I love the smartphone dementia!
Comment is about This is the modern world ... (blog)
Original item by David Addington
Cheers Colin - I love the way you mention that and "pleasure boat" in the same sentence!! Ray
Comment is about NOVEMBER DAYS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
thanks all. sometimes restraint is needed to convey true emotions i feel. i originally had quite a dark sexual vein running through this, then took it out completely and to the poems benefit.
Comment is about the storm (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
I like this poem a lot said - and even more unspoken - in so few words
Comment is about the storm (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
<Deleted User> (13762)
Sun 29th Nov 2015 18:10
I once watched a seagull swallow a whole drowned sodden rat whilst I sat eating my breakfast in a pleasure boat moored opposite a rowing club jetty in Norwich. It was a ghastly sight - a bit like this November. Let's hope December brings us crisp sunny days to clear the mind.
A well written and thought out poem Ray.
Comment is about NOVEMBER DAYS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
social pratfalls ((blush))
Yes Tina more chuckle less knuckle Tommy :-)
Comment is about The Ladies Hat (blog)
Original item by Tina Rooney
This is a sort of desperate cosiness against a backdrop of something ludicrous and offensive. Could it be married life, I wonder. I've certainly seen this film before.
Excellent Stu.
Comment is about the storm (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
What a treat to read a poem with a light touch and highly amusing. Well done -more please. I enjoy social pratfalls!
regards Ray
Comment is about The Ladies Hat (blog)
Original item by Tina Rooney
So nice to get your comment David. The ignoring feels like part of the month! I think some poets including yourself have done November already, but this is like a kick in the arse as it leaves the universe.
Yes, to be born is a serious thing anytime but this month.....
We're fine thanks. Share a drink old mate with my thoughts. Ray
Comment is about NOVEMBER DAYS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I think Cynthia`suggestion of `fleetingly`is spot on because - in addition to it`s rhythmic assonance - the soundless `f` which introduces it is also suggestive of the swift and feathery shortness of the snowflakes life.
(and also initially fits with the frosted fern later)
Very good `earing Cynthia!
Comment is about The Snowflake (blog)
Original item by Roy Chetham
I really like this, its imagery and its truth. And 'beauty' so difficult to capture.
May I make a suggestion? And then I go ahead and do so, unasked.
I would use either 'transiently' or 'fleetingly'. I know they are not exactly synonymous, but perhaps close enough to choose just one to keep the power of the line itself firmly focussed. Maybe 'fleetingly', because it picks up the sound value of 'repeated' which then supports and progresses an invisible cohesion of thought working towards a climax of 'GONE!' Plus, the shorter line itself is indicative of 'disappearing'.
These are respectful 'thoughts, and can be totally ignored. I make them because I like the poem so much and I miss active discussion with fellow poets.
Comment is about The Snowflake (blog)
Original item by Roy Chetham
Memories denied to the yoof of today, Graham; that is, anyone under 60.
As for the belt, an extravagant fashion accessory, I'd say.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
As per the picture, mine never had a belt either?
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Navy Blue and scratchy and always shrunk a couple of sizes each winter.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks Stu - I'm really glad you liked it. Takes me back sixty years. Well spotted the last lines!.
Ray
Comment is about MARBLES (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Thanks Laura. I perform this one bouncing up and down beating on a hand held bongo drum. People seem to enjoy it - I don't know why! I do lots of deep and earnest environmental poems, but it's the silly ones that more often catch the public imagination.
Comment is about C-R-A-P World Holidays (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
The Victorians lapped up this sort of thing obviously, but Roy ? probably not!! Yes, over production is a danger to inspiration I suppose, but when you think about world war 2 and the desperate continuance of various forms of entertainment in the face of bombing - like an antedote; or again the concerts in Russia at the time - performers almost at starvation level....
Ray
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
for those of us watching from home, i acknowledge that this is complete and utter garbage
Comment is about there (blog)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
Thank you for writing this Zack, it brought back memories for me!
Anita
Comment is about math 30 (9/22/2015) (blog)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
this is brilliant ray. nostalgia and wonderful onomatopoeia's. a clever last two lines as well, with life crashing like a marble into the pack.
Comment is about MARBLES (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Ah, those memories of pubescent humiliation, Harry.
You also seemed to be able to dredge tons of sand with them as I recall.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Re "The trouble with Derek" Harry we, the Labour Party were more than just " a wake up call to the Labour party to get it`s house
into some sort of winnable state,they were of some
use at the time..." Like 5,000 houses, nurseries and sport centers and much more. I will be happy to give you the details. Tommy
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Harry we, the Labour Party were more than just " a wake up call to the Labour party to get it`s house
into some sort of winnable state,they were of some
use at the time..." Like 5,000 houses, nurseries and sport centers and much more. I will be happy to give you the details. Tommy
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
I was sitting opposite this guy for a fleeting minute at last Wednesdays Dead Good Poets...I`ve never been that close to a ten thousand pound poet ever. :)
Comment is about Andrew McMillan is first poet to win £10,000 Guardian book award (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
John,
Definitely the worst bit was wearing them in the baths and trying to haul yourself up on to the side in them.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A fine tribute to your - and our - particular art Cynthia!
In particular I like the way that middle stanza uses words:
`compelling` `surfs` `deeps` `lipse` (how scarce that one is nowadays)...`slash``gruff``etc; which awaken the feel of
sound. (and in doing so demonstrate what you mean).
Your poem recalls, sound, imagery, rhythm, (even warning)
I`m glad you decided to post it.
Comment is about The Freedom of 'ART' (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
obviously not an original penny dreadful, hence the roy orbison...
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
well, you have one bit spot on sir! it was set in a penny dreadful and i think its a response to how difficult it is to be heard nowadays. oh to be ezra pound, juggling three literary magazines. nowadays there are just too many people and too many outlets.
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
What can I say, Stu. A classy piece of grotesquery in great form packed with detail not for the squeamish - it says a lot about rapport or none. Grand guignol! Not sure what the inspiration was for this poem but excellent in any event.. I think it should be set to music for French accordion .
Ray
Comment is about Beaujolais (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Tommy,
Well fancy this one, 30 years later!
Ah! The Militant Tendency. The guys who livened up
enormously the last two years of my union career .
(including my one and only strike)
As a wake up call to the Labour party to get it`s house
into some sort of winnable state,they were of some
use at the time...It was Heseltine who saved their
reputation.
This Corbyn thing has a sort of eerie similarity to it,
somehow...It will be interesting to see if Corbyn`s
supporters attempt to put some sort of deselecting
pressure on the M.P`s...I think it would be a grave
mistake if they did.
What price Blair coming back in some sort of shape
or form? The Dail Mail hates (I mean really hates)
Tony...and all of his family.
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
What I love about poetry, and why I always return to it, is that it allows me to find the right words to express my take on things in a way which I all too often fail to do the rest of the time. I just have to wait and be patient.
So, Tommy, you'll get back to it when you're ready. I don't doubt it. :-)
And Laura, I'm glad you liked it! :-)
Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Hey, I remember it well!
Thanks so much, Nigel...
D
x
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Of course, woolly trunks are also to be found on woolly mammoths.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
As we have the Purple Six heading for Stockport
and have been asked to get involved the theme is the sixties and that's means long hair arty stuff and the bands and their music.
Doing Over Sixty
Wheelchair racers
deaf to
payment shoppers
coming out
of the
black Friday
sale bargains.
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
I'm ambivalent about posting this - it sounds pretentious - and that was not my intent. It's totally bugging me; so it's here today, maybe gone tomorrow.
Comment is about The Freedom of 'ART' (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
I bloody love this - content, rhythm, comedy. Bet it performs brilliantly :)
Comment is about C-R-A-P World Holidays (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Ha - love it Tommy!! :) :)
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Ha. Bloody well said comrade! :D
Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
leah
Fri 27th Nov 2015 11:13
ATTILA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 'ALMOST' STEALS THE SHOW
In 2000, Attila stood in an alleyway called 'Arguments Yard', in Witby, North Yorkshire, and, looking around, shouted to his mate Mick, 'This is it! If I live long enough, I'm gonna write my autobiography and this alleyway's gonna be on the cover'. Fifteen years later, in November's Write Angle, at the 'Folly Upstairs', he held up the book, to a full room of his fans. The alleyway, of course, on the cover!
The audience came from local areas, Portsmouth and afar, to see their favourite poet - a great performer - (tutored by his mother in classical violin), and after 35 years of performing his work at literary and music festivals, rock venues, arts centres, pubs, universities, schools, folk clubs and punk squats in 23 countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and a hotel basement in Stalinist Albania, he completed it; almost 300 pages! The story of the good, the humourous and bad times in his life.
Whatever your politics, somehow, listening to this loveable poet rant on, 'cos we're Lefties and we smell!… you feel as if you've known him forever. Attila shares his life – in stories, poems and songs. He make you laugh, want to cry, but as he says, “All I’ve ever wanted, is to do things on my own terms, earn enough to live on, and be able to say ‘f...k off’ or ‘well done’ to anybody I want to. I publish all my own books, release all my own recordings, book all my own gigs. I don’t rely on anybody else for any aspect of what I do, and it works.”
He knows he's stubborn and difficult and his audience loves him for it. The timing of the book was perfect as 2015 proved a very bad year. Attila went through serious health problems and his poem,. 'A Spin In The Tail', written just after his autobiography was completed, tells of how he suddenly had pains and the NHS began tests. 'Flexible cystoscophy...a camera up his nob... he saw his internal organs on a large TV screen – bladder cancer. Attila's world went upside down. With Robina's support, it went better. Out of this horror, he suddenly grabbed his mandolin and did a song of his determination to live, to make it through. He has great respect for the NHS. 'Then, the fear of waiting for the news' but, somehow, he had everyone laughing...it was caught early...one message for all. 'get your nob out for your doc' He then read a poem called 'Candid Camera'. More songs and stories, bursting with emotion - with amazing energy, bursting from one to the next, non-stop.
In 'My Poetic Licence', he speaks of having to fight. Atilla, ranting rebel poetry, welcome...'We're commies, we undermine everything that moves and they fight us' ….It was the miners' strike that converted him to go 'left' in his politics and he knew it'd be a struggle but he had to say what he thought. He called 'Pakistan..a pear shaped plan'...expressed hate for Thatcher, Royalty...the rich, Rupert...newspapers that minimize the important and maximise mediocrity (Prince Harry's Nob'). In his poem 'Everytime I Eat Vegetables, I Think of You', he speaks of having seen the 'the brutal worst of capitalism. By filling in ledgers, 'he got to know exactly who was investing in other people's misery', the snobbish, status-obsessed partners and the bored, victimised clerks. Like it or not, he's determined to hold up 'that red flag till the day he dies'.
Attila speaks of his father, who died when he was 10. He wrote a poem, 'Poppy', a highly emotional poem for the man who was a published poet and fought in WW1. Four year later, when his stepdad moved in, there was a 'family feud' which lasted years, finally ending with his accepting 'You were the head of the household and I was the stroppy kid'. They admitted their love for each other. 'It's never too late to tell someone you love them'. Attila's mother, a professional musician, developed alzeimers in 2004. Attila watched how his stepdad cared for her, attending every need. He, too, stopped writing – until 2011 - and helped care for her. Attila manages to capture humour with pathos while ranting. From audience reaction, there's no doubt his audience is right there with him – all the way!
With little effort, he sold 11 copies of his autobiography to Write Angle fans (at £14.99 each!), and we hear it's already being well received, getting rave reviews. We're sure our guest performer will do very well with his performances and sales, as he continues his UK tour.
Meantime Ryan Moss opened the floor with a poem, 'Waiting for God(ot)' about being a child trapped in the rain, waiting for his parents, 'Why aren't they coming for me'. He'll join the circus if they don't come soon' – he caught the spirit of the fearful and angry young boy. He then read 'Terror', of living in world needing love. Muslim terrorists, not to confused with good Muslims. He works with many good Muslims. 'We didn't blame the Germans for Hitler. Why should we blame the Muslims for ISIS'. When Caucasians are evil, we call them mentally ill but Muslims are called 'terrorists'.
Gareth Toms then read 'A Rhythmic Response to a Question about Information in a Job Interview'. Answer. 'You won't find a job here!' Then, 'You and I will never be King of the Multi-Storey Car Park', about how big cars make statements: 'A new car for your wallet-drenching girlfriend. I'll just walk by choice', ending with, 'that baby-seat enhances everything'. Then, the embarrassment of an Englishman in a bar in a pub. Then, 'Fortune Lane' where he worked as a gardener, stole gas from his boss' car.
Colin Eveleigh read of living near a naval firing range when he was ten, and trespassing, seeing the canons, rockets...he and his friends tried to blow up a public toilet. 'It's how it was after the war'. Tim Dawes did a sonnet on the celebration of his visceral garden of summer desserts. 'A sonnet so clean, it mentions custard twice'. Then, a 'Truth and Lies' poem. 'Choosing to Ignore the Warning', based on the Miners' Strike. The meeting between Tim and Peter Tachell, another Green party member, during the strike . How some of the facts were true. Some lies. 'A whole new way of going down'. G Rimes then told of how he converted their garden shed into a craft room for his wife. The voices in her head stopped. Crafts can be therapeutic!
It was good seeing Chris Sangster again. He read of 'What hasn't been done yet? What's the next new thing? Tree felling – too dangerous. Funeral embalming...here lies granny. Seems he wants something new to do! He then read 'That Little Black Bag', how people leave it waiting for the 'poo fairy' which won't come. 'Take it with you!'
Jake then read a 'shortie'. 'Confucious he say, never lend money to kin' while Bruce Parry took out his hammer dulcimer and played a 17th century 'Medieval' tune, 'The Kettle Drum Song'. It had a lovely warm wintry feeling to it. Then, 'Bonfire Memories', with crackling twigs, chidren dancing, Guy Fawkes day – it will go from generation to generation. Keeping with memories, 'The 6ft Christmas Tree', bringing back the family around the tree and all the goodies that go with it.
Surprise guest performers Speech Painter (lyricist and singer) and Will B (singer/guitarist), always a joy to have at our mic, played somgs about two unfriendly places: 'Motel', about a place so depressed, 'there's no hope in hell' no joy – not even a bar of soap, followed by 'Hitch', in The South Downs, 'where 'someone has to die.... You wouldn't pick a stranger up.... The Saxon church is engulfed in smoke. I tell you to be careful. I tell you to beware. Cos you have no idea of the things that happen there'. Lastly, Leah did 'Carphone Warehouse' about promises made and kept, to not repair your pho
The evening ended with the winning of two three course meals at the Links Tavern, won by a very surprised young man, and preparations are now on the way for our very special Christmas Evening. It will comprise lots of truly rich as well as delicate finger-pickin' goodies, prepared by the chef of the Folly Upstairs Restaurant. That, plus our wonderful performance poet who's as funny as he is clever and a fabulous performer, Paul Lyalls, - we hope you'll all come along and join us.
Price will be £14 and we promise to make it a memorable occasion ! Do put Tuesday 15th in your diary and plan to join us for an evening of festive fun. And please bring your friends, and your poems and songs along as well! Open Mike will add to the entertainment!
Please let us know by email as soon as you can, if you're coming so we can plan the food accordingly.
Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 17 Nov 2015 (event)
Fabulous Louise!
Comment is about Louise Fazackerley releases CD of award-winning Love is a Battlefield (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Aye, cheers Dave! Yeh went great thanks :)
Possibly. And this year I'll try not to take out several guitars, a mic stand, and the lighting ;)
Comment is about Aylan poem in refugees anthology (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Steve I have read your work, I need to face it up again. Poetry is a kick in the shins. Fuck poetry. I'll try.
Comment is about comrade osborne and the little red book (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
he was as he believed, as we all believed, and MC proven, wonderfully proven. MC I will provide ALL the information that you would require. Tommy
Comment is about DEREK HATTON (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Ray, cheers, and thanks. All positions are between slaps on the back and face to face discussion. Tommy
Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)
Original item by ray pool
Very telling poem Tommy. Hammers its points home like a mantra and really fleshes the man out. Really impressive. Ray
Comment is about The trouble with Derek (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Well done Louise. Hope we hear some of this at WoL Wigan in December.
Comment is about Louise Fazackerley releases CD of award-winning Love is a Battlefield (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Lynn Hamilton
Thu 26th Nov 2015 19:29
Thanks Martin x
Comment is about Instincts (blog)
M.C. Newberry
Mon 30th Nov 2015 16:07
Ah yes...those days of austerity when ration books were
still being used to obtain the small issues of food etc.
that post-war Britain existed on; when wood and coal was
fetched for fires in homes before central heating - and
woolly swim trunks sagged down white legs behind a
closely clutched towel to form a cold puddle on the deck...
in the hope there was still lukewarm tea left in the thermos
flask to silence chattering teeth!
I remember them well.
Comment is about THE WOOLLY TRUNKS (blog)
Original item by John Coopey