Thanks Cynth,

An ocean in a tear drop...
Michelle

Hi Cyn - (seed pearl) - many thanks for the kind comments - it's only an oblique reference to the notion that precious moments/thoughts have been called "pearls", that pearls are hidden within the folds & also why oysters are the "food of love" - because of what they are said to look like & taste like. sorry to have to be rather explicit ! B

yes I came with my friend James to poetica once I want to stay in touch with the group and know whats happening although i live in hampshire!

Thank you for your kind comments I have added another poem

Thanks Cynthia for kind comments on Sunday Afternoon poem. I nearly didn't put it on as it seemed so slight. I NEVER understand this poetry lark! xx

Cynthia, thank you for reading and commenting on "Melancholium".
I am always intrigued to read your feedback and understand your angle on this piece.
Strangely, I see it a a much slower, thoughtful poem, hence the title and the almost daydream-like rambling of the words. The inspiration for this coming from those idle thoughts that pop into one's mind sometimes. Whatever happened to so and so etc etc.

Thank you for your high appraisal of 'High Tide' and 'Stars'. I haven't really posted in a while. I'm hoping to post more from here-on-in.

Hi Cynthia, thanks for being so kind about Walking the Shore - and for not objecting to the fourth verse! The trouble you take to read, appreciate and criticise people's work is always morale-boosting. Greg

Thank you so much for your very kind comments on my German Boy. xx

HI CYnthia! Thank you for commenting my "Playtime". I am happy that it appeals to you. It was partly childhood memory, partly grown-up reflection..

Like your new poems. Keep them coming! X

Minds that
do not intrigue'
are - by rest assured-
fraught with fatigue.

Thanks for favourable comment, Cynthia, on "Seal Pups". The Humane Society International have details:
www.hsi.org/issues/protect_seals/facts/canada_seals.html

Hi Cynthia, Thanks a lot for the comment on my recent poem(s). It means a lot. I loved your Clichés poem, by the way, unpredictable, amusing and very intelligently written. TB

Hi Cynthia - Rachel is here in case you didn't realise, http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=11547

Thanks for comment on Crystal Clear Cynthia. I didn't actually use the word invisible at all though, so I don't see how there could be too much emphasis on that particular word. I was more thinking of something cold and clear and transparent as a block of ice. Not necessarily invisible. xx

Hi Cynthia

Thanks as ever for your thoughtful comment on 'Science Fiction'. I'm afraid Sale isn't a possibility. I play league table tennis and it's the club practice night. I beat everyone last week (competitive? moi?) which has never happened before. So, although Sale is tempting, it wouldn't be good form to fail to show this week.

Hi Cynthia You know I'm far too shy and polite to tear you to pieces ... the very thought!!


Thank as always for reading...

Gus
Xx

Thanks for reading and thanks for the comments, it is much appreciated.
Cynthia, with most of my writing I hope there are layers - that's the way my mind works - things relate to each other in both an obvious and obscure way. I like word play, and thought play, and lateral meanings - it can be as obvious, or as deep, as you want it to be. I think with a lot of poetry the interpretation belongs to the reader, not the writer; as here - both Francine and Carole have seen different things.
Sometimes, you are quite right, I am literal and obvious, and I use poetry to try to cope with, or make sense of, things that are getting on top of me - sometimes people relate to that, sometimes they don't. But whatever my frame of mind, or my intention, or my meaning when I write something, is irrelevant to how the reader will feel about it, so why does it matter whether my intention was to be deep or literal? I am a multi-faceted person, I endeavour to make my work reflect that, sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Cx

Hi Cynthia, thanks for the comment on 'stone I own' as usual I'm never sure about posting stuff, also it looks different when you post it, I would like to take guidance on punctuation etc. I dont normally punctuate, with this one I did and its no good, so ill go and edit. I have recently been joining different poems together just to try somethin new, it may head towards a cut up idea, just to keep fresh. I seem to have lost the desire to shout at moment its all Love n stuff. Bestest . Pete xxx

HI Cynthia. Thank u for commenting on my stuff. i tried not to overload it with meanings and images but maybe i didn't succeed. Actually i'm just from Steve Waling's workshop and it gave me some new ideas. I posted new poem written at the workshop as well

Thank you for reading my poem 'The Berry Bridge'...
So very interesting and perceptive your comments are Cynthia!
You just go on and say whatever you want... : )

Francine x

Hi Cybthia, Rachel is fine I think she is just taking a short break. Hope you are well.

John

Cynthia. Thanks so much. Taking out Grandma is meant to have a double meaning. It's about my mother-in-law who suffered a series of strokes, vascular dementia and a slow death. Taken out in that sense.We hoped for a quicker end - Apocalypse - but got The Long March.
"disturbed by weight of water" refers to the handkerchiefs dislodged by rain but also implying, in my clumsy way,teardrops.

Hi Cynthia, many thanks for the comment on Curing Poetry....I have honestly found writing very hard work recently, stuff's been drying up but I hope the drought will be over soonish. Your comment was as always much appreciated, and gave me a boost.
Love
Rachel
xxx

Thank you for your very well thought out and written critique re 'Men Of A Certain Age,...

I often catch a glimpse of myself in that poem.... sad


Thanks again.

Gus xx

Thank you Cynthia re the typo She's... I had originally written a different line ... overlooked the She's....
Thank once again

Gus xx

Thank you very much Cynthia for reading and commenting on my poem 'La femme qui pleure'...
I wanted to try something different.

Francine x

Cynthia. Thanks for your comments on Stroke.I can't decide between resuscitated and regurgitated. What do you think?

Cynthia,

Thankyou most kindly for commenting! I'm glad you enjoy my poetry, and your encouragement is much appreciated - as a pessimist I am prone to shelving opposed to sharing, and I feel far more ready to share after your insightful response.

Danke.

hi Cynthia... thanks for your comment on Whitehaven. your comment was on a par with my poem lol :-) Win

Thank you for your very considered critique Cynthia...The tongues reference is an observation of how when she listens she rubs her tongue over her teeth in an unconcious effort to look both charming and interested...

Once again many thanks!!

Gus xx

Hi Cynthia, thank you for your comments on "Enough's Enough", much appreciated. Most of it is legal actually, but shouldn't be. Thanks again, Lynn x

Hi Cyn - "crimplene & tweed" - you are so kind to me & my poems - I don't know what I've done to deserve it, since many of them are just daft throwaway ideas. I remember commenting on yours about "what women want" type of theme a while ago which was really good, but sometimes it doesn't seem fair that one or two poets just seem to "ring our bell" & yet others ignore them. Ah well different strokes & all that !
all the best. B

ah no im sorry you felt like that. i love your enthusiasm and spirit, i once felt like that...my mind, jet streaming always but particularly that night. i had personal stuff going on, nothing to do with company.thanks for your concern x

thank you for your encouraging comments, they are sincerely appreciated

Cynthia
i 've changed the name of the poem to stop the confusion. Thank you for taking time to read!

Thanks again Cynthia. x

Re: Fairytale

Thank you for your comment! In "half sleeve" i referred to Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale "The wild swans" where girl kept her silence and was knitting robes from nettle to save her brothers from a curse that turned them into swans.

thanks Cynthia, i value your honesty but to reciprocate in honesty, and maybe for this reason i shouldn't have put it here,this time i didn't want it to be a poem but i think i might take it away and ponder some more..i think my scissors and my brain are slightly tired from cutting, i had to lose 10,000 words last month from a big piece i was working on, so i'll go away and think about it. ta, deb

Thanks for commenting on Life Model. It means a lot! x

Hi Cynthia

I liked your comment and I want you to always feel you can be bold as honest critiques are such a great compliment opening up new possibilities for the writer and the reader.

The title is ambiguous and could serve as a national or personal description of a Mother. The tools in the two flag are symbols of the industrial proletariat and the peasantry; placing them together symbolises the unity between industrial and agricultural workers. This emblem was conceived during the Bolshevik Revolution. I guess the line skinned moon from there own struggling flag describes the peasants who created the symbolism believe in in it ne more, after retreating to cannibalism during the WW2 the irony of them eating each other and skinning a labourers sickle with a crescent sickle of moon shows the destruction of something natural (moon) and something vile (the loss of identity of a nation).

Thanks for commenting on my Stalingrad poem Cynthia, its refreshing to take time out from my manuscript and read some intelligent feedback.

Hello Cynthia - good to see you back from wherever you have been - I was starting to get worried about you! Glad you liked the denoument to Pandora's Box - they clearly all winners... xx

Hi Cynthia, Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment on 'Coming Home Without You'. Glad you liked the screwing cat bit and that you found a more universal appeal in the poem.

Hi Cynthia, thought I'd draw your attantion to this (pasted below)... in case you should feel like coming-alonga and taking part. That would be cool!

LIVERpoetry is to host the Grand Liverpool Poetry Competition next week on Wednesday, 9th June.
The competition has a top prize of £100 and is free to enter; and with prizes of £30 and £20 for the second and third runners-up respectively, it could be well worth your while digging out your best poems and taking them along!
Your poem can be on any theme, but each performance may be no longer than four minutes. Your time will begin when you start to speak, and points will be deducted if you exceed the four minute performance time. Judging will be on both the quality of the poem and the performance given.
A maximum of 25 poets can enter the competition, and spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive before 7.30pm and wait at the desk to register in the Upper Room of the Pilgrim pub on Pilgrim Street, Liverpool, LH1 9HB. Arrive in good time because once 25 poets have registered, the list will be closed.

Thanks for your very generous comment Cynthia. I often wish I could 'think' a little more fluently. I've posted a little explanation on the poem. May see you at Sale tonight. x

Hi Cynthia - thanks for the very kind comments on "grasping at straws". all the best. B

Hi Cynthia,
Thank-you for reading & commenting on 'Pandora's Box', your comments are always much appreciated.
Yes, I think you're maybe right about the choice to indulge curiosity being the exercise of free will, can I claim poetic licence?
I think also the discussion of what is free will etc is quite a complicated one; the (what I believe to be)myth of Pandora ties up very well with the (what I believe to be) myth of the creation story; certainly in Pandora's case - she did as Zeus had manipulated her into doing, is the same true of Eve? - not sure.
I believe both stories, both women, both gods to be entirely fictitious.
I do believe, however, that we are programmed according to a mutable mix of biological imperatives, chemicals, social conditioning, personal history etc ... so if we're programmed, do we still have completely free will?Interesting point you made!
:)
Cx

Hi Cynthia,
RE pandoras box, glad you liked it and though i can't say i know the biblical references i like the fact that you were able to relate the two 'stories'.
RE Riding slipstreams, I have actually blogged it before but during one of my manic depressive downturns ( shall we say ) i removed myself from WOL and inevitably regretted it as i lost record of all the stuff i'd blogged.Hoping to blog 'em again without too much uproar for repetition lol.
RE Onyx eyes, i like that you find it scary and yes i suppose i do enjoy these kind of thoughts, they come easier than hearts and flowers.

think language has a lot to answer for; it can become so esoteric it is a hindrance to real communication rather than a help. In my opinion, it is especially useless when writers/speakers don't really think about what the words really mean, and just 'spout', using all kinds of rhetorical skill to influence other people, all the time being on very unsure ground themselves. 'God/gods' can be the epitome of good or evil. Funny that. I took the slant of 'god/good'

i asked what writers work is this referring to?
language...is especially useless when the writers dont really think about what the words really mean...
i assume you are talking about poetry as we're on a poetry site.
straight forward question really cynthia.

Cynthia, thanks for the kind comments on my poems. The Egyptian thing is part of a spoof series I'm doing.I used to be a Psychiatric Nurse, despite this I have a good understanding of mental illness!There's another stiletto jab.

Hi Cynthia

Well it seemed a good idea... took it out , dusted it off, a little reworking...

Just some encouragement ... can't win me own cake now can I.

Thankyou Cynthia Bluebell! much appreciated x

Hi Cynthia,

RE Avon calling; It isn't myself i am denigrating, more the old image ( Edward Scissorhands ). I was mulling over it the other day while delivering brochures.
Ann was right with the toilet, an attempt at word play.

Re Downpour ; I really wanted to keep this short and simple but i really struggled with it for some reason. In the end i gave up and just wrote it as it came.

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you are well x

thank you very much

I fear what I may write about pregnancy and childbirth may not be too nice Cynthia, and that many may find it distasteful, haha.I almost envy you having two at the same time, both girls? May have cut some of mine down if I could have doubled up. This will be the sixth time, and, if she is good with any luck she should be with us within 5 minutes of arriving at hospital - I have timed it pretty well up to now, and if alls well will be in and out - if not it may pertain to a very interesting piece of writing if I can get the use of my vocabulary back soon enough, I cannot stand being in the hospital, I pray that she comes on saturday, my sister Dana just happens to be a senior midwife, I would love to have her at home.xx

hi cynthia. thanks for all of your comments on my work.
regarding comment thread on kealan's omniscient poem:
we were discussing giants and mountains and the loneliness at the peaks of thought...i saw an image on film it was a comedy, could have been from that wonderful tv show monkey, or perhaps monty python cant remember. there's a guru man right at the top of a peak beyond the clouds. another spends his whole life trying to reach him. when he gets there hes overawed by the simplicity of the little man who seems rather annoyed that his isolation has been broken and scuttles off somewhere muttering. The other man sits where he had sat and surveys all. after a minute he shrugs and says, 'is that it?'

i liked this its kind of similar to reaching your own peak and wondering why you bothered to go there at all and spoil the quiet knowledge that some other mind can do that for us with a neccessity for solitude. im a very social person i love company i grew up with a large extended family and isolation is deathly to me. faith in the collective subconscious whilst very real to me is somewhat frustration when the minds i know i share dont even know what im talking about.
i am continually alone in my thoughts. i greatly appreciate the chance for poetry to connect and have made some great friends here through a shared appreciations for words and a quest for truth.
i think my despair is existential...so im fucked really :)

Hi Cynthia, how are you? Wish I could say that I was in possession of a beautiful baby girl, but still waiting,. Feel Like I have been pregnant for 10years now and not the mere 10months that it is. I can't even write at the moment, everything is hormonal dribble, or hot air - ha, I am like a ballon that is ready to pop!- I am reasonably well though, if worn out and a mere shadow of my former self!! I am hoping that Kara Fe (fe with an accent over the 'e') Burrows should be here very shortly, and then at least I can get back to normal, even if general life will be upturned again. Once again, hope you and yours are well and will keep you informed. We have had some really bad viruses in thr computer and when it is working doesn't help me at the minute that it is in the attic bedroom,I need my laptop back. Take care, nicky xx

Thanks for commenting on my latest Cynthia - you could never ever sound like a jerk and you are spot on. In some ways we are more honest to a screen than we are to a set of eyes and that can land us in trouble... The poem was also about how artificial connections can strangely give comfort.
Sorry to note your absence off the site but am hoping you may have some good poems to commend. Sling your April ones in, if you haven't had time to look through May. If you are having problems with blogs like me, you might like to check out the site feedback discussion thread that gives a few suggestions... x

Thank-you Cynthia for your comments on 'Disconnected' - glad you like it.
Think I agree with you about apostrophe in wires, but not in connection's (abbreviation). Thanks for the advice.
:-)
Cx

thank you for your comment! You are too kind. I am sure that even in these few lines i made a lot of mistakes. But thank you again! It inspires me to write more

Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you liked the poetry and info.
But.. Are you saying that poetry can't be informative? :)

I'm sorry for not giving you more notice about the new rules for WOLOP Cynthia - I just suddenly realised that there wouldn't be enough voters to run it properly this month. I would hate any effort you have gone to, to go to waste, though. Let me have the list of worthy poems you have already compiled and I will add them to the list for May - that way, they get to be highlighted and possibly chosen. Let me know about good May ones as you go along, then you don't have to trawl through at the end. I so wish we had another 50 site members like you - you have an enthusiasm and the commitment that I adore.
Isobel x

thank you for your comment I suppose "seed of death" means all these things rolled in one. The poem is started as an answer to my friend , who is younger than me. But it can be interpreted differently

thanx, Cynthia! yes, the picture is mine. I like to dance and meet lots of people who are ( whatever you call it - spiritual, new age, or gaia...Thank you for your comment! X

"asparagus" Hi Cyn - and many thanks. No - I missed J-Lo on TV; she's lovely, but about as bright as a cheese sandwich though, but I'd forgive her that ;)

thanks Cyn - "the glossies" = it's one of those with which I am quite pleased but most dont seem to "get it". B

howya cynth, thanks for the comments again, i enjoy the fact you always question them, it gives me a chance to describe the content clearly, as reguards to decidious embracement, the general theme is the alienation of new begginings, decidious implys that every welcome eventually decays, i know that sounds horribly emo but i refuse to censor myself on the grounds of stereotype. I feel anguish belonged to the poet long before the emo and therefore we have the right to convey it without generalisation.

thanks Cynthia for your comments they are much appreciated.

Dan

Oh Cynthia

Tongue swirling, how lovely.

Your comments and reply to my poetry are equally as tongue swirling.

Thank you so much for your very much appreciated support.


Augusta xx

Thanks for commenting on Phosphorous Cynthia. No, no sex with the dog!! I think the hound (dog indeed!) symbolises the man. And phosphorous a passion that can burn.

Hi Cynthia It's starts off just being about a stroll along the sea front at Cleethorpes and walking past the corny illuminations, but it ends up being about my loss of religious faith. I was brought up as an Irish Catholic. I hope that makes some sense.

Hi Cynthia Thanks again for your comments. I've enjoyed your last couple of poems too. I appreciate the 'objective' style.

dedicated catholic? im certainly not, i was comparing modern israeli imerialism to the foreign policy of the roman empire during jesus' time.

Hi Cynthia,
I hope the poem, hope all my poems can stand without knowing any background. Of the people who commented only one knows much about me, and I think she was the only one who knew beforehand that I'm about to go in to hospital again, and am a bit uptight about that.
It wasn't intended as a 'chat' thing, and nor is all my work so autobiographically personal. I welcome comments of any kind - particularly nice ones, and I always appreciate yours very much - good or bad!
Cx

thank you, i take it your speaking about jesus being in hamas? I was hoping somebody would say something so i could have the oppurtunity to explain. Jesus was a freedom fighter in his own right, he knew his preaching episodes were causing civil unrest in a region then dominated by the roman empire and yet continued. Today that is what western propaganda media would call a "terrorist" if he were to come back and witness the israeli tyranny of imperialism imposed on the innocent people of palestine there is no doubt in my mind he would join hamas. Afterall it is his home country.

Thanks for your comments Cynthia
Cx

" carcassess ground to mince" as a comment is a great line! Many thanks for your encouragement and comments.
Flashback is wonderful, I think you know I love the vivid pictures. If you stood for election on a the green card with poetical speeches like these you would have my vote. best jane

Hi Cynthia - intrigued by your question. On the whole my poems are quite simple. I don't think I have a problem with what you mention. More a frustration that subject can get more attention thatn poem. xx

Good Morning Cynthia

Thank you so much for comment regarding To FarTed It was undertaken as an excercise to enable me to write sensible structure about a subject that was faintly light and frothy... to ward off writers block mmmm.

Take up the pen and write about the first thing you see, taste smell ...or hear...A good excerciae.

Once again many thanks

Gusxx

Thank you Cynthia - cooo coooo! xx

Cynthia, huge thanks for your -- as always -- magnanimous, perceptive, generous and very kind comments. You're a fantastic poet yourself and I always feel very privileged when I hear from you. xxx

Hello again, i actually like bats, its more to do with what would happen if you were stood in the way of bats that were disturbed.Hoenestly don't want to give them a bad rep..There might be some influence from the vampire films i,ve been watching lately aswell!! haha,
thanks, Donna X

Cynthia, thanks for taking the time again to read another one of my works. "Absolution" is very symbolic and that's why it's hard "to get". Each reference has to do with someone in my family. It was very cathartic to write...just like so much poetry is! I very much appreciate your comments.

Thanks again,
Lisa

Thank you for your comment about 'Cling Film', Cynthia. Muchly appreciated.

I've had a quick scan through your stuff. And I likey very much. The one above captures a moment brilliantly.

"cherubim & seraphim"
many thanks for the comments - I wrote the words, but it is a true story. B

Hello Cynthia, huge thanks again for the comment. Big Bang was written as part of a performance piece 7 years ago. I hadn't read John's blog when I posted it so it looks like serendipity!

Hi Cynthia... let me try and elucidate - You know the feeling you get as a small child (Holding the hand of a parent) in a busy street maybe when everything is happening all around you in bigger / busier world you dont understand. You are just been guided along. Then for some reason you loose this contact. Everything suddenly gets turned up a notch and the child feels apart from not just the parent but from the whole world. the feeling in the poem is the same. You are in another world with all its rules and laws but can't connect, deafened and overwhelmed by its beauty and how it all works. Hope this rather waffling explanation helps. win x

Thank you for your kind comments on Mother Nature. It is an unpretentious little thing and I'm glad you liked it! xx

Hey, your comment is right in that 'gallery of thoughts' is something i wanted to use,your advice is appreciated. Donna

Cynthia, thanks very much for your comments on St Leonard's, although I think you really have been too kind. Thomas Hardy? On the other hand, you have made my day. Greg

Hello Cynthia! Thank you for your very kind comment on 'How I...'. t's like a bouncy castle -- one of those inflatable fun things you can leap around on. The bacteria love it and are willing to pay £2 for an hour on it. Any more and they rupture their cell membranes, which is sometimes useful for me but not desirable for them! The mardi gras is a bit like 'dress down Fridays and, again, they are willing to pay for the fun of dressing up. xx

Not weird at all Cynthia...
I lOVE your comment on my poem 'Is it not enough...'
I can see it...

Merci : )
Francine x

Thank you for your generous review of "Cassie". She is very dear to me. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.

Lisa

Hi Cynthia,thanks for the comment on the Lucy poem,sorry it's taken me so long to reply by the way. I just really wanted to put 'oer'...don't know why.
x

Thanks for the comment Cynthia; I was wondering what to do with that couplet -I think you are right- will amend.

Cynthia, thank you for your kind comments on "Otis cries". The poem almost wrote itself and was a singularly defining moment for me as the deceased was a beloved next door neighbour. Thank you once again. Graham

Hi again Cynthia & Thanks for the comment. I wasn't entirely sure about it as it's a bit different from what I normally do, but glad to see that a few people sem to like it.

Thankyou for your comments on my "Trip to the Dentist". I decided against a verse simulating the slobbery spit of pink water into the sink for the sake of taste!

thanks again for the comments and critisizm, its much appreciated, i'll get straight on them.

Cynthia
Thank you so much for your wonderful and discriptive comments and yes myth always builds up mood and as a consequence ...flashes the spark and a poem is penned.


Once again so many thanks for your very kind words.


Gus x

Thank-you Cynthia for your, forever generous, comments - I really value them. I read and enjoy all your work too, I'm just not very good at leaving comments, still campaigning for an 'I like this one' button. :)
Cx

thanks for all your comments cynth, means a lot, especially coming from sumone who is published, yea i'll put, As The Moon Prevails back up maybe next week or sumthing.

The pen can be wielded liken to a sword Cynthia but I say again this poem carries no real message or malice, instead of which it carries only that of the mischievous creativity that lurks somewhere within my inner most depths..

The fantasy is a dream like sequel, surreal sexual escapism all built around the image of the beautiful young lady sat upon the red leather Chesterfield.

I agree with you entirely that the forum of WOL is not for anything other than poetry prose and the all things similar.. My poems are usually nothing more than spiralling dreamscapes and pure fantasy bonded to a strong instinctive sexual backdrop. I am happy to paint all of my words in strong bright colours and am constantly experimenting with both the visual aspects of verse as well as the poetic construction of the written..

Hey Ho, Cynthia thank you for most encouraging comments once again, the dinner bells fast approach, that’s me back to my ‘Saddle of Lamb’…and a glug or three.

Augusta xx.

Thank you for your wonderful comments on Lemon Pips. As a newish poet, with no background in poetry, I am often flummoxed when one particular poem seems to reach people, then another does not. To me, I can never tell which it will be. This, of course, is a problem if I ever intend to send poems off (hopefully) to either a competition or a publisher. Will I one day know which of my poems works? Is this just me or does it apply to everyone? Or should I just hold to what I think are the better ones. I am often gobsmacked by the reaction to certain poems which, for me, took little work. Or should I say concious work. It is a puzzle! But thank you again for your input which I always value!

Hi Cyn - "Dreams" - thanks for the comments. it's based on a true story & the crux is that if you want something badly enough, you can sometimes make your dreams come true & the narrator is just telling that tale. B

Thanks for your comment on my latest Cynthia. Yes, I had a lot of fun with allusion - the discussion thread also! You are probably right about it being too stretched out. Perhaps I tried to cover too many areas - the youth of today could make an entirely separate poem - and I am beginning to sound old!

Hi Cynthia - thanks for the comments - it's much appreciated. all the best. B

Thanks ever for your comment on Old Flame Cynthia, you got it spot on about the voices and the choice of 'improper'. Cheers, Thom

Hi Cynthia - thanks for the kind & constructive comments - "laying on of hands" & I agree that it would work as well without the added words & I only told it as I saw it. I do generally agree with the maxim to cut it to the bare essentials, but here the guy is stepping out into the post-coital sunshine & breeze & these were his sentiments in that scenario, but you do have a valid point. BTW Cyn - I wouldn't feel too sorry for the woman - Scarlett Johansson - I just thought that the image fitted the words. B

Thank you for your kind comments on "I Thought White Was Beautiful" - and I got a kick out of your story!

Thank you so much for your very astute observation Cynthia... I left it as 'Saw the reflection' and not 'Saw his reflection' so that you could interpret both ways, even though my thoughts were very much on his reflection...
a meeting of souls - the connection of their souls.
What did you mean by you didn't think the poem really needed it? Knowing whose reflection, or the entire stanza?

Your comments are always greatly appreciated : )
Francine x

I'm glad you're enjoying experimenting with different poetic styles, Cynthia. I mostly write in free verse myself, but try to place it within some sort of informal rhythmic/aural structure if I can. I enjoy trying more formal poems occasionally. Last summer and autumn I wrote a few sonnets in fairly quick succession, as though it was something I had to get out of my system! I find the formality of it, the ten beats and the rhyme, pushes you in directions you had not expected to go, although I don't pretend to get the stresses right. That's a step too far for me. And it's always good to have a rhyming dictionary to hand! Greg

Hello Cynthia. Thanks for your kind words on First to Depart. It's empathic in as much as, though there's much of me in the poem, it's mostly about how my father may have mourned the death of my mother.

Thank you so much Cynthia for taking the time to comment on my Granfather's scrotum.

Augusta xx

Stan's gloves definitely not in my car. I had to empty it recently cos it was going in for repairs. I found an awful lot of rubbish and things I'd forgotten I had - but no leather gloves. If they weren't at the Green Room, he may have dropped them en route to the car. I'm always doing things like that - often purses! Will defo make it to Waterside again - it was a good night. Hope you are better. xx

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comment on The Soldier. I think if you write about something you are passionate about, your message will inevitably be clear as day.

- Josh

Thank you Cynthia x

Thank-you Cynthia for your comments on my 'War' poem, I'm glad you liked it. You always give such good feedback and your comments really mean a lot to me.
:-)
Cx

Thank you for the kind comment on Sculpture Cynthia. The spelling has been corrected!

Thank you very much cynth that means a lot.

Thank you for your comment on Baby Irma. Rest assured, no trafficking of babies (oh, Cynthia, that would be a horrendously gothic idea, the trafficking of dead babies to the Living and living babies to the Dead) it's simply the Dead wishing to take advantage of their position and set up a trading cartel. What goods would the Dead trade with the Living and vice versa? I leave that to your imagination.

Hi - "sugar & spice" - many thanks for your kind comments. B

Hi Cynthia . thanks for looking at Run way. The title (with the underscore space) was intended to suggest runaway but to keep the airport elememt refered to in the poem. The poem came out of a workshop with Michael BlackburnI attended recently. Win

Hi Cynthia, thanks for commenting on Kingfisher. Their rarity and spectacular colour does make them legendary, almost mythical.
Your villanelle has attracted much comment. It sounds to me like the tolling of a bell. Sometimes to bolt yourself into a particular form can give you a surprising amount of freedom. Greg

Thanks fo rthe comment ,Cynthia - the poem is one I had to do as I am on the verge...read and apprciate all your work.
Steve

Hi Cynthia, glad you liked 'Just Passin’ Thro’ (Still Got The Blues for You)'Win :-)

Cynthia
Thanks for the comments on "20 Years from Now". I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Hi Cynthia

hope you are well - thanks as ever for reading

spayed is the word i wanted for this poem


thanks x

The path you were walking down was exactly the path I was walking down! All the lines I wrote were exactly what I wish for including the last line. And you didn't upset me in any way, I was truly just confused. Thanks so much for commenting on my work. And also, your description of "The Cape" was a great response to what the piece is about. I'm glad it had that effect on the reader. Thanks again.

Lisa

Thank you, Cynthia, for your comments on "Heartfire", however I don't understand your question or what you mean by propaganda. Drop me a note when you have a moment. Thanks.

Lisa

Thank you for your commens re Culver Cliff Cynthia... most encouraging.

Once again many thanks
Gus xx

Sorry about that mistake Cynthia - was Vanilla Ice a pop group? I would agree that ice puts a completely diffent take on it and it was anything but cold. I will try to get along to one of those venues.
Isobel x

Thanks for your comments on Eating in Private, Cynthia. You're right, the subject matter is pretty hard to take. These I guess were my father's experiences for more than three years. I had to research it though, he never spoke about it in detail. Apart from the "air-raid stew", that is! Greg

Thank you so much for commenting so kindly on Foal. I thought he had cantered off without anyone noticing him! xx

hi cynthia - thanks for the recent comments. B

Hi Cynthia,
Thank you once again for your kind comments and for reading my latest wafflings :)

Aw, thankyou so much. I think it's the first time i have ever been complimented for a comment on a poem other than from the author and not always then ha ha

Janet.x

I appreciate your thoughts on "The Ultimate Sacrifice". You're so right and I never looked at it that way. Thanks so much.

Lisa

Hello Cynthia and thank-you for your comments on my poems! Vampires are something I've always been into, both as an aspect of folklore and of what they tell is about the very human conditions of lust, greed, obsession etc. I think they force us to contemplate the darker side of humanity and focus on the one thing that fascinates and scares us all; death.

I wrote the three poems as a way of indulging myself in a favourite topic of mine as well as getting in touch with my darker side which is a focus of much of my poetry.

Also, did I mention vampires are cool? ;-)

Hi Cynthia,
Thanks very much for your comments on 'Scar' - I always appreciate your input. I have left a brief explanation on the poem itself, if you're interested.
Cx

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for your encouragement for the Funfair pieces, I really appreciate it. I don't agree this is my best work, it's light stuff, not meant for performance in the most part. I prefer the dark stuff or, at least, the different and pieces for performance.

And you think I'm shy - I can't think why you should think that.

Hi Cynthia - "the end of the road" thanks for the comments. B

Thanks again Cynthia x

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your recent comments, really appreciate the feedback. I like your challenge for me to cut down my lengthy rant about not having anything to say (kind of self-defeating anyway I realise). I'll see what I can do... Thom

Thanks for your comments on the funfair series Cynthia. I'm glad you enjoyed the flea circus. As you know, this is supposed to be a light series but I'm trying to mix it up a bit to keep it fresh.
Your support has been invaluable, thanks again.

'Homeric epithet' - I wish I could say "yes", but alas, it was undoubtedly sloppiness :(

Thanks for your lovely comment on 'Cash Converters.'
Much appreciated.

Janet.x

Hi Cynthia. Thanks for your thought-provoking comment - I'm still chewing that one over. And thank you for posting this poem

Thanks for commenting on my Fairground series - I'll take your suggestions on board for daredevil diver - I was wee bit tired writing that one and it shows a little I feel
thanks again

Hi Cynthia, many thanks again for your comment. I do seem to be preoccupied by death these days, although i can't say i'm scared of it or anything. It's just what lands on the paper i suppose! x

Thank you so much for commenting on my windy poem! I have added a couple more verses. xx

Cynthia - it was lovely to meet you properly too last night! I think our paths may have crossed before at WOL in Sale around autumn last year, where we both read?

Hi Cynthia,
just wanted to say thanks for taking the trouble to explain a little of your thinking when you wrote your last blog.
After reading some of the other comments and 'hearing' your own, it does make sense now, although i wasn't the only one to think it an unusual juxtaposition.

I do enjoy the opportunity to discuss on this site. Often are the times when the written word is misinterpreted or misunderstood in its context. :-)
Hope you are well,
Janet.x

Cynthia - the warrior - thanks for the comments - the word "liberal" was used in a generic context only & not meant to be political.

hello Cynthia, thanks for the comment on Death Comes To Fleetwood. I do see what you mean about it being confusing, I think when I wrote it I imagined it like an aerial view then swooping in to details if that makes any sense at all.
Thanks
Rachel
xxx

Hi Cynthia

glad you like 79-81

did quite a bit of research for that one : )

Hi, once again, thank you x

Hi Cynthia - let me know next time you plan on visiting a Manchester venue - I would love to meet you, as would Cate.
Isobel x

Thanks for kind comments on my dreaming fox. My grandma had a fox stowl - the poor fox seemed to end up with it's tail in it's mouth, when the stowl was put in place. As a small child I was fascinated of course!

Hi Cynthia, thanks for the recent comment. I feel like that poem sounds a little naive now because I wrote it five years ago - but I guess that's exactly what it's about. I see what you mean about that 'wife and mother' line as well; but I included it because I know that's what she hoped for in her future - at least back then. Thanks again! Thom

Hi Cynthia, thanks for the comments. Yes, I am ok, except for feeling fat, frumpy and 26 weeks pregnant, had a home and family break from everything. How are you? Well, I hope.xx

Hi Cynthia
Thank you for your kind comments on my latest waffles! I do feel it's a little undeserved though!
I hadn't thought about the contradictions re the flowers. I just liked how it sounded. Oops!x

Hi Cynthia
Moon month is fantastic! I really do like it, thanks for posting it. Also many thanks for your comment on my latest. x

Hi Cynthia Thanks again for the comments. We used to spend all the long summer holidays on my grandfather's farm in Ireland. I use to love going up in the hay and spent hours up there reading. I just wish I had the time to do some now!

HI Cynthia - thanks as ever for taking the time to read and make comment on my work

re Exegesis - tis a part of something bigger yes : )

Thank you Cynthia, very much. Quite like the Bolero touch too! As for marriage, well, we're in our 8th year now so....!! :)

Hi Cynthia

Thanks for leaving the comment on The Tide. The poem could be about anyone really, but is actually about my wife's mother, She became increasingly difficult to deal with over the years, and for some reason she always seem to feel she had been cheated of some idealised life she deserved, yet never really made the most of the one (the only one) she had. Sad really.

Ooops! Getting my bodily fluids mixed up again! Maybe I meant spunk? I have led a very sheltered life! ;-)

Hi Cynthia -

t'was an exercise in reflection on a bad news day

Q- "I don't see how Vanilla Sex is talking 'dirty'. What is your definition of 'dirty'?
A - "well-not a lot of women seem to like the word cunt for a start - they seem to think that this good old anglo-saxon is rather demeaning. "Dirty" wasn't meant in a bad way anyway - did you ever hear about Woody Allen being asked if he thought sex was dirty? he replied - "only if it's done right" which just about sums it up for me (at least) :) B

Re Collision Course - thanks for commenting. I wrote this yesterday and didn't really like it. It's not a very "me" poem maybe. I did ponder long and hard about "cum" as it's a word I don't like the sound of! As to gender specific, I guess I was looking on blood as being more of a woman's word somehow.

Hi cynthia - irony - in both yours & my poems (vanilla) - its difficult to know how much to tell the reader - I've been accused of being both too obtuse & then again too obvious - it is a difficult balance to get right. I liked your poem because sometimes it's good to hear a woman talk dirty & just come out with it & say what she actually wants. In my poem the last verse is the reply from the woman saying that Her desires are darker still.

Cynthia, thanks for your generous and thoughtful comments on The Tide and the Light. You're right, it has taken some time to emerge in this form. A version of the first stanza was written as a poem in its own right three years ago, a paean of praise to the modernist De La Warr Pavilion at Bexhill; my impressions on seeing it when I was alone. Last year I added the rest.

Hi Cynthia Thanks for the kind comments. I think you definitely got what I was trying to do and am pleased you responded so positively to the last image.

Cynthia, thanks for commenting on Coromandel. Re the forgetting and blowing a kiss thing, I wanted to get the feeling across that I would oneday almost live on in such a place (if only!) and so that anyone coming across the meadow would just get a feeling that they wanted to send a wish or a thought to the spirit of the place (me)and blowing a kiss seems such a silent gentle special way of communicating. Whether the person had ever known me and forgotten me or not. And you can forget someone for an hour or two and then something, a place or a song or whatever, brings them back to you. Like perfume. Or something! xx

So many dark heints of expression in this and ----

Child of my dreams

Ripped from me in breech

Crumpled caved condemned


Jewels I tell you.

Great control of images and juxtaposition, not easy to do and even harder to do something with it as you've done.

Worth the vast comments made.

Hi Cynthia
Thank you for your fab comments on 'Bedtime'.
I would like to add that the removal of Daisy was a desperate last ditch attempt at getting my incredibly excellent 2yr old daughter to stay in bed!! We found it was the only thing that worked. After a couple of days she now knows if she want's Daisy, she has to stay in bed! Peace temporarily resumes!! x

Hi Cynthia, just a little note to say thank you for your comments.
Take care
Marianne x

Thanks for reading and commenting on 'Pelt'. Glad you liked it. I have just got back from a weekend away on 'The Dinosaur coast' In a village called Staithes(Near Whitby) I have also changed the pic on the blog entry to one of mine which shows the view from the holiday cottage 2 nights ago. A stunning place. As a lad we used to get gypsies selling pegs door to door. These were made of whittled sticks bound together with strips of metal cut from tins (they were pretty useless actually) Yes the word Pelt struck me as relating to both new skin and the rain and it's also a great word. Win x

Hi, don't worry about the chat thing, i'm sure it will be sorted, though i wouldn't be able to tell you how!x

tanks for the comment cynth wen i say knowledge is a tranquilizer i mean it is medication from the pain of not knowing. Also the reference to death of an embryo is the sub conscious anguish of a foetus from losing something attached by d.n.a.

Both! (your comment on my dolphin poem). Someone was telling me yesterday about how they'd seen a pod of dolphins when they were on holiday in New Zealand. Some people were swimming with them, but my friend said she didn't think that was a good idea as it might upset the dolphins. I'm not sure if she meant upset in quite this way, but that's how I saw it. Poor unpaid councillors to the human race! xx

Good afternoon Cynthia-(re my'letter' poem).As always,thank you for your observations and fair comments.Yes I see your point.The overall target I was aiming for was the sender being as you suggested uncertain,but also frustrated that the person he or she had written to had no knowledge of the senders desires and wantings.This little poem mentioned lines of meanderings(outside the actual poem itself)and by the tone of his/her wording,he/she hoped would hold some appeal maybe.Thank you again so much.As I have mentioned to you before,your comments are a very good inspirational measure,be they praise or criticism.I shall always look up to you and your wonderful work on this site.my very best regards. Stefanx.

Hi Cynthia,
thankyou for your comment on Mr. Skoulikaris. It really is appreciated and i've missed your input to my poems because you are always so helpful and encouraging at the same time.

Incidentally, i too would hope that the fisherman did not catch the dolphin. Maybe the fish that ate the worm was proverbially speaking 'the one that got away' and that fish fed the dolphin?
Continuous existence of some kind.

As for Darwin influencing the poem. Who knows what's possible?
Janet.x

Thank you for your kind comments with regard to 'Martin'. Nobody seems to have picked up the slightly 'Brideshead' vibe that I had hoped to create...how come I know his tears were hot, and what his breath smelled of? I think I may have edited it a bit hard and taken out the obvious signifiers. Can a poem be too subtle? I hope to submit it as my final piece for the OU course that I've been doing and I think I may have inadvertently turned a tale of boiling unrequited love into a piece of whimsy?

Your comments are always valued.

Thank you.

Jx

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comment, helpful and insightful as ever. I've corrected the typo. I can't decide about the opening line, I did wonder about it for a while but then I just got used to it being that way. I may yet adjust though... Cheers, Thom

Hello Cynthia, thank you very much for your comments on January. I suppose it's all to do with the looking back and forward at the same time, the Janus thing, January often being the most miserable of months for many. thank you again. Graham

Thanks Cynthia for another kind comment (Valkyrie). Maybe it's because I am a gemini that lots of odd thoughts pop into my head!I will post a poem called Butterfly Mind sometime, kind of sums it up. Much love Ann x

Hi Cynthia

thanks again for reading and considered comment

steve x

Hi Cynthia I could not be happier with your succinct appraisal of my latest offering.Thank you ;-) TC X

Cynthia, it absolutely made my day to read your comment on my poem 'Tear drop' - thank you so much for taking that time and for being so kind - I was just so in need of such a lovely boost as well!

Good morning Cynthia.All comments are as always,kindly welcomed.Yours I hold especially dear.Your evaluations are extremely important to me and all on here.Keep well lovely Lady.Stefan.

Thanks so much for your recent comments Cynthia. The title Fable came to mind because the poem made me think of an ancient copy of Aesop's Fables that someone gave me when I was a child. All the stories seemed to be about animals, the illustrations were lovely, and when I saw the dove and the fox in my mind, I thought of that book.

thanks cynth.

Hi Cynthia -
thanks for taking the time to read and make comment on GTi

steve x

thank you very much for your kind words.

Hi Cynthia, thanks for sending "Perspective" to me.

I enjoyed it very much, in its themes and in its writing, and of course the use of the phrase "through a glass darkly". How right to bring to the fore the fact that we can have but imperfect vision and understanding.

Paul is so quotable. I loved what he said about fighting the good fight and running the race to the finish.

If you haven't already read it, I recommend the novel "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbary. It's about some of the very things your poem touches upon ... being considered an outsider, scholarship, humility. It's a lovely, philosphical and humane story.

Very best wishes,

Steve R

Hello Cynthia and many thanks for your kind comments about "Mole".
I used funereal gauze as trees in mist/fog always remind me of being under burial shrouds.
I used nauseous because the oppressive silence when one stands in a snowscape can be really debilitating. Funiily enough I didn't reckon on their rhyme value, Regards, Graham

Hi Cynth.Yes email your poem inspired by "through the glass darkly"
stvregan@yahoo.com
I'l love to read it.

Hi Cynthia
Comment appreciated.
As a voluntary worker in my local school, I often feel that parents are looking and wondering what an old gimmer like me is doing working with 6 and 7 year old children.

Hello again Cynthia
I suppose most of my poems are 'worked on' to some extent.
I write almost everything sat at my computer, generally arriving at a draft fairly quickly. I then let it sit, and generally keep returning to the computer over the next 24 hours and perhaps change the odd word or two, but the bulk of it remains. Fine tuning may be the best phrase, if that doesn't sound too up-myself.
Thanks for the message
x Steve x

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for the comment.
I know it sounds naive, but I'm not sure what 'worked on' means. Put before a workshop? I wouldn't go near one. I'm not blase, it's just that a poem wouldn't be mine afterwards.
The poem came to mind after the Copenhagen conference on climate change, and a comment by a scientist that we are only 2 degrees away from an irreversible change in our climate.
xx Steve xx

"Rude logic measures the steel, the wind, the wand" love that.

thanks for your encouragement and continued comment, I read your profil and would love to chat apres poetry event! Never enough time to talk at these gigs!

Pete x

Hi Cynthia. thanks for reading 'Browns Convention'. the poem has been edited and I have added some commentary on the blog. Win :-)

Thank you for reading "Timeline". Your kind comments are most appreciated.

I like "Force Seven".very much. I'm from Georgia, U.S.A., and I know a lot of people recognize us for our accents. I am just as intrigued by accents and expressions different from what I normally encounter in my part of the world. I especially like "Higgledy-piggledy"; Brilliant!

Thank ye kindly for your comments and advice - don't worry, we pirates make more withdrawals than investments!

Hi Cynthia , I am not Welsh. I will have to look at the Celtic reference's regarding coffin and plural. As always an interesting point.

Cynthia , glad you like my New Year contribution, thank you for your comments, they are always welcomed as they are intelligent and constructive.
I see your additions are well worth reading as always.

Hello Cynthia and Happy New Year. .Thank you for your kind comments on Villtur Augu.I hope I didn't cause you to waffle for too long : ) I didn't mean the stone Angels, ( that sounds like a band) more about individuals who I could take to be one thing, but who could be another.Judging them by clouded thoughts when they could be Angels in covens. hmm, sometimes I lose part of myself..sometimes I also lose another person..but you're right,neither are dead in the literal sense, it just feels like it at times. thanks again for reading and giving my words so much thought, deb xx

Thanks for your attention Cynthia - your comments are always near the mark.

Thanks for your kind comments on the weather girl. If you'd heard the audio the poem wouldn't have surprised you with it's ending! It features my son trying to sound like a dirty old man, and making a worryingly good job of it!

Hi Cynthia - I'm going to be writing up my WOLOP summary tomorrow. Just wondered if you had a favourite this month. Don't worry if you haven't - just thought I'd check... x

Hi CBT ty!

Thanks again Cynthia for taking time to read my stuff.It's lovely to get such affirming feedback. I laughed at the anal sex comment too!
Thank you
Rachel
x

Hi Cynthia

thanks for taking the time to read and make comment

steve x

Hi Cynthia

Thank you for commenting. Much appreciated as ever. It has been sobering to learn about that particular condition - the challenges that some people have in life! Every day of health is a gift

Happy Christmas to you and yours

Happy Christmas, Cynthia, to you and yours. XXX

Hey Cynthia

thanks as ever

steve x

Thanks for the comment, thats a good idea I think i will change it, thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Thank you CBT.

Cynthia I'm dead chuffed when people see anything of value in my work, thank you. I never wrote it as purposely ironic, more as an entertainment (typical pub poem, lots of swearing etc) with a kick. Symbolism has always been wasted on me, I was brought up in a concrete world with concrete language and I invariably fail to spot the hidden or abstract moral, message or reference, in any poem or story. Probably why I can't take to the "greats". The Buddha under snow just happened to be my only photo with a seasonal reference ie snow, I would have preferred one of a drunken orgy. Now you point it out it suddenly makes me seem like a moraliser. Didn't expect to have to think about my own work! Have a lovely yob-free Christmas.

Dave

Dear Cynthia,

Thank you for your kind comments on my latest offering. Your critique is always welcome.

Many thanks.

Jx

Hi Cynthia, thanks so much for commenting on the poems.It's greatly appreciated..
Rachel
x

Hi Cynthia, Thanks for the comment! You're right as well, it's a problem I come across time and time again not knowing when I've said enough! You'll probably see this again in other poems too, but I'll take it on board for future compositions. Thom

Hi Cynthia,
thanks for your comment on my poem 'Qercus Robur.' and noticing the typo. (bows = boughs)
Mucho appreciated.

Starlight.x

Hi Cynthia. Thanks for your kind comments on The English Teacher. I see you're a teacher yourself and I agree, I don't think Ofsted would have thought much of him! But he was the one teacher at my school that inspired me. Not exactly The HIstory Boys, but that kind of thing. As a result I switched to English in the sixth form and started writing poems while I should have been revising for my O-levels. Greg

Thanks for your comment Cynthia.

I understand your concern about privacy. Every private person has an entitlement to it, but if you have built a career worth a billion dollars on the basis of your public profile, and your personal characteristics are used as part of that income generation, then your life has been exposed to comment by your own decision. Tiger Woods' personal problems are also the problems of Tiger Woods the multi million dollar corporation. The two things are inseparable and that was his choice.

Thank you for kind comment on my cat poem - she is sleek and slim, and she always wears the purrfect little black dress!

Hello Cynthia, many thank you's for reading and commenting on Copse. I think your comments are very flattering as I am not the most technically astute poet that you are likely to meet. Once again many thanks and regards.

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.

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.

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

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...

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

HI Cynthia

thanks for taking the time to read and make comment on my work

as for your question - lovely question and thought

thanks

steve x

Thanks for your lovely comment on Coming Home - I was very touched. Quite an emotional one to write and read so I am glad that I didn't cross the fine line and make it too sentimental.

HI Cynthia

the poem Unchained - the word 'war' is deliberately 'missing'

steve x

Hi Cynthia

thanks again for your comments

an eclipse is the passing of one celestial thing over another - shadow is an effect of this process

steve x

Thank you for your comment on my poem South with Endurance - why do you think is about the north pole I wonder???

soemthing somwhere dies - i like this and you are right - tis more consistent this way - thanks

i tend only to leave stuff on here for comment for a short while - though i did/do appreciate your comment Cynthia

steve x

Thank you for your kind words on my poem, 'That Tomorrow'. I am not quite reaching for the rope just yet. I remember reading something in the neww about bankers getting their fat bonus payouts and America spending daft money on the space programme.That got me thinking.and made me angry. Mankind needs reminding that there alot to prioritise and fight for.

That's me done on my soap box.

Ty CBT, most welcome, as always.

Hello Cynthia thank you for your recent comments on my stuff ;-), my Sister tells me you are one of the nicest and most constructive people on here ;-)) Great !! you can carry on giving me tips and help me with the technical issues ensuing ha ha kindest regards George ( Mr Thaumaturgically Charged ha ha)

Hi Cynthia,
just seen the lovely message you left on my profile at the end of last month. Thankyou.

Only here for a few days. A friend has loaned me a mobile dongle which surprisingly has allowed me to log in.

Janet.

Morning Cynthia, thanks for your lovely comment on Taj. I had the most fabulous trip and the memory of the Taj will stay printed indelibly on my mind forever. And yes I own up to being a sentimentalist..... I defy anyone not to look at such beauty and not be moved! You were so right about the poverty though. At first you are stunned at the awful conditions and the dirt and poverty in which most of the people live, but gradually rightly or wrongly your mind accepts it as part of life in a third world country. There is a huge difference between the fabulous wealth of the maharajas and their palaces and how the rest of the population live. And yet there is a vibrancy about it that we somehow seem to have lost.
Cate xx

HI Cynthia

thanks again for your comments - much valued

steve x

Hi Cynthia

Thanks for commenting as ever. The poem's structure (if that isn't too grandiose a word in the circs) flows from the importance of the initial letter of each line. I hoped that would be clear, but it seems to be another 'live and learn' one.

Hi Cynthia. Thanks for your comments on The Silver Surfer poem. It was fun to write and came together rather quickly, didn't realise this style was en vogue however. Win

Thanks for that , Cynthia, I read all your stuff. Steve Smith

Enjoyed very much your 2 poems at Sale, thanks for feedback on my 2 recent poems, very touched x love pete.

Hi Cynthia

Thanks as ever for your comment. I agree about verdicts, but we'll never stop people judging each other, thus the (realistic?) plea for gentleness rather than stopping altogether. We can hope

Hi Cynthia
When I said your comment was intriguing, this was because a couple of readers had misunderstood where the poem was coming from, which is why I added the explanation at the top.
I thought you had read it first time round, but had become better informed after seeing the explanation of who was speaking.
I think what I've just written makes sense, but I wouldn't bank on it. If it does - great, if it doesn't let me know, and I'll have another go.
xx Steve xx

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for taking the time to comment, which in itself is intriguing.
xx Steve xx

Hi Cynthia thank you for your welcome comment on my first blog entry ..Mixed Emotions.. we actually met at sale waterside in september I was with my friend Linda.Missed out on the october event but going to the november one. hope to see you there ...Bernadette

HI Cynthia,

thanks for your comment on 4:21 poem

i realised what you meant after the penny dropped : )

steve x

Yes.

Good Evening Cynthia,
Four Ways Five...just my way of saying,

'More than... and every which way' , at the same time.

Consider yourself clued in...


Thank you for your lovely comments.
Augusta x

Hi Cynthia

thanks as ever for your considered comment on my poem - in the poem i switched the light off to let the room take shape - though the immediate perceptual would tell the read otherwise

curious to know how you would do the equal line thing that you mention in your comment?

steve x

Hi Cynthia

Thanks as ever for your generous comment. Hope we meet one day x

Hi Cynthia

Thanks as ever for your generous comment. Hope we meet one day x

Hi Cynthia, thank you for your kind words and suggestion on 'You came', I have amended that line and it does flow more smoothly now. i appreciate your guidance.

Hi Cynthia. Sorry I am late replying to you, I have limited internet access. Thank you for you feed back on Victim Empathy. The Bullying experience is true, However Although I wonder how it would be for me to confront the people involved-I havent actually done so. As the poem says, I feel it would fall on deaf ears if I did so. They would not accept that it had been that bad.
I dont live within the experience, but it does have knock on effects sometimes. It was good to get it all out in writing. Glad you like it.
Look forward to reading your work on here.
Take care em.

Thanks for your comments on Sense of Silence. Your comment is a constructive comment that denotes careful and attentive reading, but, even so, I don't agree.It made me read it again and think, but, to me, that line has a place and iis a fundamental part of the whole.

HI Cynthia, Thanks for the great critique of "A Day in the Life". Your comments were much appreciated, as was the very diplomatic spelling correction :-)
Andy x

Hi Cynthia

Thanks as ever for the positive feedback. It was interesting that you thought the poem was close to proselytizing, which is normally associated with attempts to persuade people to join a particular religious organisation. I've just spent two weeks in Israel Palestine which gave rise to the poem, and would hold that particular religious organisations are a significant part of the problem there. I think the poem could have been written by an atheist as, if there is a God (which I believe), He/She is assuredly on all sides of all walls. But if there isn't then whatever is 'ultimate reality' is similarly universally present.

I've done some reading about the situation over there. The best book so far has been Emma Williams' 'It's Easier to Reach Heaven than the End of the Street'.

Hi Cynthia, i just want to say thanks for your encouragement and your assistance when commenting on my work.
It really has been very helpful and is appreciated.

I'm off-line for a while but will most likely be back in the new year.

Janet.x

Hi Cynthia, as I have said before I enjoy the criticism of my writing, what you have to say is constructive and I don't take offense at it at all. Sometimes one can get too close to a piece, and miss mistakes and errors, or make mistakes in typing - I am sure that I am computer dyslexic!! haha. Think I mentioned before that I can spot grammatical stakes at a hundred paces in the work of others but when it comes to my own I think they hide and take cover.

Nicky x

Hello there. Just wanted to thank you for your whole hearted support of WOLOP - I keep coming across little comments you have left and it all helps. I sometimes wonder if it might be more successful spear headed by someone less controversial.... Perhaps you could take it over one day if it doesn't keel over and die this month - not that I'm trying to divest at all - there isn't much admin to it - I would just like it to be successful. Food for thought anyway.
Isobel x

Hi Cynthia, I love your poetry, this last one makes me feel like Faraday, full of bright ideas!xx

Hi Cynthia... As someone who is a poor speller and yet pedantic about his own work I really appreciate your corrections to my salmon poem. Both are correct. Will leave the blog as it is though as don't want to jump the queue. Thanks for the comments. Win x

Thanks Cynthia for the comment on 'poet critic' - not sure I like that title - It sort of wrote itself between the washing, drying and ironing yesterday, so thought I would give it a bit of an airing. I think I shall take your advice though later and sit down with it and organise it better, thanks. x

Hi Cynthia - we have an open relationship based on holistic non-judgementalism

thanks for the s - typo in soup : )

steve x

Thank You for your most valuable critique Re; vixen... The 2nd 'of' is ugly ... I'll amend as you suggest.

Once again many thanks for your wonderful comments.

Gusx

Thanks Cynthia. Did you write that before I changed the structure. Ran it all together so it read like a stream of consciouness. Better as one or broken into stanza's do think?

Hi Cynthia

thanks again for your time

steve x

Hi Cynthia - thanks for comment on mine. Your 'Thinking' could be aimed at me - Kipling said not to 'make thought your aim' but what did he know! I often call us the "ape confused by language" but then language also cures. What if we had none, and all thought like pre-verbal infants - or in pictures?

as always - thanks for taking the time to read and make comment on my work Cynthia

mucho ta

steve x

Hi Cynthia, thank you for taking the time to read my poem. I thought your comment was a very interesting one that made me go back and read it again quite carefully, I hadn't thought about there being different tones to the voice but I see what you mean. I was also pleased to be introduced to your work, especially The Sage, very haunting. I enjoyed the language too (I'm sometimes accused of using 'old fashioned' language).

Thank you for your comment Cynthia.
I find it such an irony that Bamburgh Castle was 'restored' using money gained from arms sales, and that there is a war memorial below the castle.

I think it is a measure of how low we have sunk as a society, when a major British arms dealer is running schools all over Britain under the cover of being a 'registered charity'.

So much for the chances of our children living in peace !

Hi cynthia, thank you for the comments.
I see what you mean about science and poetry both being about discovery, unfortunately the science side of thing has lost any sense of discovery at the moment due to the dreaded exams causing me to have to keep dredging up and trying to memorise the same old facts!
I really appreciate how you dont just give me a little comment of encouragement, but provide constructive criticism i can work on.
Jessie.

I say, Cynthia you keep me on my toes don't you. My daughter asked for the piece ,it was lightweight I agree. If you want some real meat then I will have to oblige some time in the future.
Your comments are appreciated it keeps me on my toes.

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I went to SA, as a 19 year old idiot, in 1967. I knew nothing of the world (who did in '67). I'd been as far as the Isle of Man, and never seen London until the plane took off from Heathrow.
Met my wife in SA (half Dutch; half Scot), and the children were born there. It was probably only when they came along that the light started to dawn. Returned at the beginning of '75 somewhat wiser.

HI Cynthia

thanks once again or taking the time to read and make considered comment on the call - the change of title to the list i had already scratched my head about prior to posting - good to know that there are like minds out there in the ether ; )

and i like that you question if this is indeed a tragedy

i am developing an overall context within which this poem sits

thanks again - i appreciate your comment and time

steve x

Hi Cynthia - the punch and judy piece is a bit off both - have changed it round a bit but have being delayed caus off ill health before I got it up online! glad you liked it - do have a poem called 'the little minixie' or something that I will put up which is dedicated to anna and yourself as you both inspired me at Poetica.. hope you enjoyed it! I'm gonna be missing next week but will return! x

No Cynthia, I think the poor pearl will be happy of the attention. My greatgrandma, grandma, and my mother, all of gaelic and celtic ( with some spanish and french thrown in - my mother did the family tree), background always told me as a child that pearls were for tears. I am going to do some reasearch now and see what I can find. Interesting how subconsciously things that were ingrained as a child automatically appear in work. I hadn't thought of that, and funnily enough the poem was written on the anniversary of my sons death, and was initially written about what I was doing that night when it happened. I wrote it in a way that was subjective to the reader, so that they could read anything in to it and they would not be put off or swayed in their commentary by a piece that was so personal, as I have already done that in 'the poem that should never have been....'. I found that all that people saw was the content, and the pain and not the poem itself. In 'Pearl Stitch', I hope I succeeded.

I think I have hit one of those blind spots now. My ideas are there and most of the words there, but they are not going onto the paper the way I want them too.

U dont sound like a jerk....your words are comforting.....i am young yeah but i got an old mind....thank you for your comments.....x

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.

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

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

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

Hi Cynthia

I am humbled

steve x

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.
:-)))

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

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

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

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.

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

Thank you Cynthia , it is a light-hearted commentary on life, how one second or one word can change things, also how misinterpretation is so easily made.
I like the comment on keeping a better movement with the ending ee sound. Brilliant , thanks.

Hi Cynthia

thanks again for reading and making comment

i am practising the fledglin guantanamo approach to poetry ; )

cynthia, thankyou for the best review I have ever gotten. i am touched that you appreciate that poem, as regarding usage of words - it really is whatever spurts out of my heart and if its there, then its right for me at the time. i rarely touch a poem after i have written the first time, i really like the magic of it and greatly appreciate your work.

Hi Cynthia,
in answer to your question on my poem.
I don't know either. I can say in all honesty that the poem wrote itself. It sat on my desk top for two days before posting it because i thought there was more to come. I know how it makes me feel and i now have some idea of what it means to me personally but the fact that Nicky and Francine and others saw something for themselves in it says it isn't just for me and was right to share it. Whatever anyone takes from it or wants to see in it is for them to see and decide for themselves what it means to them.

In this case as they say - I just write the stuff. :-)
Thanks for your interest and comments.
Janet.x

Helpless, still, like their is something missing from my life Cynthia, a feeling that never goes away, not from a 'woe is me' perpective, I have four beautiful children, Nathan is my second. But will always wonder what he would look like, how he would grow, what he would be interested in. Grief never goes away and time does not heal it just broadens ones shoulders and increases one's pain threshold. ( don't get me wrong their are many times that my emotions pour out and I may sit and cry and I question the why's and wherefores regularly)

Darren's critique is interesting and maybe I may try the she/he layout. let me know what you think.

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks for your comments on "Beyond the Equinox." It's good to wax lyrical sometimes - stretches the muscles of the imagination. Your "Peacock" is a very ornate still-life; I find it very different to your previous work, perhaps because of the subject matter. I think most of us benefit from attempting a new approach occasionally.

Regards,
A.E.

Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for your comments on my recent blog, very much appreciated.
I hadn't thought of the poem as sarcastic, I had thought of it as a little bit sad. What I was trying to do was to have the reader believe they were reading a love poem, only to realise at the end that the love was somewhat abusive, if you see what I mean. It didn't work anyway, so I've taken it off and I'll have another look at it in a while.
Hope you're well?
Cx

Hi Cynthia, Thankyou for your comment re "kids in buckets", very ecological and my neices liked it. I have a series of garden poems for kids but no idea how to start re publication. I love your site and have read it a few times. I think I like the freshness and flight but association of ideas. My favourites, if you dont mind my saying , are "3 am on an old computer," ( we have all been the mouse there!), "last night I heard a squwark" very moody, and "the last verse" which is so softly touched and touching. May you continue to see the world in its originality.

Hi Cynthia
Thank you for your comments ... at least the objective was attained... i.e. to be sensual.

The layout... as well visually pleasing, it aids my reading back in order that I pause for effect and read at a pace which suits the poem to performance.
Once again thank you for your encouraging words.
Gusxx

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comment on my poem ' A gentile river.'
I've added a comment of my own to the comment box below the poem. To be honest i didn't understand your comment. Maybe you read something in it which was not intentional i don't know. Thankyou anyway. Your comments are always welcome.

Janet.x

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on "curtains and it happened one night"
Bernie

Hi Cynthia, thank you for your comment on HebDeb, I'm more suprised you thought it was poetry because it is real, I am looking for a place to stay In Hebden. I'm not yet homeless unless he indoors gets finally tired of my manychangingmoods and random ramblings and says Oi, enough, get thee gone silly woman, but until I find somewhere down here I have a lot of rail travel ahead of me. I saw a couple of nice places today..but so hilly..but that's Heb, beautiful but hilly..thanks again, debz x

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on "it happened one night 2 and curtains"
Bernie

Hi Cynthia thanks for your comment, it's nice to let a bit of insanity take control of your pen once in a while. And I did have fun!! haha.

Irregular rhymes and rhythms and speaking in riddles are all part of the complexities of our consciousness, whose initial stream sometimes is hard to make sense of, don't you think?x

I have not commented on 'The Peacock' yet, but I shall. I wanted to read it over once again in peace and quiet, rather than make a half comment.

thanks for the comments cynthia. The Peacock is a gloriously rich poem. x

Thank you for your comment - a word such as delightful is exactly how the Eek is.
Reading your contributions to Write Out Loud has been a pleasure as well.
Spencer

Hello Cynthia
As ever, I appreciate your comments. I enjoyed writing Life-Line.
Hopes & Fears is a wee bit trite, and may well be worth a bit of re-writing. I was still a little carried away with the emotion I had felt whilst in the US, and fearful of the effect of failure on the black population.
I doubt that I would have posted it without the Discussion started by Dave B. Nevertheless.
Thanks again
I await your re-write of The Peacock
Steve M. :-)))

thanks for your comment Cynthia, wish I could say that your stumble over a few lines was intentional for some reason, but I can't with 'Thanatos', I keep going back to it and trying to edit it a little without losing the feel. It was written fairly quickly in the few quiet moments that I succeeded to snatch last night. Any insight on the stumbles would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Cynthia,Yes, it was a play on Wordsworth, partly inspired by 'Wordy rappinghood ' line in Tom Tom Club's piece and Gray's 'Elegy in a Country Churchyard' -full many a flower is born to blush unseen...' As for your poem 'The Rustle of Autumn, it's beautiful -secretly, this is what I think poetry should be, with the last lines that pluck on a string of joy deep inside me.Steve Smith

Hi Cynthia
Old Folks Home
I've been equally fortunate, but the images came together last week after I saw a room set aside for Age Concern, and listened to a middle-aged lady who was unable to even go into the room because of the memories she had from her own parents stay in an old folks home.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Steve M. :-)))

Me of course! Who else? Unless you're accusing me of plagiarism?

Hi again Cynthia, thanks for your comments on "Them Downstairs" glad you liked it.
Bernie

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on "Burnt Sticks", glad you liked it.
My Favourite Film is based on a Kipling story it's called "The Man Who Would Be King", love that film.
Bernie

Glad you liked Bent Heels, Cynthia.. Took a lot off work that poem.. Too much if I am honest, but am dead pleased with it!

Thanks Cynthia. Open mics seem to appreciate mm stuff but magazines this past year just keep rejecting, that is if they bother to reply.

Oooooo... just popped in here to thank you for your lovely comments on my last effort for Whom The Wheel Turns, and saw this comment from Graham! The naughty man! And here was I girding my loins { metaphorically speaking that is} and going in gung ho to defend your amusing poem!!!!!Cate xx

Cynthia, I'm afraid that I have to confess to having been a little mischievous with my comments about the 3am poem. I was trying to test your reaction to some less than positive feedback following your comments in the discussions section.
The whole problem with so many different styles of poetry is that it is certainly almost impossible to balance what is good and what is obviously poor. With the more modern stuff, I think it's more like the emperor's new clothes, like modern art, if you don't get it, it's your problem.
So well done for being honourable, and a big slap for me for being disingenuous.

Hi Cynthia,
thankyou so much for your recent comments, they mean a lot to me. I never realized when i first began to write how difficult and how important it would become to me to get it right wherever possible. I still have a long way to travel but am slowly but surely learning as i go along. Incidentally i agree with some of what you say in the discussion thread you set up but mediocre is something i think we all are, will be or have been guilty of. The secret is to recognize it and learn from it. :-)

Janet.x

Hi Cynthia

thanks once again for reading an making comment -

steve x

Hi Cynthia,
Thank-you for reading, and commenting on, 'Important' - I'm pleased you liked it, and I value your opinion. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply - been a bit of a hectic time recently to say the least!
Hope you're well,
Cx

Hi there Cynthia

Thanks for your commentson Haiku drinks. Just a bit of fun really, I am not that cleaver actually.lol

Win x

Hi Cynthia

thanks for taking the time to read and make comment on my poem 'slight'

steve x

Hi Cynthia
I just found myself puckering up watching the TV last night, and wondered how many other people did it, and how many will own up to it.
x Steve x

Thank you all for the comments on 'Hog'. I thought I would explain a little about it, I hope this is of interest to you! Firstly, as for almost all that I write this was completed swiftly, in no more than 10 minutes or so. The only revision made was swapping two of the lines in the second stanza. I like to write like this it feels natural, I am not a ponderer over a sheet of paper I believe in intuitive and impulsive writing. I think this is where the best work comes from. This means of course that it is usually flawed, as this poem undoubtedly is! The idea for the poem was simply that Dylan Thomas had stolen more than his share from the 'genius gene pool' - I should explain that I am of Wesh parentage although I was not born there - leaving none for anyone else, and me in particular! The first verse is just a superficial portrait of Thomas, his appearance, his drinking and smoking (stubs here is a reference to his fingers, not a cigarette stub) - and the delivery of his poetry when he read it. If you listen to recordings his delivery is very theatrical and sounds very much of the time that it was done; dated to modern ears.

The second stanza (understandably criticised by some of you) is part reference to the location of the Boat House his residence in Laugharne and partly my own memories of summers spent as a boy In Wales. My relationship with Wales is one of love and awkwardness. Stake a claim to Welshness in England is often met by ridicule, do the same in Wales in an English accent and the result can be the same! I like to think that this somehow comes across in the second verse. The alliteration is obvious and probably overused I can see why come may not like it.

Finally in the second stanza I was also trying to use words for their sound purely, I like the para-rhyme of somnambulant and ambient, drunkenness and genius.

Finally I did write 'hog' whilst drinking which may explain the good and the bad in it also.

I hope you liked my explanation.

Best Wishes.

John

Cynthia, if you wish to comment on anything I weite that is up to you, it is up to me to feel offended or not offended by your comments, not you, it is better not to presume.
Bernie

Hi Cynthia, I am confused, when did you think you offended me?
Bernie

Hi Cynthia
Your very kind comments (After the Deal ..) are greatly appreciated.
I wish I could take great credit for its meter etc, but it's just what came out of my head, to suit this particular subject.
x Steve :-)))

Hi Cynthia
thanks for your comment on ''who pays the ferryman.''
Further comment on my blog. Do you think it needs more or is it ok as it is ?

Janet.x

Hi Cynthia
Thanks for the comment. I wrote this when helping at a local school, and saw the mothers dropping off their children on Day 1. Half elation; half tears.

Hello Cynthia,
I love that you asked those questions about my poem 'I Thought...'
Definitely both... more about the first, because I love them so... and a little of the second, because when you are let down, doubt creeps in.

Merci : )

your kind words of encouragement are really uplifting. thank you so much. x

...hello Cynthia...thank you for the comment...in sixty years I've never heard anyone pointing out that 'religion' and 'time' are man-made ideas, and the Earth and universe will carry on perfectly well when man has gone...I just thought it needed saying.....chris.

Your comments are always valued and appreciated Cynthia.
Cate xx

Hello Cynthia,
thank you for your recent very kind comments on my poem דבורה. i am touched that you took the time to send me your thoughts, : ) deb x

Hi back
Thanks for the compliment.
'Touch' is certainly heartfelt. It sort of mirrors what I felt on my first and last days with ....
Together - forever
I'm romantic enough to hope that these feelings come along to everyone in their lifetime
Thanks again for taking the time
Steve

Thanks for your comment Cynthia. You are kind. Don't feel like I'm writing much of great value at the moment - think I need another holiday!

not anti in the least Cynthia, glad of the advice.
Bernie

Cynthia the poster read "Support Your Goverment Forces" was in French but that was the translation I got from my Congolese Friends.

"Old Woman in a Corner" gives an abrupt ending that can give so many meanings... it could be a oem on the Holocaust... the boots being the Nazis arriving, or it could be about current times where junkies arrive to rob the house... such a dark overcurrent to this... I like it...

Hi Cynthia, Thank-you for reading and commenting on Shhh ..... as always, your comments are much appreciated.
Cx

hi cynthia,
thanks for your comments on 'carpe diem'. I'm glad you noticed the slight typo-though it's funny to think that it works as well with 'cease'!
Cat x

Hi again Cynthia, thanks for your two recent comments. The Ibiza one was obviously just a bit of fun about someone I know well (no nods and wink wink but theres a possibility you may know her too!!!!!!} Your second comment on Sunflowers was much appreciated. Luckily I was on line when your first comment went up before you edited it, and feel privileged you shared a bit of your personal life with me, if only for the moment.
Cate xx

Hi Cynthia

thank you again for taking the time to read and make comment

steve

Hi, Owl Feather secrets revealed! Have a look at the blog. Win

Hi Cynthia - thanks again

i wanted to have the words strike like an ambush
and then leave the reader in the mirror

steve

I haven't a clue if it was meant to be me or not. What was it on? I get around, but can't see why I should be mentioned on tv.

Thanks again for your comment Cynthia. Have just printed off those definitions. It sounds very restrictive. If I get time I will try to apply some rules to my poetry. Read too many Mills and Boons as a girl - I just can't help writing from the heart. Applying rules is like putting rubber bands round it. How poetic is that?

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on"Peace in the Future"
It is sometimes a bad, sad world is it not Cynthia.
Bernie

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on the "Bakery"
Bernie

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on "CSSB"
Bernie

Hi Cynthia the comments re "Fish" were about no way about you!!!!!
Bernie

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comment on Our Gramps.... glad you liked it and loved your archived one!!
Cate xx

Thank you for your comment Cynthia. I have read very many of your poems and consider you to be a talented and clever lady - I am therefore touched that you should like my poem. Much of my poetry comes direct from the heart and therefore I don't give much thought to structure. I am not that well educated in poetry so don't know the difference between a cinquain and a tanka - but I will research them for future reference.
Thank you.

Hi Cynthia

thanks for taking the time to read and make comment on my poem

steve

Thanks Cynthia on your comments on "Fish"
Bernie

Thanks Cynthia for your comments on "Bad Day in Heaven"
Bernie

Hi Cynthia

thanks for taking the time to read and make comment on SOAP.

the solution to the inference can be found in the BOBO doll experiment

Thanks for your lovely welcome Cynthia - I missed you all too! There was an internet connection at the hotel but I had to force myself to walk past it or the pool and the sun wouldn't have seen me!

Hi Cynthia
I thank you for reading 'Silence'. Do I look so old/serious that I am Mr.?
The 'I' is me, and perhaps could be described as suffering from slight/occasional emotionally disability.
The 'nothing' is the euphoria from the silence that follows unwanted wittering, where all that I can hear is the ticking of the clock, counting down.
I'm truly chuffed that you enjoyed the 'poem'. It seems I have reached at least 2 people, and that is all I could wish for.
Thanks again
Steve Mellor

Hi Cynthia, thankyou for recent comments. It's nice of you take the time.

Janet.x

Cynthia,
thanks very much for your comments and I'm delighted you liked the poems. Eulogy is the final part of a series of poems call My Neighbour which I read a bit of at an open mic in Woking.
RodneyX

Hi Cynthia. Thanksfor your comments on the Haikus. I have written quite a few now although none are on here. I do like the form. Re Mutton dressed as lamb. Yes this is a well worn phrase as is fish out of water in the first stanza. Tosome it may also be to cliche. I liked the idea of each haiku ending with a common phrase, The second however admitedly does not. Guess It could be 'another spare part'. As to it been cruel, yes perhaps but that doesn't worry me here. Life is all shades. Rough / rude / awkward / sad and cruel. One idea I had was to expand this poem to one where the next 3 'sad' subjects are men (just for balance). Winston

hello cynthia.
thanks for the comments, i am blown away that you like my work!
i am also startled by yours, 'Last NIght I heard a Sqawk' sucked me in and left momewhere brilliantly uneasy. i very much like your style and talent.
Look forward to more. x

Hello Cynthia and thanks for your comment on ''the healer'' poem.
Truth is i'm all out of steam right now and can't be bothered any more. Telling is what i do and if it isn't good enough then maybe i shouldn't be here at all but i doubt you've seen the last of me because i actually enjoy writing ''performance'' poetry and my technique is slowly but surely improving.
I do enjoy reading between the lines of ''page'' poetry but as for writing it? Well, i leave that to the ones who are best at it. :-)

I've enjoyed your recent blog posts and will continue to read. Thanks again,
Janet.

Hi Cynthia,
Thank-you so much for reading and commenting on my work, I'm pleased you liked it.
I'm not sure what a 'flip off the end of the pen' poet is - I imagine someone who just throws it out and sees what happens - in which case, yes - mostly I am.
I have a friend who is (what I consider to be) a 'proper' writer - i.e. someone who gets paid for it! - and she's always urging me to put my writings away in a drawer for a couple of months and forget about them, then when I do re-visit them, she tells me, I will see more clearly and objectively how to edit. But mostly - I'm just too impatient for that!
Thanks again - I appreciate your input,
Cx

Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for your comments on "undercurrents." I think I may have said before that very little of my writing is autobiographical; it's something that I've never been particularly comfortable with. I just tend to imagine myself into situations, or alternatively adapt imagined situations to fit a particular theme I feel like exploring. Today's theme was, as you correctly observed, what past relationships leave behind, and how they never truly leave our subconscious. Oh yes, I've been there several times, but never in the exact circumstances of the poem - I just needed the moonlight, beach and frangipani to add that sense of "From Here to Eternity" romance and lust. Pure escapism - influenced and fuelled by emotinal experience. I hope I haven't disappointed you!
Regards,
A.E.

Hello Cynthia, thank you for your kind comments on my poem Blackwater. Deb x

Hi Cynthia,
Am I dreaming - or did you post something earlier and then remove it? I loved it and wanted to comment - but when I returned it had disappeared. Please post it again, I think it was a really unusual and insightfully erotic take on a subject more usually explored from a male perspective.
Regards,
A.E.

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your input - actually, I also like the first ending too! - I still have a copy of the alternate draft and maybe I'll return to it later, or take a completely different route. I can get a little 'bogged down' sometimes and end up completely undecided about which version works best, or at all.
But again - thank-you very much for your insight - it is very helpful.
Cx

Hello Cynthia - thank you for your kind comments on 'Brand New View' - I have removed the offending apostrophes now - good of you to draw my attention to that oversight :)

Best wishes

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comment on Old Photographs. Very astute of you to pick up on the broken lines and fractured rhythm. This was an attempt to symbolise the breaking and fracturing of their lives in the future. I did try reading this last week keeping this rhythm, and like you I wasnt sure if I could pull it off, but it seemed to scan ok!!!
Cate xx

Thank you for your compliments about my new poetry Cynthia! Martini's never did much for me.... but Margarita's... now... thats a different story! love

Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to read and comment on my poem 'Elusive'...

As far as the page placement - It didn't come out exactly as I had wanted...
I always seem to have problems with font, size, and placement on here...
Your comments/suggestions are always appreciated.

Hi Cynthia, Thank-you so much for reading and commenting on 'Manchester Rain'. And thank-you too for your suggestions - I have re-worked it a little, tried to make it tighter - though I do have a problem with using 20 words where 2 would do!
Thanks again,
Cx

Hi Cynthia

Thank you for your very kind comments. You ask how 'Only Fond' came about. It's recent. Usually the words just well up, perhaps triggered by a stray thought or feeling, which has some intensity behind it. I grab some paper and pen - very frustrating if that's not around - and start scribbling. Then stand back, look at what's there. Then start honing. More may come as the honing process continues. A friend may occasionally make a suggestion. Then there is a moment it feels finished. The whole has a balance and the well is dry

It would be interesting to know what your approach is, and that of others. Suitable for a discussion perhaps - I've had little involvement in them so far.

I have no idea how 'objectively' good my stuff is - if that is even a meaningful concept here. It simply feels necessary or I'd go off pop and it's nice to have people to share it with. There are some really very good poems on this site and it's fine just being part of it all. Different people connect with different poems and that's fine too.

Thanks again Cynthia - the appreciation is mutual.

Dave

Hi Cynthia
many thanks for the kind words re 'Voices' and thank you for the observations ...you are probably correct.. just the first piccie I found..
Once again many thanks for your encouraging comment.

Gus xx

Thanks although not full gear. Am just keeping myself to myself in my space and saying what needs to be said. Your comment brought a tear to my eye . x be well.

Hi Cynthia

thank you for your kind remarks on Light in a Wood. People have always written poems labelled 'spiritual' - John Donne, George Herbert, Gerard Manley Hopkins are three from mainstream British culture. But some experience seems to escape the labels, and that's what fascinates me. I take the hint about flooding the site. I do particularly connect with your poems. If there are pieces you'd like to share, do send

Dave

I know there's a lot to be said for reading more at uni, but, realising my mistakes, I did it afterward! Thanks for your comments though, really appreciate it.

A harpoon eh.. well thats a compliment and half so it is... Thank you ... I'm speechless...ish.
Thanks for reading 'Moby Kingsley'
Gus xx

Hi Cynthia, No it doesn't make you snotty lol. Every reader will get something different from a particular poem and it doesnt matter whether that was in the mind of the poet when he/she was writting. Glad you liked it. (When I see people with that scraped back hair it does make me wonder if they have a permanent headache). Winston

thank you so much for leaving a comment on my essay.It is highly valued. We will meet :-) I do read at events often, which are advertised on here x

Thank You so much for your praise and comment..
You are very kind
Gus x

Lovely poem, Cynthia. Better in the two stanza form here than in one block on the blog. Great use of shortening lines to imply rhythm.