Thank you Ian for commenting on ‘In Only A Contented God.’

What can I really say? I suffer a great deal of mental and physical ill health. The physical problems I can contend with. But the mental ill health is such that on most days I wish for my life to end. It’s harrowing contending with voices that only seek to drag me down from what was once a positive perspective on life. In the past they have caused me to try to cease my life. Before operations in the Gulf conflict of 90/91, I was fit, active and very positive, but nowadays I feel I have been shat on from a great height. I try to gain help when it is offered, but in the main most people do not understand. Even my own family don’t care much for what is left of me. I keep going with what has been a bad set of cards been dealt ever since I was very young. But I often think of the hardships I go through and I sincerely want revenge upon callous gods not only for what I go through, but for what many people endure here in this realm. I cannot believe the universe is some trillion years old and this status be the sum of all our being since creation. Therefor I know within myself this realm is purgatory for the majority. But this particular condition I would not want upon anyone. I am beaten up day in day out by constant voices, and I suffer the physical ailments too. But to top it all, for serving my country in faith I feel that the authorities have shat on me too, and yet, they live within this world as well as I. I am not altogether a bad person, but the way life is treating me is tearing me apart inside. I was once so full of optimism but now, I just want to sue life, and rip the almighty’s head clean off with my bare hands. It just doesn’t make any sense to suffer this way, let alone be at the mercy of environmental and economic poverty. One day, by hook or by crook, I will get revenge and there, you may say I am being delusional, but to live like this is beyond my comprehension of benevolent gods, benevolent gods that in all honesty, do not exist. It just doesn’t make any sense.

Sorry for the rant. I thank you once again and hope that your life is far better than mine. There’s just too many coincidences to say it is down to luck or karma. It bloody stinks.

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Ian,
Thanks for the encouraging comments on `Susan`

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

John
Thanks for your (kind) comments on `Susan`

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Isobel,
Thanks for the comment on `Susan`

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi John.

Came across the aquillrelle anthology from a couple of years ago that my daughter bought for me after I'd had a poem published. Wondering if there were any other W.O.L poets listed, I looked,and there you were, your contribution being the excellent little epoch about the mine disaster.

Wonderful entertaining stuff yours! never read a bad one. I get the impression you find it easy?

Unlike me, many more pages deleted. than survive.

Ken.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Surrered = suffered?
MC

Comment is about Shirley Smothers (poet profile)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Hi John,

I do agree with you about the word "Did" in my poem "Daddy". I posted a second version "Daddy edited version." I just left out the word did.
Thank you for your kind comments. But actually my Dad passed on Dec.9 2009. I have only recently been able to write about it.

Thanks,
Shirley

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello M.C.

I was unsure about the word "Did" in my poem "Daddy". Thanks for your input. I have a second version "Daddy edited poem". I just left out the word did. Thank you for the nice comments.

Shirley

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Andy

We all miss you at Stockport hope to see you soon.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Ann

Ian has just joined Stockport Write Out Loud and came along to the last meeting.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Go for it MC.
F**k the detractors.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello JC - I can get the words and a tune
together but you have that extra ability to
accompany and perform your own stuff. Long may
it be so!!
P.S. I'm having DKJC promoted on a Hotdisc
compilation that gets sent to Country music DJs
around Europe and beyond in September. Nothing
ventured...nothing gained - as they say. Plus -
it's also promised a few online plays on www.ukcountryradio.com then. Bring it on!!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

apols for the delay Cate - thanks for reading :-)

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Harry - delighted you found and enjoyed "Daddy Knew Johnny Cash".
I knew I was on to something when a pal of many
years - a published suthor of a book about the
origins of the Oxford Dictionary and a retired
lecturer in English at a Canadian university - told me how much he had enjoyed it. Just shows you never
quite know who - or where - your audience might be!!
Now -an annoyed P.s. - however much I have tried to make the above lines neat and tidy - they are
reproduced here like the product of some wayward sub-editor's untidy mind. Most aggravating.
Apologies!

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hello Isobel,
Thankyou for you thoughts on "WriteOutLoud Women Blues".
Glad to see that the depths of my crudity do not disappoint you! Of course, I don't know what half of those poetry terms mean - I had to look them up.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hello Foxy,
Thankyou for reading "WriteOutLoud Women Blues". There's a lot goes on in my head (not much outside!)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hello MC,
Glad you enjoyed "WriteOutLoud Women Blues".
I have to say it's not a patch on your Johnny Cash tribute.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Starfish,
Thankyou for reading (maybe listening to) "WriteOutLoud Women Blues". I didn't mean to alarm you with my manifesto!

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Oooh, sorry if I've got mixed up! Looks like you've done plenty! (Who's Ian?) :)

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Ann I think you mean Ian or do you want me to do a bit more?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Ann - thanks for the 'hello'. :)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for your comments John and for listening to my lastest entry.

Rhyme is not dead yet and though it might be outmoded in some quarters, the proverbial man on the street still enjoys it. I do hope your rhymes are not changing!

Karen.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for your comments on Grumpy Summer and thanks for listening.

Karen.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks for listening to "Grumpy Summer" and your comments. I appreciate it. You highlighted the lines I rather like myself!

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Thanks for your comment on my Beautiful poem - I'll try to perform it next time I'm at the spoke - and I'll expect you to join in on the chorus!

xx

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson

hi m.c. - thanks for the comment regarding peterloo. it's a piece that means a lot to me and is still in flux a bit but pleased you liked it.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

hi harry - thanks for the comment regarding peterloo. it's a piece that means a lot to me and is still in flux a bit but pleased you liked it.

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hi Nigel - a very warm welcome to WOL. Hope to see some more of your work on here soon. And hope you will enjoy being a part of the site :)

Comment is about Ian O'Brien (poet profile)

Original item by Ian O'Brien

Great to see you on here - and I love your profile page poem. I remember you well on that course - a wonderful poem about your mother making you some clothes? And you have a lovely voice! Hope to see more of your work on here soon. Enjoy granma-hood! And so glad you are doing well with your poetry! x

Comment is about Anne Maney (poet profile)

Original item by Anne Maney

Hello Anne. It is good to see you on these pages. I have noted the showcase event in my diary. Glad the course was useful.

Comment is about Anne Maney (poet profile)

Original item by Anne Maney

Ian, re Digital Equality - thank you! I preferred that version of the last stanza myself :) I've now dropped One and Two, tried out First and Second but they didn't quite scan right in my head. I think it's definitely improved it. Some come so easily don't they, and others...others are a right bugger!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks again Ian for the attention to my poems. It's much appreciated.

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Cynthia - thanks for the welcome back! I hope all is well with you! x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your comments on my January Fairy poem! :)

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson

Ah bon! Je l'attende avec attention!

Comment is about Michel Francois (poet profile)

Original item by Michel Francois

Thanks Nigel!

Comment is about Ian O'Brien (poet profile)

Original item by Ian O'Brien

I totally recognised your sincerity in 'totem', because I share it. I actively soaked in so much 'Indian' history and literature as I was growing up in the region of the junction of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. I read countless books on First Nations mythology, with wonder and delight. I had to make myself be analytical, to dig a little deeper and put details into wider context. It's hard not to be reactive to European arrogance, throughout the entire world, not just the America's.

Would you believe, I am right now reading an old textbook called 'Breastplate and Buckskin' which details the European takeover of the 'New World'. It seems remarkably honest, considering the whitewash of history so prevalent in some major textbooks. It refreshes a whole period whose major points had become fuzzy in my mind.

The only thing 'history' is, is a 'story' as constructed by the 'winners'. Much deconstruction will surely come, even now, as scholars demand more honesty from accounts, and, by extension, inform ordinary people like us. Who can even trust the local and international news, let alone history!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks for your comments on my two latest posts. You alone seem to take the trouble to approach the need for "balance" on the subjects involved. The idea that "racism" is essentially attributable to "whitey" is nonsense and needs an occasional poke where the sun don't shine!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Ian - ta!

Re the code - thought long and hard about that, and in one way, it's not a code, but in another, you use separate letters (symbols) to communicate meaning/represent words, so in THAT way, it is a code.

You're right, qwerty should be in capitals, ta. I did think about making the verses equal as it goes haha, trust you to notice that :D, but 'diarise' got its own line in the end, hence being one line longer. Could easily shuffle it back together again though.

That last verse - nnnggg. I worried that to death. Here's another version of it that I worked on, that I actually liked more, but another person I showed it to preferred the version on here. Would appreciate you looking at it (and using the 'Both' in this ties it to 'One' and 'Two'):

Both
hands clapping;
a parity of palm.
In goat skin tandem
slapping rhythm in a beat;
equality
in QWERTY code;
touch type testifies to
balance in the word.
One hand clapping
seeks the silence of the world.


Cheers!

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Good to see you back, Graham! or is that 'frack'?
important contribution to the debate.

Comment is about Gray Hamm (poet profile)

Original item by Gray Hamm

Eh up - same author ;)I've got both :)

Fairy muff re the rhythm, chuck

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Larisa, thanks for the comment on my profile. I am attempting to de-cypher its mysteries. T

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

keep me informed how you with Poetica, Cynthia. I will try to come along if i can if you get something sorted out.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Laura
thanks for the comments on 'totem' - much appreciated as always.
haven't read the book you mention - but the must read book regarding first nations/native Americans is Bury My Hear At Wounded Knee' which is the native American perspective of the 'wild west' - fascinating and moving read.
The list of tribal names is there for rhythmic purposes + 'if we cannot name them we cannot remember them' so I liked it to push start the rhythm into the last section
cheers
Ian

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks for your constructive and informative comments on 'totem' Cynthia.
I have been travelling to Canada for the last 10 years - usually 2 or 3 times a year. Unfortunately I have had to miss it this year as I was made redundant last August and am trying to find my financial footing again. I am already missing Vancouver :-( my favourite place in the world and somewhere where I would love to live.
I am very interested in First Nations art and mythology - this wasn't meant to be a 'breast beating' ode to guilt or a romantic view of the first nation people - it was just the feelings I had when visiting sites and looking at their own art and crafts.
I have an anti-colonialism stance anyway - so am disgusted and averse to the way that Britain colonised the old and new worlds and destroyed what was there - yes, they gave a lot to these continents - but was it needed? I guess I would never have got to see the wonderful Canadian countryside and forests if they had not done so - so the poem makes me happy and sad in equal measures.
Thanks for taking he time to comment
Ian

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

You are more than welcome and thank you too for your comment re my boy :-)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Tommy,

Just seen your comment on my untitled poem ( about fucking ) Pardon my french ha ha Sometimes it's as much about releasing pent up agression and stress as it about emotion and 'relationships'. Not always 'making love' to use a corny phrase :-)

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I know - nearly every poem was exceptional.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Voilà - un autre Français !
sounds good - well done for a full house

When I introduce my audio in a few weeks
you will hear a little more of this Frenchman

all the best
Michel François

Comment is about stephen smith (poet profile)

Original item by stephen smith

Cher Michel,Merci pour votre commentaire -je n'ai lis qu'un morceau de votre poesie en francai mais je vois un talent! "Comfort" a eu du bon succes,mais louer un teatre est assez difficile parce que on doit reserver l'espace six mois en avant.Nous avons eu deux" maisons pleines" et n'avons pas perdu de l'argent -au contraire avons gagne/ un peu.

Comment is about Michel Francois (poet profile)

Original item by Michel Francois