Cheers Greg, and yep, one of us.

Weirdly, I researched first thing this morning, and spent some time today writing the poem. Came on here to blog it and found your article, using the same links I'd found!

RIP John McGarrigle.

Comment is about Popular Glasgow poet died when helicopter hit pub (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

That's a fine piece of work, Laura, and thank you for it. You could get a sense of John McGarrigle from the words the blogger wrote about the Clutha and the Scotia. John was part of the wider poetry fraternity, not just Glasgow's. Simply, he sounds like one of us.

Comment is about Popular Glasgow poet died when helicopter hit pub (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The first words I heard on the radio when I woke up this morning were that 'the poet John McGarrigle' had died in this godawful tragedy. I was struck by the phrase, and the loss of a fellow poet, so looked him up, and was struck yet further by what I found out about him. Felt I had to somehow commemorate him, so here it is

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=40027

McGarrigle’s Glasgow

One of the scribes was taken tonight.
One of the seers, one of our own.
One of the prophets will write no more lines
in radical rhymes
nor preach them to people like us.

He struggled against his emptying days,
though yearned for contentment and calm.
Thought he had lost that angry young man,
but McGarrigle – words never die;
they’re beyond a stillness of pulse.

You spoke of a Glasgow unknown to the rich,
of the Cross, of a town built on sweat.
In the Clutha, the Scotia, the folk and the verse -
dance of the underdog, lies of the land –
were given a life in tune to your truth.

Tonight in a town made of working-class gold,
in the midst of McGarrigle’s Glasgow -
the artists and players, singers and sculptors,
poets and prophets and pipers and drummers
remember the heat of your heart;
raise their glass to the fire within.

May your flame spark gently in unsurpassed sunset tonight.

Comment is about Popular Glasgow poet died when helicopter hit pub (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Mark, I have played the Carol and will ask our MD to Listen to it for the Police Male Voice Choir. Catchy tune and bright.
Best wishes for Christmas.

Comment is about WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

'Ribbet' ! :)

Comment is about How many more frogs ? (blog)

ello there!

Comment is about Ernie Burns (poet profile)

Original item by Ernie Burns

Hi Mike.

You feeling a bit insecure, catch it off your clients?
Like your style. where've you been are you going to put an appearance in at the Ring 'O' bells at all soon, could do with some more good poets

Cheers Ken

Comment is about A Tug of Love (blog)

Original item by Mike Hilton

Hi Joshua Glad you liked the tree poem!

Comment is about Joshua Van-Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Joshua Van-Cook

Yes, I had a poem about getting knackered while walking in the Peak District in the summer issue of Orbis, David. Not much else to report in that line just recently! Look forward to meeting up somewhere in the new year.

Comment is about David Cooke (poet profile)

Original item by David Cooke

Hi Greg Glad you liked the tree poem. It's recentish. Hope to make it down your way in the new year. I'm rewading again at Guildford in, I think, JUne, but have some other friends readings so might try to get down for them. Do I remember correctly seeing your name in Orbis or some such recently?

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Laura,
Yep will try and make it if I can navigate around works parties, pantomimes, hangovers, football matches etc.

Mike

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hey cheers ears! Long time no see. Hope you're well mate, and maybe see you at the crimbo Tudor? xx

Comment is about Mike Hilton (poet profile)

Original item by Mike Hilton

This show is one of those rare things: A small, intimate venue, comfortable seating, warm and friendly atmosphere and really encouraging people.

This is what a poetry show should be.

Review is about BEFORE I DIE on 4 Dec 2013 (event)

Hi Isobel, thank you for reading, your comments are much appreciated.
Starfish

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi. Glad you liked "The Badger". I purloined the rhythm from "The Tiger" by William Blake. Thank you very much for reading.

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

New poem I just wrote...12.30.13

AM I

Am I a number?
Perhaps just another spoke
in your wheel?
Or are your words real?

Two worlds, coming together,
one black, one white.
United by common pain but
seeking in desperation for
their own hearts to be finally right.

Bravery prevails as each person
jumps in and takes a risk,
feeling the passion but also terrible
fear that their hearts will take a hit.

So am I a number or those three
words uttered by you
really true?

My fear warns me that I will soon be
like the ones that came before me.

A distant memory,
like an old photo stuffed into
an unused drawer.
Away for your beautiful eyes,
and no longer having a forever more.

I must wait for these
answers for they are yet to be revealed.
Our fate unknown,
like a newborn child’s destiny.

Am I?

Comment is about Catching my Breath (blog)

Great show in an intensely womb-like, red-walled basement room of the Torriano Bar. Last month was brilliant and I'm really looking forward to the second ever Before I Die - a rare chance to see the legendary Anthony Howell for a £3 door charge!

(If you want to preview co-founder Sunshine on Monday, she'll be here: http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/eventview.php?eventID=9306&day=02&month=12&year=13)

Review is about BEFORE I DIE on 4 Dec 2013 (event)

Thanks Steve for your lovely comment.Love your profile pic :)

Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Higgins

I can appreciate this one too - though I've found it can apply to both genders! x

Comment is about Bag of Cats (blog)

Original item by Starfish

I like your move into comedy Starfish. Move over Robbie Burns - I can understand this one!

Comment is about Ode to a Field Mouse (blog)

Original item by Starfish

The past always has its inevitable effect on the present. Short and sweet Ian but observant.
Steve

Comment is about Moving On (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

If you wrote me a poem like this I most certainly would!
best wishes,
Steve

Comment is about Will you ? (blog)

This is so musical its almost a song lyric. I love it,
Steve x

Comment is about The Badger (blog)

Original item by Starfish

Hi JC - your comments on my own for "If They Come"
remind me of a pal retired back to Cumbria with
name (and belief) that suggests certain overseas origins: Swainson!
I was impressed to discover that our greatest
queen - "Good Queen Bess" - actually acted to
limit immigration (when the population wasn't
many millions) in the interest of the
social well-being of her people. Pity our modern leaders don't seem to possess the same
sense of responsibility or purpose at a time when it has increased five fold and brought with it problems in a similar ratio!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Never be ashamed to have pride.
Good for you, Shirl.

Comment is about Ninety one Word Story of My Life (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Thank you for your lovely kind comment.

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

I don't use facebook,sorry

Comment is about I (blog)

Thanks for the feedback Sash XXXX

Hope your well?

Ged

Comment is about sash (poet profile)

Original item by sash

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about And then the heart does flutter. (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about Gulls (blog)

Original item by Paul Sands

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about Share my Umbrella (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about Poem: The Cross, Stark and Still (blog)

Original item by Joseph J. Breunig 3rd

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about Flowers (blog)

Original item by George Stanworth

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about ONE MORE SHOT (blog)

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

bring your poems to india...

Comment is about If you knew all the things that would happen in your life, you would not be able to live, so it is just a good job you don't know (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

Comment is about I (blog)

write and post on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

Comment is about If you knew all the things that would happen in your life, you would not be able to live, so it is just a good job you don't know (blog)

Original item by CathyLCrabb

write and post poetry on facebook here....
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

Comment is about And when we were sat in the Odeon (blog)

Original item by Ray Miller

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Write-rhymes-Right-rhymes/578232235564471

like and post there

Comment is about Moving On (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

lovely poem...love the last lines :)

Comment is about And then the heart does flutter. (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

tnx ged :)

Comment is about Love Is No FairyTale (blog)

Original item by sash

Visited by a memory Starfish, thank you for your comments on my poem for my sister (Our kid).

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Thank you for your kind comments on my poem for my sister Carol. It was her birthday on the 26th of this month hence the tribute, funny how thoughts of people you love pay you an unexpected visit.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Andy
Yes it should be a good night.
Thanks for offering your services my mate it is much appreciated. It's also looking like we might have a decent audience. Looking forward to seeing you on the 7th.

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

Brill Laura,
great picture painting and word sculpting reminds me of 'Woodstock times'.

Mike

Comment is about Smoke Rings (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Really emotive stuff, for me at least - I think I would find it hard not to get attached.

I'd agree with Laura that the penultimate line is a powerful one.

I think you could work on the voices within this piece a bit, to make it clearer just who is saying what. Perhaps you could give the child a name and add just a little more detail about the Odeon.

All in all, a lovely piece.

Comment is about And when we were sat in the Odeon (blog)

Original item by Ray Miller

lot going on in here, emma. i particularly like the use of the first and last line here but there is a lot of excellent lines in here (really).

really enjoyed this.

andy

Comment is about Travelling Home (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

not a problem, emmy. feels weird thinking of myself as a experienced writer, but i guess you could say i am now.

in relation to your stuff, i would defo keep it going as there is a talent there and a very likeable charm which is essential in any creative medium.

Comment is about emmy92 (poet profile)

Original item by emmy92

looking forward to doing the charity do for you, pete as always. jeff has been telling me good stuff, looks like it will be a good un. see you soon!

Comment is about Pete Slater (poet profile)

Original item by Pete Slater

thanks guys. glad you like it. yeah, the ending does have a bit of teeth in it almost literally - lol

Comment is about Share my Umbrella (blog)

Original item by Gray Nicholls