Thanks everyone so much on your comments, particularly on this piece. I was worried about the reception it would receive.

David, I think you may have spotted the gap where the missing verse was. I took it out as I thought it was nasty enough. I have a hunch that this trade is now a lot closer to home.

I agree, Robert, about exposure, and I hoped that people would see that, that is the intention and not about using shock tactics to boost my ego.

Stu, I felt guilty and sick when I wrote it!

A totally agree with your 'creepy' comment Ray but hope that only refers to the piece! ;)

Thanks again for your comments, much appreciated X

Comment is about Sweet Heart (blog)

Had to spend some time reading and appreciating several times over, this is exactly what good poetry does.

Comment is about Shapeless days and nameless nights (blog)

Original item by Michelle

Congratulations comrade!:)

Comment is about Stepping up to the mic: Steve Pottinger is Write Out Loud's new chief executive (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hahaha, thank you :) someone who sees what I see. Not that I felt anyone would really have anything negative to say, I just feel like it may seem like a weird piece

Comment is about Even when the light inside the Mind goes very dim (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

I like the poem. It paints a vivid picture of a war torn event. And breaks freely to focus on God.

Steven Jacobson

Comment is about River (blog)

Original item by David Blake

Thanks Lea - glad you enjoyed it! And yes he deserves every word!

Comment is about No Mercy! (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

Thanks for posting an extract from your wonderful Zones of Avoidance here, Maggie. Speaking as one who's reviewed the book! http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=48795

Comment is about Zones of Avoidance (blog)

Original item by Maggie Sawkins

Welcome to Write Out Loud, Rob. Enjoyed this poem about the ramsons - didn't know that was another name for wild garlic. I like the "star-white flowers" that "burst like fireworks". And if you're looking for feedback, I just stumbled over the phrase "a floating balloon", where the rhythm feels slightly wrong on that line, I thought.

Comment is about Rob Baylis (poet profile)

Original item by Rob Baylis

I think a couple of old dinosaurs like you and I, MC, are a bit to derriere garde to "trouble the scorers" of any poetry competition.

Comment is about THE POETRY JUDGE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I tried to comment Stu and nothing materialized - how weird is that? I wanted to say that I'm all a-quiver and all a-shiver and so pleased you liked it. I like a dose of the old mysticicity (?)

Comment is about PSYCHIC VISION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

A real sting in the tail - almost a fairy tale sense of false security and that adds horror to the telling.
David has fleshed out the subject nicely. The word Sweetheart is creepy.

Ray

Comment is about Sweet Heart (blog)

Maggie - I can feel the narrator's pain throughout this piece. Even though drugs have only been a minimal intrusion on my working life, I do wonder at the self destruct button some people are unable to avoid. A fitting closure might also be 'You've made your bed. Lie on it. Lie on it. Die on it.' Well written Maggie.
Rob

Comment is about Zones of Avoidance (blog)

Original item by Maggie Sawkins

"American Wake", captures a mood. Captures something at least that stops the reader stampeding past it, giving it the attention it deserves.

Comment is about Maggie Sawkins (poet profile)

Original item by Maggie Sawkins

Jon - nicely conceived and portrayed. Makes the limited years in front of me seem like a blessing.
Rob

Comment is about By the light of the local Spar (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

Greg is right on this one Jon. Cleverly lyrical like the turning of yellowing pages - the use of light really illuminates the poem . A powerful image.

Ray

Comment is about By the light of the local Spar (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

Or, to express it another way Mark - how do you judge a judge? perhaps a judge can judge another and so on like a hall of mirrors revealing nothing but repetition.

Therein lies the rub, as they say.

regards Ray

Comment is about THE POETRY JUDGE (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

A well-observed - if chilling - update of Betjeman's 'Death In Leamington'. Wonderful title, too.

Comment is about By the light of the local Spar (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

Yvonne - but it spends once and once only (is that twice?)
MC - yes it would be good to see those who are fortunate putting something back in. Not necessarily money; time would be good too.

Comment is about SHARING THE WEALTH (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Enjoyed reading this, Jon.

Horrible prospect, growing old in a second-rate nursing home. Makes me even more determined to enjoy life to the full !

Comment is about By the light of the local Spar (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

Sparking up & toasting you with a glass of red!

Comment is about Killing the Long Game (blog)

Original item by Jim Trott

This is so sweet :-)

Comment is about True Love (photo)

Original item by Pixievic

Stu - thank you! And yes I agree I have amended it - I'm glad you like it! And Rob alas no new love - just a wish!!

Comment is about A Wish (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

This is beautiful. It really captures the carefree spirit of a child.

Comment is about Little Humans (blog)

Original item by Eric Broke

Money is not the root of all evil...it is the LOVE of money.
How many very wealthy folk pass through life without
the spiritual reward of sharing some of their money with
the less fortunate but deserving among us. As JC asks-
how many material things can be owned and used at
any one time? And how little their value compared with
the value of enabling others towards a better life.
We read of those in the worlds of sport & entertainment
possessing enormous wealth and their often excessive
purchases. A certain TV/radio personality apparently
hooked on hugely expensive classic cars comes to mind.
Charity, properly adopted, benefits the donor and the
recipient. To see well paid "stars" fronting ads. on TV
seeking the money of hard-pressed ordinary folk for
various causes only makes me wonder just how much
THEY contribute from their riches? Perhaps we should
be told so that we might make an informed decision
about any action we choose to take...or otherwise.

Comment is about SHARING THE WEALTH (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I've just read this Steve, wow it blew my mind, it's so true how they demonise all the achievements that Mao Tse Tung achieved, although there was an obvious flaw in communism due to individualistic greed on behalf of those in power and the suppression of free thoughts but on the whole it had a point!, They are trying to do the same to Jeremy Corbyn too and frighten people away from voting the so called 'Loony Left' . Where as I think he seems to be one of the most refreshing honest people (besides Michael Foot) that I have ever seen in politics. We shall obviously find out when/if he is elected to Power (I say power lightly because we are in the pockets of the Americans and the Chinese and it seems the new kids on the block, the Indians) but for now while he can speak change I believe he means it, The press are running scared from this government by all the corrupt laws that are being passed in the house to make free speech illegal. And as for George Osborne well, I get angry thinking about him. Anyway enough, I could write a book on the stuff that makes me angry. You are a brilliant poet. Thank you

Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

Many thanks to you all for the kind comments: the story is true, and set in the Berlin of the Cuban Missile Crisis when the Citu was in a state of tension.

Comment is about Berlin (blog)

Original item by terry ireland

You got it spot on David.. Thank you

Comment is about Oyster (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

Another fine write Celia. You do write so very well, bringing welcome and valuable thought to a readers fumbling mind.

Comment is about Changes (blog)

Original item by Celia

well done steve. dont know if you remember, but you recommended this site to me last year. i have since flooded it with so much guff its unreal and it has helped my writing immeasurably. congrats.

Comment is about Stepping up to the mic: Steve Pottinger is Write Out Loud's new chief executive (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Like this a lot, especially the longer lines in the middle there :)

Comment is about I (blog)

Original item by Celia

Careful though you don't want to be 'ARRESTED'
:-)

Comment is about Killing the Long Game (blog)

Original item by Jim Trott

P:S you have a wonderful imagination

Comment is about Latest musings (blog)

Original item by Andy Smyth

Your poem is immense, I'm never sure which one I am going to be 'whether it's me or myself' sometimes I just don't like me or what's happening to me and at other times I quite like myself so I laugh and joke all day which brings out the worst in others and drags me out again. :-)

Comment is about Latest musings (blog)

Original item by Andy Smyth

Hi Rubie Rose, you're right. Sometimes I wonder whether one needs to 'know' who one is. Whether it's better not to think about it at all. But most people don't know how to deal with you if that's how you are or try to be.

Comment is about I (blog)

Original item by Celia

Thank you so much stu, a comment by you is very welcome.. Very welcome indeed.

Comment is about Oyster (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

Thank very much for the comments.. Very kind :-)

Comment is about Below the Surface (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

lynn this is fantastic. nasty subject, nasty narrator, nasty tale. the best art (for me anyway) makes me feel guilty for enjoying it. good stuff.

Comment is about Sweet Heart (blog)

Lynn - I have to agree with David. The subject matter needs exposure and the more that is written, in whatever format, can only inform change. i did wonder where this piece was going: people trafficking, sex trafficking, paedophilia or a rescue story. Well written Lynn.
Rob

Comment is about Sweet Heart (blog)

oh ray, you old mystic. this is just beautiful. images and words combining. and yet another feather in your bow.

or arrow. or arrow in your quiver. i forget the saying.

Comment is about PSYCHIC VISION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

excellent patricio. there is all sorts going on, fragility, self loathing, biting sarcasm, cynicism, hope. a lovely read, and (cleverly), reveals more the more you look at it (quite like a pearl...)

Comment is about Oyster (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

good yarn told well. redemption is found in many places. strangely enough, i also found it in a bar in berlin. i could never write about it this well though!

Comment is about Berlin (blog)

Original item by terry ireland

Hello Vicki
to my mind this is the best thing you have written. its succinct, hopeful and a little bit lovely.
It also flows beautifully, except (my opinion only) the 'our' in the last line.
'Love unbarred' would be just as acceptable and flow better. but thats only how im reading it.

Comment is about A Wish (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

Terry - like this one. No repercussions or emotional entanglements makes strangers the perfect sounding board. A point you have so eloquently made.
Rob

Comment is about Berlin (blog)

Original item by terry ireland

Vicki - new love? Not your usual message this one. Good luck!
Rob

Comment is about A Wish (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

Thanks Patricio - it's very sad :( xx

Comment is about RIP Mr Murphy (blog)

Original item by Pixievic

Appreciate that David. Thanks for being drawn in to my imagination, always a privilege.

Ray

Comment is about PSYCHIC VISION (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your very kind comment on Ad Infinitum- I feel very flattered :)

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I missed seeing this one when you posted it, I really enjoyed this, and can relate. My favourite part is the second verse, the idea of being programmed to want & be what we're not, is just so well said x

Comment is about Beige (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Hi Martin, thanks for commenting on Ad Infinitum, glad you liked it x

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Heh heh! Made me laugh so hard, very clever, and sounds like he deserves it x

Comment is about No Mercy! (blog)

Original item by Pixievic