Michelle, I would stop making comments completely if I considered them to be 'reviews'. Where would I get the crust? I like the idea of talking together, informally, and often helpfully. Anyone can take my own work apart totally, which has happened frequently, to my delight and improvement. I always consider the points or options suggested and do make relevant changes.

Comment is about Michelle (poet profile)

Original item by Michelle

A beautiful expression of a universal experience. First the thought and then the electric words. Really good poem.

Comment is about I miss him still (blog)

Original item by Michelle

The Staleybridge poems look great - my personal favourite is 'Somewhere Else'.

As for the Paris massacre, the real question is 'why doesn't it happen more often?' Many urban districts in Europe (the UK included) are full of hate-filled, disenfranchised and alienated young men with nothing to lose. Little wonder they seek out 'causes' to fight and die for - indeed, I suspect we will witness more of these atrocities in the months ahead.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I've written this as a news story, rather than as a review, but I do have a copy of the CD and it's excellent, Graham. If you've never encountered Little Machine before, you should certainly give them a go. It's more than a cut above your average Christmas musical output, particularly the tracks mentioned. I have an earlier CD of theirs that I play a lot, which includes a very moving version of Wilfred Owen's 'Anthem for Doomed Youth', and a joyful punk version of Larkin's "They fuck you up ..." If however, just mentioning the poet laureate's name makes you choke on your sprouts, they did also release a CD of six poems with a world war one setting earlier this year, called A Blackbird Sang http://www.little-machine.com/news/cd-a-blackbird-sang-ww1-poems/

Comment is about Christmas cracker: Carol Ann Duffy teams up with Little Machine on festive album (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

btw Jade, thanks again for commenting on my poem. I've been reading a few of yours today and enjoying although I haven't left any comments. Just wanted to say.

Comment is about Jade Eloise (poet profile)

Original item by Jade Eloise

This idea itself is completely captivating, Tommy, but it's the switch in tense, and voice, that I'm struggling with. Like - how can you make an observation if you don't know it happened? Do you follow my point, or am I way off base myself? What if, after you 'blinked'. you made the final 'episode' a question? A hope? A longing?

I have continued commenting only because I like the work so much. I really miss hobnobbing with poetry-minded friends over chips and coffee.

Comment is about Deeply breathing (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

The Angel of Grief

Each tear of grief
an Angel will rise.

Sending love and understanding
to families suffering pain.

Faith will bring strength
for those that fall.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

The Angel of Grief

Each tear of grief
an Angel will rise.

Sending love and understanding
to families suffering pain.

Faith will bring strength
for those that fall.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Excellent Katy

on each line
of this poem
holds so much
hurt and pain
in so few words.

Comment is about Vindication (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

I'm in two minds about this. Half of me thinks what a good idea, a recognized poet's words set to music. Then the other half frowns and thinks it's just a Christmas gimmick and yet another, more commercial vehicle for CAD!
Hard to judge?

Comment is about Christmas cracker: Carol Ann Duffy teams up with Little Machine on festive album (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Paris, 13 November 2015

I weep for you, Paris,
Every beautiful boulevard,
Every humble street
Whose pavements so often have welcomed my feet –

Every drop of blood shed;
Every beating heart dead;
Every au revoir said –

Your heart-beat is mine, too:
Paris, I weep for you –

And WE say to hate: you will never destroy
Good. And we SHALL sing for joy –

This, I will ever recall –
But, for now, my tears fall…

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I do write with honesty and obviousness lol, thanks

Comment is about Need to write (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

Many on WOL often make the mistake of assuming poems are autobiographical when they are not. This however does sound so. If so it is a brave effort John. The essence of futility is accurately portrayed here.

Comment is about Kieran (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Thank you so much Cynthia! Really appreciate your ongoing support. : ) x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks zach, how interesting that we posted similar poems at the same time. well, similar in some ways. i enjoyed your piece very much.

Comment is about once upon the sea of blissful awareness (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

looking at it now, i think its one of the best things i've written. tomorrow, who knows!
its dense, partly recalling psychedelic experiences, partly expressing (as best i could) a conversation i had with god once. perhaps in a dream. i like the imagery, im happy with the flow and overall story and i think it stands up as a poem of some intent and regard. however, it may just be bollocks. thats the beauty of poetry. one mans trash etc! i could never scorn anyone for not liking a poem. poetry is so subjective that it wouldnt be right. thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. i will update you tomorrow as to whether i still feel its any good or not!

Comment is about once upon the sea of blissful awareness (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I've read this Stu and tried to stay afloat on your sea - difficult with no known navigational aids. It's admirable, as you experiment in a tricky field and it does present a challenge. Are you happy with it? I can't be critical of its message although I think I know what you are getting at. with respect as always. Ray

Comment is about once upon the sea of blissful awareness (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I've read this Stu and tried to stay afloat on your sea - difficult with no known navigational aids. It's admirable, as you experiment in a tricky field and it does present a challenge. Are you happy with it? I can't be critical of its message although I think I know what you are getting at. with respect as always. Ray

Comment is about once upon the sea of blissful awareness (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Stu you are my fucking spirit animal.
The walls on which the prophets wrote is cracking at the seams

Comment is about once upon the sea of blissful awareness (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I love this Tom. The idea of the stairs like a descent into the unknown future, of being left alone with the mystery of a cat left intact and respected, with the human spirit in a fragile state, personified by the old fella going away to another world.

Ray

Comment is about Cat (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Sadness of a wanton need that is unequal love. give oneself too easily then be punished for it.

Comment is about Take My Hand (blog)

Original item by Amanda

Thanks for reading and commenting. The world can be a very isolated place considering its so full of people. In the first verse it ended with 'today' which I removed as I think the world slightly shakes its head every day. I do hope so too. x

Comment is about World (blog)

Agreed. I have tweaked this a bit already since I first wrote it but t is meant to replicate the works themselves.

Comment is about ROADWORKS (97) (blog)

Original item by David Addington

Cheers Colin. yeah, I suppose it works still today. Cheers

Comment is about IN – BETWEEN DAY (an ansgt poem of the 90's) (blog)

Original item by David Addington

What you write here is completely me and how I feel, i am not anywhere near as damn clever as you though. A voice among fascists is not like a tree falling in the woods.

Comment is about Budgetary Democide (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

this is brilliant. the last two lines are sensational and the third verse flows beautifully.

Comment is about 4300 (11/15/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

me too

lets hope Rachel can get another railway station set up

but it must have a good bar to go with it!

thanks for putting my poems on your blog.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Thanks Martin.. glad to be visiting WOL more frequently and hope to post and read more.
Your words on 'Deals on Wheels' and comments are always welcome and appreciated. I hope to catch up with you somewhere in the North West in the near future. (The Vespa is running like a dream.. for a few months it ran like a nightmare). D :)

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Laura, thank you very much for your kind words on 'Deals on Wheels'. Very much appreciated!
I sense where you are coming from regarding recreational aspects... I once had to take Tramadol following surgery.. I was floating on the ceiling for at least two weeks. (I always wondered why it never caught on).
Thanks again Laura.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

love this - been there done that - second verse is ace especially finding 'a tainted magic stump' - made me laugh

Comment is about On the dole in Workington (1995) (blog)

Original item by David Addington

I agree with Martin, this is lovely and poignant - the more so in its simplicity.

Comment is about For Janis (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

I like this but I'd take away the punctuation and capitals to make it more free flowing - but that's just me

Comment is about Genevive (1998) (blog)

Original item by David Addington

no idea what some of this means and please don't explain but I like the feel and rhythm

Comment is about As Sala malai kum (blog)

Original item by David Addington

I'm with David - shake it up - not sure about 'so far forlorn' but some good lines

Comment is about Disappointments (blog)

Original item by David Addington

I like the idea behind this poem but I find it messy to read if you don't mind me saying. I go back and change my stuff all the time, add and subtract, move words around. Some people don't like to do this but, for me, poems grow with time and need some occasional TLC.

Comment is about ROADWORKS (97) (blog)

Original item by David Addington

I know the feeling but mine would have been 1979 and there was no work to look forward to just the dole queue - always wanted love tho.

Enjoyed the poem - not sure you need to add an explanation - let the words and title speak for themselves.

Cheers. I'd skin up for old time's sake but I've given up lol.

Comment is about IN – BETWEEN DAY (an ansgt poem of the 90's) (blog)

Original item by David Addington

Hi Cynthia, thanks for commenting on So I Let it Take Me. You know, I have at least 4 hibiscus bushes in my yard, but actually had to check myself whether they open and close or whether I'd imagined it :) - turns out the flowers close at night time - but the image was from a dream. I know what you mean about balking at the pulsing psychedelic hibiscus, I'm not comfortable with it either. I forced myself to leave it in there because there's some sense of shame around it for me, and I won't let shame silence me, at least I think that's what it is, still thinking.
Thanks again, I love your comments both on mine and other's poems -always engaging, curious, and respectful.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Martin, thanks for your lovely and very kind comment on So I let it Take me. I'm very glad you liked it,
Leander x

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thank you jade, very kind of you

Comment is about The Poet (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

I recommend it. It's an excellent read.

Comment is about 'Obviously I don't have a self-doubt gene': the thoughts of Attila the Stockbroker (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

thanks all. quite right, horrible day. my parents live in france and we have friends in paris who were about half a mile up the road. still, watching the main news channels is a lot like only reading every other word in a story. you can never get the whole picture. every time something like this happens i feel like crawling under a rock in shame. whoever is responsible cant be a human being like me. can they?

Comment is about i got those human blues (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

my blog featuring a few of your poems is here mate.

great to see you today.

really enjoyed it.

http://onewriterandhispc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/poetry-at-stalybridge-train-station.html

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Here is the link from my blog from pictures took of the poetry and pictures exhibtion at Stalybridge train station me and the lovely Nigel went to 2day.

http://onewriterandhispc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/poetry-at-stalybridge-train-station.html

it's in the waiting room on platform 4 if you are ever passing. excellent fun (

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I enjoyed this. There is something really genuine about it Patricio. Thank you for posting.

Comment is about The Poet (blog)

Original item by PatricioLG

I dont know why i like this so much.

Comment is about dont post a poem (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

Reading you poem made me feel very schizophrenic emotionally. it definitely shows how fucked up it all is

Comment is about i got those human blues (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Wonderful peace, wonderful piece, how wonderful it is. I only wish that I could write as poetic as this.

Comment is about Paris is Beautiful (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

Re Deeply Breathing

Cheers Martin, warm and lost sums it up. :-)

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Re Deeply Breathing

Hi Katy, you got 2 out of 3, hope not being one of them;-) cheers Tommy

Comment is about Katy Megan (poet profile)

Original item by Katy Megan

Re Deeply Breathing

Cynthia hi, I'm afraid I was having a "moment" of cerebral disconnect - as I was trying to write "cerebral" six goes at it. Cheers for your comment, l came back just now to check. (cerebral disconnect had nothing to do with the drink by the way) Cheers Tommy

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas