Hahaa - aww, cheers Ste! Nice to see you around, even if you don't have a bloody profile for me to reply to on!! Thanks mate - don't be a stranger eh?

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Yes, it was Greg who put together these great questions that you can really get your teeth into. So thank you Greg :)

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

sad and funny david. like life!

i have a non-surrogate relationship with three cats and, if were honest, they couldnt give a fuck about anyone. still, they are adorable, unlike people.

Comment is about the only poem i will ever write about you (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I'm reluctant to hog any of Laura's limelight, Lynn - but the simple answer is nine lines down from the top of the story.

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for your thoughts, MC.
I posted a blog some years ago about miners with the final line of
"There's no humour crueller than colliers and kids"
I was a little bastard.

Comment is about "NOT QUITE A FULL SHILLING" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hey, David and Rose,

I hope Kubrick made people think a little deeper about how the west chose to prosecute the Cold War. From everything I've read, Seller's portrayals were probably a little too close for comfort for much of the American public who seem to swallow wholesale anti-communist propaganda without question. To the greater ignorance of a self-satisfied public, such propaganda has been used to drum up support for some pretty nefarious characters and causes.

I read about Stanislav Petrov when I was asked to write an essay on tech disasters. And, yes David, as far as I'm concerned, he is a hero. He says he was neither punished nor rewarded by his government for his actions which is a good indicator that no one wanted the Soviet public to become cognizant of the inherent faults of their missile detection system. Though, I would say, in my limited understanding, that there will never be a foolproof system as the almost inverse relationship between accuracy in detection and false positives/negatives is probably unavoidable. Anyhow, tech-speak aside, I can't believe that my government would behave any differently if the situation were reversed and it were our systems that "failed".

Too bad they don't sell posters with Stanislav's picture rather than Tiger Woods or some other boring prick that these selfish dipwads seem to idolize for their utter uselessness.

Thanks to you both for commenting,

elP

Comment is about conversation killer (blog)

Original item by nunya

See I thought those, like the two great grandfather's of mine who fought in WW1, did so in the war to end all war.

Then when my grandfather fought in WWII was shot down over the Mediterranean and then transported to POW camp attached to a concentration camp, he thought he was fighting facism and for the freedom of other Europeans?

I was under the impression that neither war was entered by the British as a response to a direct attack on British sovereignty (cousins don't often attack each other directly), but instead because we were bound by bureaucratic pacts.

So in WWI as the murderous Haig was sending brave pals regiments to the slaughter in slow moving waves, weighed down like so many mules, where was this self determination? Where was it when the slaughtered their own, over 300 of them, because they got scared and couldn't fight.

Harry Patch was the last British Tommy. He made sure all who would listen knew exactly what he thought. I think he and I would have more common ground than you and I, but despite polite requests to avoid commenting on my work, you are back again.

We don't agree.

I don't want to hear your opinion (again).

Since you have absolutely nothing to share but argument, I ask you once again, please not to comment on my writing.

You must have more important things to do than than this.

Comment is about To Remain (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Evening Laura, I appreciate I'm like a dog with a bone but who from WOL interviewed you? Simple question that requires a simple answer. Enjoy your night x

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This is perfectly performed and somehow takes me
back to the days of radio in my long-ago youth -
but without the enforced restriction of "respectability"
to limit the appeal. I can imagine JC having his own
"spot" on local radio, delighting listeners with this sort
of cheeky but also poignant material in these more
forgiving (mature?) times. The voice and the delivery
are ideal for the purpose.

Comment is about "NOT QUITE A FULL SHILLING" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

We write apparently because life has much to be written than side!,

Comment is about George Kutosi (poet profile)

Original item by George Kutosi

Before anyone rushes to shut the cell door, consider this:
Tony Benn is reported to have asked the following:
What power do you have?
Where did you get it?
In whose interests do you exercise it?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?
Then consider the EU Commissioners and their self-
generating power to invent laws designed to take
precedence over our own - and DO...with who-knows-
what to come in the steathily planned and executed federal creation.
My maternal uncle was killed in action in August 1916
during the Somme campaign. I don't think he would go
along with any concept that says goodbye to the
country and the cause of self-determination he fought and died for.

Comment is about To Remain (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

as long as there is no truth to this poem Lynn,then I can safely say that I enoyed it for what it was,a very good poem! Thank you.Jemima.

Comment is about doors that open and close (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Bloody 'ell, I'll not fit me 'ead through the door at this rate hehe :D :D

Hey, here's hoping so Harry, it's been too long! Be lovely to see you again :)

Ta Chris! Hopefully see you at the launch - I trust you'll be coming as Wonder Woman? I'll be disappointed if you don't ;)

Ian - heh, well I suppose someone's gotta do it ;) Thanks so much, and I will for sure! Have a top jollyday!

Great stuff Dorinda! I look forward to reading your words :)

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Very enjoyable poem, Ray.

Comment is about SOUTHERN COMFORT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

This is really good, Ian, well done.

Comment is about Xenophobe (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

and a great,sadly missed actor.Mr.Sellers.Not many of his likes to the pound.

elp,cop for my appraisal.



Rose

Comment is about conversation killer (blog)

Original item by nunya

Ray,nice poem,nice drink,when downed in responsible quantity.


Rose x

Comment is about SOUTHERN COMFORT (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I really like this... even without the clue in the title it says what it means. Thank you mate.

Comment is about Xenophobe (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thank you, Laura, for your comments when you were interviewed. I found it all really, really inspiring!
Got to go now and grab my pencil and paper!
Dorinda
WOL, Stockport

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

good luck with the launch chuck - sorry I can't make it - will be fighting off hordes of refugees crossing the channel on the south coast *wink* I know it will be a storming gig and the book will be a great success - don't forget to save me a copy

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thanks for commenting on 'between a rock and a hard place' Harry - yes those final 2 lines are quite blunt and chilling - and I fear the outcome may be equally so

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

thanks for the comments on 'between a rock and a hard place Tim' I'm liking the new profile pic - very angry :-)

Comment is about Tim Ellis (poet profile)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Glad you liked Raring to Go talking about that - - -
you must come to our next meet up at Stockport W O L
on Monday June 13th the theme is War and Peace.

Comment is about steve pottinger (poet profile)

Original item by steve pottinger

The description of an aggressive partner via a series of firearms and munitions is a clever idea.

For me the poem is in three parts, consequences, reasons and outcomes.

The expression "some people say love, other people play love" could almost be a strapline for the whole piece and I would have liked it repeated at the end as well.

Good work again Alexandra. Keep posting!

Graham

Comment is about Battle of our chests (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Love this poem flowers truly mark the spot the shrine beside the road there is one on the railings outside my house along with her photo and flowers appear fresh now and again 8 years after her tragic death .
Well written x c

Comment is about Flowers mark the spot (blog)

Original item by Pauliegreg

Touching sad the last lines evoke such strong emotions "knowing the happiest days of my life lay not in wait but in shadow "
Well written x c

Comment is about Divorce=Loss (blog)

Original item by Richard Alfred

Perfectly captured imagery of our dad and how he lost the love of his life our mam he's never been the same without her but as he says "that gets used to being on thee own" even though he never as !
Touching tribute x c

Comment is about Age (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

Well done Laura love your poetry and watching you live is aw some will certainly be buying a book ( : xxxx

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you elPintor. Yes I guess the only certainty is that there will be more waves & accepting that is a small step in the right direction.

Comment is about Calm (blog)

Original item by Liam

Watched your post, timed to perfection (for adverts) Tom a man of great substance and George likewise. Tommy

Comment is about Looking out of a window (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

sir/madam- elPintor can't help but laugh..

results to be revealed at a future date..

Comment is about Looking out of a window (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

You are correct sir/madam- elPintor- Tommy

Comment is about Looking out of a window (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

This must be Tom Waits..doesn't miss a beat.

found this interview several months ago..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbKMX2vFOaQ

great to have a reminder every once in a while.

elP

Comment is about Looking out of a window (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Well..it's hard to find peace while preparing for another wave..maybe the only peace is knowing that there will be another.

That's probably more of a statement of where I am than where you are, but, the idea is pretty universal and well put together.

Thanks, Liam,

elPintor

Comment is about Calm (blog)

Original item by Liam

Hi Rose, and I thought it was only poems we were pairing. Ah, I'm a trusting soul, ha ha.

Thank you for your kind comment.
Lynn x

Comment is about Cinquain: Slumbers (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

That's great - thank you so much for this generous review.

We're now in a position to sell these online -

http://www.talkingzebras.co.uk/cd-and-booklet.html

Or maybe join us at one of our meetings and save the postage!

Comment is about Selected Poems: Talking Zebras open-mic poetry group, Cleckheaton (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Laura,
I look forward to reading your collection.

If the dice fall right on that night I might even be able to get there and hear you and the others performing.

Best of luck.

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Tom,
Your poem recalls an incident in the 1940, Christmas blitz in Liverpool when I was a young boy. We used to go through a yard to the air raid shelter which was under a
warehouse, and one night - early on - a spray of what could only have been machine gun bullets hit the whitewashed wall as we were going through.

(the only good bit was that mr Finnigan the ARP man - who was hated by all the kids - dived and broke his nose, and had it under a huge plaster for ages)

There were three `hits` on the street, including one on an air raid shelter in Blackstock gardens at the top ( which can be read about on the internet)

Some years later A temporary management pupil at the factory where I worked who had been a German bomber pilot told me what it was like looking down at Liverpool between the three silver reflections of the river, the railway line to Southport, and the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

I sometimes think of the devastation which must have been suffered by the Germans by our own bombing, and it makes me feel much warmer to the Europe thing.

Sorry to go on a bit, but your poem moved me.

Comment is about Bullet Holes In Backyards (blog)

Original item by Tom

"paired up" with his..(Rob's)..?...keep your eye on him Lynn! and make sure you keep your bedroom curtains closed after dark.

I've heard about him and his so called midnight window cleaning round haha!

Another little pearler!


Rose.x

Comment is about Cinquain: Slumbers (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thank you for comment, Rob. Yes, I thought it was the other side of the coin to yours too.
I must have missed Stu's so I just checked back on his, and enjoyed another goodie.
Lynn x

Comment is about Cinquain: Slumbers (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Lynn - it works! I can't claim responsibility for the trend as I was inspired by Stu, but no harm in promoting it. I like your piece - and it can be paired with mine quite nicely!
Rob

Comment is about Cinquain: Slumbers (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

A real smorgasbord of imagery and all in wonderfully descriptive skill.

Ray

Comment is about Vial (blog)

Original item by David Blake

I love the lines in this poem, too, David. Well written, well done.

Comment is about Vial (blog)

Original item by David Blake

Some lovely lines in this David.

With just enough light in the sky to take out the newspapers---the trudge on bitten concrete---we're both hung out like the washing on a dew-flecked
morning line

Whilst I would prefer it tightened up a little, it is undoubtedly an incisive piece of work, well done!

Comment is about Vial (blog)

Original item by David Blake

Aww, thanks you lot!

Helen - I hope you continue to perform and enjoy it more each time :)

Jim - tsk, any excuse :p

Comment is about 'You don’t need expensive kit. Just a mind and a mouth, a pen and some paper': Laura Taylor (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you, Ray, for your kind comments. The first three words with the recurring letter P just came to me as I looked along the street, and as I thought it worked, it stayed. Whether that makes it clever or fortuitous I will leave for you decide. :o)

Lynn x

Comment is about Haiku: Blossom (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I like your poem, Mike, it resonates to me a sort of "there but for the grace of God, go I". We are all humans at the end of the day.

Comment is about I Walk The Streets (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

Hi David. I really like this one. The smell of a fresh early morning, mingled with smoke. The begrudged acknowledgement from the neighbour. Very well written.

Comment is about Vial (blog)

Original item by David Blake

Thanks Helen for reading and commenting. I'm sorry that this had that effect, but I can quite understand why. My short epithet was more aimed at the loneliness of the man himself, made more pointless by the inattention. However this cannot in any way abnegate genuine curiosity and the skill of the performers. See how I backtrack!
May the innocent fun of youngsters be applauded !

Ray x

Comment is about PUNCH AND JUDY MAN (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ray, I took my children to a seaside show a few weeks back in Southsea, where they watched their first Punch & Judy show. They laughed, in particular my 6 year old daughter who thought it was hilarious.
Your poem actually made me feel quite sad, my children and I practically live on the beach in summer time and they are, thankfully, still at an age where they are more than satisfied with a bucket and spade and the company of their parents. I can't stand the thought of this changing! x

Comment is about PUNCH AND JUDY MAN (blog)

Original item by ray pool