Is this the voice that I hear on the TV ad. telling us about
where the sea comes in?
Lovely to know we have an apostle for our seaside and
its many neglected delights - too often victims of the
cheap foreign holiday. But all the more welcome for
rising like the phoenix from the ashes in recent years and
providing a renewed appreciation of what we have here "at home" to enjoy.

Comment is about Why Dr John Cooper Clarke loves to be beside the seaside (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

If we need to believe in anything - why not the essential
goodness of our fellow human beings? - with the added
advantage of an awareness of how some can fall by the
wayside and be tempted to the "dark side" - to use a
popular modern phrase.
Religion is basically a man-made phenomenon - an instrument of social control cloaked in the mystique of
"holy" fantasy that appeals to the human imagination and
desire for hope for something more than the basic - and often base - aspects of existence.
I prefer to think that there is indeed something beyond
what our senses reveal - like an example I have mooted
previously: the tv signal that can't be experienced
UNLESS you have the equipment to decipher it. Does
death present an added dimension to earthly existence
that permits progress to a state of being of which we
are unaware in our mortal form?
It is certainly one way of considering the chance of "immortality".

Comment is about THERE IS NO GOD! (blog)

Original item by ray pool

i have to admit to being moderately laymonic (if its not a word it should be) regarding metre and verse, having never touched an english class aside from what was deemed necessary. so i have no intellectual input to give on the subject. however...

Tinkling-glass tones trembling on restless breezes

...is just lovely, even to my uncouth lugholes.

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Cynthia,
your intelligent wisdom in actually having a go at resurrecting some of the old forms in modern style gave me the courage to post the blog I have done today.

I know it is devilishly difficult to re-create the feel of some of them.

But full marks for trying

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks! i read the line 'her daughters smile wears hinges' in a poem by theresa davis and it just flowed from there. its such a great image, and perfectly describes the fake smiles we plaster on our faces when prompted to by our guilt.

Comment is about pang (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

well, since i am a fairly new writer, and as i mentioned in my profile somewhat unsure as to what is good and bad when it comes to my writing, i like to put it all up. i would change this if the latest post did not delete the last one, as i would feel guilty clogging up peoples home pages. however, it only shows one, which leaves it up to the user if they wish to delve deeper. also, i dont have many outputs for my poetry, no friends or family with which to entrust it to, so im guilty of excitedly hurling it about. im sure, as the weeks and months pass, this will ebb away, leaving a trickle of genius, not a deluge of mediocrity!

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

The revision is superb. I knew it was there.

Why dump on us your unfinished/unedited work. I truly object. And no smiley face either.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

thank you

Comment is about memories (blog)

Original item by mollie learmonth

Brilliant writing, and a viciously true topic. The first line is a master 'hook', as are the two closing lines that twist in the gut.

Comment is about pang (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Helen, this posting is for you especially. I sweat blood over these particular two, through countless revisions - although not recently. I wanted works that could not be discerned as 'modern'. A friend took them both to challenge a poetry group as to their period origins. Unfortunately, I never did hear the outcome.

I am inordinately pleased with them, regardless of how they strike anyone else. It was a labour of love, and respect for earlier writers. I don't think I could so discipline myself on a regular basis. Perhaps I should try again. I have never written a sonnet - read hundreds in every style and topic - but can't get past a kind of personal mental block. Maybe an August challenge.

Comment is about Two Formal Poems (re-posts) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hey Cynthia,
Thanks so much for your comment :) I have the singular ability to ignore butt hurt comments. My piece was directed more at myself than anyone here. However, it's not to say how utterly boring I find the works of those who are so intent on form, style, designated names that their work is no longer natural, pleasing or free flowing. Quite like the chef who measures agonizingly from the cookbook and creates a dish with something valid missing: taste.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thanks John - for giving me a new perspective and some early morning good karma - both of which I need right now - I will press on

Comment is about Zach Dafoe (poet profile)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

it's a sad reflection on this site that your contributions receive so little comment John. As I've said before, I never fully understand your work - maybe I really am lowbrow - but I admire the way you connect your words - I could pick examples from almost every line.

your quiet stoicism (?) inspires me not to delete my profile and slip off the radar, for the moment anyway.

jesus christ this crucifix is heavy...

Comment is about karaoke 2 (07/23/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

great title and thought provoking - I'd like to say more but I daren't

Comment is about echolocate (08/01/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

Texture so silky smooth
black satin was good
soon to be replaced
because we just kept
slipping and sliding off
plus a slight injury
bruised my little head.

I agree she is gorgeous.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I never know if I'm replying correctly on this site. But I'm giving it a try anyway :P
First off, you always give good feedback. It's well thought out and never brutal or mean. Too many people on the internet like to let their egos get in the way when commenting on other people's work.
The word 'between' is there to imply that closing is something the flowers do in secret. I never really catch these flowers in the process of closing. I just always see them open or close. The 'quiet hours' in this poem are the hours in the late part of the day when things are slowing down. So 'between the quiet hours' is almost exactly that. The flowers are closing between the hours when nobody can look.

Comment is about Two Impressions of Early Summer (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

These are lovely lines. May I suggest another word than 'between' which implies 'in the centre of two things'. I've tried to search out the intent, but I can't find it.

Just a thought.

Comment is about Two Impressions of Early Summer (blog)

Original item by A.M. Clarke

Oh, Preeti, I just laughed out loud over the poem, and a bit more over the comments. You have stirred up some strong feelings, most of insufficiency. Your poem is, after all, highly personal, referring to your own likes and dislikes of subject and style. You are very brave to be so positive, and eloquent, of what is or is not 'good'. So, I guess I was a bit dismayed by the responses, that the readers/poets took your scathing comments so personally.

Comment is about How does it feel (blog)

Portsmouth Tongues and Grooves on sunday 23rd August :) *nudge* *wink*

Comment is about Louise Etheridge (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Hi again. Thanks for your comment on Seasonal Tides. It made me chuckle. I guess when I look back on some earlier stuff it can be a tad cringe!

Your comments reinforced that fact and raised a smile too :) x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Very classy -downright beautiful - and you've called it 'Tasty Flesh'! Like a filet of steamed fish!

'the jaws of her open thighs' is superb. How can a woman ever relate to this expression?

Comment is about tasty flesh (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Brief and effective. Could be a metaphor for all types of relationships where 'dominance and submission' are emotional or mental, etc. etc.

IMO, I would separate the first line into two parts for even greater emphasis of the major shift, and thus not needing a weak comma. Just a thought.

'momentarily' is brilliant; domination and submission are hard bonds to break, however 'kismet' a 'moment' may be.

Comment is about Kismet (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

i never post edited poems here, as i use this as a proving ground to see what does and doesnt stick. as i have mentioned before, i am guilty of overindulgence. its the amateur in me!

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

cynthia, on the ball as ever. soon after posting this i set about editing it. i wanted the overall image to be of a tree shooting through a human being, casting him stiff and upright before overpowering him totally. the edited version reads...

Roots grow through his body
Sinews splinter
Organs drown
Sun bound
Sins of the flesh
Ripen to fruit
Branches split and splint
Reach beyond the stars

He sits at Natures feet
Weeping tears of blossom.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Haven't quite untwisted it; almost there. Don't want help yet. I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe I'm tired.

PS. I've popped into this on the strength of your name alone. I so admire your work.

Cynthia

Comment is about Not White To Weft (early poem for public art sculpture in Oldham) (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

Definitely a good point.

Comment is about TWO SIDES TO THE COIN (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Fast and funny, mostly because it could be true, and why not, to the multiple-sexed-inclined? Hothouse sex is ancient. I don't suppose the action needs 'black satin sheets.' Such a detail probably separates the fanciful from the actual.

Is the photo Eva Langoria? Some years back? She sure was/is gorgeous.

Comment is about One Suggestion Is All It Took (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

I am totally with the intent of this poem. But, if I may be honest, I think a much shorter, tighter version, would enhance the immensity of the theme. IMO, it has become 'laboured' with 'Let -' piled on 'Let -', even if you are striving for a Biblical tone, which would then have separate 'verses' for emphasis.

Always with respect - just an idea.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

You are, by choice, often difficult to follow. But I still enjoy your work. I do see the 'chapters' following a theme, I think. The final two lines seem to come from nowhere, not a continuation, not a summary - just - from nowhere. Like - read the next novel of my saga.

The title is excellent.

Comment is about privilege (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

thanks ray. i have added below a link to the trailer from the fountain that i based the poem on. its a fascinating film, if flawed, and like i said, raises many questions (and answers none...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAuxryJ6pv8

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

if you don't live in California you should come by. You're singing the song of our state.

and well.

Comment is about Parched Earth (blog)

i hope this includes me.

Ludicrous

Comment is about How does it feel (blog)

i love this. It rings of bondage and robbon dance but to me sounds like a nevada work camp. I fucking love what it made me see. I want more! time to sift through your blog!!!

Comment is about static (blog)

Original item by Rachel Bond

Hi Michelle, welcome to WOL, just been reading a few of your poems, good stuff, you will have to treat us to a rendition at WOL!

Anyway, keep up the good work, thanks for reading 'It doesn't sit right' have to have a good rant now and again! :-)

Comment is about Michelle (poet profile)

Original item by Michelle

If only I wasn't thousands of miles away.......

Comment is about The joy of slam: sign up to be a superhero in Commonword contest (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for all the comments I guess the nature of these things are very complex and aren't going to be put to bed tonight. It may have been a mistake to address so many points without giving enough time to each. I guess the overarching message was towards bettering how our society works. Night all

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

This is a really interesting poem Stu with almost a feel of the Wicker Man , primeval in its feel. I think we need to approach mother nature with a large begging bowl at this stage of our "civilization." Some very nice use of words.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

f a c t a l e r t...f a c t a l e r t...f a c t a l e r t...

The lion was killed not murdered.

If the lion was called 'Robert Mugabe'
I doubt that there would be as much objection.
As it was it was named after an English gangster.

And while the 'world weeps' for a lion, millions of Zimbabweans live in abject poverty.

All trophy hunting should be banned.

Dentist's shouldn't be able to afford such luxuries as trophy hunting.

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

Hello Matthew, my apologies if my previous comment came across as slightly terse - perhaps 'rant' wasn't the best word to use.

Animal welfare in all its guises is such an emotive issue that, in my opinion, it doesn't help to lump them all together under a rainbow umbrella that aims to solve all the problems with one magic pill. It simply will never happen.

I actually agree with a lot of your points but at the end of the day it is a criticism on people for not believing in your point of view wholeheartedly. Sadly change often only comes about when one headline grabbing event happens that draws a particular problem to the world's attention. Let's hope that this is the positive outcome and legacy for Cecil's death.

As Graham pointed out, 'your piece covers so much ground it doesn't scratch the surface of any of it.' Using Nazis, Jews and immigrants as reference points in a discussion about animal welfare is perhaps not helpful.

(I've been called various names today for no good reason so maybe next time I'll just keep my trap shut!)

That said, I did go on to read your previous entry titled 'On the universe, thinking and string theory' which I quite liked and, yes, I think would read great as a poem or in a more poetic form.

Don't let me or anyone else put you off posting what you want to write in whatever form you choose - but I reserve the right to comment if I feel so inclined!

All the best.

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

very true. from dust we came and to dust we shall return as it were. this came from the tail end of a very interesting (if somewhat pretentious) film called the fountain by a very interesting (if somewhat pretentious) chap called darren aronofsky. spoiler free summation - hugh jackman ends up with flowers growing through his body as a metaphor for eternal life/rebirth. its a good film if a little saccharine and touches on several important philosophical points.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Stu, whenever I see weeds growing through a concrete slab I am in no doubt where we'll all end up and what will be here long after we've gone.

Comment is about you reap what you sow (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hey JC,

Just wanted to thank you for your comments on my work. It is nice to know that you enjoy it.

Much appreciated :)

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

An emotive subject in today's muddled climate about
"animal welfare". We owe it to our world to keep the
balance of nature as we alone have the mental attributes
to contribute or destroy beyond that of any other species.
In the wild, unless suitably armed, we would be meat for
any passing predator like a lion blissfully free from any
programming about morality and more interested in meat
for survival. That can be a lesson for humanity: eat only
for survival and, if possible, for the sake of keeping the
balance previously mentioned. In the latter case, I refer
to all species whose actions and proliferation can
threaten the existence of others and put at risk that
essential balance.
Big game hunting has, perhaps, sounded its own death
knell unless it restricts its activities to that balance,
whilst a bigger problem is killing certain species for
their ivory/horns etc. - for reasons that are either
centred on profit or inane belief in erotic enhancement
- or both, originating in less thoughtful and intelligent
lands that paradoxically suffer from over-population.
Back in the day, in Africa, two man-eating lions terrorised those engaged in building a railway and no one
minded when they were eventually disposed of. We need
to find a balance between what is necessary and what
is NOT - especially when our increased global awareness
brings its own reward of knowledge of how to address
and deal with the dangers to our world and its vast variety of inhabitants. We alone have that knowledge
and power. Let us use it responsibly and hope that
the hunting of the lion Cecil marks a turn towards
hunting with a camera rather than lethal weapons when
and wherever the opportunity presents itself.

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

Cheers Andy

must dash just meeting the barmaids sister down at the pub she says she is looking for a house share we will tell her she has to share everything then we will have a housewarming tonight!

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Sadly Matthew your piece covers so much ground it doesn't scratch the surface of any of it.

Of course you are right who would want to kill a lion, who would want to kill a whale, an elephant, a rhino etc.

Even worse is the fact that young lions are now bred just for the sport of hunting (heard on radio 4 programme) which is doubly deplorable.

Trying to make people feel the same empathy for mass produced, grown for food animals as that of majestic wild ones is a little ludicrous.

Keep to the real tragedy here. A magnificent beast has been needlessly slaughtered by a rich twat! For what!

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

good stuff seriously thou. nicely paced etc

Comment is about One Suggestion Is All It Took (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

another autobiography piece, Nigel?? lol

i am going to put up my autobiography probably tomorrow.

Comment is about One Suggestion Is All It Took (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

You see them as separate issues, I see them as intrinsically linked under the rainbow of treatment of animals. Its not a criticism of people and it is good people care about game hunting. As for inflicting it upon you here I can only apologize if it doesn't fit within the remit of what can/should be posted. If it was a poem about the subject would that be acceptable?

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

you make many presumptions in your rant - not sure why it's been inflicted on us here btw - and you make the common mistake of mixing arguements - farming and hunting are two different issues and many of us who have expressed dismay on Facebook with Cecil's death have also quietly campaigned for other forms of animal welfare. If nothing else, Cecil's death at the hands of a rich American dentist has made a lot of people aware of trophy hunting, regardless of their views on factory farming. Is that a bad thing?

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter

You caught me, I thought writing under a fake name would work but heaven knows i'm miserable now.

Comment is about Hunting (Game and Witch) (blog)

Original item by Matthew John Rutter