For those who have faced this situation these lines will
chime a mournful note, yet the content is also life-affirming
in its insistence on completing - with consideration and care - the closure of a life.

Comment is about 'All day we packed boxes. We read birth and death certificates' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I agree with Colin about the line in brackets but its stunningly beautiful.

Comment is about Blackberry Bushes at a Funeral (blog)

Original item by Cait Abbott

Thank you, Harry. It's interesting to look back at a piece a few years on, and re-appraise it (or hear the appraisal of others). This isn't a piece I've done 'live' – other pieces took precedence – but maybe I should change that.

all the best

Steve

Comment is about last out of Pandora's box (and last to die) (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

'I picked the blackberries by your grave, the crumble will be delicious' is a standout line - it begs to be developed rather than used as a throwaway comment in brackets at the end.

A great title too. Your writing Cait hints at a maturity that needs further developing. I hope you're studying English lit?

Col.

Comment is about Blackberry Bushes at a Funeral (blog)

Original item by Cait Abbott

I'll just re-post my initial comments when it first appeared on the blog section.............

Well I can't cut and paste the whole bloody lot can I?

These are just superb!...........

"you became noises

like the chirrsome sigh of the penultimate step

the crushed leather wheeze of the corner chair

a soft tinkling as soot fell down the chimney

disturbed by a nesting swallow, perhaps a swift

could it have been a crow?

a flicker of light that spat floaters across my vision

......... Definitely one of your finest Stu!

Great work!

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thank you patrick. same to you!

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yes.

Comment is about The times we could've had (blog)

Original item by Destiny Walden

Damn. Right on it. Thank you.

Comment is about Goodbye (blog)

Original item by Jaimee Jean

congrats and well deserved I love reading your work.

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Just calling it like it is, MC.

Comment is about OPEN MICS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Colin. The garden is old, the poem is new.

Comment is about Grow, Green Garden (blog)

Original item by David Blake

great piece Ian and so cleverly rounded off

Comment is about The Devil Don't Own Me (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

cheers guys! going to give this one its live debut in a couple of weeks in liverpool. lovely to be chosen again, oh what it does to ones self-esteem to be showered with lovely praise

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ah...is this a case of fact being stranger than fiction?

Comment is about OPEN MICS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Connor,
I can only agree with Colin's comments. As a (not very young) lady your poem's subject is not one I am familiar with, but your poetry is good and does make an entertaining read.

Comment is about I Have A Fetish For Escapism (blog)

Original item by Connor Lannes

I just responded in full and lost the internet and the comment too! Here goes with fingers crossed.

As an aside to this I was born just before an air raid on Turnham Green which caused a lot of damage and noise. I often wonder how that affected me at three weeks old.

Thanks Stu. Glad you liked this - I was stuck on the idea of a cockpit and the views through glass. Yes apparently the first raids were in retaliation of our own heavy bombing.

Thanks Col. I have added four lines as suggested, I think that does close the poem better perhaps!

David, I think the metaphor is right as you say about the spy glass, and it brought to mind too the cockpit experience. Maps can bring up the past and I am a voyeur. Britain reconstructed quite late after the war and there was a sense of desolation and dereliction . Just what I enjoyed as a boy! You certainly have brought out some salient points about history. Particularly the conception of the Empire was endemic in the 50s on maps. I will try a poem about Dresden if I can do it justice. Thanks for your like Philip!
Much appreciated. Love all around. Ray

Comment is about 1930's STREET MAP OF LONDON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Brilliant !

Comment is about The Devil Don't Own Me (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for your kind comments on Today's News Game Misha'yel - I'm really pleased that you liked it and took the time to comment
Ian

Comment is about Misha'yel (poet profile)

Original item by Misha'yel

A Bat Making Adventure

Portia the Pear, Butterfly
and once shy Robin
bring all their friends
sparkling stars sticky glue
bat making adventure with
pears, robins to build
once assembled so carefully
names to write before
hanging on spooky tree!

Everyone enjoyed the book launch on Saturday
well done Nicola

Comment is about Write Out Loud at Stockport art gallery tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks all for commenting.

Harry - that was a deliberate choice to keep it focussed on the most offensive part of his remarks.

So you're a pro-lifer? We will always disagree on that.

Interesting research there David. Indeed.

Cheers all.

Comment is about Jacob's Ladder (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I ? my smartphone ?

Comment is about The Mobile (blog)

Original item by Jon Baker

another terrific poem Ray although I was hoping for a reprise of the Luftwaffe nursery rhyme at the end. Maybe a rejig of the last two verses? Whatever, it's good as always. All the best, Col.

Comment is about 1930's STREET MAP OF LONDON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

this will go down a treat at the Christmas Poems and Pints David. Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

Comment is about Cinderella (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

well read and a good idea for a poem.

Comment is about You're Standing on the Edge of a Cliff: (spoken word) (blog)

Original item by invisible

Thanks, Colin and Ferris.

I would like to say that I wouldn't have continued writing in such a public forum had it not been for such a welcoming and diverse and open-minded community. Though I haven't been able to read and comment as much as I would like as of late, I continue to cherish the nature of the forum and the acquaintances I've found since my first post. It is really a joy to slowly get to know the pieces of your personalities that you've shown.

Rachel

Comment is about scourge (blog)

Original item by nunya

i like this. i am 32 and have owned one mobile in my life, a nokia 3210 which is sat on the mantelpiece having last been charged a few months ago so that i could play snake. vastly over-rated piece of technology, designed to make us feel connected while simultaneously dividing us as people.

Comment is about The Mobile (blog)

Original item by Jon Baker

lovely ray. great language throughout and a real sense of sorrow throughout. i shudder to think what damage was done to those men, quite apart from the physical.

Comment is about 1930's STREET MAP OF LONDON (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Refreshing to find some lighthearted stuff with appealing
rhythm and rhyme. Or - to put it this way:
How nice to find a bit of fun
About our Cinderella.
She surely was a deserving one
In her hope for a princely fella,
She needed all the help she got
And from what we readers know
That was more than quite a lot
But it only goes to show...
Your timing has to be just right
With both eyes on the clock,
Making sure to vanish out of sight
At full speed round the block!
Leaving behind a one-off shoe
Clearly meant for a prince to pursue.

Comment is about Cinderella (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

Thanks for the comments. Its good to know someone has seen and liked it.

Comment is about Moondark (blog)

Original item by Freda Davis

a worthy WoL winner any day of the week. Well done Stu.

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Martin, Thank you for this comment. I find music is often the antidote to trubulation. Thank you again. Keith

Comment is about The Inner Sanctum (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Much to agree with in this!
Useful for keeping track of a taxi, but otherwise I take the
view that a mobile phone is merely a modern imposition of ear-ache.

Comment is about The Mobile (blog)

Original item by Jon Baker

There are so many layers of thought in this that it is difficult to separate the skeins - you need to enter slowly and work through the vivid dreamlike quality of the piece.
Wonderful work as ever Stu. I enjoyed your page here and what it reveals! I'm so glad you won POTW. It makes complete sense.

Ray

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you all so much for your kind commments it truly means the world. And thank you all for recognizing my work, it's very nice to see others appreciate your art.

Thank you,
Adrian

Comment is about 'Transient Beauty' by Adrian Metcalf is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This sounds like wuite an honest piece. I can relate to the anxieties reflected here but find myself quickly running out of words, unlike yourself. This is a fabulous piece Keith. I particularly love the reference to orchestras and symphonies.
Nice one

Comment is about The Inner Sanctum (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

With out a doubt this richly deserves to be POTW it is an absolute cracker. I agree whole heartedly you are going from strength to strength. Keep them coming buddy

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for liking this David and Col.

Comment is about THOUGHTFORMS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Well crafted poetry...

Comment is about though we kneel before you like a child (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Beautifully crafted. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about Why I Hate Moths (blog)

Original item by Lewis O'Brien

Good Morning Lewis, Your words are those which I can easily relate to. Well said. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about People Don't Like Me, Then They Do; Or They Don't (blog)

Original item by Lewis O'Brien

A fantastic piece of work as always.
Congratulations.

Comment is about 'Behind the shadows' by Stuart Buck is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you Keith for your comments.
Much appreciated.

Comment is about Possessed (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Hello Desmond, Thank you for this poem which is so beautifully crafted, rich in its profundity and drawn from a well of experience. Keith

Comment is about Possessed (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Kevin, Thanks for this comment. You are very close in your assessment. You are highly preceptive. Keith

Comment is about The Morass (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

I can smell the soil between the words and your finger nails David. All good stuff. Does the Newish tag refer to the poem or the garden or both? All the best, Colin.

Comment is about Grow, Green Garden (blog)

Original item by David Blake

I very much enjoyed this Freda. Great title too. Thanks for posting. Colin.

Comment is about Moondark (blog)

Original item by Freda Davis

Love listening to the audio while I'm out walking...soothing, thoughtful.. more would be welcome Rich

Comment is about Rich (poet profile)

Original item by Rich

I've read this a few times now, and on the first couple of reads i thought you were actually describing mules. Now I'm not too sure. Could it be human beasts of burden, or have i seen something that wasn't there.

Comment is about The Morass (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Oh my gosh, Ray, thanks for the laugh.

I'll admit that I once had a short-lived run-in with organized religion. I was raised in an irreligious household (thankfully) and somehow got the idea that I could benefit spiritually from their sense of community, and even shared some (only some, and not even the top three) of their beliefs. But, I found that, ultimately, I couldn't reconcile my personal beliefs with theirs and felt I would eventually only become another practicer of their politics (of which there was plenty) if I were to continue voluntarily subjecting my psyche to their insidious coaxing. Though I have no desire to risk subverting another person's beliefs in favor of my own from within their own house, I also have no desire to undergo the awkward assimilation fitting in would require should I stay.

Thanks Ray,

Rachel


PS
I wish I could believe that women could do it better--though, I suspect that, ultimately, there would only be a "difference" rather than an "improvement".

Comment is about scourge (blog)

Original item by nunya

Lovely lines - 'fruitless the labour of conformity' and 'the wilderness where no purpose dwells' I like sound of that wilderness

Comment is about Reason (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries