreciated. I have only just realised that incrdibly, it was POW.

Jennifer

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks for your comment on Meditterranean August!
More than psychedelic results it might be due to alcoholic results!

Thanks again Jennifer (Malden)

Comment is about Suki Spangles (poet profile)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Thank you so much Anya!? It is very much a pleasure to be here -talented poets indeed!You're one of my favourites?.
You liked my poem too?, Thanks!

Comment is about uncover (poet profile)

Original item by uncover

Good Morning Kporho,

Thank you for your poems which paint a very vivid picture of your life and surroundings. You have a good deal of potential which you must exploit as a poet. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Keith

Comment is about Kporho Vwede Daniel (poet profile)

Original item by Kporho Vwede Daniel

Can't wait to see what else you have in store. Raw emotion waiting to be untangled in lines of poetic parchment.?

Comment is about RandomBubbles (poet profile)

Original item by RandomBubbles

I like the couplets of your sample - that is often the format I write in since it makes rhyming a lot easier. And like Anya said, welcome.?

Comment is about Mayah ROSE (poet profile)

Original item by Mayah ROSE

Hello Suki. Nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my poem. Your thoughts are appreciated!?

Comment is about Suki Spangles (poet profile)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Matt, "Thank you" seems so frivolous in comparison to the comments you have written referencing "The Beach". But, nonetheless I do thank you. Your comments give me the courage to plow forward with my writings in the hope that someday I may have something published.

Comment is about Matt Tyldesley (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tyldesley

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about "The Beach". I believe we all want to hold someone's hand, I know I do.

Comment is about Jon Stainsby (poet profile)

Original item by Jon Stainsby

I've just come across you Matt. Another rhymer to enjoy. Your sample to me was clever. You intertwined clever rhyme with message. Something not easy to do when creating good rhyme.

Pleased to make your acquaintance

Don ?

Comment is about Matt Tyldesley (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tyldesley

thanks for reading my poem and commenting.
now i can go on.
Becky Who?
are you really a Who?
who knows.

Comment is about Becky Who (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Who

Thank you Nicola Hulme, I really appreciate it. I'm rather new to all this...

Comment is about Becky Who (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Who

Steven,
Thank you for introducing John MacCullough and Andrew MacMillan to me. I appreciate this greatly
Keith

Comment is about Steven Waling (poet profile)

Original item by Steven Waling

Racha,
May I ask what other languages you speak as you say that English is your third? I speak Spanish and German but English is my first. However, I would be hard pressed to write poetry in my other two languages.
Thank you,
Keith

Comment is about racha (poet profile)

Original item by racha

Hey Keith
Thank you I actually deleted my comment because I didn't know how the answer would be I will keep in mind that u appreciate my comments . It really means alot

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hello Ian - apropos your note on my profile page - I accept
your point. It is my point that the extremism which often
features in ideologies is the real enemy, whether on the
left or right of the political spectrum - and it is this that
causes so much suffering. The lingering suspicion (for me)
is that prior to the knowledge of what was going on behind
the Iron Curtain - and has happened since in Cambodia
and elsewhere, this extremism was largely refuted or
ignored in the hurry to place fascism at the forefront of
the foes threatening humanity. Now, we are all that much
more aware - and a good thing too.
Cheers.

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Good Morning Racha,
Thank you for your recent comments on some of my poetry. They are much appreciated.
Keith

Comment is about racha (poet profile)

Original item by racha

thanks for the comments on 'red herrings' Mark - I'm not sure who has misread who here - but most of them there left ideologies you mention coincide with my own - this was just a way of me saying - reds ain't all bad
Ian

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

thanks for the comments on 'red herrings' Keith - glad you got a laugh out of it
Ian

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

I love this Becky, well done.

Comment is about Becky Who (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Who

Thanks for sending the theme for next time, Nigel: intriguing title!!! - Dorinda x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Great meet up last night - - -

theme for next month for those who did not make it - - -

A Cloth and a Club - - -

Cave Man Hairy Chest

tiger skin underpants
tree trunk legs
giant wooden club
ready for hunting
needs new wife!

right got mine done!

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

thanks for commenting on 'the weeping angel' Stu - she was from my home city - there's quite a lot in the news about her at the moment - but, until very recently, her story wasn't even known in Wakefield - I'm really pleased that's changed because it is a truly remarkable story
Ian

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

thanks for your kind comments on 'the weeping angel' Mark - I'm pleased you liked it - and such a lovely thing to say
Ian

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

thanks for commenting on 'the weeping angel' Keith - glad you liked it mate
Ian

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hello Graham/Admin...

I'm logged into Writeoutloud...but cannot copy or edit my work even though I have ticked relevant permissions.
Please can you assist.
kind regards
Gus

Comment is about Admin (poet profile)

Original item by Admin

Maggie, I feel like God is looking over our shoulders. How wonderful to receive your comment on 'So There!' Six years since the last connection. Wow!

Comment is about Maggie Waker (poet profile)

Original item by Maggie Waker

Yvonne,
Your poem entitled betrayal is a magnificent expression of betrayal and its consequences. I too was a victim and reading this poem brought home to me that the scars always remain.
Thank you for this
Keith

Comment is about Yvonne Ugarte (poet profile)

Original item by Yvonne Ugarte

Thank You For You’re Feedback It Helps. I’m super new to this. So thank you any Input is Good Input. ?

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks Martin for your "predictable" support for "Episodes in a collapsed relationship" (blog). ?

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Hi Random Bubbly. Have you ever thought of putting your work into stanzas (verse type bits) ? I find reading it like in your sample difficult. Split into easy-to-read chunks would make it easier to read. For me. I see you've just arrived. pleased to make you're acquaintance

Don ?

Comment is about RandomBubbles (poet profile)

Original item by RandomBubbles

ShalomP,
Thanks for commenting on two of my recent poems. I really appreciate it. You are also gifted. Please write more from the heart because that is poetry lies.
Keith

Comment is about ShalomP (poet profile)

Original item by ShalomP

Hey Don,

Thanks for the comment on the poem and my profile! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my stuff.

Alex

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thanks for feedback on my poem x I couldn't bear to put MT and TM in same poem .....perish the thought! Hmmm just noticed they have the same initials .......fancy that

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Shalom P,
Welcome to Writeoutloud. I look forward to reading more of your verse.
Keith

Comment is about ShalomP (poet profile)

Original item by ShalomP

Thanks for comment Don - glad you like the poem, it will be interesting to see if it tickles the fetish of any other WOLers


Cheers

DJB

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

Keep writing small poems. I fall asleep half-way through long ones

Why do I like short ones
Ones like chunks and marrow?
'Cause I simply stay awake
They make it light-my barrow

DM ?

Comment is about Chunks and Marrow (poet profile)

Original item by Chunks and Marrow

Freda, I was thinking of you only yesterday! Wonderful to see you on line again. TBH, I allowed myself a sad little thought, hoping all is well with you. I remember that poetry weekend together so clearly. And all your excellent WOL comments on line.

Comment is about Freda Davis (poet profile)

Original item by Freda Davis

Hey Don,
Thanks for your comment, but that's not what it was about. I was not touching "the thought". No such thing. If you read the whole poem, please think and try to understand. And if not, well, I wish I could tell you what it means.?

Comment is about A. Jade (poet profile)

Original item by A. Jade

thanks for the comment on 'a wound that never heals' mate - yes - I feel I'm labouring the grief a bit in my writing - but it helps to get it down and share it
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor