yeah i mean this is excellent, i spent a lot of my youth on the various moors of yorkshire and this is wonderfully evocative and beautifully written.

colour me impressed.

Comment is about A Northern Love Song (blog)

Original item by Jane C. Steele

First off Jan i'm delighted that you picked up on my poem The Autobiographies of the Famous, thank you for that. I was impressed with this work for its very distinct feel for rhythm and form. As Graham says the repetition of lands works so well. It also betokens a love of place which gives strength to the concept - there is a wildness brought to mind.

Welcome on site.

Ray

Comment is about A Northern Love Song (blog)

Original item by Jane C. Steele

lovely nostalgia martin, somehow missed by me in my first sweep of what i had missed in the last couple of weeks

Comment is about imagination (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks to Ray, Rachel and Colin for commenting and David and Micheala for liking this. I wasn't sure to begin with whether this was tad to boyish, but perhaps not. But this takes me back to my childhood and realising I had a rich sense of imagination even then. I remember on at least one occasion playing quite happily when dinner was announced breaking into my small world. yet there is still a part of me that will forever be a child I am pleased to say even if I haven't retained much of the innocence.
cheers
Martin

Comment is about imagination (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

I love the analogy of the autobiography and a corpse. The contents being consumed by various parties.
I enjoyed this.

Comment is about THE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES OF THE FAMOUS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

OK MC, if we look at the Oxford English dictionary definition of 'twerp' we have a late 19th century noun which means "a silly, weak-minded, or annoying person". Rees-Mogg may not be thick, but in my opinion, he meets the annoying criterion in a late 19th century sense (which, incidentally, is where he belongs). Gove, on the other hand, could be described with a far greater set of adjectives, some of which I would never use in polite company and so shall resist the urge to repeat here.

P.S. This difference of opinion between you and I, will, I hope, not affect our poetic friendship ... : )

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The words had - and have - their power in context with
the theme of those fleeing from tyranny to freedom.
The reality is that the world is so different from the age
in which these lines were written and limitations were
always possible with the passing of time and successive
tides of humanity. Good intentions already own a
reputation as the paving stones of the road to hell...and
when America now experiences the effects of being
attacked from within - something to which she has
never been subjected since the days of war with the
British and her own civil war - she can be forgiven if
she looks at how she defends herself from the actions of
those who would claim to be heading to her shores for
the "right" reasons.
Previously, those would be from particular parts of the
globe...Russia and Europe with its anti-Jewish pogroms
are at the forefront in past history - but subject to
limitations imposed by the cost and other difficulties
involved in travelling the distance then. Now, ease
of travel and open border strategies, combined with
unending conflicts in the Middle-East, have resulted
in a different and dangerous predicament for those
responsible for keeping America safe and yet still
remaining a haven for the genuine refugee with something to offer - and not take or destroy.
Adaptability is nature's key to success. America
must adapt accordingly and we should understand
how and why that needs to be done.

Comment is about Plan to curb 'huddled masses' turns spotlight on Statue of Liberty poem (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The theme is entirely relevant to this modern "celebrity conscious" world.
Having grown up through the fifties and early sixties, I
was used to autobiographies written by those much older
than today's crop. These seem to think they have
something to tell us from their 20s and the short thereafter.
It's the money-making opportunism that marks today's
"yoof" fixated disposable society that I find easy to disregard.

Comment is about THE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES OF THE FAMOUS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I enjoyed the theme and the style...reminding me of the
Manley-Hopkins approach to the land. As a disciplie of
rhythm and verse I appreciate the variations that can
be employed but sometimes wonder why accasional
lapses in rhyme occur when they don't seem necessary.
That said, this is a quality introduction to this writer's
work and "feeling" for the subject. More please.

Comment is about A Northern Love Song (blog)

Original item by Jane C. Steele

Colin - you're quite right, including your closing comment
that R-M still holds the parliamentary record (recent BBC
TV news text item).
JH - you may have your views au contraire with those of R-M that you list, but these too are worthy of challenge
on various grounds. R-M may be "old school" but progress
isn't necessarily best. Agree or disagree with his own
views, they are always considered, lucid and literate -
qualities increasingly absent in public date and in today's
computer-created chat forums. Stupid, he is not.

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Harry - always pleasing to know a post can bring
pleasure. Like another poem of mine (The Galmpton Robin)
it came to me almost "as is" - as if it was waiting for the
time and place...know what I mean?

Comment is about YESTERDAY ONCE MORE - a re-post for the summer hols! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I changed the last stanza because the direction of the poem changed. I'm not describing the moors in a visual sense any more - but in a more abstract way. I wanted the cadence of the poem to alter to reflect this.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Jx

Comment is about A Northern Love Song (blog)

Original item by Jane C. Steele

This is a very sound opener Jane.
I like the quadruple repetition of lands and wonder why you abandon it in the last verse.
Look forward to reading some more.

Comment is about A Northern Love Song (blog)

Original item by Jane C. Steele

Stu,
I like the way you have kept in charge of the words in this account of an observed regret (which may be more common than usual these days)

I particularly liked the `inside` account of the act of coitus
with the reality of the `womb` and `blood`set against the `stars`

When you think of the factual miracle which `comes` of
the `tender` `crash` in there your word `elixir` couldn`t
be bettered.

Comment is about there is an ocean behind your eyes (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

quietly devastating

Comment is about How's your game? (blog)

Original item by nunya

An excellent, sparse account of what we all feel at times.

Could be read as an account of the onset of dementia.

(but then - maybe - the title might not fit...or would it?

Comment is about How's your game? (blog)

Original item by nunya

M.C.
Charming

Comment is about YESTERDAY ONCE MORE - a re-post for the summer hols! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

John,
If you woke up in the morning and found one of those things staring up at you...you`d be terrified....Don`t do It!!

Comment is about LIPOSUCTION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

this is excellent. three lines, a world of imagery and regret. beautiful. proper poetry. i am impressed.

Comment is about Drown the brakes (blog)

Original item by Chunks and Marrow

i love the imagery of a book spilling out blood and organs, secrets held within. brilliant.

Comment is about THE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES OF THE FAMOUS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

brilliant chris. i love the beautiful writing and the sense of dread throughout, but the hope is what brought me back to the poem. lovely stuff.

Comment is about Passing (blog)

Original item by Chris Armstrong

Good luck with the show, Steve!

Comment is about Spoken word at Edinburgh Fringe, from Attila the Stockbroker to Carol Ann Duffy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

hi cynthia
thanks for letting me know, we were indeed on our way to sale in august so you have saved us a trip/embarassment!
hope you are well, i will see you when we next get a chance to come to sale (it is difficult with emmas work unfortunately)
stu

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

You are right.The first part under a quotation mark is the girl's words.He was reminding himself what she used to say.
Thank you!

Comment is about Sorrowfully (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

lovely romantic build up to a brilliant and beautiful ending Lynn.Well done you!

Thanks again and so much for all your recent support.



Rose ?

Comment is about Your Voice (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I love this, Cynthia, special and inspiring, all the better for being true.

Comment is about Three Kids Having Snacks (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

HI David . I think the irony is me doing the accent! As far as I know there is no specific humorous name for this moment but nihilism might be its description. If that is funny then I am guilty of it. There is irony in the agoraphobia as he is deprived perhaps of wider news.
Thanks for commenting.

Thanks Martin. Orson Welles another voice I wish I could do properly! I think Simon will have taken precautions ...

Rachel , i'm sure you do what is right for you with or without a major threat . Danger does quicken the senses though and rightly so!

Suki, blimey, I am well behind already, don't confuse me!
Is God on the mobile? I don't think so.

Nice idea Col ! My wife is reading Trouble with Lichen at the moment funnily enough. I do like a drop of Sci fi to season up our daily diet.

Love to all you out there. Ray

Comment is about TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Moggism/Twerpism:
• repeal of same sex marriage
• repeal of the Human Rights Act
• pro zero hours contracts
• climate change denier
• pro Brexit
• pro bedroom tax
• pro Trump
• pro death penalty
• compulsory teaching of Latin in schools

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

MC - I'm afraid Rees-Mogg's longest word record (floccinaucinihilipilification) was just recently beaten by a 16yr old during a Youth Select Committee inquiry. His word: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis. As this is currently the longest word in the OED it looks likely he will never be beaten! However, the YSC is not a parliamentary procedure so not officially recorded in Hansard. Turns out Rees-Mog's record may yet be safe. Another twinkle in his eye maybe.

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

MC. Thank you for these words of insight which do bring hope despite any sense of disillusionment. Thanks Keith

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

While enjoying JH's comments in poetic form here - and
whilst I can accept the duplicity politics can sometimes
see in its ranks (no names, no packdrill), I for one would
hesitate to rank Jacob Rees-Mogg as a "gormless twerp".
His manner is invariably careful and considered. and his
views clear and comprehensive. I was unaware until
very recently that Hansard acknowledges him as the
holder of the record for the longest word used in
parliamentary debate(s) - but that doesn't surprise
me. He would certainly have had a twinkle in his eye
when uttering it!

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I think I 'get it', I think I do. There is a change of 'voice', isn't there, from one to the other? I really like the line 'As love must not be a typhoon'.

Comment is about Sorrowfully (blog)

Original item by Alem Hailu G/Kristos

You get from me, Cynthia, congratulations but no surprise. You are a superb poet, wonderful reader-out-loud of your work and a generous supporter of others. A worthy winner this, with such superb images and appeals to the olfactory and the tactile senses. Wow!

Comment is about 'The Farmer's Wife' by Cynthia Buell Thomas is Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

In contemplation of the world,
With all the change and all the doubt,
I reminisced on times gone by
And went on mental walkabout.

I pondered on the 'common twerp',
Who seem these days so awfully rare;
One used to see them all the time,
In search of misplaced savoir faire.

In past times with their witless ilk,
The 'nitwit', 'barmcake' and the 'fool',
You'd see these chaps make endless gaffes,
And be the butt of ridicule.

But wait a mo', who are those boobs
Appearing on my old TV?
It’s Micky Gove and Jack Rees-Mogg;
A brace of gormless 'twerps' I see.

Thank goodness that we have 'The House';
A place of refuge for that group,
Where 'twerps' and 'fatheads' congregate,
With other types of 'nincompoop'.

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

What goes around...a satisfying precis of one's passing
years that takes us along for the trip to the final
self-awareness that life had and still has much to offer.

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

JC - "a man's gotta know his limitations".
In any event, this was intended, with others, to be set
against a musical setting - and Pete Dymond, with his
experience of doing song demos for me in the past, was
the man for recording the project that I had conceived
for CD as "Poetry To Please".
Ray - simplicity solves so much in life, not least when
it serves to remind us of what once was and can no longer
be. A top example is AE Houseman's "Blue Remembered
Hills".

Comment is about YESTERDAY ONCE MORE - a re-post for the summer hols! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Nigel, thank you so much: you are a scholar and a gentleman! (don't know who coined that phrase, but I love it!) D x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Stuart, there is no Sale poetry evening in August; it is a 'holiday' month for the MC's. For us all. At least, that's what I understand. Just in case you were planning to join us again, please double check.

And thanks for your supportive comments, always.

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I'm on line for just a few minutes, Jane, but wanted to thank you for your comment on 'The Farmer's Wife'. Welcome to WOL. I know you will enjoy the experience.

I note that we have a similar background (not archaeology, mind you, except through books and TV features on my part). I smiled when I read you have also been in a 'craft' business. It takes a certain kind of heart and mind and patience to 'make things'. But the result is so personally uplifting. ''I made this!'' I would still like to try pottery some day - producing something functional, yet lovely to look at, or to hold. I like the idea of something in the head flowing through the fingers. Which, really, is a lot like writing, isn't it?

You might enjoy my poem, 'The Question' - a few weeks back - with the Yorkshire connection.

Comment is about Jane C. Steele (poet profile)

Original item by Jane C. Steele

Going, Going is actually a mildly eugenic poem, lamenting the loss of Old England to rapacious 'cut price crowds'.

Comment is about Michael Gove quotes Larkin's lament for England in speech on environment (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Beautiful imagery Suki. Like the subconscious where dreams become reality to the individual - yours is more than adequate for the job in hand. At one time during meditation I experienced the third eye (apparently under the control of the pineal gland) and the colours were indescribably beautiful .

Ray

Comment is about The Undersea River (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Hi Dorinda

I think a new list is coming out and your name has been added - - - there will be twelve poets on the open mic night
in Marple instead of ten but to confirm this is the e-mail address!

a.barlow@matthewjamespublishing.com

Nigel x

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Lovely postcard of nostalgia, MC. Made more effective by its simplicity. We're recited too. (But why not do the audio yourself?)

Comment is about YESTERDAY ONCE MORE - a re-post for the summer hols! (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Colin, Thank you. The pasture is still there and quite untouched. Keith

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Of course, this is only one aspect of my experience (as with any poem), but it is one that was an un-looked for pleasant surprise and one that has really stayed with me. Hope all goes well for your sister.

Comment is about Cancer (blog)

Original item by Hazel ettridge

love it - the picture is a take on the original I believe?

Comment is about The Poetic Death (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

Brilliant - made me think also of Wyndham's Day of the Triffids in which only a few survived the blindness. I could see Talf the Teeth playing the part of Arthur Wellesley the agoraphobic.

cheers, Col.

Comment is about TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED (blog)

Original item by ray pool

following Rachel and Ray - that innocence lost, your childhood has been served. If only we could all retain some semblance of wide-eyed wonder without getting caught up in the shitstorm of adulthood.

very much enjoyed this Martin.

Col.

Comment is about imagination (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

I love you just the way you are xx

Comment is about letters III (07/19/2017) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

Aitchoo!! 'tis the season to be sneezin'.

Love that opening line Keith and the rest just follows on nice and gentle.

Thanks, Colin.

Comment is about Human Nature (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries