The One Left Behind

A new year
to all poets

Means perhaps changes
to writing paths

Different routes taken
lines to follow

When finishing off
this new challenge

It is not
always as good

As the one
we left behind.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Cynthia, thank you for this. You hit the nail on the head in your second paragraph. I appreciate your comments. May I wish you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Keith

Comment is about There is no Shangri-la (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

INTIMATE CABARET AT DECEMBER WRITE ANGLE

November, Attila brought in a crowd of over 30 people while December, unpredictably another kind of evening, created an intimacy with several people highly praising the evening and its poetry. We can't predict what our evenings will be like but one thing for sure, Write Angle is guaranteed to bring high quality entertainment in our choice of guest performers, those of you at the Open Mic and even the audience who 'just come to enjoy'!

Paul Lyalls' performance at Write Angle's December gig was no exception. He held the audience from start to finish with 'endless' laughter. It was truly a Christmas special.

He's a great poet but also a stand-up comic and confident performer. His long lanky body and mobile face capture the audience. He works in schools but his poetry is geared to the child in each of us – if only we'd had a Paul Lyalls in our schooldays!

In Poetic Lonely Hearts Act, the Poet “seeks audience....You must like rhyme but not all the time.” In Ask the Audience....Or Listen to Your Heart, he tells how, as a loving man, his first reaction to his partner's “What are you thinking” is “What should I be thinking?” but he answers “I want to look into your eyes forever” when he's really thinking that “the next time we go to Ikea, I want to get into one of the wardrobes and when someone opens it, leap out and ask what country are we in?”

His Shakespeare parody, Let Me Compare Thee, talks of “Reality, Reality, wherefore art thou?” Only in the Movies listed all those impossible situations such as “You'll easily survive any battle.....unless you make the fatal mistake of showing somebody a picture of your sweetheart who's waiting for you.” He ended his performance with The Label Prayer, which dealt with the two core values of Christmas, “religion and shopping”. This was Paul's 4th time with us and we look forward to seeing more of him!

Unsurprisingly, the open mikers featured Christmas strongly. Jilly Funnell provided two covers, Shakin Stevens' Merry Christmas Everyone and Martin and Blane's Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, followed by a reprise of her own naughty Principle Boy - “Make sure you all check out his tights before your wedding day.” Richard Hawtree provided another view of Christmas with Wrappings - “A ruse you trust to make the wise men late in setting out on their epiphany.” Leah contributed four seasonal poems, finishing with Santa Has a Problem, when Mrs Santa “wants me healthy” puts him on a diet “but if I'm not a jolly fat man, kids won't know I'm Father Christmas”.

Dick Senior, more serious, in Cake, told the story of a suspicious husband following his unfaithful wife, “Like white knuckles at his throat, the furies of self-pity and rage, like rats writhing in a bag of his skin”. “That night, they ate the cannabis cake”, which was followed by an orgy of destruction when he took a hammer to his home and his car. Evacuee told the story of the youngster Dick's grandparents took in “from Tottenham who....became a village boy” but who Dick knew as Uncle Stan.

Your reviewer lightened the mood with Charlie the Spider, who “lives in Jake's black car” and whose social life was “When we park at Tesco....I meet my friends in other cars”. Piers Husband read from his Christmas Book. First, Santa Meets Satan and, then, Satan, “the horned devil fell through the air in a million particles. Each particle entered the body of a spider....” Brian read a humorous Thurber short story The Night the Bed Fell, chronicling a chapter of accidents culminating with the bed falling on father.

Although the number of poets and musicians were few, the quality of their work made up for it. It was a memorable evening and contributed well to the Christmas season! The Raffle was sponsored by The Half Moon at Sheet.

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 19 Dec 2017 (event)

Very true, very concise poem.

Comment is about Monkey's mentality (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Are you serious! That line about Polish immigration?

Comment is about I'M DREAMING OF A HARD BREXIT (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm in queue here for pouring praise into your rising cup. I also salute that opening line, and agree that the four line first stanza could be totally enough. But I do admire the extension into another complete idea that invokes the reader's further imagination.

Comment is about COAT HANGERS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I'll always steal the complimentary soap! Ha

Comment is about Emma Purshouse (poet profile)

Original item by Emma Purshouse

I had twins first-born, fraternal, and clearly understood the likelihood of twins twice, or more. I said, 'No.' They were the first to survive in three generations of multiple births in both families. A propos of nothing, just a similarity in background, other than Canadian, and poetry.

Comment is about Louis Audet (poet profile)

Original item by Louis Audet

This needs real attention. The rhyming pattern is superb and well handled. I'll come back to it, as it deserves careful reading. The ideas are not simple.

Or, maybe they are simple, but not for the simple-minded, and I don't feel very 'clever' at the moment.

Comment is about Drift away (blog)

Original item by Louis Audet

Well put, eloquent and pressing.I like the twist in the first two lines, very mind grabbing.

Comment is about Earth's sword (blog)

Original item by Rich

Well, this is a cheerful start to 2018.

But the point is both well made and well written, albeit very depressing. Your final line is a philosophical killer, emphasizing weather and landscape as the least desirable standards for the 'quest' of 'Shangri-la'. Surely, a state of mind above all else.

You are having a great time with your own thoughts and words. Is it a kind of new 'freedom'? Self-confidence? Self-liking? Or whatever. Just enjoy it, every word. Sharing is a potent cocktail.

Comment is about There is no Shangri-la (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

My conviction is: you can't receive what you don't offer, without ties of self-interest. That is actually really hard to do. I think friendship is basically reciprocal; like the notches, both needed and offered, fit well and lock.

A good stimulating work.

Comment is about Friendship (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Rich & Kevin, thank you for your kind comments. Keith

Comment is about Friendship (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Well said, Keith - when I read this, I can really feel the importance of those few fellow souls I've been lucky enough to know as true friends.

I like this!

Comment is about Friendship (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

If there was a yearly WoL award for opening lines then this would surely be a contender. The first stanza is superb and stands adequately on its own. I'm not sure the second is needed - maybe, maybe not. I can't decide. Either way, well done for working this one out. Cheers, Col.

Comment is about COAT HANGERS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you Keith &Martin!

Comment is about It is meant for one (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

Hello Graham and Patricio,

Thank you so much to both of you for your kind responses to this contemplation.

On your point regarding the first line, Graham, the image of the 'tattered old book' was intended as an opening reference to the relative unreliability of old memories (mine, at least). For me, even with memories of my mother, I find that they become gradually less acute, more afflicted with gaps and shadows as years go by; in one way, these personal defects were catalysts for the piece: I yearn for the bright realities of our mutual past.

All the best for the new year,

Chris

Comment is about Time and Windows (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Mates are ten a penny, drinking buddies more so. But if you have just one true friend in your life then you're a lucky man. I don't know about "excluding thumbs" i wouldn't have to take my mitten off .

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about Friendship (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Ray.
What an unusual subject. Really worked though. Got to agree with David, the opening line was a corker. I liked the way that you brought an inanimate object to life.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about COAT HANGERS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks David. I can't pretend you havn't understood me correctly. Sadness leaches out whenever I return to a dream of potential unfulfilled. I'm glad it resonated.

Ray

Comment is about SCHOOL PHOTOS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Martin, this poem paints a depressing but true picture of suburban life in all its dreariness. It was good for me to read it as it spelled out the words Seasonally Affected Depression something which I was able to escape from. Your use of imagery is captivating. The poem has a powerful quality. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about The endless journey (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Leon, I count my friends one one hand excluding the thumb. Thanks for your comment. Keith

Comment is about Friendship (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Many years ago a town who's name was in dispute decided to call it Tring as a chap cycled through on a "Penny Farthing".

Comment is about I love Poland (blog)

Original item by Lenford White

your true sincerity for my part has not gone unnoticed keith

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

and there are as you imply keith not many of these precious people to the pound.

A very rare and extremely important addition to one's life
-for sure!

Comment is about Friendship (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Jon and Leon, thank you indeed for your comments. Keith

Comment is about The Cauldron (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Jon and Martin, Thank you for your very kind and considered comments. They are much appreciated. Keith

Comment is about Out of Darkness into Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you

Comment is about Rana Plaza (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

Darkness, the temptress seduces the frustration of ambition

is my favourite line which for me sums it all up.
Nice one Keith

Comment is about Out of Darkness into Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Very, very nice Alem

Comment is about It is meant for one (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

I've been telling friends for weeks, Graham, that somebody was going to get a 4 or 5 goal kicking. The difference is that Man city hand these out every other week.

Comment is about HATS OFF TO HARRY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Keith,

Much to be enjoyed here, and the poem describes the inconsistencies of the world we live in with passion and clarity.Well done.

Jon

Comment is about The Cauldron (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Keith
Great poem that has much truth witihin its words. I especially enjoyed the first two stanzas which set the tone for what is a very well worded, insightful poem.
Great stuff mate!
Jon

Comment is about Out of Darkness into Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thank you rose

Comment is about Alarm (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

I see my mother in my minds window, I see her speak and feel her presence, I wish I could get closer.

Comment is about Time and Windows (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

Alem, brief but beautifully said. Thanks. Keith

Comment is about It is meant for one (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

brilliant! loved the layout.







Rose ?

Comment is about Alarm (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

All hail the Harrykane!

Made his most recent hat trick all the better when watched in the presence of an Arsenal season ticket holder JC

although I thought both Son's and Dele's goals were better!


Here's to an optimistic 2018 runners-up place

Comment is about HATS OFF TO HARRY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Chris there is so much of this that I like but for some reason I keep getting stuck on the first line which for me seems in discord with the rest of the piece. I don't get the tattered book thing.

The rest however is VERY sensitively done, the last verse particularly.

Well done!

Comment is about Time and Windows (blog)

Original item by Chris Hubbard

The bastards won't let go of me, Steve.

Comment is about HATS OFF TO HARRY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Sounds risky Col. Happy new year mate.

Thanks for stopping by Des.

Ray.

Comment is about SCHOOL PHOTOS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

As someone who's about to have a go at repairing a garden wall, this poem resonated with me, Mike! Love the sentiments, too. ?

Comment is about Brick by Brick (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Reading between the lines, John, I'm guessing you're a Spurs fan? ? Thanks for this, it made me chuckle!

Comment is about HATS OFF TO HARRY (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Nicely read and constructed Marianne. Well done.

Comment is about Befriending Fear (blog)

Original item by Marianne May

Thank you so so much for your generous comment on my profile Cynthia. It meant more to me than you can imagine ??

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Happy new year to you too.
And kind regards to the Gay Manta Ray. I hope he finds what he's looking for.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Kevin, Thank you indeed but four quid is required for submission and I don´t have a UK Bank Account and it is too late to send anything now as the dead line is 31 December. Not to worry my aim is to enjoy writing and reading poetry. Money or popular acclaim are not up my street. Thank you for your encouragement this year and also your very special brand of poetry. May I wish you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Keith (the gay manta ray sends his regards also)

Comment is about Out of Darkness into Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Keith. I've been trying to write a poem on the theme of "out of darkness" for a couple of months now, for the Wolverhampton original literature festival. I couldn't think of anything.this one would have been perfect for the competition. As it fits the criteria perfectly.i think you would have had a good chance if you entered this one.
Nice write

Kevin

Comment is about Out of Darkness into Enlightenment (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I was inspired by the admonishment that the greatest
of human traits is not faith or hope but charity - and what
we are if we lack that quality.

Comment is about KIND (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks Martin. I'm going to have to think about this cartoon idea.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about 'Embassy Christmas' by Kevin is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman