Hi Adrian,
Yes, the pace of a poem is something I'm interested in exploring. It connects in some ways as poems used for storytelling and is important in portraying many aspects of life, from relationships to people in landscapes.

Another aspect, I believe, is working towards engaging your reader by using carefully drawn detail and background to draw him or her along with you as you lay out your context and ideas.
I sometimes use contrast, such as light and dark, and complementarity here as well.
All the best,
Chris

Comment is about 'Great White Heron' by Chris Hubbard is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Lovely - really spooky, sends a shiver down your spine. Almost believe in ghosts, coming from Scotland where every castle has at least one, considered at worst a nuisance or part of the family.
Jennifer

Comment is about Collecting Bins at Emily Bronte’s (blog)

Original item by Terry Jones

Nice! Sounds very familiar somehow.

Jennifer Malden

Comment is about The Argument (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

If only those we negotiate with would roll over and do what we want. But in 40 years of industrial relations it never happened for me. I don't think that's how it works.

Comment is about GOD BLESS YE MERRIE BREXIT MEN (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Ray - cynicism may be a justified accusation BUT I'm
aware as a central London resident that this mayor is
pushing for a substantial increase in fines for parking
offences, as well as a policy (yet another attempt) to
remove traffic from nearby Oxford Street. I'm old enough
to have "been there" before and the knock-on effects on
neighbouring streets, many of them residential, a fact not
often thought about here in the middle of London, is
NOT appealing - and hardly solves the question of
access to the "world's greatest shopping street" by its
eager customers: especially the elderly and the infirm.

Comment is about THE LAST NOEL (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Having been accused of cynicism elsewhere, I can only say
that this sort of thing does go on. I recall a guy who used
a (now closed) bookies and had a disability sticker on the
car he used...tho' he himself seemed to have no problems
getting in and out of the shop, or to its front counter to put
on his bets. Maybe, the actual holder of the permit was his
dear old mother?! I use sticks to get around, and a backpack for shopping but have no problems driving my
car. I don't see the need to apply for a disability permit
although I can produce medical evidence. More power to
your elbow, Mike, in pursuing those who abuse a worthy
system. Social theft is the right term for this behaviour.

Comment is about The Non Badge Holder...'Blue Badge Limp' (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

I'll try to get back to this.

Comment is about Poetry is a Mediocre Diary (blog)

Original item by Connor Lannes

Shades of ye minstrels like Alan A'Dale: of Robin Hood's
gang who were not too keen on those other interfering
Europeans...the Normans...and what they cost us!
Fun as always JC - well done.
PS - the money for the NHS might get there quicker IF we
didn't have to keep paying the EU while we're still involved. As for
the money the EU demands, how about it pays us for the 61 years of debt we owed to the US for fighting for the freedom that Europe enjoys?

Comment is about GOD BLESS YE MERRIE BREXIT MEN (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Terrific. Well-thought and very well-constructed.

Comment is about Poem of a moment (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Good one!

Comment is about The Final Haiku (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

This is both thoughtful and insightful.

Comment is about Set her free (blog)

Original item by Shruti

This fell out of an old reference book I hadn't accessed in years, printed on a slip of paper for a bookmark, written in the 'nineties' sometime. Well, I laughed. I thought it might amuse someone else too.

Comment is about The Argument (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you for reading and the comment....Mike

Comment is about The Snowman (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Hello
Thanks for reading and taking time to comment, much appreciated. I have written several poems on the subject of disabled parking space abuse for a Facebook site dedicated to such a thing.

Therefore I am very sensitive to the issue, and choose my topics and words very carefully, I am certainly well aware not all disabilities are visible.

I am happy to say all my poems on the site have been very well received.

This particular poem is aimed at the obvious fakers, no blue badge, put on limp (which disappears once inside the shop!) etc. It's an attempt to actually add a bit of light 'humour' to the subject.

Thank you again for the comments....Mike.

Comment is about The Non Badge Holder...'Blue Badge Limp' (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thank you so much Desmond, it means a lot coming from you, as I am a big admirer of your work.
I hope to become better in the future,
Best regards,
Sidra

Comment is about The Subjects Don't Change, The Effects Do! (blog)

Original item by Sidra Shahid

Thank you so much Jon, your comment meant a lot more than I can express. I hope I can become better in the future.
Best regards,
Sidra

Comment is about Gradual Descent in Life (blog)

Original item by Sidra Shahid

Hi Mike. I too get where you're coming from, but you have to remember that not all disabilities are visible.
My niece, who looks perfectly fit, but is unable to stand for long was once forced to give up her seat on a bus.
As Ray says, blue badges aren't handed out willy nilly.
You do make a good point though, there are some fakers out there, and they do spoil it for the rest.

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about The Non Badge Holder...'Blue Badge Limp' (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Thanks again for the kind words, it's always appreciated. If you haven't done so already, you should consider compiling all of your poetry into an anthology some day, I bet it'd make a pretty great book.

Comment is about Chiari Warrior Soldier (poet profile)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Nice one Fred.

Comment is about My 12 Days of Christmas (blog)

Original item by Rick Varden

I love the pacing, really really good. In fact, I’ll try that style in my next poem!

Also your imagery is very nice. It’s soft and delicate like the bird and what, presumably, you intended.

Nice work,
Adrian

Comment is about 'Great White Heron' by Chris Hubbard is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Nicely written and I enjoyed the way you pieced this piece together beautifully done ☺️

Comment is about Starting Point (blog)

Original item by Sarah Mae

Thank you all for joining me in my yuletide message.

You make the true point Beno and wisely so. There are so many good causes probably too many to service properly . I think Xmas must always have a dark side but life goes on! Appreciated.

Nailed, David.

Valid points Mark. Some people go down with infections others soldier on - my dad lived to be 84 - up to London every day and a solid smoker. Life expectancy is improving UK wide but the NHS is seizing up, not a healthy sign. Are you perhaps implying an ulterior motive to Mr Khan? Then your cynicism is alive and well.

Suki, you make me wish for those days - satire today is a mere shadow of the days of That was the week that was . Too many risks of reprisal perhaps. I think the politicians enjoyed being lampooned on Spitting Image. Bring it back I say!!

Thanks Col and New Shoes for your likes.

Love to all this side of Xmas.

Comment is about THE LAST NOEL (blog)

Original item by ray pool

HI Mike. While I get where you're coming from regarding those who defraud the authorities re false benefits, I must say that is very hard to obtain a genuine parking badge; and only those who have incurable ailments qualify for them. I should know - my wife has one and it is a godsend.

Ray

Comment is about The Non Badge Holder...'Blue Badge Limp' (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

clever boy David well done mate

Comment is about Grand Old Lady (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

Thank you Hannah. Appreciate that.

Comment is about Clocks (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks for the comment Jennifer, glad to hear you liked it!

Comment is about Jennifer Malden (poet profile)

Original item by Jennifer Malden

Hi Jon,
Many thanks for your comments. I remember when writing it that the structure slipped into place quite easily. That's a good reason, I think, for using one's own experiences as the foundation for engaging your audience.
All the best,
Chris

Comment is about 'Great White Heron' by Chris Hubbard is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Hanna,
Thank you for your generous comment. I think your advice to read the poem three times is wise and useful. Most creative efforts return a second or third viewing to an audience. There is usually plenty more to absorb.
Chris

Comment is about 'Great White Heron' by Chris Hubbard is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cheers Suki, David and Ray.

Thanks for your comments and feedback. It's always useful to see how people react to poems. This one took a while to get right, since its first incarnation which was rejected by a couple of magazines. I must say though, I was pleased I could manage a poem out of such a mundane situation.

Comment is about BISCUIT FACTORY (blog)

Original item by john short

Hi Ray and David,

Cheers so much for your feedback.

David, you aren't far off at all. I was by a field and a vivid scarlet chiffon scarf was floating around a pylon ~ an other worldly slow-step tango. The sky was an almost luminous charcoal, casting an eerie light on the straw field. I just let my imagination run with those images..

This is an old poem that I re-edited as a little bit of an exercise.

SS

Comment is about The Pylon And The Scarf (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Yes,

Looking forward to the old solar return of our dark twin. Time to reacquaint ourselves with Annunaki poetry and the like.

I'll get my coat.

Suki

Comment is about Breathe. (blog)

Original item by Javis T.

Hi John,

I really like this - especially some of the vivid descriptions around fate and boredom:

like vivid nomads finding pasture,
needs met, horizons ending here..

Poignant too.

Suki

Comment is about BISCUIT FACTORY (blog)

Original item by john short

Hi Ray,

This would work well on that old satirical show from the nineties, Spitting Image. They used musical parody/satire often. Shame it's not around anymore, this would work brilliantly with all the puppets and all..

Suki

Comment is about THE LAST NOEL (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ahh thanks Patrick that's super sweet of ya and drop by anytime u want to you hear!

Sure do appreciate it!!

Comment is about She's Trying (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Thanks for the prayers for my beloved Lily but I will pass that along to her father because I'm not married anymore and thank you for the comforting words expressed in your comment and maybe one day we will have ☮️ peace but I doubt that but in all due aspects thanks


Have a great day now you hear!

Comment is about My Forever Sleeping ? Angel Daughter Lily (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

prayers to Lily always in God's grace, and for you and your husband may he give you peace and comfort even though the reasons for all of this is completely out of reach.

in God's name we pray amen

Comment is about My Forever Sleeping ? Angel Daughter Lily (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

Live Long & Prosper

Comment is about IMG_2511.JPG (photo)

Original item by Neil Ormesher

A strong atmosphere in this poem.
Brilliant.

Hannah

Comment is about Starting Point (blog)

Original item by Sarah Mae

I love this poem Laura. I guessed it was about your father.
The strength and bravery when he was young, then the loss.
Brilliant piece.

Hannah

Comment is about Clocks (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Love this one.

Hannah

Comment is about Fly (blog)

Original item by Vanessa Grosz

A very special poem. The beauty and the danger.
Read it three times.

Hannah

Comment is about 'Great White Heron' by Chris Hubbard is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The act of purchasing any property, let alone one with an
important literary and community connection, without the
means in hand to achieve the objects of the purchase,
deserves close examination of the absence of any fully costed business plan and the steps taken nonetheless to
go ahead, with the result and uncertain future that is now reported.

Comment is about Dismay as trust is forced to sell John Clare's local in Helpston (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Droll, and neatly rhymed! I was
waiting for a hacking cough to play it out! :-)
I've been living and working in the East End and West End
of London since I was 16...an asthmatic child of another
time. I've spent hours patrolling its formerly foggy, traffic-laden streets
and even now in my 8th decade, live in its heart near the
busiest arterial roads into the city. Yet I feel no ill effects
and wonder if there is something akin to an inoculation
process that has a part to play to acclimatise the body
to its surroundings. Perhaps not being a smoker, a drug
abuser, or alcohol-addicted has helped - who knows?
But London wasn't known as The Smoke for nothing and
its concentration of traffic has always been a fact of life
from - and before - the time chimney emissions and manure on the roads gave way to petrol fumes.
I am aware that income from trumpeted policies provides
the mayor with useful encouragement in his role of
health crusader.

Comment is about THE LAST NOEL (blog)

Original item by ray pool

amazing I will only come back to read this like a hundred times...

Comment is about She's Trying (blog)

Original item by Chiari Warrior Soldier

I like how the transition switches between first-person, and third-person for you the writer, and the trapped bird. Very intriguing take on a subject some people take years to master. Good poem

Comment is about Little Black Sparrow (blog)

Original item by Vanessa Grosz

Perfect title for the perfect emotion. Great poem.

Comment is about Fuck (blog)

Original item by Lewis O'Brien

Hi Joe, have a weak spot for Limericks. Like no 2 especially!

Jennifer

Comment is about Four Limericks (blog)

Original item by Joe Williams

Hmm. For me that doesn't scan so well. Also I wanted it to chime with the last line of the first verse. Thanks though.

Comment is about Clocks (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I see.

I think I would have finished it......

A dandelion without a wife, perhaps?

Comment is about Clocks (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thanks Graham.

Ah, as I say, this is in a series of poems about my Dad (to be included in the next book), and this was written when he was still alive and my mother had just died, hence the last line. How does it sit now, knowing that?

Really?? Wow. Which ones? Seriously tough job that.

Comment is about Clocks (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor