an interesting poem Adam - for me it has hints of a Greek myth or a Far Eastern tale but then some lines feel more English folk, almost Hardyesque. It is only the 'lottery winner' reference which places it in the present. As #workinprogress I wonder where you might take this. I would be tempted to leave out that modern day reference to make it more timeless. Thanks for posting. Colin.

Comment is about Love's Creature (blog)

Original item by Adam Whitworth

your poems have the knack of sending me back to a different time and place in my life - it's quite uncanny.

Comment is about In Another Room (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Thank you for
Your lovely comment x

Comment is about Anon (blog)

Original item by Anna Marie Grinter

Thank you Martin, Stu, Col, David, Laura and Cynthia. Lovely to read such kind words from you all, it means a lot to me. Many of you were like 'mentors' to me earlier this year, guiding and encouraging me through my first months on WoL. You helped more than you might realise. Massive thanks to you all.

Paul

Comment is about 'A Tale of Two Sandals' by Paul Waring is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thankyou, Patricia
I appreciate your kind words.
Richard

Comment is about When I Die (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

Colin - a most interesting read from your "Welsh" arts input.
Wales has never lost its ability to produce great art and
artists, or, for that matter, politicians of stature. From a
population perspective, it punches above its weight
in these fields: witness the reputation of its singers for
example. It also has a front rank symphony orchestra in
the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with its roster of
international conductors.
But the fact remains that England, with its substantially
greater industrial origins and population, is able to offer
its own formidable range of the above in greater relative
numbers. London on any given day offers an unmatched
range of material across the artistic spectrum without
the need for "festivals"....international or otherwise.
London has risen from a Roman city (when the latter
didn't bother too much with what lay beyond Hadrian's
Wall) to achieve its centuries-old status as a world
centre of pretty much everything. Even country-
dweller William Wordsworth had to admit its splendour
when passing through (on a Dover-bound stage, I seem to recall).

Comment is about DON'T MENTION THE ENGLISH! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Gorgeous work,and in particular I love the line"Truelly as a spring tide rises highest.
A gentle poem.

Comment is about When I Die (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

Hello MC
Thankyou for your kind words which are much appreciated!
Richard

Comment is about When I Die (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

Keith - this seems relevant to my own post about the
English and I comment with that in mind.
It's not lost on me that in the recent EU referendum, the
decision to take back control of our freedoms, laws and
borders was led by the often maligned "English", with
many Scots and their overflow neighbours in Northern
Ireland, taking the EU path...again arguably influenced
by the historical past that saw Scotland seeking
support from a Europe dominated by France to gain the
throne here in the UK but failing to succeed.
But the world loves an underdog, doesn't it?...as long as it
doesn't have "English" attached.

Comment is about The Nation State (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Like the spring tide, uplifting! A caring consideration of
existence and co-existence.

Comment is about When I Die (blog)

Original item by Richard Hartley

hi all, apologies for the delay- work, a new baby and poetry don't mix. thank you for the kind comments!

Comment is about Harvesting (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Thanks for posting 'Midnight Train to Bulawayo' - I enjoyed it! Were you there in 1997? How long did you stay?
As you know, I grew up in NR/Zambia from 1955 - 75. Last time I was there was in 1971 - a weekend trip to Salisbury for shopping and a new hairdo from Kitwe, on the Copperbelt in Zambia. I spent between 68 - 74 travelling and working between UK and Zambia. Back to Africa every time I got too homesick and saved up for the next trip to UK.
My little brother went to St George's in Salisbury so we'd go down to take him out for a Sunday lunch at Meikles every so often but I only went to Bulawayo twice on the way to SA.
I have added another African poem from my 1968 notebook to my profile... yes, I still have it. Ha-Ha!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

David,
I`ve come back to this after realising how well the picture - with it`s contrast of size - reflects so well the actual poem.

The poem includes the `scars`...`hurt`...and `pain` of the Earth but the contrast indeed `perspectives` it into something `humbling` and yet `divine`

It is all done by distancing into perspective.

The picture reflects (rather than competes) with the poem
perfectly.

I think what I`m trying to `get at` is the way the poem tells that: in time (distance) suffering fades.

Comment is about From Afar (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

Anna, I was entranced by the profundity and sadness of this poem which is so well composed. The final stanza is a fitting closure which the reader will read again and again. Thank you indeed. Keith

Comment is about Anon (blog)

Original item by Anna Marie Grinter

Thank you for your feedback Patricia, I'm glad you like the darkness. It is a bit grim. ?

Comment is about Nightmare (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Karen thanks for the coment re Flight. Cheers Tommy. ;- )

Comment is about Karen Ankers (poet profile)

Original item by Karen Ankers

I love the darkness in this poem.Brilliant.

Comment is about Nightmare (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

thanks guys..... I'm happy you enjoyed it.....trying to write more hopefully you enjoy what I'm going to share in the near future.... every comment you guys give a bit of encouragement for me...thanks again Kim and Collin

Comment is about Stockholm Syndrome (blog)

Original item by kimafia Jones

Hi Colin - thank you for sharing your thoughts, I'm really interested to read your interpretation. For me, when I wrote this, the subject's mind is whirring away, turmoils of thought preventing them from interacting - which would be just like a printer whirring away. I can see the analogy!
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
Rich.

Comment is about Divided (blog)

Original item by Rich

Hi Keith - you're right, I wrote it with that intention; I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. I had not thought of spontaneity being a remedy - I nearly ended it with something along the lines if "I don't know why I bother" (ie socialising is too traumatic), but I felt this version works better.
Thanks for your kind words.
Rich.

Comment is about Divided (blog)

Original item by Rich

Thanks for the likes Karen and Col.!

HI David, Good point about Eton - ironically a symbol of British influence throughout the world - open to all comers.
Money of course facilitates benefaction. I'm glad you like this, I felt it may have resonated .

Ferris, I appreciate your interest - I wanted it stripped back almost matter of fact to emphasize the ease of access to a world of privilege. I'll check out the song ! I'm flattered that you think me consistent. That's nice, as I have a wide sphere of interests to write about.

Ray

Comment is about FAMILY PLANNING (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Lads! lads! lads!
It was a joke!...I was just having a traditional English whack at my Co- Britonians in Scotland, Wales, and (despite my name) Ireland (I missed out the Isle of Man somehow).

(so was the peein` thing)

Where`s your English modesty...(or English sense of humour.? ) ?

Comment is about DON'T MENTION THE ENGLISH! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

All comments gratefully received and read. Thanks to
everyone giving their views.
There's a readiness to attach "blame" to deeds past (or
even present) to the English identity instead of praise
where it's due, with a blithe tendency to forego the fact
that numerous other lands and their rulers have been
busy acquiring empires/colonies/wealth at the expense
of others just as busily if not as successfully as the
English....perhaps the more civilised "Romans" of recent
times for what has been given to the world in the wake
of the above. We cannot change the past but compared
with the contemporaries of those days, we have no more
to apologise for - and arguablya lot less! Witness how
many still use our language (thanks Keith) and the legacy
of residual "systems" (the law, medicine and railways
anyone?), and choose to come here to live if they can.
My ask is simple; why is the term "English" so
rarely heard in use now? Is there a policy in existence to
"absorb" the identity in the convenient contemporary (more globally acceptable?) appellation: "British"?
Colin - the Cornish have a connection with the Welsh,
and, of course, trade beyond our shores, and have felt
(with some historical justification) ignored by a distant
Parliament and its national considerations when its
people were in need of more direct and deserved help
and attention back in the day. As a Devonian (born),
I can't recall my fair county being so remorselessly discontented, but we had Drake and Gilbert, and a more
easy-going frame of mind to see us through the hard
times of the past. Moaning wasn't at the forefront of
our mental state...more milk and the hope of some honey perhaps? ? But we had pride in being English, I can
tell you that much.

Comment is about DON'T MENTION THE ENGLISH! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Great writing David.
Invoking the spirit of youth. Thanks.

Comment is about Daydreams and nows (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Wow, thanks Colin ?

Comment is about Daydreams and nows (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Colin and Harry, we may ask where is our culture? We have a language which is incomparable and I say this as someone who speaks Spanish every day, German and Arabic. We have a temprament which no other nation has, one of being calm in the face of adversity. Our writers and poets are world acclaimed as is our inventiveness. We do not need traditional clothing or emblems because we know who we are with supreme confidence. Thanks to all. Keith

Comment is about DON'T MENTION THE ENGLISH! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

lovely bit of writing David. The opening three lines drew me in and I was hooked and mesmerised in your 'diamond splashes' and 'ash-arches of sunlight' all the ways to the finishing line. Fine, fine, fine.

Col.

Comment is about Daydreams and nows (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

whether intentional or not this has the look and feel of a continuous printer - the words and data being fed onto those never ending boxes of side perforated paper. I think some of the words used here hint at this: response, actions, controlled, precision, calculated, status, deliver, target, crunch, analysis, capacity. As if the writer is sat in a busy office surrounded by all these computerised machines churning out data, invoices, facts and his own mind and way of thinking has become switched into the same mode of function. I think it's very clever, whether or not my interpretation is correct doesn't really matter. Thanks for posting Rich.
Colin.

Comment is about Divided (blog)

Original item by Rich

This poem captures time, wonderful and thought provoking.

Comment is about John Baylis Post's 'Track' wins Write Out Loud's Milestones competition (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Patricia! It has been awhile. Tying up loose ends. So glad to be back

Comment is about THE DANCE (blog)

Original item by lynn hahn

My sentiment exactly.

Comment is about Untitled (blog)

Original item by Anthony Coviello

Juxtaposition well done.

Comment is about From Afar (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

David, you portray well a planet, although far away and link it not only to our own terrestial home but the presence of the divine also. Well crafted. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about From Afar (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

Rich, this poem has a profound quality which speaks of the inner self and the turmoil experienced when inter acting with others. It does not address spontaneity which, although often reckless, can be a release from such a dilema. Well composed and a poem which many will relate to. Thank you. I enjoyed it enormously. Keith

Comment is about Divided (blog)

Original item by Rich

Dave,
I can feel the curdling of the curry in the gut in this.

(mind, if someone steps in to rescue you pray that it`s not the Chinese...they`re buying up everything.)

(great to see you face on the blogs again!)

Comment is about The Great Indian Takeaway (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

David,
The contrast between the splendor`of the beacon` and the glow of the `small blue orb` in that first stanza set up the smooth sort of decorum of the next descriptive three stanzas (how well your word `delicate` fits it)

The last stanza is `fresh` with the humility of a new way of looking, which is enhanced by the `shiver down my spine`

Your poem has certainly conveyed it quietly and beautifully.

Comment is about From Afar (blog)

Original item by David Lindsay

Hear,Hear, M.C.
The sooner we purify our pure English culture
from all the detritus of sporrans, leeks, and shillelaghs the
better.

the other day a foreign- looking guy alongside me in the gents smiled and asked: Eur-a-pean? (I nearly punched him
till I realised that he only was asking was I a peein` ?)

Comment is about DON'T MENTION THE ENGLISH! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Heartfelt indeed, MC. Mothercare's the solution. My only embarrassment is when I ask them if they have any maternity trousers with flies in.

Comment is about "WHAT A FUCKING DIET!" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

You can find many more of my poems here on Write Out Loud or by searching on line for DAVID SUBACCHI.

Comment is about SONNET FOR ROONEY (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

Thanks Keith ?

Comment is about Daydreams and nows (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Hello David, A beautiful portrayal of nostalgia with some interesting metaphors. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about Daydreams and nows (blog)

Original item by David T Jones

Done Us Proud

Ugly bug ball not at all!
opening vocal cords to uplifting poetry
turning up volume came the applause

Cheering Oldknow crowd while clapping nonstop
they shouted and lifted their glasses
Stockport you have done us proud!

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Wonderful winning poems, big congratulations all! So happy to be appearing alongside you in the anthology as a shorlistee ? xx

Comment is about John Baylis Post's 'Track' wins Write Out Loud's Milestones competition (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

MC. Thank you for this as it is so very true. From experience to be proud of being an English person can even be attributed to being an extremist or a fascist. I find this strange. I am an Englishman and what a gift it is to be as such. Keith

Comment is about DON'T MENTION THE ENGLISH! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Heartfelt...well read instead of well fed perhaps?!
"If excess weight you hope to avoid
A guaranteed way is an over-active thyroid!
But - if medical means fail to impress...
Be cruel to be kind and start eating less!"

Comment is about "WHAT A FUCKING DIET!" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well done John Baylis and Martha Blue, Stephen Devereux and Caroline Gill. Lovely stuff! : )

Comment is about John Baylis Post's 'Track' wins Write Out Loud's Milestones competition (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

yes Ray, the second paragraph is all true apart from the family feud. Would make a good spoof comedy or sitcom though don't you think? I was imagining the real Lombardo brothers, Victor and Lebert, chasing our impostor Tony Smith around the country from venue to venue. But as you suggest, I'll keep taking the pills. But maybe it's the pills that are causing these delusions...

Comment is about AN EVENING OUT IN THE 70s (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I know that man.

Comment is about There was once a man. (blog)

Original item by G.N.D.

Karen, you are a gem..WoL would be bereft without you.

Rachel

Comment is about Unbound (blog)

Original item by Karen Ankers

This sounds real - I hope it's not.

Comment is about Sleeping bag (blog)

Original item by Andy Smyth