Hi Ray Thanks for your comment on Martial Music. I'm not quite sure about the form of that poem and haver experimented with a version in which I've bunched it up into longer lines.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Cynthia Thanks for comments on 'Martial Music'. I have in fact bunched it up into longer lines since posting this version.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Beautiful...we have to look up Stars for a poetry morning. This is touching and beautiful.

Comment is about Falling Stars (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Every word describes her absence.

Soul Deep!!

Comment is about Taxi at the door (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Great poetry I love it XD

Comment is about Grisly Girl (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

I hadn't thought of the sheepskin.

The reference is literal, I was walking home, past the abattoir at midnight and a single sheep bleating, sparked this memory.

and it is picked up in the next verse - to expand on the theme of consumerism.

Comment is about Impression V (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

c:
i'll try to be around a little more.
thank you guys

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

...which kind of implies that "Englishness" is a function of our invaders.
I suspect that very few of us would have pure "English" DNA tracing back to those early times. In fact I recollect a TV programme a couple of years ago when a prominent EDL figure agreed to have his DNA analysed and was mortified to find that he was a right Mongol of DNA strains.

Comment is about THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well-chosen subject, and very sympathetically developed. Do you, by any chance, mean 'cupped into your hands'? I haven't quite figured out that one line.

Comment is about Five minutes (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

I like this a lot. Why do you stretch out the poem?

Comment is about I've Got That Feeling.... (blog)

Alexandra, I find this work outstanding in its subject choice, and in your crafting skills to express it so potently.

Was it, by any chance, inspired by the programme 'Call the Midwife' on Sunday evening? Or is its posting pure coincidence? Whichever is the case, it certainly is timely.

Comment is about The stranger on her neck (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Many thanks for your observations, guys.
For me, the most telling line in this is "But Boris Johnson's no-one's fool". He's played "bumbling" like a virtuoso.
Incidentally, I went to the bookies today to put a bet on "Leave" in the Referendum. When she asked me I wanted I told the woman behind the counter I wanted to know some odds. "What on?" She said. "The referendum". "What time's it running?" She asked. Marvellous, marvellous stuff.

Comment is about BORIS THE BIDER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hilarious - the obvious physical activity and the undercurrent of tension driving the real importance forward - Like the depths of internal meaning behind the merry melodic 'Twelve Days of Christmas'. And the way that the similarity just 'crashed' at the end, as the 'real' story takes precedence.

I may be so 'out there' as to be just ridiculous. But the thought did occur to me.

Comment is about Taxi at the door (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Completely engrossing from start to finish - like being harpooned. Terse and fulsome simultaneously - a real talent.

Do I follow - that original paintings were/are often done on sheepskin? Or is the reference completely esoteric? For thrill effect? I'm positive there's a connection, even if I've missed it.

Comment is about Impression V (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

I think this is really good, a fine idea very engagingly expressed. 'a map printed within' is a superb line, among many.

Comment is about Thrill of the Compass Spin (blog)

Original item by Tom

A nice image Mark and I am thinking somehow of a vent's dummy in the interplay as there is always some potential for reaction in the doggy world!!

Regards Ray

Comment is about DOG DANCING (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

in our case 'LOVE-WAS-A MANY SPLENDID THING.But these days we are highly likely to agree with your last line Cynthia.Enjoyable as ever.

P&S

Comment is about The 'LOVE' Month (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Terrific - the spin-off's are countless - always a master touch.

Comment is about It Was to be the Tale of Heroes (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

a lovely, detailed piece of ekphrasis with an amusing denouement. my wife is currently studying the ancient arts of benin as part of her degree, and i have been trying to write ekphrastic poetry based on some of the stuff she is looking at. its really difficult so this is a great achievement.

Comment is about Ode To Lely’s Venus (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Thought provoking and spot on - like a master key.

Ray.

Comment is about It Was to be the Tale of Heroes (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

No one from even the highest levels of apprehension either in or out of Government appears to have the slightest idea what the long or short term advantages or disadvantages of staying in or out of the EU would be.

Boris the clown is cynically using this most important issue as a short cut to achieve his personal aspirations. This amiable bumbling clown on becoming Tory leader will no doubt complete his metamorphosis into the bigger "ephemeral" (we hope) Pillock he's been trying to suppress since his testicles dropped. I'd sooner see Angela Mertle president of a united Europe than him as our PM

I myself have no idea of the possible damage or otherwise that leaving the EU.might bring
But what I am certain of is breaking up the EU. would be a retrograde step from the progress already made toward World unity and peace.

World unity HAS to come eventually, this piece of dirt we all share gets smaller by the day.
You can circumnavigate this planet today in less than the time it took to get from London to York. Only two hundred years ago. And I've been around for eighty five of them.

Comment is about BORIS THE BIDER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I really enjoyed this Tommy. The "I" is, I presume, you? If so you must have been pretty sozzled by the time "She" turned up! Really effect structure here too! Loved it!

Comment is about Taxi at the door (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Wolfie - more on that story later! For your eyes only.

Thanks Colin. I can understand your rapport here, having read so much of yours. A sort of limbo , an expectancy and a trust in whatever will be.

Cheers both.

Comment is about FLYING HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Another entertaining production from this source.
Boris has popular public appeal in a profession that's
done itself no favours with its activities in recent times.
He's the consummate Marmite politician, but I'd never
underestimate his potential to upset the apple cart for
those die-hard Conservatives so eager to keep us chained to the EU and the vagaries of those 27 other countries
- far in excess of the original nine (I recall) of that
original trading concept we believed in.

Comment is about BORIS THE BIDER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It could be said that "English" is ethnically based on the
"back in the mists of time" scenario when Celts, Danes,
Saxons and those Normans had their day forming
what came later. Invasion is too strong a word for the
sanctuary allowed to various factions escaping hard
times in their own lands. It is reported that Queen
Elizabeth 1 actually acted to limit the inflow to ensure
the social stability of her realm in her own time. Later
arrivals were of limited numbers that were willing to
assimilate (like those Russians who fled to America and
"Anglicised" their names...Irving Berlin for Izzy Baline
comes to mind). This small country's generosity taking
in others has led to the irony of it being lectured on
its "obligation" to do it. Good Queen Bess might have
had something to say about that presumption.

Comment is about THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

That the opportunist brain box Gove (the frown) together with the other opportunist nut-cake Boris (the clown) should
put their ambitions to lead the divided Conservative party
before their responsibility to ensure the stability of the nation disgusts me. (that is really how I feel about it).

Grayling and I.D.S. at least made their intentions clear and can`t be accused of hypocrisy.

Comment is about BORIS THE BIDER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

this is excellent. as graham said, those lines are fantastic.

Comment is about The stranger on her neck (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

story of my life that!

well expressed.

Comment is about It Was to be the Tale of Heroes (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

Love this Tommy, structure's really interesting and I had a sense of foreboding as the booze racked up!

Comment is about Taxi at the door (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

"A bloody blush:
The bite of the hungry.
Teeth she counted like cash,
The molars which paid her fine"

............these are very good lines

Comment is about The stranger on her neck (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

Will make sure you use the Gig Guide to advertise your event!

Comment is about Blackstone (poet profile)

Original item by Blackstone

And mine too x

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

I need to suck down some Brit politics and come back me thinks hahah. At face value with no real knowledge of the content it was still a good read!

Comment is about BORIS THE BIDER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

dark, but i get it. Some of us are fucked, some of us aren't.

Comment is about Is it (blog)

you remain one of my favourite poets x

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

you could have written this one for me Ray - but maybe I'm twisting your words to suit - thanks

Comment is about FLYING HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

if WoL had a Like button I'd Like this one.

Comment is about The stranger on her neck (blog)

Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis

very good Lynn - I'm resisting the urge to add another musical link (Beatles I've Got a Feeling) - instincts etc x

Comment is about I've Got That Feeling.... (blog)

yes!

"everybody mingled and danced in the sun"

Comment is about Taxi at the door (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi Seamus, I'm starting a new night of improvisation with poetry to music at the Albion Inn in Rochdale, Wed 30th March, 8:30pm. Thought you might be interested? Please feel free to come and join in. Cheers, Will.

Comment is about Seamus Kelly (poet profile)

Original item by Seamus Kelly

I'm starting a new open mic night (with music and word) in Rochdale, looking for folks to come and join in:

The Kosmic Jam - a creative night of free improvisation in music and word

A gathering of performance artists of many disciplines, entering the realm of the now to capture the moment through improvisation.

Date: 30th March 2016 (and then monthly - last Wed)
Venue: The Albion Inn, Rochdale, OL12 0SW
Time: 8:30pm
Entry: Free

Open to all - musicians, singers, poets, wordsmiths, freestyle rappers, etc. If you're interested in taking part please contact: blackstonemusicuk (at) gmail.com

Comment is about Blackstone (poet profile)

Original item by Blackstone

just reading Winder's excellent book "Bloody Foreigners". He asks a very good question, "Since we have been 'invaded' so often (Celts, Romano/Iberians, Saxons, Danes, Normans, Huguenots, Jews, French, Italians, West Indians, etc etc, are we English the invaded or the invaders?"

Comment is about THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It's Kid Charlemagne for me! Tried your link out of curiosity as never been able to access any Steely D online. Back to gel nails! X

Comment is about Butter Knife (blog)

JC - perhaps the English should have been like the Irish -
with periodic attempts to rid themselves of the invaders
until finally succeeding centuries later.
But then it can be argued that victory was through successful assimilation that saw this country become one
of the great powers, with influence far in excess of its
modest size.

Comment is about THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Colin, I really wasn't expecting that but very much appreciated all the same. I'll check out the link later. x

Comment is about Butter Knife (blog)

In the realm of 'grand', like 'Finlandia', this is outstanding. I cannot imagine a poet divorced from the influence of music; at our best, we work the same 'agenda' upon the human soul. I like the fact that such poetry takes 'work', just as such music does. First the inspiration and then the spade work, to create a passing-across of idea or ideal to another mind.

In my survival of living, I seek only 'simple' - complexities subdued to simple. You see 'simple' raised to complexities that enmesh the mind, like mediaeval philosophers, offering very intense and rewarding insights, exercised with much skill. Your gift is immense. Thanks for sharing it.

Comment is about The Melting of the Ice (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I'm really enjoying these contributions from across the Atlantic, Ted. Please keep them coming!

Comment is about 'Maybe it's what we don't say that saves us' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I don't mind them coming after our jobs, Ken. They show more gumption than our home-grown numpties.

Comment is about THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

nice one Lynn - Steely D my favourite - Doctor Wu on Katy Lied - never liked the taste of silver cutlery tho.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w58E2S315a4

gosh this is a good poem x

Comment is about Butter Knife (blog)

At least they don't do any blood letting these days when they come here after our jobs. That's progress I suppose.

Comment is about THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE (blog)

Original item by John Coopey