At the risk of beating 'pearl/purl to death: My mother always said 'pearls are for tears'. I understood it was an ancient idea believed by many in the British Isles. Do you know of any such connection in folk lore, myth or fable?
So knitting is a similar idea to 'the tapestry of life'. Good poems do make the reader think a lot.

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hi John, thanks for your comments on my profile. I wouldn't worry about not doing weighty stuff - it isn't to everyone's taste anyway - a number of poeple find my stuff naive and immature. There is a market for every style on this site - that is the great thing about it.
Till we meet again. x

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for the comments on my words. Keep up the good work mate!.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

A good bit of humour with a helping of the cheek -great.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Congrats Anthony! I voted for you.... your work is head and shoulders above the rest!
Cate xx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Good show last night Jordan... Enjoyed. Shame about the change of day. Good luck. Winston

Comment is about Jordan (poet profile)

Original item by Jordan

Hi nicky.....i am an appauling speller lol.....i wont shout at u im not that nasty......lol....thanks for ur comment....it really messed with my head writing that poem....i was scared the universe wud cave in hahaha.....thanx again.xx

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

'Holiday Armageddon' is wonderful. Great imagery.

Comment is about David Pike (poet profile)

Original item by David Pike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7aIdw-drtM

için ne zaman kalp .. seyahat..
debz : )

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

You are quite correct Cynthia, in knitting terminology it is generally known as the 'purl stitch' and only sometimes referred to as the 'pearl stitch', for example seed-pearl stitch.

However, 'pearl' is a metaphor for something very valuable and very rare and admirable, also the pearl has a translucent beauty, an iridescent quality to it. The poem is about knitting, however, the knitting represents life - creation and the ongoing intricacies of life are synonomous to the intricacies of the pattern. The purl stitch the 'inverted stitch' - a change in the direction of that life, life being turned upside down by an event (which can be read as a wanted or an unwanted event depending on the reader), and the knitting remains unfinished - just as so many things in life do. We do not value life as much as we should and often take it for granted until something happens, in some cases that realisation comes too late.

Nicky x

So, yes, you also were correct when you commented that the title had significance.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Loved 'Gallery'. A great sideswipe. The Ted Hughes poem also made me giggle.

pip pip

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Nicky, it just hit me (I was doing dishes) that your poem about knitting is "Purl Stitch', the inverted stitch. I looked up 'purl' and the various definitions show this spelling to be correct. Perhaps 'pearl' is used as well?

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hello Steven
I shall add my two pennerth in a moment. I think it will be educational (in all senses of the word) to see what is suggested

Comment is about Steven Waling (poet profile)

Original item by Steven Waling

Thanks very much for reading and commenting on 'Important'. Very much appreciated.
Cx

Comment is about stephen smith (poet profile)

Original item by stephen smith

Thanks Win!
Loved Paul's pictures of you on facebook - must get up north soon and see your act.
Hope you're well?
Cx

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi there,
Thanks for the comments on Growing Up - I think actually Palate Cleanser might be a better title!
Glad you're still listening to Phil Ochs - have a listen to some Leonard Cohen, 'The Future' is very interesting, he's an amazing poet.
Cynthia - I love the story about F.U.C.K, in the version I heard it was written over the stocks when adulterous women (never men) were put in, but sadly, I think, it is apocryphal, though its etymology is very vague.
Cx

Comment is about Joshua Van-Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

Hi cynthia, thanks for your comment on 'single malt', all criticism welcome - have left a comment on the blog. Really struggled with that piece, it was a rewrite of one I wrote 17 years ago - from a different perspective, you may prefer the other. I may blog it, to see if the re-write was an improvement or just self-indulgence on my part :-)

'The Painting' is fabulous! Represents how subjective Art really is. Enjoyed it.

Nicky x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Anthony, thanks for your comments on 'Melt'. I wil probably be reading it tonight in Hebden Bridge, bit of a trek for you from Devon!

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Nicky, thanks for the explanation of Pearl Stitch - very interesting. Also thanks for your comments on 'Melt' - I am glad people saw different things in it, largely different to what was in mind when it was written :-)

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

hi isobel;

good points over P.O.M. - I agree with you.. I must admit I haven't any of them in months and months - it seems to have gone off in a direction I don't like anyhow to the sort off poetry I don't read or particularly enjoy anyhow. Hope you are good! x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Jackie
Nice poems. I like the light verse stuff, although you make strong points in them.
I especially like the more conventional rhythm and rhyme formats. It's the sort of thing I'm trying to do myself.
Put some more up.
John Coopey
John Coopey

Comment is about Jackie Juno (poet profile)

Original item by Jackie Juno

Hello Isabel
Many thanks for you comments on my submissions - I'm really new to this and feel like a fish out of water. Everybody seems to do such "weighty" stuff and mine's dead simple.
Anyway I checked out yours and I really like them both, especially "What's it all about?"
I look forward to more.
John Coopey

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I don't think it would be a good idea to put a replacement poem there Andy. Next month's poem was chosen months ago cos they work ahead. It was chosen by Ernesto, which is the way it works. I don't think I'll be bothering to comment on any POM again - tee hee - this one and the last one has really finished me off. I take your point that it is sad to lose any poet off the site - I am not sure that Ernesto would have stayed much beyond winning POM though - that seems to be the trend - has last month's winner posted anything beyond his winning poem? It is a great pity that POM has caused such a schism in the site though - amongst poets who are here for the long haul.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I have left a reply on my blog for you if you have any further questions could we have a chat online?

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Marianne

thanks for reading and commenting on Benllech Bay

steve x

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Hi Steve - cd tis good...

my only bother though is the recording levels used - impacts on the quality of the listen

steve x

Comment is about Steven Waling (poet profile)

Original item by Steven Waling

Yolande
I too liked the rolling meter and rhyme (especially the internal ones).
Nice poem.
John

Comment is about Yolande (poet profile)

Original item by Yolande

Thanks for your comments on both "Losing Interest" and "Texting". Your views on language and mine seem to coincide quite a bit. However, I am slightly confused to the reference to "Brave New World" By Aldous Huxley when it was Nineteen Eighty-Four that I was referencing in "Texting". If you could clarify on that, I would appreciate it. Thanks,

- Josh

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hey,
i like Poison Smile, sounds as if it was someone you know..?
Donna

Comment is about Mark Underwood (poet profile)

Original item by Mark Underwood

Hi Cynthia

I am humbled

steve x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Forgot to say, have you read Graham Buchan's wonderful poem 'Gaudi etc' on his profile.
Much more like the kind of love I know
Bye again
Steve M.

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hi Nicky
No worries, I was already at the ha-ha stage.
I was beginning to think the 'farewells' were trying to outdo Frank Sinatra's comebacks and farewell concerts.
Only joking E.
Steve M.
:-))))

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hello Graham
I'm not sure if I'm a 'we' but your comment brought your name/profile to my attention, and I wanted to say how much I enjoyed My Gaudi House. I thought it absolutely brilliant.
Perhaps it's closer to my ideas of the expression of love.
Steve M.

Comment is about Graham Buchan (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Buchan

I loved nearly nine... "re-seeding my memories" really struck me. Thank you for your comments on my poetry, glad your enjoyed it. With love x

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Nicky
I have to smile. I must have contributed the least amount to the Ernesto debate, but he's left a 'comment' on my Profile (and Neil West's) saying that we'' both be surprised at November's POTM, which, presumably, he still gets to choose.
I just thought it odd that Neil and I are chosen for the comment
Have a lovely weekend
Steve M.
:-))))

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Hi Isobel
I doubt you've seen it, but Ernesto has left a little message on my Profile page, and Neil West's, saying that we'll be surprised at next month's POTM
For some reason the kack seems to have been spread in our direction. How did that come about?
A gentle soul like moi
Speak soon
Steve M.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for the line. I'm glad I stayed as well. I don't comment much, but I do love reading other peoples work.
Keep well
Steve M.
:-)))

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cynthia, thanks for commenting. Yes there is a significance in the 'pearl' stitch, very astute of you as always, the type of stitch chosen is as important as the fact that she was knitting. Does that make sense?

Hope you are well
Nicky x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

HI Jeff,
thank you : ))
I fully intended going to your gig tonight at the stubbin' but I'm still in the Dales. I haven't found anywhere to stop in Heb yet. Am down next week for Uni, staying with a friend so maybe see you at WOL? I hope the gig goes well and am sorry I can't make it.Deb x

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Joshua, since you enjoy scholarship in its most magnificent sense, take care with spelling and grammar as you go on. I know song-writing sets its own rules, as does, sometimes, poetry too. But you are so talented, go for the highest ideals possible and be a future poet laureate, if the honour still exists some years down the line. At any rate, go for FAMOUS.

By the way, 'fuck' should be FUCK, an acronym for the legal term: ' For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge'. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I happened to read Christine's earlier comment.

Parrs Wood in Didsbury?

Comment is about Joshua Van-Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

Hi Nicky, thank you for your very kind comments on 'Of The Earth' I think you got it ; ) Debzxx

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

Well - I did point out that maybe there was a reason for it being undiscovered! ;-)
Glad your exams went well, which uni are you off to? and what will you be doing when you get there?
Cx

Comment is about Joshua Van-Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

Hi, Cynthia, thanks for commenting on 'Raincoat'. You are generous with your appraisal. Much appreciated.
- Josh

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for the very kind comment about Churchill, Cynthia. Pretty sure it's not deserved, but glad you liked it. x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Isobel
My pleasure.
Re Ernesto:-
Did you ever consider going into the diplomatic service as a child?
As ever ;-))))))))))))))))))))))))
Steve M.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

yes i like your poem stuff its so real world, you sort one lot out and another lot comes to take its place. a nice piece. nick. xx

Comment is about Nicky Burrows (poet profile)

Original item by Nicky Burrows

thanks for the much needed support... you were almost the only one!!!

:)

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Just seen your latest on the POTM thread. You can do better than that - tell him where to stick it! :-)

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Isobel, thanks for the comments on 'Pearl Stitch'. Had a great time reading them and took a long time to answer them. Am all worded out now. love your take on it.

Take care

Nicky x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Anthony, thanks for commenting on 'pearl stitch', enjoyed all the different interpretations of it.

I hope that It will never cease to amaze me that a couple of dozen words put in a certain formation can be interpreted in so many different way. The beauty of our own subjectvity.

Nicky.

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson