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

Thanks Col. I take it the Al Pierson bit was true though? Keep taking the pills and/or back to the hills. I forgive but I don't forget(only short term stuff). !

Ray

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

Original item by ray pool

most definitely a great piece of advice Wendy as Rose says-(typo R.C.!) Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about Something Wrong (blog)

Original item by Wendy Higson

Spoof knowledge Ray. I own up. I made the Tony 'Lombardo' Smith bit up. Hope you can forgive me? ?

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

Original item by ray pool

Ah thanks everyone, a small and select audience - the doors are locked and no escape!

David What a programme that was. Just to be on there was to be reviled . How society has changed. Mind you, with the likes of Ant and Dec nothing does change I reckon.

Rachel, I am intrigued. I know Dangerfield was in Caddy Shack as an unwelcome golf member; your follow up does have me interested... but don't worry if it's too much trouble. He epitomized Jewish humour as did Jackie Mason,

Cheers Col. You amaze me with your knowledge - I have
The Observers Book of big bands and Lombardo is in there, extant in the 20s but no mention of follow ups. Apparently it was a first rate band as Louis Armstrong was impressed with it in Chicago. My name was conceived out of thin air to give a Latin flavour to the north. I am sadly without ammo for further research, but bow to your own unearthings!

Laura, I quite take your point. Smashing wonderful super lovely etc. This entrenched anti feminine attitude as personified by Andy Capp may have been just the self defensiveness of men for their ineptitude in the face of the real strength and flexibility of women. Not funny anyway.

Mark: The master of that genre was Les Dawson, a funny man and certainly no woman hater as he was happily married twice. A gentleman too and bought musos a drink every time. A salient point about Loose Men. Would it stand up? Would only work with comics I suppose.

Thanks Patricia for your like too!


Love to all Ray

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

Original item by ray pool

Wish there were more of this quality around. A delight.

Comment is about Cottage Garden (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

I'm right back with those comedians on the TV in those days. Now, the mother-in-law jest is nowhere to be
heard and I'm still waiting for a TV show called "Loose Men"! ?

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

Original item by ray pool

Love this. Sadness expressed in such carefully chosen detail.

Comment is about Flight (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I occasionally watch re-runs of Bullseye. Reminds me of how and why I became a feminist!

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

Original item by ray pool

great title Karen.

poem stands up well too.

good write x

Comment is about I Was Born With Too Many Echoes (blog)

Original item by Karen Ankers

the splitting of the last two lines away from the rest of the piece is masterful.

excellent write x

Comment is about Siren (blog)

Original item by Wonderer

Thank you for your comment David. Hope your having a perfect day

Comment is about Away from the sun (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

Exquisite. Thank you. Keith

Comment is about Cottage Garden (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Albert, thank you for this poem which caught my attention and brought to mind the person of Stephen Wiltshire. His childhood was highly problematic but now a famous world renowned artist. Keith

Comment is about The Boy Who Seldom Speaks (blog)

Original item by Albert Van Skywalker

Many thanks Ray and David

Comment is about Surprise (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

an oldie but goodie Karen. Great title.

Comment is about I Was Born With Too Many Echoes (blog)

Original item by Karen Ankers

I just thought this was beautiful Desmond, thank you for posting, you've set my day up perfectly. David

Comment is about Away from the sun (blog)

Original item by DESMOND CHILDS

I seem to be following Keith's trail of comments and agreeing with him. Thought provoking indeed. Thanks for posting. Colin.

Comment is about Siren (blog)

Original item by Wonderer

oh this made me smile Ray - and David's comment too. You know this still goes on here in my local Welsh valleys workingmen's club. I kid you not. Time stands still. For Tony Lombardo read Dai the Disco. But they were good times see, when the pit was open, proper community then.

Rumour has it there has always been family controversy over the rights to Guy Lombardo's legacy. Shortly after suffering a fatal heart attack on bonfire night 1977 'Victor Lombardo took over the band briefly but could not maintain it. When Lebert Lombardo severed his ties in 1979 the group dissolved.The orchestra was later revived in 1989 by Al Pierson, playing a mix of nostalgic tunes and modern arrangements.'

Meanwhile in the UK, Tony Smith, illegitimate third son of Guy, fathered during a discreet liaison with a waitress in Blackpool whilst on tour in the late 40's, took the name Lombardo and formed his very own Dance Machine band playing clubs and mid-sized venues up and down the country. Victor and Lebert refused to acknowledge him. The rest as they say, is history. Maybe you can finish Tony Lombardo's story for us Ray?

C?L

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

Original item by ray pool

I'm probably wrong but, for me, this screams Rodney Dangerfield. I could tell a story about a dear elderly gentleman who once took my part and who had the same big eyes as his, but it requires much too much typing--let me know if you're interested, though.

Rachel

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

Original item by ray pool

Really, Martin and David, you'll have to pardon me. I've been so preoccupied with work, and so forth, that I haven't had the presence of mind to comment.

I'm not sure that it matters, but this is about agendas and how they are somehow pressed upon us without our express permission, and much outside of our personal choice--circumstance is much a matter of chance and should never be judged by an outsider who lacks a full understanding.


Anyhow, thanks for reading.

Rachel

Comment is about black label (blog)

Original item by nunya

I can't believe I missed this!
The first four lines are very well written, the best four for me.
As a whole I get it and there are some great words and ideas in the second half.

Wish you posted more often.

Keep writing Alexandra

Comment is about Fingernails (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Alexandra, original, creative and alluring are the words that come to mind with mysterious thrown in for good measure. I had to read it several times and think I shall do so again. Thank you for this. Keith

Comment is about Fingernails (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Aishah, Poignant indeed. The last two lines are very thought provoking for us all. Thank you for this. Keith

Comment is about Siren (blog)

Original item by Wonderer

Thanks Ray. But the audio doesn't seem to be flowing for me. It keeps skipping back to the beginning, but curiously, at different points. Rather like there's a scratch on the record.

Comment is about WIDENING THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

So well cut like a Savile row suit showing the form so perfectly. Faultless and seemingly effortless Tom. All your work promises trips to unreachable places.

Ray

Comment is about Harvesting (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Life is full of surprises Laura, and death is one of them . Between the two we're cornered it seems to me. This really packs a lovely punch and shows your scope for deep feeling! Nice stuff. Ray

Comment is about Surprise (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Bloody priceless - should go in the northern hall of fame. It's quite an art getting this sort of flow on the page - unless of course you put it under the tap. Best done, mate.
Enjoyed it a lot!

Ray

Comment is about WIDENING THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hey, there! Thank you for your comment on my profile. Working on my pieces each time. Thanks again! :)

Comment is about Chakraj (poet profile)

Original item by Chakraj

Really enjoyed this, efficient and effective! Thanks. ?

Comment is about Falling Asleep on the Late Train (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

Thanks both.

Colin - I had to look up Lladro. Reminds me of my Nan, that sort of stuff. Awwr, well I hope your Mum has a long time in front of her yet. Yes, the swipes. They've started making several appearances now. I have also put out some bird food ?

Thanks Paul x

Comment is about Surprise (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Very moving, Keith.

Comment is about Refugees (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Very atmospheric and a good choice for Poem of the Week.

Comment is about A Tale of Two Sandals (blog)

Original item by Paul Waring

Hi Keith Glad you liked the Gaudi poem. Got another one coming up soon in London Grip. Cheers David

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Hi Paul Glad you liked the Gaudi poem. Got another one coming up soon in London Grip. Cheers David

Comment is about Paul Waring (poet profile)

Original item by Paul Waring

There's no question that I wear the trousers in this house, Keith. And I've Our Gert's permission to say so.

Comment is about WIDENING THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hello John, a very humourous poem which easily draws a smile, however, I do think you ought assert your independence before she pulls the plug on the computer. Thanks again. Keith

Comment is about WIDENING THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (blog)

Original item by John Coopey