I know this will sound ridiculous considering how sad this whole piece is. But I was saddened most that you and your daughter's doughnuts were stale. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Comment is about beach (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

This subject matter is so NOT my cup of tea but for some reason (it must be the words) I read it through several times and think it very good. You have conveyed this poor individual's predicament well.

Comment is about Soliloquy of a psychopath at Gunpoint (blog)

Original item by K.G. Mikel

Hi Tommy Thanks for comment on The Tea Time Bulletin.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks Huw.

Graham, spot on with sadness.

Thank you both for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.

Michelle

Comment is about He’s a Drunk (blog)

Original item by Michelle

I expected this to be tragic/comic as drunks albeit tragic are often comical to look at when trying to make progress walking etc.
Although your perfectly described narrative could be thought to convey comedy, it is obvious your whole intention is one of sadness for this hapless individual.
Not easy to achieve, well done!

Comment is about He’s a Drunk (blog)

Original item by Michelle

We think Graham encapsulates most of what we would have said,along with Davids mentioning of a 'healthy debate' which it was.No apologies required David for 'veering away' this is bound to happen in such discussions.To answer your questions Cynthia and Colin as to the who/what/why etc of this poem-it simply was born from our general dislike of pomposity which isn't in short supply.Our thanks for your involvement folks.xx

Comment is about AND NOW! a free minded,unapologetic response,to closed minded pomposity (blog)

Very powerful, well-crafted images which could be any location, any man, any era. While I like the spin offered by the last line, I found it diluted the real strength of 'drought', turning the lines into the constant struggle of the rich versus the poor, in any capacity. I felt almost a bit sorry that I couldn't take the imagery at face value.

Only me, Preeti, craving release from symbolism. If you can believe it? Poets operate in the world of suggestion; there is no such animal as 'simple'.

Comment is about Parched Earth (blog)

Thank you for taking time to read and comment, Cynthia. I like your comments and appreciate your time. Thank you.

Comment is about He’s a Drunk (blog)

Original item by Michelle

I really enjoyed this - excellent descriptive power, detail piling on detail. IMO, I'd continue to do line breaks with the final six lines; I don't think you would lose impact, and the pace would not slow down.

The final line is so good, as a finale, would you consider calling the poem 'The Dancer' leaving the reader really punched by the 'grim opposite' of the title. Just a thought.

Comment is about He’s a Drunk (blog)

Original item by Michelle

Martin,this HAS to be your number one-(so far)

Excellent work!


Rose.x

Comment is about Not from round here (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thank you Colin glad it reached you

Comment is about SHADES OF SURFING (blog)

Original item by Jack purvis

Hello Jack, I very much enjoyed bobbing through your poem. At first I was sitting on the beach or cliff top but then thought it would be fun to imagine myself as a seal bobbing up and down watching the surfers do the same. Thanks for posting and making me smile.

Comment is about SHADES OF SURFING (blog)

Original item by Jack purvis

Very powerful last two lines Preeti. A real knife-twister.

Comment is about Parched Earth (blog)

Waiting :)

Comment is about Corr Lens (poet profile)

Original item by Corr Lens

raypool - did you have one of those desks that had hardly
any space for your knees? I did!
Huw Thomas - I have been back to the last lines and think
it is more accurate for my purpose to amend the final line as shown. Ta!

Comment is about COPYBOOK WRITING (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Mr. Young, IMO, this is an absolute gem, spare in words and resonating in depth. May the ensuing poetry of July, 2015, meet the bar you have set.

Comment is about you (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

cool! x

Comment is about This Place (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

Thanks for the comments. I like it when poems bring about exchanges like this - not just about style, but about life experience. And yes, I suppose one cannot know, during the descent, or at best just have an intuition.

Comment is about Changes (blog)

Original item by Celia

What a cliff hanger those home movies must've been! I love how this piece put me there watching those movies with you. Eager to know what the next one held. Disappointed at not knowing what the dysfunctional ones held. A very lovely read Stu.

Comment is about top hat (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I'm with Stu. I always try to move on quickly. But more than I like get dragged into what seems like a never ending conversation. Usually odd conversations that make me very uncomfortable. I really enjoyed reading this Martin.

Comment is about Not from round here (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Thanks all!

Comment is about top hat (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I can really identify with this, along with the idea of inkwells that we used to put iron filings in at school or somesuch. Well done for all that detail, spot on!

Comment is about COPYBOOK WRITING (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Another fan, Stu, with this one. Touching and nostalgic, a time capsule of a sophisticated time , further down the line from the original big screen euphoria! Ray

Comment is about top hat (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Helen Helen Helen you are showing the signs of an intelligent mind. Be careful now or you may develop a touch of quality of purpose. Hug tightly your ups and downs. At your service, Tommy.

Comment is about Helen (poet profile)

Original item by Helen

What a nice poem. I agree with Huw very atmospheric, but it left me wanting more

Comment is about top hat (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Andy
Thanks for your comments on 'Not from round here' It is based on an event that happened to me as a student walking back to the car loaded with books as opposed to just loaded! He was quite insistent that I came form London and was happy when I agreed. Hope to see you next week.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

What an interesting few days for northern poets and universities. In Lemn's (Norman's) case, a wonderful, inspiring journey from being (quite literally) a son of Wigan to this lofty position. Manchester will be the greater for it.

Comment is about 'My aim is to inspire and be inspired': Lemn Sissay voted in as next chancellor of Manchester University (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Stu
Thanks for you comments on 'Not from here' this is related to an event that happened to me a few years ago as a student I was walking back to the car from the university library loaded with books. He was quite insistent that I was from London !

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I applaud the consistency of the imagery in pursuit of an "ideal". We are conditioned in so many ways in this life,
so let us relish the imagination to support the hope of being blessed with that which we seek.
In recognition of that hope, as the late great Dave Allen used to say, clearly mindful and respectful of its many
and varied meanings: "May your God go with you."

Comment is about A poet at prayer (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

excellent, martin. enjoyed reading this.

Comment is about Not from round here (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Hey that's brilliant :) Sounds like you enjoyed it too :) xx

Comment is about Helen (poet profile)

Original item by Helen

a well written account of something i dread (or that is how i interpreted it). i always get stuck talking to people i dont know and who alarm me.

Comment is about Not from round here (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

Yippee indeed, Cynthia. I was set against Mr A for quite a while because of his (then) stated antipathy to the idea of 'performing' a poem.
It would be incorrect to equate modernising with performance. Yeats saw poetry as "an elaboration of the rhythms of common speech and their association with profound feeling", and I think Armitage is keen to speak plainly to his listener/reader, and alert to the intimacy of that relationship. He is fully aware of poetry's oral provenance, as all poets should be. "Mere air these words, but delicious to hear" Sappho.
His reading in Washington, that I was lucky enough to witness and report on, was a masterclass in how to present your work clearly without in the least dumbing down.

Comment is about Simon Armitage wins Oxford professor of poetry election (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

absolutely~

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi Tommy, I am starting to wonder why I bothered coming back. The site is riddled with 'poets' who do nothing but critisize the work of other poets!!!

There is nothing I hate more than people who think they are better than everyone!

If I disappear again, you'll know why!

Helen x

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

"kiss gently, kiss briefly kiss often"
Tommy hi

Comment is about Dana Lee (poet profile)

Original item by Dana Lee

A point well made Lynn. Ouch!

Comment is about MAKING A POINT (blog)

thank you so much yall that means a lot i will keep posting believe you me

Comment is about Should i (blog)

Original item by Autum

so beautifully put as usual Tommy. The emphasis on leaves and litter together with paint and puddles works so well.

Comment is about the paint and the puddles (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

That I promise Mr Astell!

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi Autum
There is so much power in your poetry as personified by this poem. Keep putting on the blog. I look forward to more.

Comment is about Should i (blog)

Original item by Autum

Hey, hey :)

Thanks for giving me a little push to read a formal piece. I read Her Scent on Silk at open mic last night. Went really well :) x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

You sweet stray nymph
your wild wayward desires
cease they must not.

Comment is about Sweet Light (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

thanks all for the kind comments. it gives me much needed confidence!

Comment is about burial (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

great stuff Stu. It is really the threat and challenge of individuality turned inward or not being received . The metaphor expresses it perfectly.

Comment is about burial (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

HI RAy Glad you liked my Charlie Parker poem!'

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you x

Comment is about day sky (blog)

Original item by Rachel Bond

I'm glad you like my simple poem Rachel - the fact that some people wear their faith like a new pair of glasses that last the rest of their lives. I like this poem of yours as it has an expansiveness and at the same a feeling of loss, and a condemnation of material things, essential to a wider view of life!

Comment is about day sky (blog)

Original item by Rachel Bond

good poem :)

Comment is about JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES (blog)

Original item by ray pool

like this..the pace faster and desperate as you describe the fog. cool

Comment is about burial (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck