thank you Colin for taking the time to comment, heart warming that you like it , all true

Comment is about I realised i was me (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

Lovely simple and direct style that is quite wistful and after my own heart! Nice title too.

Comment is about GOODBYE TO A LITTLE LIFETIME (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

nice one David, especially the 'creating Marvel figures before tea' line
x

Comment is about I realised i was me (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a go at the next open mic and see how it goes :) x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Yes indeed. This piece was inspired by that very beautiful song.

Comment is about DREAMING FOR ALL TO SEE (blog)

Original item by THE PEN AND THE PAGE

I like the way the poem was written. I can vividly imagine what happened there.

Comment is about GOODBYE TO A LITTLE LIFETIME (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I like this one...

Comment is about Silence (blog)

Original item by Hannah Metsker

ouch !

Comment is about Incision (blog)

Thanks for your comments on "Passing Feet". The poem
was inspired by my own need for a stick these days (until
the medicos get around to treatment on a back problem!).
It is even more noticeable how quick people walk when
limited to a slower pace!
Cheers.

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

Reading, writing and music...and surely texting? Tommy

Comment is about Hannah Metsker (poet profile)

Original item by Hannah Metsker

Thank you for reading and your flattering comments, Cynthia. Your comments are very much appreciated :) x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

a lot of U's wasted that could have been emphasized ?

Comment is about ;) (blog)

We thank you Rose for gently rap rap rapping on our chamber door....wooooooh! xx

Comment is about Spooked! (blog)

thank you travis - suggestion noted and change made

it's one of the problems when you get caught between two horses - free verse that begins as a sort of villanelle, half way through wants to be a sonnet - and then decides to be neither - words hang around

Comment is about alive (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

May God give me strength! - a pointed pen against self-important academia - and a travesty of Aristotelian intent.

I almost want to puke.

Go Simon!

Comment is about 'Self-schooled poet' Simon Armitage bids to become Oxford professor of poetry (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

oo-er! hints of 'The Raven' Keep rocking P.S.(and S.W. of course..;o)...! )


Thank you.

Rose.x

Comment is about Spooked! (blog)

how about 'a dented can of who-knows-what is on the label?

Fantaz nevertheless.

Thank you.

Rose.x

Comment is about Unemployed (blog)

Original item by James Roper

Hi Michelle.This is stunning.Maybe leave 'its' out (between 'familiar' and 'edges')..?

Thank you.

Rose.x

Comment is about Here (blog)

Original item by Michelle

Bloody hell this is tense. One suggestion - ''as I gasp for the air or be drowned'' - Could the line not simply end in ''drown''? That said, i realise it's part of a refrain.

Comment is about alive (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Nice poem James; succinct. Interesting that, though written by you, it seems to concern a female dreamer, unless i've misunderstood something.

Comment is about I Know (blog)

Original item by James Roper

Brilliant

Comment is about Here (blog)

Original item by Michelle

Agree with Lea. Clean lines, lovely.

Comment is about Futility (blog)

Original item by Michelle

I enjoyed this. The disjointedness does not take away from the imagery. Another interesting thing is it reminds me of one of those word association tests.

Comment is about You - (blog)

don't stop writing before writing tries to stop you. you got it bro. push through the pain and keep on bleedin. Daran Tomas...

Comment is about thirty years (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Work in progress, snap

Comment is about Michelle (poet profile)

Original item by Michelle

Tight simple poems are often the best.

I must admit though, I wanted to read it as

Display happiness with
A. smiley face
B. slightly abuse
Or C. amuse with
A. winky face

Don't know why :)
x

Comment is about ;) (blog)

The view of Sir Geoffrey Hill about accessibility and
supermarket shelves etc. is an arrogance that offends
common sense and human interaction. If you seek to
produce puzzles that challenge understanding, using a
great art as some sort of mental hoop-la, you are merely
playing games. It regrettable but it's unlikely that much
contemporary poetry will stand the unforgiving test of time. It needs affection and relevance to make it
worth the effort.
Gray's "Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard" will
continue to resonate with each generation simply
because it connects with human experience on so
many levels. Sir Geoffrey's views remind me of the
following:
The intellectual seeks; the wise man has found.

Comment is about 'Self-schooled poet' Simon Armitage bids to become Oxford professor of poetry (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Sorry Cynthia. Re-looking my comments do sound terse, not meant, nor irritated. I always read your work.

Comment is about Moon Storm (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Very clever in idea and presentation.

Comment is about ;) (blog)

I do appreciate these comments.

I love cold rain. I used to lie on our hot summer lawn, like a weed in the grass, and feel the rain pelting me
from head to foot. Neighbours would peep through their curtains - thinking I was probably mad. But I didn't care.

Great pun, Hilary.

Freda, the poem is as it is. If it piques any wish for further detail, I think its purpose is already accomplished. How could I desire more?

Graham, I've alliterated you to irritation? Call some of it internal assonance - just musical sound - which may actually evolve natural and emotional imagery. A poem like this works best when spoken aloud.

Comment is about Moon Storm (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Morning Helen

Yeh, thought it might be your mum. The best poems are often the hardest to reach, inside of you, because of the pain. It's a beautiful piece.

Re performance - absolutely. One of my favourite poets ever, Steve Smith (who is on here) often performs his sonnets. I wish I could write like you and him but I can't. But yep they can be performed. They won't come out like a big-arsed 'performance' poem and you won't be fannying around on the stage, but they can sound haunting and beautiful. Try reading it out loud in as many different ways as you can muster. Find one that you like. Do it :) And good luck :)

Comment is about Helen (poet profile)

Original item by Helen

Makes me miss the rain, lucky I still have my silly thoughts.

Comment is about Moon Storm (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

@cynthia this poem was just a plea for toilet cleaning suggestions lol

Comment is about Whats Better? (blog)

Original item by Corr Lens

A storm in a thimble, never mind a tea cup.

Comment is about 'Self-schooled poet' Simon Armitage bids to become Oxford professor of poetry (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Jeremy, if I've interpreted this correctly, the title refers to what remains of the footballer's once glorious life? If so, it has a further resonance, for me at least, in that when I played for the school team as a kid, we played against Hollywood Park on a cinder pitch; and god help you if you went down on it.

Comment is about cinders (blog)

Original item by jeremy young

Why an 'honorary woman' Harry? Why not simply a 'lone (working) father'? It scans beautifully by the way.

Comment is about School time (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

This is excellent Harry; particularly the second verse.

Comment is about Don Juan in his decrepitude (blog)

Original item by Harry O`N eill

Hope you got back safely Judy, now that Bolton has been virtually cut off from the rest of the world, or at least Manchester, in the evening. One day we will have a splendid electrified inter-city service that probably won't even bother to stop here.
Mr Hegley was imperious; I don't know what it means, but he was it! "An old pro". Sounds damning but it's meant to be the highest accolade in a world of wannabees. A man who takes his mission seriously. Without being too serious.
It was a lovely evening (and afternoon), both stimulating and relaxing. John Hegley is as fresh and inventive as he was thirty years ago, While the venue wasn't bursting at the seams, book sales were solid, attention was riveted, and involvement only slightly modified by the Boltonian's innate shyness.
Thanks to all who came to the workshop and performance, and to JH for not only getting the audience involved in his set but in involving himself in our festival and its supporters. It's not often the Hen and Chickens can boast the presence of an internationally acclaimed author, poet and performer in its midst.

Comment is about Camels, guillemots - and a singalong that almost made John Hegley smile (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you Rose Casserley.... much love....i will try my best to keep writing

Comment is about THE PRAYER (blog)

Original item by Henrietta Atsupi Gborgblorbu

Hi Cynthia,

I wanted to thank you again for your considerate comments on 'Her Scent On Silk'. I was thrilled with your response and appreciate you taking a look.

I have edited to play with the layout and text size to see if it carries more impact.

As for sonnets, I find them quite addictive. I have only been writing for a year but I am certainly leaning towards Formal Poetry. I find it gives me more creativity, despite the restrictions.

Again, your encouraging words are appreciated.

Thank you.

Helen

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Just wanted to say thanks for your comments on 'Her Scent On Silk'. It's a poem about my mother and a memory that had been locked away for many years.

Also, I am a bit addicted the formal stuff lol I don't mind a bit of free verse but unlike you, I enjoy the restrictions of formal and I find sonnets in particular a bit addictive.

Can I ask though, do you hear much formal stuff being performed?? That worries me a bit. I've only just started reading my poetry at open mic nights but have yet to read a sonnet lol.

Helen

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Very poignant without being maudlin, Emma.
My own dad shook a six a few months ago. I think about him when I hear the song "The Living Years".

Comment is about 28 Years Later (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

Welcome to WoL Leslie Joan. I hope you find both inspiration and a platform for your talents!

Comment is about Leslie Joan (poet profile)

Original item by Leslie Joan

Love this

Comment is about matrix (blog)

Original item by Zachary

Lovely review Judy, thank you.

After attending the enjoyable workshop with John in the afternoon I was sorry to have missed this. I do not recollect John smiling much during the afternoon event either. Thankfully his words do :)

Comment is about Camels, guillemots - and a singalong that almost made John Hegley smile (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yes I did intend for it to switch. The delivery would've been understood a little better through audio. Thank you for your feedback.

Comment is about matrix (blog)

Original item by Zachary

Thank you both. Brought a smile to my face.

Comment is about 28 Years Later (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

Emma-Jane this is beautifully expressed. I love poetry that comes from an honest, lived place. Thank you for sharing.

Comment is about 28 Years Later (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

This is so beautiful. Your loss is palpable without the overuse of drama or forcibly making words work for you.
Preeti

Comment is about 28 Years Later (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

Normally I don't get through this type of poem before switching off. However, this has got something and some very clever phrases.

The thing that bugged me was that it seems to start off in a sort of rap style and then morphs into a narrative. Did you mean that consciously or not?

I would prefer a fully narrative style perhaps with the rap bits like...

Dope, coke, broke, choke, toke. this is my life.nothing but a joke.......

interspersed, meaningful but not overdoing the rest.

Comment is about matrix (blog)

Original item by Zachary