Sun 23rd Aug 2015 20:32
There are some realities too unpleasant for many Harry, especially those who labour under the illusion that Britain is a quirky but basically decent democracy where opinions are rationally debated and in that regard, respected.The anti-Corbyn hysteria is a lot like Goebbel's "Gleichschaltung" or "same message" in all media.Any threat to the rotten consensus of Westminster will be rabidly attacked by very unpleasant people.
Comment is about Corbyn and and the death of Marx? (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Sun 23rd Aug 2015 20:24
Rigorous !Is one a prisoner of the other?
Steve Smith
Comment is about The Velvet Conversation (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
holy fuck
please perform this.
Comment is about carried aloft (blog)
Yes Stu, check it out I think you'll enjoy the rich imagination involved. Peake also did sketches that are in the original book. There was a radio version in the 1990s which had Sting playing Steerpike (the baddie).
Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Thanks for your very full assessment and references MC .
It certainly fits the bill in describing your experience and to be compared with M.R. James is a compliment indeed!
I only recently watched the BBC version of Whistle and i'll come to you with John Hurt. Excellent fare.
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Shades of M.R.James! Atmospheric...working on a number
of levels. It took me back to visiting the chamber in
Berkeley Castle (in the 1950s) where it is said that the
unseated King Edward 11 was murdered on the orders of
his ambitious hate-filled queen and her lover. The location
then must have been awful in every sense, with the
castle set above a desolate river plain and its cluster of
peasants' hovels with their impotent fear-filled occupants.
"The shrieks through Berkeley's rafters ring
The screams of an agonising king"
Comment is about IN THE TOWER (blog)
Original item by ray pool
i remember watching the bbc adaptation of that when i was younger but have never approached the books. this will be remedied the next time the mobile library comes (doubt they will have it but i can order them). cheers.
Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)
Original item by ray pool
there is no arguing with any of this, as you have covered all forms of discussion!
freedom is a nonsense, as is uniqueness. i dont hold much cop with these deep philosophical themes though to be honest. we are all just trying to get along, in most cases doing the best we can. we live, we die. ignorance is bliss. so many cliches apply. its always struck me that maybe the human condition (both singularly and as a whole) is just to complicated and varied to adequately describe it. the more people try to explain it, the more people force their views. usually that ends in death. this is extremely thought provoking and i love the way its written. i both sympathise and scoff at both protagonists. im sure the more deep and learned people on here will have plenty to say, but I stopped worrying years ago. ironically, now i am thirty (the same age as you when you wrote this) i am at my least bothered. the human condition is flawed. i enjoy elements of life so i try to surround myself with those elements. people who bookmark themselves into a mindset are, in my opinion, narrow minded.
cynthia, this is clearly a clever piece, as i have written loads of tripe. i hope someone has better answers for you. i enjoyed this.
Comment is about The Velvet Conversation (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Very interesting ideas, thought-provoking, with some superb imagery expressing history in a nutshell. Impressive.
I am so 'enjoying' a book on Asian History, with the book in my right hand and an atlas in my left, with a magnifying glass to scan the finest print as I follow the geographical accounts. A real eye-opener, this book, and I fully realize, the merest minimal investigation of past and present.
Comment is about kirigami (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
sent her this poem last week and she loved it so it did its job
Comment is about Magical Boy (blog)
Original item by Richard Alfred
A re-post from years ago, and written many years ago. But one that may resonate with our young writers on WOL today. Irony is - what, exactly, has changed? I'm still pondering the same questions. If this work finds no response, I'll jettison it from the public, and keep it just for myself.
Comment is about The Velvet Conversation (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Daz, I am so honoured that you went home that very night and took the time to research 'Star Songs' on WOL. On Friday, when I found your comment, my heart skipped a beat as the email threw me back six years. I know I had tears in my eyes. Thanks again for a wonderful surprise. And encouragement to keep writing.
Cynthia
Comment is about dazzer (poet profile)
Original item by dazzer
thanks guys! im really glad you like it. it went down well live as well. not a great sentence that but im sticking with it.
Comment is about stung (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Likin your scheme man, keep going and write that perfect poem
Comment is about Rail replacement bus from Manchester to Bolton (blog)
Original item by Gray Nicholls
Please Miss,
Work
Yes
Yes
Comment is about THE VERGER AND THE MAGISTRATE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
that anchor of hair on his chin... x
Comment is about I miss him still (blog)
Original item by Michelle
Sadly a true story
Comment is about Rail replacement bus from Manchester to Bolton (blog)
Original item by Gray Nicholls
thanks Graham. the 40's are flying past certainly..
Comment is about Heading towards 50 (blog)
Original item by Gray Nicholls
Thank you Katy & Martin. It's appreciated Tommy
Comment is about ...take those lips (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
I'm glad you enjoyed the Tower. It's nice when an image finds its mark in the imagination. The indented words was a fluke but i'll go there again if it works.
You might enjoy Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake who revels in that shady past thing and the weight of the unfathomable past.
Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Preeti Sinha
Sat 22nd Aug 2015 13:45
Thanks Ray :) Your words are very encouraging. I'm happy you liked my work.
Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)
Original item by ray pool
:).. best part is all are on the way with some aim plan or feeling ...n at the end we call each other "traffic"..
Comment is about Traffic Semaphore (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
lots to enjoy here. the shortening of the lines and tower formation in the middle is excellent and trips off the tongue. the line 'where creep and crack speak low' is lovely, and the whole thing flashes memories of every ruin ive ever visited and the episode of blackadder where they are stuck in the dungeon by prince ludwig the indestructable. which is no mean feat!
Comment is about IN THE TOWER (blog)
Original item by ray pool
leah
Sat 22nd Aug 2015 10:31
AUGUST BRINGS ANDREW GRAVES
After a 4 hour drive from Nottingham, Our August Guest, Andrew Graves, appeared in a 'tight' 4 buttom red and blue striped jacket and trousers, along with his charming wife Ann – he seemed so serious, I did wonder what Write Angle was in for – but, contrary to appearances, when he took over the stage, a star was born! The audience laughed from start to finish. He got straight into it and showed what a pro can do! 'I'm 45, an entertainer, teacher, preacher, etc, and have managed in all that time, to clock up an impressive 9 ½ seconds on Nat'l television. My body can't cope with that breakneck speed of my rise to fame and fortune'.
Then, 'Dear Jeremy Clarkson ...It's only four wheels and a roof, a vehicle and not the truth, you can't caress an oil stain or fall in love with a traffic lane, ..a car is money and petrol smell, combustion engine motor hell, traffic jamming dents and prangs, insurance cons and joy ride gangs. A car might get you there real quick, but a car cannot extend your…(you got it)!'
Andrew worked as a pot washer, youth worker, stacking shelves in supermarkets – his wife tells him he's 'brilliant brilliant brilliant...at always choosing careers guaranteed to make no money'. His first job was with ASDA. He was on the 'YTS 'Youth Training Scheme' for 5 days a week; he thinks it really meant 'You're Totally Stupid'. He returned to the dole office begging for anything else than shelf stacking…. said he loved animals ...a few days later they put him in butchery (be careful what you wish for). Brought up in Mansfield, he's now living in Nottingham City, which the press now calls 'Shottingham'. Andrew wanted to put right that places like that and other small towns are ignored (and shouldn't be), except for the bad things that happen.
He had researched Petersfield and was impressed that John Wyndham came from here. He referred to a book John had written, turned into a film called 'The Village of the Damned'. Walking around town, Andrew said he could see where John's inspiration came from'! 'I warm myself to your poverty'. A lot of his poems were from his latest book, 'Light at the End of the Tenner'.
'He's a writer, mod and regular face on the performance poetry scene and has been cited 'the hardest working poet in the East Midlands. We can believe that – although, like good ice skating, his work and stories flow out effortlessly! Very into football, he told of...'Something Brave and Ridiculous'. 'The referee calls silent victory prayer. The spirit of '77 fully realised. The referee calls time on this game of man and gods.' He played out the story of a particular game dedicated to old bighead Brian Clough, one of the Football League's highest goalscorers.
Andrew's favourite comic is Superman, the creation of two Jewish immigrants, Siegal and Schuster. The original Superman was on the side of the working classes. Fighting corporations, supporting striking workers - he feels we could use the original Superman now. Super Power to the People...'a sign of mankinds epic fail'….'If he existed now, the media would call him a terrorist. He'll rip up every palace door and share the crown jewels with the poor….He'll round up all the CEOs. He'll tear up loans and build new homes.' A definite theme to Andrew's work is those living in squalor and poverty. Sees how Romeo and Juliette clashes with the council estate. Andrew's now working on a new show, - 'God Saves a Teen', an hour long narrative, soon to be produced.
Open Miker, Bruce Parry played some lovely songs on the hammer dulcimer including Oriental tunes, followed by a story of some 52 different gnomes 'found in a sock in a box' in the attic. How they 'sat, stood, fell over in the wind – on guard in darker storms'. (That box, week by week, is becoming more exciting as it reveals its 'inner sanctum'). He then talked and read his poem, 'I was a London Tram'. Lovely lilting memories for those who remembered!
Colin Eveleigh read a very visual account of 'Seaside Dip English Summer' describing 'Gliding, Swaying...a step by step description of what it feels like to go seaside dipping. 'Floating, skirting, somewhat hurting….' back on the beach shivering….good imagery! Then, with planes flying that day to commemorate 'The Battle of Britain' , he read 'Missing Man' about 'Spitfire and Hurricane wings'….'wait! he's going to crash...in September 1940 you could understand it. But not now in Shoreham, at an air display….stunned, disbelieving...they were told they'd be updated…' Very moving.
John Meriton and guitar joined us with some new songs he's written...Two relate to Thailand - his daughter lives there, on a river boat in a town called Pai, one of the many places hippies now inhabit....from all over the world. It's also a 'great music scene' . His first song was for his grandson, called 'Little Dylan' . 'Every passing week he sees the world in a different way'. 'Little Dyl is growing strong'…..high spirited song from a talented and very happy grandad. Really caught the emotions John has for this boy.
Then, a song, 'Walking in Berlin', about his trip to Berlin. 'Struck by its centre which had all cultural things. Now a magnet for young people. Ancient and modern. From a crumbling city to a shining metropolis. It contained memories, all the pain's within...future lies for all together...'Freedom to think of joy and sin'...bound in time for worse or better…' Very emotional song, sad and yet, a feeling of promise. Lastly, another song about Thailand, a place 'where love grows. They never grow old...a very special place'. John was in 'top form'
Caroline Blackburn, with her very special talent for performance, did 'The depth of the water doesn't matter when you're drowning'. 'One day my heart fell asleep. Purity is dressed in squalor. Naivete has raped wisdom and knowledge was not aware. ...'What do I represent to you?' What string would you tie around my fingers….' dedicated to a very dear friend…(hope to see more of Caroline's work).
David Robert did 'Butterflies' – 'better to watch those in the garden than have them in your tummy. Then, 'Stardust Memories', those moments of joy, now changed – money is gone, career on the rocks, Wife has gone'…..Where are those moments now?' 'Whatever Works, followed, 'Do whatever works – learn from the university of life'. Lastly, 'Ashes', the first sports poem he ever wrote. About cricket: 'the English regain their noble name'.
Jake Claret, compère, spoke of his father, a businessman who always failed and when he did, went back to the stall in the marketplace. 'Something to be proud of' - Jake went to posh schools, never laughed, was diligent - did all the things expected of him. Then a poem chosen for the book of Portsmouth, 'Where are they now' All those brave sailors. Who are their sons in the present day. Are we better off or do we look back to the days when we were brave but we were poor?'
Finally, 'That's My Girl'. About his daughter, Sabra playing, getting hurt and being rushed off to A&E, with a possible concussion. Then, going home, she ran straight out the back door into the garden and got on the same swing! Yours truly did a few poems including, 'I stole a skirt' because of a short story she read called 'The Poker Game'.
Another good evening ended. A smaller crowd than usual but a high spirit throughout! Here's to next month when, due to renovation at The Square Brewery, the gig, starring the fabulously funny and talented Sarah Hirsch, we'll be at the 'Fork Handles Kitchen, Petersfield. More to follow. Put the 15th September (gosh, is it almost September already???) in your diaries! You won't want to miss it!
Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 18 Aug 2015 (event)
Hi Juhi, I did get that feeling- the driver pondering, reminiscing then deciding and 'going-for-it'. A complex arrangement of narrative and observational text. Tommy
Comment is about Traffic Semaphore (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
Yes, Harry and Ledge, and most of its true!
Comment is about THE VERGER AND THE MAGISTRATE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (8659)
Sat 22nd Aug 2015 08:14
Ha ha, Just brilliant John.
Comment is about THE VERGER AND THE MAGISTRATE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (8659)
Sat 22nd Aug 2015 08:12
Good Morning John,
Many thanks for the comment on "...And Along Came Jeremy". Refreshing to hear you say that you like the poem even if you don't entirely agree with the opinion expressed within.
Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)
Original item by John Coopey
Tommy,
That`s what I call poetically forgettin` your mac.
Comment is about Sodden (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Blimey, a snout and a beagle...you should be ashamed of yourselves (I`m not sure which selves)
Comment is about THE VERGER AND THE MAGISTRATE (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
thanks ray, im glad you enjoyed it (if enjoyment is the right word). i wonder how many michelles are currently sat alone across the country. a fair few i might guess.
Comment is about switch (for michelle) (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
<Deleted User> (8659)
Fri 21st Aug 2015 16:24
Hi Harry,
Thanks for your comments on "...And Along Came Jeremy"
Ledger
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Great feel to this Preeti. It has a languid atmosphere, and a sort of materialistic impasse at the end. As if the wanting is a sort of submission to the inevitable. Very nice.
Comment is about Mountain (blog)
Great stuff Stu. It's excruciating how cruel kids can be - I wonder if they would be the same today? The word retarded has been quietly dropped but it was common currency in the fifties. I notice the word switch and bewitch are very strong - I would probably have gone overboard on that and threw in a witch or ditch or something - you know me by now! Very powerful poem.
Comment is about switch (for michelle) (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
@David Ignorance of dangerous purposeful options has, is and continues to be blissful. Tommy
Comment is about Corbyn and and the death of Marx? (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
Noted. There have usually been plenty of socialist
"Grouchos" with links to Marx.
Comment is about Corbyn and and the death of Marx? (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
<Deleted User> (8659)
Fri 21st Aug 2015 14:36
Thanks for the (very heartening) comment on '...And Along Came Jeremy'. Cheers, Ledger
Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
got you. its a good metaphor, especially for poets and one i should have tattooed on my mouse clicking hand! i dont think you need worry about things being to personal, the imagery and language makes you want to be inside your head, even if you have no reason why. i love the films of david lynch for this very reason. i leave each one annoyed and in wonder.
Comment is about Zach Dafoe (poet profile)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
You really are way too kind.
I like treading the line of too verbose and too vague, even if it's completely by accident. sometimes i forget that other people don't live inside my head and a lot of my writing (especially looking into last year and backward) has a lot more internal meaning that comes off jilted when someone else reads it. too much context is bad. not enough is worse.
the parable begins when a neighbor comes to visit the farmer. as he walks up the long pavestone path to the front porch, he hears this horrible yelping and howling coming from round back.
"What the hell is that raquet?!"
"My dog. He's sitting on a nail on the back porch."
"Why doesn't he just get up and move? Why doesn't he make it stop?"
The farmer thoughtfully puffed on his corncob pipe, exhaled, uncocking his head with the answer:
"It must not hurt enough yet."
a fallen mastery is knowing when to get off the nail.
I've yet to fully recognize this.
Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Hello,
Nope, not heard it. Enlighten me!
I always enjoy your work, its surreal and wise, treacle thick with language and meaning. im not one for overly-wordy stuff (which probably shows in the previous sentence) as i feel it dilutes meaning, but you have a great mix. your longer pieces are like walking through twin peaks after a bomb dropped.
so, the farmers dog?
Comment is about Zach Dafoe (poet profile)
Original item by Zach Dafoe
good morning stu
thank you for reading me.
doomed loved is my speciality. I don't think I've ever had anyone break down my writing so succinctly. sometimes it's better to start with a feeling, abstract and big (impossibly vast), fuzzy and fluid, then work down into the details of a mortal word with a slight taper bridging the two.
I've been accidentally using it a lot lately. Probably a byproduct of those powerfully estranged feelings I get during karaoke hours.
Have you ever heard the metaphor of the farmers' dog?
Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)
Original item by Stuart Buck
Steve Smith
Sun 23rd Aug 2015 20:37
Nice work Laura, I read "The Tempest" one on Facebook I think and am going to read the lot now.
Steve Smith
Comment is about Tableau 2: Night of Years (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor