Packed with image, emotion and character. Well written, Paul.

Comment is about Light & Shade (blog)

Original item by Paul Booth

I certainly enjoy the warmth of your word-collaboration. ?

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Good evening, Ray and Suki. I'm not sure now what made me do it, but I changed the title of this one last evening from "slip" to "lag". Considering what I was thinking about and the frame of mind I was in when I wrote it, I realize now that my decision was one that could've been made only by an American in a British forum.

Anyhow, I changed it back and would be interested to find if it changes the way the piece is perceived. But, in my opinion, the two of you couldn't be wrong either way.

Thanks a bunch, fellas..see ya' around.

elP

Comment is about slip (blog)

Original item by nunya

love it Michalela and I'm amazed at the similarities of this poem and the one I've just posted.

You won't sue me for plagiarism will you?

?


Rose ?

Comment is about Mind Murmur (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

Betjeman updated! And I'm sure Sir John would wholly
approve of this strand of London life interwoven with
the intricate changing fabric of this great city. I was
taken back to my early working days in the docklands of 1960s East London: getting a suit made in a surviving
tailor shop (windows barred, its few occupants hunched
over their workbenches) holding out alone among the remaining ruins of post-war Cable Street. I heard
later they had moved to North London: no surprise
there. Then there was Gottleibs selling Guards and Rael-
Brook to appreciative customers in their shop in Bethnal Green Road just west of Cambridge Heath Road E2 - and
just down the road from - and convenient to - the local nick. One family rep. with his suitcase of samples - reputedly haunts the old New Scotland Yard where he used to be a regular well-liked visitor seeking orders
from a reliable "captive" customer base.
A treasury of tales from the East End of yesteryear -
up and away when the opportunity came.

Comment is about TROUBLE IN METROLAND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Laura,

Hope you're well.

Nice collaborative poem, then!

This would also work well as a song - quite lyrical..

Suki

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Ray,

I think this is brilliant.

If this did come out as a stream, like David Suggests, I envy you. So effortless in your evocation of both the scene, the man, and his assessment of his own history - which might soon become history. Time moves on, but to what:

A tsunami after the waves goodbye..

Perfect reading too..

Suki

Comment is about TROUBLE IN METROLAND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

This reminds me a little of Theresa May when she visited Grenfell..

Who are the lags? The real ones..

Suki

Comment is about slip (blog)

Original item by nunya

As yet I have not received my copy of ¨Then Come Back ¨but I look forward to reading more of Neruda´s work. I am reasonably proficent in Spanish which is of enromous value in reading Neruda. If any of our readers or writers are not familiar with his work then I can highly recommend Neruda. Keith Jeffries

Comment is about Then Come Back: Pablo Neruda, Bloodaxe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I know what you mean Robert, but I decided a few years ago to look for some good stuff back there. I knew there must be SOMETHING, that it couldn't be all bad. And I wrote two very lovely poems at the time, which kind of helped to heal myself a bit more. One of them is a staple in my set now.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I would recommend finding your own golden moments, and writing about them too.

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Laura - I don't recall a lot of my childhood (on purpose), but I can certainly share some of the sentiments of this piece. It will be interesting to see what my own kids recall in twenty to thirty years time, but our generation will find this poem's warmth very comforting. Thank you for the journey backward.
Rob

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Is this descriptive of an "old lag" ie ex convict I wonder elP? What I read into it is a slippery customer, not to be trusted yet urbane and pleasant - I think we all know the type. They are often to be found on thrones of superior knowledge ready to slip us up. Very interesting poem with a gentle touch .

Ray

Comment is about slip (blog)

Original item by nunya

Proud of you mate ?

Comment is about Spotting Joy! Poet becomes the 'face' of Nationwide (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks very much Ray and David ?

Ray - I have yours too, and plan to read it next week when I'm off work ? Glad you are enjoying mine.

David - awwr. Yeh, I love it for its gentleness, just like my fella ?

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hello Andy. Thanks for your comments on my poem THE PRICE OF FREEDOM. I have added two more stanzas to my poem and titled it The Price of Freedom-(extended version).
It still needs fleshing. Thank you again I really appreciate feed back.

Shirley

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Masterly and on top of its subject matter for the complete benefit of the reader John. Eloquent and inspired, and with that tinge of regret that sees the past irredeemable and our memories turned to stone.

Ray

Comment is about 'When the Future Came' by John F Keane is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Bless you David, you're my finest critic in the nicest possible way. Not sure how hard this was, like a story I told myself really . All the ingredients I have absorbed over years of Jewish gigs and stories. I do like to link areas with hard tales that give London its character as you know, so i'm flattered you notice that. Where that 3rd line came from I don't know. As for the reading, I have a tired drawl I use often, like the Michael Caine school with no blinking!
I could have gone a bit guttural in places and made it more feisty as if a bit bitter, but as you say, close to the wind perhaps.
Hope you ok mate, trust you're working your way back to ..... whatever. xx

Comment is about TROUBLE IN METROLAND (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I should say this displays a unique style of tremendous imagination Harry. It almost removes the sexual element from the act it seems so sophisticated. All the stops pulled out and like an elegy.

Ray

Comment is about The night battle (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

I'm gonna say it's bloody marvellous Laura! It just keeps riding over broken glass and feels like velvet to the mind. I love mizzled glass especially, and the tartan clasp is a poem in itself.
Loving your book by the way! Ray

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Thank you very much!

Comment is about Mellow Glow (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

Thanks for your comment LCPTB. As you rightly so there have been lots of musical quotes from classics, starting with Yes we have no bananas, that long ago! (from an opera) through to Barry Manilow (Chopin) and even dear old Lloyd Webber . We owe a lot to the early composers.

Cheers Col. Overjoyed to hear from you again in your capacity of poetry meister. Hope you are doing ok. This was a lot of effort in the making from a simple idea. So glad you liked it - I think I remember your poem - it couldn't have been a limp lettuce surely? Things are in full swing this end thanks. I'll keep an eye out.


Raymodno. (del. spelling)

Comment is about GRUNGE CONCERT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

An excellent poem, great images and choice of words.

Comment is about Mellow Glow (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

Hi John. Thanks a lot , i'm pleased you had a liking for this. A welcome visitor and vive la difference in content I say! Also thanks folks for all the likes, appreciated.

Ray

Comment is about ON THE BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

They sound like entries for Crufts,, Laura. In fairness, I would have been hugely disappointed to find one was called Wayne or Tyson.

Comment is about WHO LET REES-MOGG OUT? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

"These things we do that others may live.”
Major Mary Jennings Hegar

This is a quote from Major Hegar

Comment is about The Price of Freedom (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

I'll just leave this Rees-Mogg baby name generator here for your amusement

https://rees-mogg.herokuapp.com/

Comment is about WHO LET REES-MOGG OUT? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Me and my fella often help each other out with a word or a melody here and there in our poems and songs, but this poem contains more than a word by him, so I'm gonna say that it's a collaborative poem.

Comment is about Trigger Warming (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

being a new boy to poetry Mr O'Neill,I'm going to have to pull all the stops out if I am ever going to be able to match poems of this quality.

Nevertheless,I am pleased that you have given me a target to aim for.I just hope my aims are good enough.

Leon

Comment is about The night battle (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hi John, thanks for your informative questionnaire responses and congrats on POTW. You give good advice especially regards being open to critique. Learning the art of writing is an ongoing process that never ceases and one that imo is far more pleasurable when shared. All the best, Colin.

Comment is about 'When the Future Came' by John F Keane is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

You really had to be there. This is brill Ray. I've been partially out of the loop for a few weeks but glad I came across this one on my WoL wanderings this morning. I once wrote a very bad poem about not trusting anyone who had experienced the Summer of Love and for some reason your excellent poem had me thinking back to my tripe of nonsense. Hope all is well in Raymondo Land. Col.

Comment is about GRUNGE CONCERT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanx MC and lancs CPT bard! well done with the run too!

Comment is about #RoomsForManchester (blog)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Oh you'll have a great time Michaela and only a short train ride into London. As Ray said - thrive with an open mind ?

Comment is about Study Abroad (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

TBH, this issue just came up at our monthly meeting yesterday. I have no strong feelings one way or the other.

I can certainly see a case for a military career - in America, especially, people are well-educated by the Army and have often had their college fees paid by it. They bewail the Nam but I never see them bewailing the free college funding they got afterwards.

Comment is about Army Recruits Poor Northerners (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Likewise, I can't add any further constructive thoughts than that I too liked this, Ray.

Comment is about ON THE BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

So sorry Micheala. I'm sure you will benefit from your studies wherever they may be so ignore my prejudices. I love the poem in any case and may you thrive with your young fresh open mind - one that I envy!

Ray

Comment is about Study Abroad (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

We never had much of a battle, Harry. Our Gert used to be a newsagent so she kept stationary (boom boom!).

Comment is about The night battle (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Nice one, Harry. I tell my kids to hurry up and knock me a couple out before I'm too old to kick a ball at them.

Comment is about N`Shya.....and me. (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Joy was the person that introduced me to the Tudor, a truly wonderful lady well done..

Comment is about Spotting Joy! Poet becomes the 'face' of Nationwide (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Actually i dont have a choice but to go there! My degree has a requirement we go study there for two months 'come december' ?

Comment is about Study Abroad (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

I really enjoyed the whole mood of this piece, as it takes us to a future and then back to the future's past. Cleverly conceived and subtle use of metaphor. Harlow is not to be recommended as a place to visit (the new town that is). I played there in a band at the town hall and it was full of compatriots. A very mature mind at work here.

Ray

Comment is about Study Abroad (blog)

Original item by Michaela Sheldon

Love those last three verses

Comment is about Quixotic Dancers (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Like this. Makes me think of a woodsman honing the imperfections from the blade of his axe. Sets my mind a-wandering.

Comment is about A fine finish (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Great title. The first two verses could stand quite happily on their own imo. The rest I find a little jumbled but reckon could be shaped into something more resolute. Hope you don't mind me saying. Cheers, Col.

Comment is about drugugly (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Oops sorry - I thought this was a poetry site - must have got that wrong. Political poetry is one thing, but this is not it.

Ray

Comment is about Army Recruits Poor Northerners (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

yes, agree with CBT

Comment is about Maricopeia (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

honest, confessional and somewhat refreshing too.

Comment is about #1 (blog)

Original item by Lou

I agree, MC. I think politics needs people like R-M.
Come on, Harry. Don't be an old curmudgeon. Enjoy R-M like Boris or Diane Abbott.

Comment is about WHO LET REES-MOGG OUT? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Congratulations! - Well done, John! - Dorinda x

Comment is about 'When the Future Came' by John F Keane is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I'm very pleased to catch your comments in my poetic butterfly net folks, and examine them one by one.!

David : I will own up to having designed this as a dementia incident, going back as apparently happens to a former time made real . It's intriguing that it could be equally valid in the case of re-enactment. Made me think really how disconcerting anything out of the "normal" behaviour patterns can be and how real can be the drives and experiences of long ago. Thanks for thinking it English - I do agree with that. Can't escape humour and why should we?

Martin, I am glad you enjoyed the flavour of this and the voice which I am beginning to relax into and exploit (I hope)!

Cynthia, that's interesting about the nursery rhyme aspect. I hadn't thought of that, but it fits and brings it all to a sort of childlike head ! Many thanks.

Mark: You always give value for money thanks, so much to consider. I know what you mean about the meter; I wanted to include the "illusions scuppered" line in even though it didn't scan, I needed it where it is to give flavour to the idea of a boating reference ! I think your story should go in a poem of its own, don't you?

Suki, welcome on board friend. Thanks very much.

Love to all . Ray

Comment is about ON THE BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

At eighteen I couldn`t wait!

I got Egypt, my mate Germany...another mate Aden, and Tommy, Palestine... This...against staying working in what was then a sweat-hole of a factory...were they kiddin!

Comment is about Army Recruits Poor Northerners (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL