SHIT as a metaphor covers every imaginable subject. This is a very clever way of referring the actual physical 'shit' (with exacting detail) to any range of ideas the reader wants, or needs. The straight-down-the-hole format is both brilliant and very funny.Probably hitting the political scene broadside. Or maybe just an irritating person like a partner.

IMO, a really good poem.

Comment is about SHIT (blog)

Joe don't pray- organise!

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by joe ranter

I'm afraid your analogy of events regarding the middle-east John is simplistic and woefully short on analysis.

Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I confess I had this desire on a few occasions David. When people are out of control , I'm sure a drawn weapon would bring them to their "senses."

"if you can keep your head...."

Thanks for your clear comment. Ray

Comment is about MORTAL REMAINS (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Well Lynn, there's a lot of it about. We've all got to either swim with the tide or we drown! Good poem. Ledger

Comment is about SHIT (blog)

Is this what they mean by verbal diarrhoea?

Sorry just couldn't resist going through the motions!

Graham

Comment is about SHIT (blog)

Thanks for reading and commenting JG x

Comment is about SHIT (blog)

Love this. Explodes with imagery. x

Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you for reading me and for your kind comment Sonia. I'm glad it resonates with you.

Comment is about Balancing act (blog)

Original item by Celia

Love it!

Comment is about SHIT (blog)

Wow!! Powerful

Comment is about You can't hurt the boy (blog)

Original item by Eric Berard

Pardon! Thanks x

Comment is about SHIT (blog)

Thank you all for kind appreciation of this poem. It's amazing what memories are evoked for anybody who might read it. It is also gratifying to know that some of you like me still use such a device. a friend of mine is currently buying as much second hand vinyl as he can in charity shops. I agree with you ray that it is a mechanical act that has all the ritual which is wonderful.
Onomatoperfect seems like a great word to me Stu. the challenge maybe for one of us to use it in a poem!
Glad you like vinyl city J, although I have c.D.'s and still a stack of tapes! Vinyl has got to be the best.
Cynthia, I also missed Sale last month. I do not know what will happen at Sale now John is no longer compering. I guess it's watch this space.
Thanks for your comments.
Daniel, good to hear from you mate. i am sure that I had something akin to dansette when I was knee high to a grasshopper .
Wow M.C. it certainly seems like you have had a long history with Vinyl in it's various guises. I have been blessed with being left a ten inch album of Glenn Miller by my Dad. great music and a great piece of history.
Lynn I also remember balancing coppers on the arm of my old player rather precariously. heady days
Thanks once again everybody.

Comment is about Drop the needle (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

I don't think I've ever said a poem was mouthwatering Cynthia but your V2 certainly is

Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

cheers Stu. Maybe more prose than poetry -but I just felt it .

Ray

Comment is about FINAL SCENE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I've come late to this, but congratulations Laura!

Comment is about Aylan poem in refugees anthology (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

oh dear - and we seemed to be getting on so well

Comment is about Perhaps... (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

you're bang on Colin with the title. I agree that it took over the whole purpose of the poem. It's nice to have that sort of genuine input.. Thanks
I hope the new title works! Ray

Comment is about ON THE EDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

this is fantastic. i really like reading your work. this reminds me of The Top 10 Luminous Mushrooms of Cerdanya Forest by Billy Ramsell in that it presents a nature themed list in a really well written, poetic way.

http://poetrysociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1053-Ramsell.pdf

Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Thank you for reading my work.

Comment is about Celia (poet profile)

Original item by Celia

I am so into your work! Brilliant

Comment is about Changes (blog)

Original item by Celia

You write so well. How often have I battled such demons. Amazingly intuitive work.

Comment is about Balancing act (blog)

Original item by Celia

This is brilliant

Comment is about Dead of night (blog)

Original item by Celia

love this ray. cant add anything that hasnt been said. wonderfully cinematic and descriptive prose.

Comment is about FINAL SCENE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ray, I like this but I think the title is too obvious and gives too much away. Hope you don't mind me saying?

I like also that it reminds me of so much - cliffs and suicide go hand in hand - it's difficult to disassociate the two - the lure of walking nearer the edge - the wondering what it would be like - the temptation of everlasting night.

Comment is about ON THE EDGE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

this could go on longer than the war
I suggest that what we are saying is 80% the same
however-
while ever my taxes are going on bombing without a plan I will protest.
while ever innocent people are being killed - I will protest
and even if only 50% of what I see on my widescreen TV in 'safe' northern England is reality - I will protest.
thanks
Ian

Comment is about Perhaps... (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Thanks, Steve! We certainly appreciate the support you give to this site. And congratulations on a recent poem of yours appearing in the Morning Star, too.

Quote shocking news about Aldeburgh, it's true. Let's hope they can come up with a formula to make sure this wonderful festival still takes place next year.

Comment is about Questions over future of Aldeburgh poetry festival after organisers' huge cuts (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Sad news. The current round of cuts in support for the arts illustrate another aspect of the hollowing-out (imho) of our society. Aldeburgh isn't going to be alone in having to cut back its programme, I'd wager.

This makes me even more appreciative of the sterling (and often unsung) work done by WOL to give poets a platform where we can share our work and learn from each other. Thank you.

Comment is about Questions over future of Aldeburgh poetry festival after organisers' huge cuts (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Number 18 made me splutter on my morning cuppa, Tim. Nice work!

Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

Thanks, Ian. I'm glad it worked for you.

All the best.
Steve

Comment is about this will be a re-run (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

Made me chuckle on a dismal grey morning. Thanks!

Comment is about Fight or Flight (my second ever rhyming poem) (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

haven't taken it personally at all David - you have a different viewpoint - I appreciate that, as I'm sure you appreciate that others will differ from yours.
If there was a workable plan in place, I would support action in Syria. That plan would need to include a ground force from all Nato countries to support targeted attacks. It would involve a strategy for stabilising the region post victory (if victory it was). It would involve the government pledging to cut off the supply route in and out if Daesh of arms and oil - including sanction of our 'friends' who are part of the supply and demand mechanism. It would include a credible policy to deal with refugees fleeing the war zone - not lip service support as we have now. All of that is way beyond the current plans which seem to consist of 'we need to join the big boys gang'.
As I said in my post on your poem - I have not visited a war zone - nor do I wish to do so. That doesn't mean I cannot feel empathy for those involved - does it?
There is a difference between 'immediacy' and 'too immediate'. We are rushing into a campaign that we cannot win in the air alone. There are no credible ground forces to support this action. Until the government can clearly prove there are - we should desist.
your mention of 'self-ridicule' similarly amused me - your comment wasn't about 'self' ridicule - it was a comment ridiculing others for having a voice. I merely reflected those words at your own poetic attempt to get your point across. Surely you see that?
You know nothing about me and I know little about you - it would appear that we mostly disagree on this matter - your viewpoint will probably be carried today in the Commons - doesn't mean it's right - doesn't mean it's wrong. Doesn't mean either of us should stop expressing views because the other argument is weaker, or stronger.
Cheers
Ian

Comment is about Perhaps... (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Nice! Keep going! All the best for you

Comment is about Joe Nodus (poet profile)

Original item by Joe Nodus

It's looking like a dark day for Britain, and for the world in general, so I'm posting one of the more optimistic poems from my pamphlet today.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speak-Unspeakable-words-overheating-world/dp/1519178085/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449090182&sr=1-1&keywords=speak+the+unspeakable

Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)

Original item by Tim Ellis

A real goody in a luxurious way, Cynthia. I'm thinking of Nigella too. I think we're all sold on this - no point in trying to resist! Ray

Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This has almost a Noel Coward presence (on LCD). Very entertaining and different approach, and as always, educational, Stu! Ray

Comment is about Fight or Flight (my second ever rhyming poem) (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thank you David. It is a tad sinister. x

Comment is about Say Nothing (blog)

excellent 'turn' in the middle of this one Steve - totally throws you off kilter - and then the light comes on and you 'get it'.
Really enjoyed this
Ian

Comment is about this will be a re-run (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

well said Tommy - speak out - don't let the government have an easy ride into another 10 years of death and lies

Comment is about Bombs away (but what do I care?) (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Martin for the commenting on "Haunted Memories". I was nervous posting it, your words made me smile.

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks for your comments guys.
David - I pretty much agree with your first few words - however you are assuming I have no views on a workable alternative - and that I should back off from accusing elected politicians of war mongering.
You are wrong on both counts.
If we do not challenge our politicians actions then we are complicit by our silence. I do not agree with bombing innocent civilians with no workable plan in place to ensure (a) the targets are isolated and (b) that we have a strategy to follow up the bombings.
This '70,000 ground troops' who are miraculously going to gel behind these actions is nonsense.
Equally, very few military strategists believe bombing will be effective without troops on the ground.
All we are doing is adding percussive weight to a campaign of blanket, indiscriminate, bombing.
I will make my point through poetry - in the same way that you have the option to make yours - but do not accuse me of naivety simply because my view is different to yours.
This poem has once specific message - it is not aimed at attacking poets with a different view point - it is aimed at making a case to halt proceedings now - think out a strategically workable plan - and commit with all the uncertainties removed. Do not rush into an extended war because this government wants to be part of the big boys club.
Cheers

Comment is about Perhaps... (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

You took me on an interesting adventure into a supermarket. I felt like I was wrestling dinosaurs with you.

Comment is about Fight or Flight (my second ever rhyming poem) (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

thanks for your comments on 'Perhaps...' Tim - I fear you may be right about the vote - doesn't mean we shouldn't resist where possible eh? cheers

Comment is about Tim Ellis (poet profile)

Original item by Tim Ellis

thanks for the comments on 'Perhaps...' Martin - I think it would suit performance - so I expect to drop it in my set at some point - cheers

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Enjoyed this Martin. I used to have coppers attached to weigh the arm on mine! Lynn x

Comment is about Drop the needle (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Well thanks Cynthia - your observations make a very shrewd point and you have described my own intentions exactly. They are certainly not surplus to the poem, in fact the clarity was supposed to be a shock when compared with the death. I found myself thinking of the scene in Brian de Palma's depiction of Grand Central Station in The Untouchables.

Ray

Comment is about FINAL SCENE (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you this is a re-post although I have amended the poem I am happier with this version. I posted it yesterday as a tribute to Rosa on the 60th anniversary of her brave stand against racism.

Comment is about Rosa Parks (blog)

Original item by Carol Falaki

Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad to hear the poem worked on both those levels for you. I may well be giving it a run-out tonight or tomorrow to see how it works with an audience...

Comment is about this will be a re-run (blog)

Original item by steve pottinger

Great memories for anyone who grew up with the
mechanical disc players that allowed a person to select
any place on a disc merely by the "human arm to pick-uparm" process.
I was a boy with a step-father who still owned a free-
standing wind-up player with metal needles, who then
bought a small Phillips portable record player (1960) on
the 5/- a week H.P. system to bring up to London
(at age 16) when big city employment beckoned. I've
still got a Pye Black Box/BSR Monarch autochanger
and a more modern little LP/45rpm player despite being
ready to acknowledge and enjoy the much extended
play and audio quality of modern CDs. But you can't pick
your precise spot on these...can you? Nor can you
watch and listen to the whirr of the motor as it lifts
the pick-up and replaces it on its rest. You just can't define or even really explain those simple pleasures.
Play on!

Comment is about Drop the needle (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

thanks guys! yes, the layout was an attempt at a cliff face, outcrop type thing. thanks for the comments as ever!

Comment is about serenity (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck