Ha ha! It wouldn’t do to tell the truth all the time, would it?
Comment is about Liar, liar, pants on fire! (blog)
Original item by Becky Who
I must have missed this earlier Tommy. What warped mind must have created the limbo concept deserves it himself; So many have been blighted with such horrors. I applaud your expressing it, and in particular the framework of the poem. So, the Vatican finally abolished the precept. Bully for them.
Ray
Comment is about Christianity and other myths (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
*And the human being, the most individually distinctive being in the universe*
There are so many unwarranted assumptions underpinning this statement I really don't know where to start...
Comment is about Poetry and the Affirmation of Life (article)
Original item by Mike Took
Hilarious and relevant Becky..?
Comment is about Liar, liar, pants on fire! (blog)
Original item by Becky Who
I would agree that this evidence is anecdotal and not totally reliable. Indeed, if any of us were stopped by the police, the sensible thing would be to comply with any instructions given.
That said, the video evidence of police over-reaction, sometimes resulting in death, is compelling.
I wrote this a couple of years ago and have been unsure whether to post it. Self-censorship, I suppose. The juxtaposition of the weight of the subject matter and lightness of tone in the parody was one reason.
Comment is about A BLACK LIFE DOESN'T MATTER ANY MORE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A beautiful, evocative, superbly crafted poem, Alan. Few people will read without wanting to re-read it, I imagine.
In my view, the event you went to does not deserve to be called an open-mic. Open to whom?
You are of an age to remember the notion of 'family hold back', the idea that, if there are visitors, you let them help themselves to the food first in case there isn't enough for all. And that has always been a principle of Write Out Loud open-mic events, precisely for the reason you describe. We know how hard that first time reading your words can be, so it is important that no one leaves without being able to read for the first time, even if it means more experienced readers missing out.
If you put your postcode into the search feature on our gig guide, it should bring you a list of any events near you. Perhaps you could return to the York event and write us a review, warts and all. I wrote one of a York event a couple of years back. I wonder if it's the same one?
https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=48097
Comment is about ‘Glenbrittle - the loch’ by Alan Travis Braddock is our Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by steve pottinger
? Never heard of this cream so, looked it up.
❤
Comment is about My Aching Back (blog)
Original item by Taylor Crowshaw
Thank you, Keith and Taylor.
Comment is about Adieu, but not forever (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
I can relate to every word Keith. It shines with a deep sadness, confusion, but hope born of our human condition..the inevitability of moving forward although perhaps without an initial purpose, but then a stillness a pause. Just wonderful...?
Comment is about Perplexity (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Yay! I have another
Taylor's stoked by fire
Thankyou for your thoughtfulness
On you I do admire ?
Comment is about Losing It (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
An icy tale with a twist...?
Comment is about Jackie And Frankie (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
Such an impactful verse Jon, beautiful. Thank you ?
Comment is about Adieu, but not forever (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
I agree with Keith the last four lines would describe the scene in the majority of homes in the UK on Christmas day. Inspired..?
Comment is about Getting Over It (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Read this twice Ray just wonderful. The imagery is outstanding. Thank you ?
Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I remember so well M.C. the rings of newspaper and the front page used to draw the fire. I would watch it get browner and browner until it would eventually ignite. Quickly stuffing it under the grate.
Lovely nostalgic poem. Thank you ?
Comment is about UP IN SMOKE! A Saturday theme poem. (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
So much left unsaid. A fine poem. ?
Comment is about Saturday November 24, 2018, 1:43 AM (blog)
Original item by hk
To the point Don..I echo Jon's comment ?
Comment is about Losing It (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Yay! I have a comment from
My favorite reader Jon
Have to kindle up my fire
Spark up my poet
Don ?
Comment is about Losing It (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Don, keep 'em coming. I read every one with pleasure.
Comment is about Losing It (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
"You don't matter anymore".
A clever pastiche of a popular old Holly/Crickets number on Coral.
The statistics of US cops being killed and subjected to attacks each
year indicates something more than anecdotal assumptions that
this is a one-sided situation. I've had experience here of the non-compliance resistance which almost inevitably results in an
avoidable escalation that no law enforcer seeks or needs. A bit of
"I'll come quietly" is rare indeed, more's the pity...even worse when
anyone stopped or spoken to might have access to a lethal weapon
and be quick to use it for any number of reasons. This is a trait
among those from origins missing the social cohesion that this island
nation managed to forge for itself over past centuries.
Comment is about A BLACK LIFE DOESN'T MATTER ANY MORE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Big Sal
Sat 24th Nov 2018 01:09
Nostalgia incarnate.
Comment is about THE INCINERATOR, ON A LATE NOVEMBER DAY (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Nice work, Trevor. I feel for him.
Comment is about Jackie And Frankie (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
DK.,
We do not celebrate Thanksgiving here in England but your words are equally applicable for Christmas. The last four lines are superb. You were truly inspired when you wrote this.
Thank you
Keith
Comment is about Getting Over It (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Sadness, beauty and simplicity. I was taken immediately there.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Adieu, but not forever (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
Fri 23rd Nov 2018 21:23
we wait and wait
then too soon spent
the Holiday just
came and went.
Comment is about Getting Over It (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Lovely poem - and as Graham says - really reeks - loved darkly shining kelpie graves and the shingle shirrs the granite grinds- all the noises the water makes. Well deserved POTW. By the way you (we) are not that old if we can still feel like this about things!
Jennifer
Comment is about ‘Glenbrittle - the loch’ by Alan Travis Braddock is our Poem of the Week (article)
Original item by steve pottinger
Really beautiful -extremely evocative - from great love to sadness.
jennifer
Comment is about My Lady of the Beeches (blog)
Original item by Chris Armstrong
Big Sal
Fri 23rd Nov 2018 18:35
Thanks for everything, John.
I also appreciate the shout out on your newly-typed up biography for WOL.
We can all stand to learn something from each other.?
Comment is about John E Marks (poet profile)
Original item by John E Marks
Puts words to a feeling that cannot be specified otherwise. This is so very comforting
Comment is about Perplexity (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Yes David. i think this poem chimes with readers because the inability to 'turn off ' at bed time is common indeed.
Thanks to Jon, Taylor, Desmond, Reggie and David for liking this, and other poems of mine. Thank you kindly. John
Comment is about Insomnia (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Hello MC.,
Thank you for your comment on misogyny. You are right to say that homosexuality and misogyny should not be regarded as synonymous. Most gay men have excellent relationships with women many of whom are good friends and confidants.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 1: A Bare Canvas (article)
Original item by Mike Took
The association of misogyny with homosexuality seems worth
taking up for its assumed connection.
Many versions of the homosexual world seem deeply rooted in
identification with and admiration for the female sex. How else to
explain the frequent use of mannerisms, dress and vocabulary that
adhere to a perceived female style of behaviour. Female figures
in entertainment especially have a strong appeal for a substantial
section of the gay sensibility. Names like Dusty Springfield and
Judy Garland come to mind from the past. No doubt there are
others now. A misogynist is defined as "one who hates all women"
and that's a bit wide of the mark when considering the homosexual
milieu, and other social causes/reasons/excuses for such an
attitude also come into play. Women can be disliked/hated for
a variety of reasons from a variety of points of view, but you have to be more of a sociopath to be dubbed with that "all" embracing definition.
Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 1: A Bare Canvas (article)
Original item by Mike Took
Rachel,
Thank you so much for the feedback! That mix of order and disorder, as well as potential futures that don't exist in reality is what I was aiming for with this poem, and I am glad that I was able to convey it!
-Z
Comment is about the first is [not] (blog)
Original item by ha'azinu
I'm curious about the fondness for the archaic use of 'did' when not
used for emphasis - as in 'I did wonder what you meant'.
Comment is about ATM Give No Rupee (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
<Deleted User> (18980)
Fri 23rd Nov 2018 14:25
Poor old Frankie...he's had to give her the cold shoulder.
Comment is about Jackie And Frankie (blog)
Original item by Trevor Alexander
I'm rather intrigued that (apart from yourself CBT) no other women have commented on the passing of their musical icons. My sister wept for a week when The King died and spent 24 hours in a cinema watching his complete filmography (if that is a word) in one sitting!
For me it will the eventual passing of His Bobness. I'm not looking forward to it. Cohen was the most recent and before that George Harrison.
Music and words do carve their way into one's psyche somewhat!
A nicely worded piece Cynthia.
Comment is about The Day Elvis Died I Cried (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
This rings so true for me.
Thanks, Keith
Comment is about Perplexity (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Gentlemen, how splendid that you have taken a moment to comment, to share. Thank you.
Comment is about The Day Elvis Died I Cried (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
John,
Thank you, as you raise other issues relevant to Paul´s inner condition. Misogyny would be today´s interpretation of some men´s attidtude towards women but 2000 years ago women were held in low esteem socially. Was Paul´s homophobia simply his way of climbing on the bandwagon of Judaism and a cover for his hidden emotions? We shall never know. His epiliepsy could well be his thorn as illness then was often regarded as being the manifestation of some sin or sinful condition.
Thanks again
Keith
Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 1: A Bare Canvas (article)
Original item by Mike Took
It is impossible to make a clear judgement on Paul's sexuality either way but his misogyny coupled with his homophobia does lend itself to a homosexual interpretation.
Another explanation of the debilitating thorn in his flesh might be that he was referring to some undiagnosed health condition, possibly epilepsy.
Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 1: A Bare Canvas (article)
Original item by Mike Took
John,
Thank you for this comment and the article you use, which is indeed also speculative, as we shall never know the real Paul. It is a fact that he was a Roman Citizen and a Pharisee, a man who struggled with his faith and personal issues of unworthiness, as do we all. The thorn in his flesh could well refer to his innate sinful nature which he felt stood in the way of his relationship with Christ. There is no clear reference to the subject of sexuality. Paul was bound by Jewish teaching and a theologian of immense understanding as can be seen from his letters. Had he been a gay man then he would never have openly declared his sexuality as his standing in society not only with the Jews but also the early Church would have rendered him a heretic and not worthy of being an apostle. Paul was a man of sinful nature and saw the conquest of sin as a means of overcoming anything which prevented union with Christ.
Paul, as with many members the Institution of the Church, may have been gay but the subject was always condemned as contrary to the laws of God and therefore avoided or simply condemned outright. A greater and more important question is the mind of Christ on the subject of which we know so little.
Thank you again for your comment and interest.
Keith
Comment is about A History of Gay Poetry, 1: A Bare Canvas (article)
Original item by Mike Took
elPintor
Fri 23rd Nov 2018 01:13
"..seeing a splintering of a thousand potential futures
they all exist because none of them exist..."
I read this when you first posted and had to come back for these lines. It's like some interweaving of Schroedinger's cat and ideas of order/disorder--and the fact that you intermix such complexity within a "love" poem makes it all the more attractive.
Rachel
Comment is about the first is [not] (blog)
Original item by ha'azinu
d.knape
Sat 24th Nov 2018 11:44
Inspired I'm not
that being said
Expiring is
what I mostly
dread.
wink.
Comment is about Taylor Crowshaw (poet profile)
Original item by Taylor Crowshaw