Purple patch?

Comment is about Answer (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

thank you both for your kind words!

Comment is about safety net (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Enjoyed reading this Mr Buck. The lines 'I always thought who calls their kid Godfrey and then I met is mum and I thought he got away lightly' are ace, in my humble opinion. x

Comment is about safety net (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Thanks Helen, much appreciated. Time is a struggle and I do feel guilty that I do not read as much I write on this site. I do intend to rectify this. With that said, I have read some of your work. I do not make comments on peoples technical ability as I have no concept of what is and isn't right.... (I've just google stanza but don't tell anyone ;)). I just write and that's it. So I am not qualified or experienced enough to make sweeping comments on anyone else's work. I either like it or I don't and I like your work very much x

Comment is about Helen (poet profile)

Original item by Helen

Compelling ending to this Stu, cleverly bringing the sherry back into the story. I also like the terrifying/beautiful description of adulthood, glimpsed from underneath the safety net of adolescence. Well done!

Comment is about safety net (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Cynthia, this is a pithy piece! Whilst I'm not feeling the purple thing (are you bruised perhaps) it is obviously relevant due to its tri-repetition. The brevity is perfect for the sentiment however.

Comment is about Answer (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi, Katy, - just curious - why are you shy about anal intercourse?

I'm not really sure what 'disobedient barriers' you think you are are breaching. Or whom you think you would offend. But I may be the one outside the accepted pale, and not realizing it yet.

I never once considered my 'Moon Month' to be anything but honest, certainly not offensive to anyone. I may still be very naive.

Comment is about Katy Megan (poet profile)

Original item by Katy Megan

The title is italian actually for 'life and death'. In respect to the kind of poem it is (Ottava Rima - of italian origin).

Thanks for the critique.

Comment is about La vita e la morte (blog)

Original item by Thion D. Morriaty

Wonderful imagery and all suspended in a sort of death/life confrontation. I can see rock climbing in all its brutal and start beauty. Great poem.

Comment is about canto 11 (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Thanks Harry.

Comment is about FLOATING FREE (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE

Hi Harry Glad you liked my 'Funerals'. I've had versions of that poem knocking around for thirty years and it's been published in in magazines and a book. Still, it's always bugged me and, although it's not exactly a magnum opus, I took a scalpel to it and hope that I've now sorted it out!

Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Graham, I will keep that in mind :) You are a very handsome and dignified man, unlike some I have had the misfortune to interact with. Dinosaur? I don't think so.
Darren, thank you for your wonderful advice! Duly noted :0
Huw, better to enjoy than grow old crabby and bitter. Promiscuity? Nah. Just healthy enjoyment with consenting adults. Thanks for reading :)

Comment is about Turning 24 (blog)

Thanks for your welcome Cynthia, please excuse me I have only just seen it.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Nice one Stu. I love this little slice of life. I think you have captured this piece of eccentricity rather well.

Comment is about lawn (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

Nice and airy (particularly stanza six)

Comment is about FLOATING FREE (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE

Your wording presents a false dichotomy Huw. The role is not limited by such a binary demand.

Forgetting which. I think this a good appointment. Armitage to be clear is NOT simply a performance poet. He is a poet of the page and a poet who reads and performs his poetry. He writes in free verse, he writes with structure, both self created and traditional. He writes in rhyme and with rhyming schemes and he writes without both. He is both modern and simultaneously and paradoxically in keeping with past traditions.

His lectures, thoughts and and direction will be very interesting imo.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Bloody marvellous, once again.

Comment is about the education of norma (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Hey, thanks for the comments on Wednesday's Child. I didn't have any maternal instinct at all. Didn't want kids, didn't like kids. But then I had a couple and luckily (for them) the instinct kicked in!

I love funny poems, especially ones that are written by women. I have tried my hand at a few myself. I always try and start with a funny one at open mic before I leave the room suicidal with the deeper ones :) My only problem is that I get incredibly embarrassed if people laugh at my jokes, which leaves me with a 'riddy' as it's known in Scotland.

Think I might need to purchase your book, anything to give me break from myself ;)

Comment is about Louise Etheridge (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

I'm 50 next month, Preeti but hey ho, it's just a number. I will always be 12yrs old in my heart and soul.

I agree with Graham, never regret anything. Go for every opportunity that your life offers you, grab it with both hands and never let go.

Above all else, enjoy every minute of every day and Keep Smiling

Comment is about Turning 24 (blog)

"The points are not the point – the point is poetry."

What a fantastic night this was. Crammed from start to finish with poetry, talent, passion, truth, music and joy.

As a poetry slam virgin I was half expecting this poetry slam to be all about egos and hot air. It may be so in some quarters but not at all the case as far as this event is concerned. The poetry slam section was the main part of the event and poetry was the heart and soul of the experience throughout the evening.

Nicole May and LyriCalligraphy were brilliant hosts whose participation enhanced and almost seemed to empower the performances. Freestyle Fictionary had me in stitches. The band 8 Gold Rings delivered excellence and what can I write about Kid Katharsis except if he isn’t signed up to a record label he should and will be soon.

One Mic Stand enthused me to the degree I took to the stage in the “jam session” and performed.

If you get the chance to go to one of these events in the future – take it!

Review is about One Mic Stand on 19 Jun 2015 (event)

on Sarah's writing

Here

Not far from where we sit casting our minds outside

we run

we write

inspired by our writing workshop the full version can be seen on the Unpicked: Restitched website.

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

HUW THOMAS sir,

did u get actual meaning of poem from this translation???

may be didn't. isn't it??
because this translation is not right n improper.
i know u r using google translation for that.

but u don't worry.
i'll upload full English version of this poem as soon as possible.

thank u very much for read out my poem n translate it.

best wishes for u

Comment is about Rules of Success ( Kamyabi ke Niyam ) (blog)

Original item by GAURAV JAIN

Good Afternoon Cynthia and thank you for reading the 19th Floor. Your comment is much appreciated and I can not begin to express how pleased I am with the feedback this piece has received.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Spliff Richards leaves June Write Angle audience breathless

Spliff took over the room as soon as he was on stage. He may have come from Petersfield but he's Brighton personified. Long, thin, tattooed, twisted beard and hair bound up – not your typical Write Angle performer – he performs in rapid-fire style yet you don't miss a word and though he doesn't pause for breath, he leaves the audience breathless. They loved him and applauded after each poem. He has an easy relaxed style. 'This is a special night for me' he smiled, thinking back to his youth spent in Liss.

He covered a wide range of issues, from race, speaking of South Africa's 'fences ten feet tall, guns, Apartheid; to being told by kids he was 'half caste' . 'You're just not caucasian. You have 20% more chance of incarceration' - to 'Nostalgia', where he points out the dangers. '... such a sweet intoxication', - to think things were different 'then' than now'. He covered faith to inequality; paper qualifications to natural talent. 'Schools are not the only way to get smart'. 'If you're not good in school, you'll fail in life'. 'I didn't listen when they said you can't make a living as a poet.'

'Embrace every age'., he says.'I've seen 20 year olds complain. He compares burning and looting to 'the government sending forces to lay down their lives'. '... religion is not the only place to find God. 'Academia is just a flavour'. 'Stand together but think alone' 'Kids don't learn from what they're taught. They learn from what they're shown. 'A pessimist', he said, 'says things can't get any worse'. 'Oh yes they can', says the optimist! Again the house filled with laughter.
He believes , 'Without faith, all of life would fall apart'. 'Is it better to believe a lie or disbelieve a truth'. He wouldn't have gigs if he didn't have faith in his promoters. Though we all have faith in something, it separates us as well. His 'Big Family' reminded us 'we're all in it together- no matter who or what you are'. 'The lessons of life take a lifetime to learn'.

'The only way to appreciate life is to appreciate death'. Actor Brendan O'Connor commented, 'I loved Spiff. Powerful stuff he spouted!' He wasn't alone. The audience was equally taken with this gentle but well, Spoken-Word artiste!

At the Open Mic, Richard Hawtree read 'In Flashy Flip Flops', based on a poem by the ancient Greek poet, Anacreda. I'm trying to do a 'strange impression of obscurity', Everyone laughed. 'The God of love makes contact once again' He spoke of a beautiful woman, but realised he hadn't a chance as 'her eyes press a younger woman to dance'. A nice break from his usually ''more' obscure poems. Brendan O'Connor read 'Be with me' – a conundrum. 'Be with me. Not quite black. Not quite white. My body feels my soul is leaving...I would ask never to be lonely' Then, 'A Thousand Lives'. 'Do we know this ancient pet, or are we its ancient secret'. (cats) Finally, 'AEIOU' about 'round vowels'. Again laughter.

The delightful Phyllida Carr played 'I want to go home' and 'The runaway train' on harmonica as the audience sang along. Sorrel Wood read love (or hate) poems. 'For what it's worth'. About being 'pretty much grown up now' ending with 'I'll keep on loving you until I die'. Then, 'Letting go'. 'I cannot, will not – let you go'. Bruce Parry played a romantic American love song on his dulcimer, then read a two-part poem about Mr and Mrs Bright. First, describing their 'Spanish root' style house with 70's furniture, in Spain. Then 'A Car Boot somewhere in England', where the table was topped with all their Spanish goods including soap on a rope.

Bruce ended with an Irish song, 'Geese in the Bog' on his dulcimer. Lovely music and sound. Audi Maserati, ever a favourite with the audience – spoke of his love for 'The Game of Thrones', then read 'two diametrically opposed poems' (to more laughter) – about 'girls who make you crazy even before you know their names' – seeing them on beaches, etc...then 'The pointless song' (that makes a point)' 'would you ever go out dancing in your dressing gown?' Maybe it's worth a try!' (point taken)

He then played the ukulele, 'Imagine that the moon was not as big as you supposed', 'all those lovers lost under a moonlit sky' and those 'love songs left unsung'. This led to yodeling which he loves doing! Audi was on top form. Chris Sangster played 'Times I wonder' on the guitar, about how 'things get better when I see the sun in the sky'. Then, 'Goodbye Love', 'You're leaving on that train'. (memories of good times). Tim Dawes said his mother taught him 'Definition of a gentleman is one who owns a ukulele but doesn't ever play it'. He then read 'Climate Changing Season', about how seasons were fixed..now they've lost themselves with change of climate and with that change, 'some purity is lost'. Following that, how sonnets were originally written by men to get women into bed. Then a bit of fun as he implored Jezz (not quite convinced) to be the recipient of his sonnet as he recited, 'Should I return to time when we were two entities not yet joined......(not sure it achieved its objective).

Jezz and Matt teamed up with guitars to sing 'It's a marvellous night here in Petersfield'...followed by 'Back to Basics' – two love songs. Rich and emotional, with elements of fun. It's hard to leave not singing his songs. G Rimes read 'Self Editing'. How he loves tapping away at the keyboard, hand picking each word. Ending with 'who says you can't polish a nerd'. All in all, a good guest and open mic evening. The audience loved it and their enthusiasm was obvious. The raffle sponsor was India Gate, the great Chichester Indian restaurant and the prize went to someone who's won many times before. We promise – it's not 'fixed'!

See you all in July when we have the wonderful, talented and imaginative Mab Jones from Wales. More news to follow on that!

Review is about WRITE ANGLE POETRY & MUSIC +OPEN MIC on 16 Jun 2015 (event)

Two pieces of advice from a dinosaur Preeti. 50 isn't that magical and whatever you get up to don't regret anything!

I sense in your piece that you are filing away the real you and embarking on an adventure as an almost fictitious person.

Whatever you do don't forget the file on the top shelf!

Graham

Comment is about Turning 24 (blog)

I feel like this most days ! You write with so much honesty that I can identify with almost everything you talk about....

Comment is about I Don't Want To (blog)

Quite a night. Right up my street ;) Is she alive?

Comment is about Red White and Burbank- Deathy and the Dive (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

Thanks for the read and the comments !

Comment is about Corr Lens (poet profile)

Original item by Corr Lens

Welcome Ariel, write and write again. :-) Tommy

Comment is about Ariel Eli (poet profile)

Original item by Ariel Eli

ya sure .............
i'll post whole of the poem in hindi.

(कामयाबी के नियम)


कामयाबी उसी के क़दमों में होती हे
जो अपने घमंड को इंसानियत में लगाता हो
जिद्द को जो पालना जानता हो !

व्यव्हार में जिसके प्यार हो
जिसका दिल उदार हो
मेहनत जिसका हथियार हो
हार मानना जिसको गवारा नही !

जिसको लगता किसी का सहारा नही
रखता हो जो जस्बा पहाड़ो में चड़ने का
तुफ्हानो के बिच रहकर जो हुआ हो बड़ा !

गिरकर जो उठना जानता है
मुश्किलों में भी जो कदम बढाता है
करता नही हो जो किसी का बुरा
असल मायने में इंसान भी वही कहलाता है!

Comment is about Rules of Success ( Kamyabi ke Niyam ) (blog)

Original item by GAURAV JAIN

This. This I have liked from the first line to the last line. And it is a great last time ;)

Comment is about taxi (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I really like your poems, Helen. I have absolutely not a jot of maternal instinct nor any understanding of being a mother but Wednesday's Child was very strong for me.

(p.s. don't worry I'm not a mother, I'd leave them on the bus)

Comment is about Helen (poet profile)

Original item by Helen

Thanks, Helen, and the ad is soooo funny! I love Irn Bru ads but I've never seen that one. That is class. I'm going to share it on FB, so thanks for the heads up!
LX

Comment is about Fannies (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Louise, this is hilarious! I can't stop laughing. So many great lines. Put me in mind of this Irn Bru advert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIxCFo5t3AI

Comment is about Fannies (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Thank you for your nice comments, Tommy. I don't always write poems about fannies but that one fell out of my head on a walk so I thought I might as well write it down as not. Glad you liked it!
I've got a book of what I like to call "poems" on Amazon - mostly rude or irreverent or a bit bonkers. Just because. It's called Slightly Wrong. I like a good bishop poem.

And here's me in the Telegraph (I didn't explode despite the fear, me being a bit of a leftie and all)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-health/11665667/Video-Funny-Birth-control-poem-you-need-in-your-life.html

Comment is about Fannies (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

So very,very true, David!
I'm sorry you can't open the video - it worked for me just now.
This is the link below - try and copy and paste. How scary is my cushion (not a euphemism!)
I don't always write poetry about body parts.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-health/11665667/Video-Funny-Birth-control-poem-you-need-in-your-life.html

Comment is about I get the word "snatch" into the Daily Telegraph - 10 points to me! (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Haha

Comment is about David R Mellor (poet profile)

Original item by David R Mellor

A very readable report of an event which intrigues me.
The danger of ranting becoming ineffective is no different
to the reception afforded to someone doing something
similar out on the street - puzzled exchanged smiles of patient exasperation and pity for the individual brought
down to behaving in such an extraordinary manner. The
British are just not into ranting...sorry! It's just another
form of extremism that rarely succeeds in our society.
Of course, this sees rants at the perceived lack of understanding for its existence. It's a hard old world!
Oh - someone tell LK Johnson that the Met. Police didn't
declare war on his generation...they put up stop signs
on the sort of behaviour and self-regulating codes of
conduct that saw drugs and crime become impertinently
blatant in the streets, with today's "Operation Trident"
merely the official recognition of what was happening
and which was created to combat the ever-growing problem among one section of (largely metropolitan) society in post-war Britain. I hear little of the fact
that Jamaica has had a reported crime rate that rivals
cities like New York. Importing that sort of social aberration into the UK can only add to its generational
social problems, even worse when exploited via a
historical "victim" mentality and agenda. It's a hard
old world!

Comment is about Ranting poets, London, 2015 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello,
Thanks for the kind comments. Indeed I had hoped to portray this in the poem. This is actually an embellishment on something that happened to me a few years ago, but rather than end in a sweeping, bukowski-esque statement i ended up having to move away sharpish from the bloke who was clearly drunk!

im really glad you liked the piece, as a writer who is just starting to feel a little confident in his work, i can assure you every heartfelt compliment is very much appreciated.

Comment is about maize (blog)

Original item by Stuart Buck

I'm so impressed with 'fannies' that I have to say how impressed I am by it. So much so the 'C' word Immediately came to mind: 'Cradock'.

Comment is about Fannies (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

Fannies...that reminds me I have to prune my roses. How have I missed your work Louise?

Comment is about Fannies (blog)

Original item by Louise Etheridge

yes mr. hus thomas, its a hindi language

Comment is about Rules of Success ( Kamyabi ke Niyam ) (blog)

Original item by GAURAV JAIN

Thanks MC for your comments on "its funny how religion arrives" I think you summed it up perfectly.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks Tommy , consider yourself in as long as you think the same as me! I 've just tuned in to your work, and I love the insistence and remorseless character of it.
Appreciate your interest. Ray

Comment is about UNDUE CEREMONY (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Ripened indeed! ; )

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

you guessed right Cynthia *blushing*
It was a bit of a poetic challenge I set myself and to try not and be crude and obvious, a bit tricky!

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

First post on writing poetry:

rule one- there are no rules
rule two- feel free to ignore rule one

...more to follow

Comment is about Runners High (blog)

Original item by Ash

Nearly there :-)

Comment is about Polly Lane (blog)

Original item by Ash

Hi Cynthia, thanks for the read and the comments :) My line breaks follow my thoughts which meander and can be chaotic, coming back to the original idea after a bit. I am not a huge fan of anything organized: religion, rhyme or lifestyle. Recently in a shopping mall in Dubai, I saw this kid claw the carpet, refusing to get up on being denied a phone. The mother couldn't get him off, so the reference to the spoon and child, or should I, at the risk of being politically incorrect, say a spoiled brat ;)

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks Tommy!

Comment is about Ash (poet profile)

Original item by Ash