Fine sense of movement as the general becomes the specific in terms of time, almost like the feeling of entering a new arena when it has been building up in your mind. Again, a sense of helplessness. Nature as well as being mind expanding, can also appear uncaring as I think you have it here. (bit of a mouthful, sorry)

Comment is about the paint and the puddles (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thankyou for your kind words , Laura. It would be nice to hear you sing on a Rhezpik.

Comment is about OLD SEPP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Points are as tips. There is always something behind a point.

Comment is about Points (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Harry O'Neill is right: musically, rhythmically it is so good. I would like to add: it's a catchy melody. After listening to it I I also felt like singing.)))

Comment is about OLD SEPP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

The tablets are a bit too much of a technicolor antidote to
`fit` the loneliness of the blackly monochromed mundanity

But the last two lines allow the poem to expire aptly.

Comment is about claret (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I wonder if tonight`s vote will lead to them participating in the dream without being able to continue milking the system.

Comment is about economy domine (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Ta Martin re Paint and puddles.

Comment is about Martin Elder (poet profile)

Original item by Martin Elder

Ray, I can't remember whether I've commented on your work before but this is real quality stuff.
One of my criteria when reading a piece is "would I have liked to have written this" definitely.

Excellent work

Graham

Comment is about ON THE HEATH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Katy,
those first two stanzas read like an (unlike that
picture) touching acceptance of age.

However, that last stanza tells us that the old opposition to
that Negative Pressure Ventilation is still there.

This one `got`to me a bit.

Enjoyed it.

Comment is about Iron Lung (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

this is great

i know thats not exactly a constructive review, but i dont really know what to make of it other than i like it.

Comment is about What those who know don't hear (blog)

Original item by Twilbury Wist

This has a profound point to make(excuse the pun). Everything seems to devolve back to geometry, and that is a challenging idea. How rooted we are in form. You might be interested in these ideas as expressed in the holy kabbalah: what is known as the Naples arrangement . I found this in a book called The book of Thoth. Please check it out - great truths.

Comment is about Points (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

ah Ray, it's always a pleasure reading your poems. I also plopped a comment on your pigeon post to help keep you hydrated. Take care.

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks for your comments Greg. I like the first line, but it has no connection really apart from to imagine how cold it would be so defrocked! The last line sort of Xmasy but a big stretch of credibility!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

your poems are always intriguing - I never know whether I like them or not - which is a good thing, and a compliment, of sorts.

The last 6 lines are simply sublime - I want them!

Comment is about stepson icarus I (07/03-05/2015) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

again, great lines Ray.

Comment is about PIGEON POEM (blog)

Original item by ray pool

I was going to say just the same Greg but wasn't brave enough to admit I didn't quite understand. Thanks for stepping in first.

Great lines as always Ray.

Comment is about ON THE HEATH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Patricia,

A short but succinct piece which sums up the realisation that soulmates do exist after all! Well written.

Comment is about Clarity (blog)

I like this a lot, Ray, even though I'm not sure what it's about. Some arresting images in this poem, including "scentless shell" and "small lockets of cold". And the seagulls "in a plague of white".

Comment is about ON THE HEATH (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks, guys.
I'm glad you posted, Col, because it drew me to your post which I've commented on there. A grand trip down memory lane.
MC - I might have been a bit presumptious about his resigning. He seems to stick like shit to a blanket.
Yes, Harry. The Gods of Parody certainly smiled on me with "Blatter/Qatar".
One again, thanks for commenting

Comment is about OLD SEPP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I like the theme of this rantpoem, I myself being of a ill disposition, adjusted my diet accordingly, although I was never one for takeaways and the like. I have substituted honey for sugar and virtually eliminated potatoes from my diet and feel better for it. It's just common sense after all !! Simplicity, fish and olive oil is the key.

Comment is about FOOD FOR THOUGHT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I am getting on in years somewhat. I sometimes get jostled by rude people intent on speeding past me. As to the police and their intentions, when I called them, at a major police station 300yards distant, some years ago, it took them 3 hours to answer the call, to prevent a serious robbery taking place. Of course by the time they came the robbers had buggared off. The only reasons why police should speed is if there is a murder being committed, a robbery with violence or the like and finally a bad accident [although by speeding they cause more accidents] The public in need !!!! [ironic] The reference to the other 'speed' has reminded me of a 'Canned Heat' song speed can kill you too babe 1970's. The likes of Jeremy Clarkson, the daft, and his obsessions; you can't get more contemptible !! In a recent case in Rochdale a man was jailed for just 6 years for smashing into another car and killing the driver. Despite a large petition to increase the sentence it was upheld. You can probably tell from this addendum to my rant, I am not a fan of cars especially those that go fast, when they don't need to.

Comment is about cars (blog)

Original item by joe ranter

John,
Musically, rhythmically, and humorously, one of your best.

And the satire of that stanza six is exact...you`ve got it all in. (not to mention that Blatter/Quater rhyme)

Keep `em comin`.

Comment is about OLD SEPP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks, everyone, for your comments.
We tend to produce writing in accordance with our
various conditions - physical and/or mental - that much
is evident from other contributions, so the subject of
obesity seemed relevant.
I guess this is as near as I'll ever get to a "rant" - clearly
considered OK elsewhere on this site - but good manners
got the better of me!

Comment is about FOOD FOR THOUGHT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Old Sepp - he will go
Where the barking dogs go!!
Nice one, John. But I would argue that his stay was, in
fact, too long - justifying the lines:
"His tenure at FIFA
Should have been that much briefer"
Cheers

Comment is about OLD SEPP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Cheers Huw.

Comment is about THE FUTILITY OF WAR (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE

I look on it as another poetry triumph for Marsden. But here's another point of view http://www.partisanmagazine.com/the-algonquin/2015/7/2/wheres-the-weird

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

He is far more credible than Duffy - a PC checkbox choice, if ever there was one.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks for your comments :) There is no imagery, there is no sensationalism. Just facts.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

nice one John, hopefully with a gun. Funny you should post this at the same time as my 'Vinyl Memories' poem. Old Shep was on the Separate Ways LP by Elvis which was the first album I ever bought - a second hand copy at my primary school jumble sale.

This is all completely unrelated to your poem of course but I was reading on Wikipedia that "On October 3, 1945, Elvis Presley sang 'Old Shep' at age ten for his first public performance, a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. Dressed as a cowboy, he stood on a chair to reach the microphone. He came in fifth place, winning $5 and a free ticket to the fair rides." Well I never knew that.

Cheers John.

Comment is about OLD SEPP (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

with respect MC - is this poetry? - or as Cynthia wrote, an article? Not that I disagree - obesity is a modern day obscenity. We also have a strange concept of poverty in this country too.

Comment is about FOOD FOR THOUGHT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

10,000 years ago me and you, MC, we used to hunt the aurochs.
When we killed, we ate. Kills were valuable and the fat from an aurochs or two could sustain us through a winter.
Nature knows this. It made us crave fat since fat was good.
But now although we live on a fat-rich diet we have not advanced anthropologically. We still crave fat.
It isn't coincidence that all good things to eat have lots of fat.

Comment is about FOOD FOR THOUGHT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

This 'article' is good for lots of comments, I'm sure, because it is so relevant. Laziness is a big factor because COOKING would go a long way to ensure better eating habits. Cost not so much, as healthy food is generally available at 'reasonable' prices; it just happens to be raw. etc. etc. etc. And, yes, business needs to be harnessed for sugar and fat additions. etc. etc. etc.

I often wonder if people even know they are greedy. Habit is a cruel master.

Comment is about FOOD FOR THOUGHT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

HI Becky Thanks for the comments on THe Chicago poem. It's appreciated!

Comment is about Becky Sowray (poet profile)

Original item by Becky Sowray

Mark,
It`s called gluttony...(a situation brought about by increasing prosperity and the over-eating of it`s rewards)

And the kids! have you ever seen so many fat little kids waddling around as now?

The `good` news is that it is now reportedly happening in China also, and their urban kids are waddling along just as much like fat little penguins as our own.

As China now has an immense and growing problem with it`s ageing population, no doubt those skinny kids
in the rest of Asia are eyeing the situation hungrily in
the hope of `immigrationally` joining in the feast at some time in the near future.

And so the world goes on!

Comment is about FOOD FOR THOUGHT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

The force of this proposal is hard to resist - until you
understand that the "murderous machine" is, in fact, the
idiot behind the steering wheel and accelerator pedal.
Like many other things, the car is a "tool" designed to
provide a useful service for its user. However, "markone man" (as defined by an ex-SAS acquaintance) can spoil
the party by behaviour that defies belief in rational
thinking. Finally, from my experience, coppers don't speed
at every opportunity. Traffic conditions make that a most
unattractive proposition at the best of times. They go
at speed when the public are in need. Dah-dah-dah-dah.

Comment is about cars (blog)

Original item by joe ranter

I'm extatic, honest...

Comment is about This Place (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

Thanks for all of your kind comments.
I guess it would be fair to say this is how I reacted to this situation some years ago now. Subsequently I have found myself in the intervening years working with people in social deprivation in one way or another and perhaps I may have approached the situation differently now but none the less he was quite dogmatic in making assumptions about me and as a result was not open then to hearing any different.

Comment is about Not from round here (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

There's a point to everything as described above. This is beautifully thought provoking Cynthia. thanks for posting this. I can imagine you reading this at an open mic at Sale. I look forward to more!

Comment is about Points (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

sounds like you're satisfied to be in a humdrum place

Comment is about This Place (blog)

Original item by alan barlow

This is very earthy and lovely. Even as a man I can empathise with the sentiment expressed in this poem

Comment is about New Arrival (blog)

Original item by Louise Fazackerley

I like all the words in this poem, which feels very heartfelt!

Comment is about His love for me is like the sea, As deep as it is wide (blog)

Original item by Louise Fazackerley

Thanks all! I find the seaside wonderfully evocative and always find it beautiful, even in its sadness. Your comments more than make up for the stale doughnuts!

David, like the song and have to say i only listened to queen of denmark fleetingly when it came out, but am enjoying it again today thanks to you. later work became overly reliant on electronics for me, but his debut is great.

Comment is about beach (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hi Cynthia Glad you liked 'The Teatime Bulletin'. The first draft was written some time late 70s/early 80s and I was thinking of updating it. In the end I thought there was no point. The names and places changed but the story stays the same.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This work requires the reader's dedicated effort to appreciate the fine points so expertly developed in your chosen imagery. An excellent development of disparate, associated ideas.

Comment is about beach (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Hello Stu, thanks for your comment on The Turn. I'm outdoors a lot and the weather/climate exits for me in a very real sense - which might sound daft, but i'm sure you know what i mean.

I'll keep checking in and having a shufty at your stuff. Keep it coming.

Trav.

Comment is about Stuart Buck (poet profile)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Nice analogy Stu, a brief and satisfying exploration.

Comment is about registered trademark (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Stu, you say 'the trick is to have nothing to escape from, a difficult thing to achieve.' I firmly agree with you and i also think it's worth the pursuit, however hard it proves. I'm on that path myself, but i frequently stray off it.

Comment is about ouroboros (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Brilliant pay off Stu, didn't see it coming.

You describe the writing of poetry as a 'cerebral emetic' which is, in itself, a fine phrase.

Comment is about burial (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

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