Certainly stimulating in its view of life and our often
uncertain place in so-called society.
Lonely is a state of mind more than body...existing when one feels alienated from others. It is not the same as
solitary which extends into a preferred state of mind as
well as body. The trick is to understand and accept what
relates to one's own existence.
In the wider animal world there are species which live a
solitary existence, with no sign of seeking to do
otherwise. The human species can learn from that and use the lesson to its advantage through self-acceptance.
If we are not content in our own company we cannot hope to be content in the company of others.
To think otherwise is self-delusion and perhaps causes much of the misery in human relationships...especially in
formalised arrangements like marriage.

Comment is about Loneliness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Wow, thank you Keith for the kind words. I don't usually write in the plans of people reading my work but reading your comment, I'm glad you have. I really appreciate you keeping up with what I write. Thank you for making me feel less alone.

-Nick

Comment is about Tiny Round Friends. (blog)

Original item by Nick

Hello Nick, thank you for this poem. You are indeed a poet who writes from the heart and mind with blistering honesty. I marvel at your honesty and talent. I had little friends once who came in bottles. They were destructive. You speak from the heart with eloquence. In your poem New Orleans you end the poem by saying ¨and work on a new approach . You have a literary talent which people need to read, hear and appreciate. You have a lot to say. Thanks again. Keith

Comment is about Tiny Round Friends. (blog)

Original item by Nick

Creative thoughts
are the keys
that will unlock
this poetry door

Once inside we follow the words
selecting them very carefully
while running in the wind.

Comment is about January 2018 Collage Poem: A New Life II (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

A new year
starts to unfold
bringing with it
a new life

As we read the very first Collage Poem
future offerings lie in wait

Comment is about January 2018 Collage Poem: A New Life I (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thank you! I think this is the best of my earlier work.

Comment is about FOUR (blog)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

I can relate inpart to this myself. Thank you for sharing this. I would think at some point in life we all feel like a tiny flicker of light in the night sky to someone looking up (an outsider) we might seem to be a blinket of stars however we see the massive distance between our positions in the cosmos it’s all a matter of perception. Thank you again I have enjoyed reading your work

Comment is about Loneliness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you for reading and nice comment, I like to also think places like Atlantis exist beneath our seas!

Comment is about Galleons Graves (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thanks Rose and Des.?

Comment is about Lady Desiree (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

Hi Stu,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I certainly try to choose words which not only work intrinsically, but set up the tone I'm looking for. I also think about the structure of the piece on the page as an integral element of the finished work.

Chris

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Kevin, thanks for this. People generally regard one another superficially. Family, friends and work colleagues come to know one but not in any real depth. In response to this we tend to behave in a way to meet the expectations of others and not be who we really know ourselves to be. We are locked into ourselves and only reveal what we want others to know. I hope this makes some sense. When we withdraw from others we do so as someone not fully known. Thank you again Kevin for a useful and appreciated comment. Keith

Comment is about Loneliness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks John , much appreciated

Comment is about The bells they ring (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

This is quite a good poem Martin, very atmospheric. It transports you right into the scene.

Comment is about The bells they ring (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

It really surprises me that you feel this way Keith. I would have guessed that you were a person who others gravitated to. If I've read it right, it's about not making that connection, even when closely surrounded by friends and family. Sorry if I'm wrong.

Kevin

Comment is about Loneliness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Ted, thank you for this comment. I really appreciate it. Keith

Comment is about Loneliness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Bravo Keith, Bravo! Even if bravo, feels a bit out of place with this poem's tone, I am all the same impressed and most importantly touched.

Comment is about Loneliness (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

there must be so many undiscovered sunken scenes like this beneath our seas. Enjoyed this Mike.

P&S

Comment is about Galleons Graves (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

"Hissing slate grey eyes"...Good stuff.......

Comment is about me and Annie (or is it Annie and i) (or poem which succeeded a period of time in which i only read e.e. cummings) (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you Greg.
: )

Comment is about Curlew Calling: edited by Karen Lloyd, Numenius Press (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello Michael, I have read the poems you have posted which are both original and with a depth of true feeling. You have the ability to explore the inner being which is rare but revealing and you do so with great sensitivity. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about Michael Rios (poet profile)

Original item by Michael Rios

Thanks Colin and Stu for reading and Desmond for liking

Now there's a thought Colin perhaps I could make a video with no speech just the cards as with Mr Dylan. Wish I had half of his talent. The whole thing with being a fairground attraction is that when ever there is an accident or incident it seems to feed into the voyeuristic nature of some people

Thanks for your encouragement Stu. I would rather like to break into a few more pieces along these lines. So who knows maybe.
Look forward to catching up face to face this year

Thanks again
Martin

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

There are ghosts in your poem, sad, lovely and thought provoking. Thank you

Carol

Comment is about 'Snippets 2' by Ghost is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for such a thoughtful response here Beno. Sadly, we are in no position to ascribe any certainty to genetic influences re criminal tendencies, though there has been research into chromosomes affecting them. Social conditions play a great part, as can greed, jealousy and other unhealthy obsessions, some of which of course are openly encouraged these days. My poem implies conditioning , although really the whole thing hangs on a thread, and is intended as irony. Life is never easy my friend.
I really appreciate your open mindedness thanks.

Ray

Comment is about MUMMY AND DADDY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Bluegrass Song I've been working on...

Comment is about Have You Seen My Wayfaring Father (blog)

Original item by 220August

Happy new years my poet friend blessings and grace to you always..

Comment is about Karen Ankers (poet profile)

Original item by Karen Ankers

great piece martin. you do nostalgia and portraits of history so well, but i do love when you let it all go somewhat and your imagination takes the pen. ends on a cracking line as well. i loved this. as colin said, it reveals itself more and more on repeated readings. hope your well, one of my new years resolutions (alongside learning the saxophone and being nice) is to get out more to poetry gigs like i was doing in 2016, so hope to see you around and about.

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

lovely. i adore this kind of short, mysterious piece. the addition of 'dear' gives the whole thing a menacing quality.

Comment is about Tempus Fugit (blog)

Original item by Nick Coleman

cracking last line doug. lifts the whole piece for me.

Comment is about FOUR (blog)

Original item by Douglas MacGowan

so good chris. i love the dark vein (excuse the pun) running through the whole thing, much like the heroin itself. it works beautifully with the more standard (in language not in quality) words you use to describe the galleries and public. really good. i hope that makes sense, i'm a little tired.

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

lovely stuff adam. love the onomatopoeic nature of the third verse. sits nicely between the others.

Comment is about Sea City (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

excellent. i wish i could tag people on here as i know a lot of people that would love to read this. really well written and carries itself beautifully. read twice now. for me, thats a lot of reading!

Comment is about Limits (blog)

Original item by Sidra Shahid

excellent work. i received Vuong's first collection for xmas, i absolutely love his work and while this is reminiscent of his style, it carries itself on the strength of the words and the placement. lovely stuff, great to see a proper, alternative piece of poetry get POTW.

Comment is about 'Snippets 2' by Ghost is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Keith,

Thank you for these comments. They are much appreciated.

Whiteley's images and his sculpture left a lasting effect on my mind, now some twenty years ago in that Gallery. Their sheer power was visually overwhelming.

I sometimes think that the most maddening part of this art form is the way it impels you forward in search of some perfect poetical nirvana. As a reformed perfectionist I know that "down this road be dragons".

But still I try.

Chris

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Indeed Leon maybe it's quid pro quo for verse.

Comment is about Lissy (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Chris, this poem evokes many images of galleries, art and their impression on us, but the poem is a focus on the artist, his struggle which eventually resulted in his death. So many gifted, talented musicians and artists share this fate. The poem poses many questions as to the nature and burden of creativity and genius. I enjoyed it enormously as you have reached beneath the surface and discovered the kernel. Keith

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Hi Col,
This poem has had a long gestation period since I saw the Whiteley retrospective in the late nineteen nineties. I still remember the almost electric effect it had on me.

In those days I was only starting out in poetry and did not know how to approach the structure or atmospherics. I recently dusted it off, gave it a thorough renovation and launched it on an unsuspecting audience.

The exhibition was in Perth though, at the Art Gallery of Western Australia - it caused quite a stir at the time.

Best wishes,

Chris

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Beno, thank you for your comment. It is much appreciated. If you ever come up with any ideas to put matters right, then please ley me know and we will do it together. Keith

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Is it wrong just to feel powerless about all this rather than enraged? I haven't got the first idea how you put it all right?
A very powerful piece Mr Jefferies. Beno.

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

There is much to intrigue the reader in these and your other 'snippets'. In many ways it is not important for the reader to ever know the full back story. The snippets of information offered are like images plucked from a story board or the jottings of a reporter. There is also a certain amount of restraint and detachment from emotion until the last three breathtaking lines.

Congratulations on POTW. Your desert island luxury is the best answer given to this question. I couldn't agree more although I think I probably requested chocolate! Good luck with your writing.

Colin.

Comment is about 'Snippets 2' by Ghost is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Beautifully written Abi. I enjoyed it. Beno.

Comment is about Amour Brisé (Broken Love) (blog)

Original item by Abi Morris

this is an excellent and well-constructed poem Chris with so much going on - the art, the gallery, the artist's life, the critics, the public - all skillfully thrown onto your writing canvas. I would have loved to have seen the exhibition. Was it in Perth recently? Cheers, Col.

Comment is about Retrospective (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Thank you Douglas ?

Comment is about Af.....v.....let... (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

I agree with Douglas. Super sad poem dude. Beno

Comment is about My Biggest Fear (blog)

Original item by Kristy

A beautifully crafted piece which I enjoyed very much. Very moving and thought provoking. Thanks Tom. Beno.

Comment is about Friday Night, We Walked Along The Beach (blog)

Original item by Tom

I liked this a lot. Good display of opposites.

Comment is about Pink Money (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

For Martin, the link to The Oldknow Review

http://www.reviewnewspapers.co.uk/local-news/articles/2018/01/poetry-performers-come-from-far-and-wide/

I hope it works???

#totalluddite

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

this poem gives up a little more with each read and the fairground mention adds another dimension. Great stuff Martin and I like the profile pic too. Make up a few more of those signs and you could do a take on Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues! Still the best music vid ever made imo. Col.

Comment is about is he (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Jemima, Thank you for your informative comment. I was born on the very day Gandhi was assasinated, if that is of any value, other than I hold him in the highest regard. Your question is very pertinent as you ask how can, in so many cases, dictators rule over millions for so long. The answer is probably threefold: apathy, powerlessness and dictators who ensure they are well protected. What you say about Israel and the Palestinians is spot on. The abused has become the abuser. Thank you again. Keith

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Nick, thank you for your comment. What enrages me most of all is that we cannot turn our anger through poetry or art into something positive. Picasso painted the famous Guernica which depicts many of the horrors I have described but to no real avail. We are powerless observers. Thank you again. Keith

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I am not a lady of violence by any means keith but what I always am amazed by is the fact that people like Gandhi, John Lennon, Martin Luther King who were great promoters of peace and goodwill to their fellow man were assassinated and yet evil people like Assad, Putin and Mugabe were and are left untouched to continue their vile actions against the very people they are supposed to be representing. How is it that the hateful minorities can and have done in so many cases ruled over millions for so long. And as for the Israelis are they not almost doing to the Palestinians what Hitler did to millions of their own people in the way of persecuting? I can imagine many Holocaust victims must be rolling in their graves. Shame on Israel! Thank you (keith) Jemima.

Comment is about Enraged (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries