As one whose blogs are always in verse (well, I
like to call it that!), I am not a fan of prose
per se in poetry; indeed, I often view it as akin
to provincial newspaper reports in its style and content.
Like JC, I enjoyed your lines in an ongoing
for/against debate...but will stick to rhyme
myself.

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Taking up the concept of the marine found guilty
of shooting the badly wounded insurgent.
I wonder if he had been caught by that same
damning camera uttering words of pity and remorse
when finishing him off, whether he would have
been pilloried by the moralists who appear to
quantify acceptable behaviour in the heat of war?
His "Tommy Atkins" bravado was his undoing in
the eyes of those far away from danger and the brutality of conflict when ghastly things are
done in our name...not to mention the ghastly
things done by the enemy for their purposes.

Comment is about DOGS OF WAR (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

We really are a charitable bunch, aren't we?

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I'm sure there would have been far more accidents in those days, Starfish. There were more bonfires for a start, and with no proper controls. But that's not the point. Those accidents were FUN.

Comment is about Health & Safety (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It would be interesting to know if the rate of accidents has gone up or down since H&S got involved.

Comment is about Health & Safety (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I couldn't think of anything worse than mingling with a load of dribbling, sycophantic parasites.

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanksfor the tip, Ian, (completely missed it)

And well spotted Dave!

And (in a pathetic attempt to retrieve myself) Ian, Why don`t you `re-christen` it `Eclipse` The body of the poem clearly says Trial and tribulation stuff clearly.

Isn`t it strange that - at times of absolute terror -
so very few people recall that they got a sudden temptation to become atheists?

Comment is about Trial & Tribulation (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Actually written in 2004 Harry. No idea why.
Lip service keeping us humane will take some pondering. My bible is 'The Lucifer Effect' - Zimbardo - Stanford Prison Experiment.

Comment is about DOGS OF WAR (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Indeed, fellas.
We had an innocent and carefree disregard for H&S in those days. And owned responsibility for it too. If a banger went off in your hand when you were about to throw it, it was your own stupid fault and not Standard Fireworks for making it, or the shopkeeper for selling it, or Swan Vesta for inventing matches.

Comment is about Health & Safety (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks John. Good to know I am not the only one who falls into the trap of word economy. (:o)
In passing I always felt 'Only swinger in town' was poorly written and not well performed. perhaps tht's why I didn't know his name. Pax.

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Witty - man - witty!

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (himself) (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Barrie,

First, I appreciate the `five -beat` form

I (presume?)that this has to do with the shooting of the prisoner by the marine.

I can see that the guilty decision is paying lip service only to the Geneva convention.

But I think that even lip service is essential to keeping us aware of the moral aspirations which are the only things capable of stopping us becoming the howling `Dogs of War` we would become without them.

Comment is about DOGS OF WAR (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Hello Barrie,
I wasn't meaning to sound disparaging with my re-work of the Fred Wedlock quote. Quite the reverse, in fact.
I thoroughly enjoyed your gentle dig at the debate on avant garde v conventional poetry.

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Thank you for your lovely comment.

Comment is about Starfish (poet profile)

Original item by Starfish

Despite your first stanza, I like the way you rhymingly and stanzaically make clear what you are saying. (even about the blur and the false
reality)

It`s a lesson to those who reckon that in order to express the riddlingness of life they have to write `riddling` poetry.

Comment is about A Falling Of Conciousness (blog)

Original item by Tj Steele

All hail Harry! I suspect I could build my own Flanagans faster than I can get to yours. Not sure if my profile says: "Newbury".
Agreed - straggle is naughty in anything posted. (Mea culpa.) OK for self-read, as we correct the straggle aforethought. I have a truly bastard one just right for upcoming 11th Nov. and for 'downgoing' Marine. I'll post, and you can make hay.

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Ah, John, `bommy night`!

Comment is about Health & Safety (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Barrie,
You should have been at Flanagans last
night to hear Chris read his satire, ending with the display of his `masterpiece`(yes, you got it - a blank page)

Granted that sometimes you can`t batter the sense of what you`re trying to say into rhyme, but you should at least be meciful to the poor guy reading it and try to make it tidy.

(how often some stray lovely or memorable lines get lost in the straggle)

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

This goes wonderfully with the music - as though they were made for each other.

Comment is about LOVE TAUGHT ME (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

''"They've great big parties inside the grounds,
where suck-ups and lickspittals are doing the rounds''


fuck royal invites

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

So heartfelt and sincere. Lovely.

Comment is about Will I ever (blog)

blasted privatised postal services must have mislaid it. Heigh ho. I believe that not being invited is a better option.

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Sell out

Comment is about From Chickentown to McCain chips: but does Cooper Clarke's new ad put you off your tea? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I'll be there

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I hope you've received your invitation, Julian.

Comment is about Invite to the palace: are you on the list? (Nov 2013) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Kerb Crawler

Mechanical digger
unknown workmen
traffic ambush
stop signs
we are
all followers
of the
mighty cones.

The theme for the night is roads

Comment is about Write Out Loud at Stockport tonight (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This is proving a very productive sally M.C.
On Friday I attended one of those poetry things that abound, where a guru leads a group nowhere in particular. One of the 'poems' we were handed was just so short of - well - everything, that I got rebellious when reading it at home.
A special gift, you say? Perhaps even more special, is to be able to detect the barely detectable? (:o) There can be no right or wrong, of course. We now have silence as music, and there must be a blank page of poetry somewhere. I yield.

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

It takes a special gift to write prose that can
pass for poetry - and precious few have it.
A reminder of how good it can be is to be
found in "The Burning of the Leaves" - a piece
for the time of year if ever there was one.
It is also timely that its author wrote the
immortal lines "For The Fallen".

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Inventive, with a command of language that demands
respect. I enjoyed this display of style and
imagination.

Comment is about You + Me = Destiny (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Another confident and wonderfully lucid review, Cato. Thanks so much. I have sympathy with your frustration over the fashion for themes.

Comment is about Air Histories: Christopher Meredith, Seren (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

What memories this post evokes! I can recall
the back page of many a popular kid's comic carrying an advert. from a firm (was is Ellsdon
or something like?) with all sorts of gadgets
that would appeal - and the hand/pocket warmer
was one such item.
Youngsters loved such things - and their
busy imaginations could be relied upon to
find something to entertain each other - often
hazardous!! But that's how they grew into
wiser adults - unlike many adults today who do
the most stupid and often lethal things that
would not occur had they had the former self-
taught experiences of risk to fall back on.

Comment is about Health & Safety (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I have been remiss in commenting and thanking everyone without mentioning the essential contribution and support of Diane Green and Kirklees Libraries who fund the pre-jam workshops and this event.
Diane has been key to the development of the Marsden monthly poetry group and our successes at the Jazz Festival. Although some of this work is part of Diane's vital role as reader development officer for Kirklees, much of it is not and is done voluntarily and in her own time.
She was particularly keen for us to run the workshops, which aim to encourage prospective Poetry Jam performers to experiment, produce new work and get tips and hits for improving performance. And, as has been made plain above, it helps create a wonderful atmosphere.
A special thinks too, to Isobel for her continued support, not just of the jam but of the website through her work as a member of the Write Out Loud team.

Comment is about Write Out Loud's poetry jam: an eye-opener for a reviewer (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Just checkin' (:o) Off to visit Fred Wedlock.
Cheers John

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

"I write my poems quite free of bourgeois restrictions like rhythm and rhyme...
...and interest". (paraphrase of Fred Wedlock)

Comment is about TETHER'S END (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

mines a pint,and a packet of drunken porky scratchings! tee-hee.Hilarious Starfish.x

Comment is about Cheeky Swine (blog)

Original item by Starfish

Thank you.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Good grief, are you wired for constant excellence! Having said that, I have never offered a 'corrective' comment, but tonight I have two possible suggestions:

'half given to heavy clouds' (no 'flown')

and

'a ripped slim book
a sight I could not digest'

I think 'of pages' is clear enough not to stumble in uninvited.

Just an unasked-for opinion. But, give it a wee look. You might just agree.

Comment is about Notes (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

The topic of 'Good Neighbours' in this little ditty is very relevant to us all. Good choice.

Comment is about Neighbours (blog)

Thanks, one and all. Delighted this blog gave
pleasure.
JC - my foray into C&W lyrics is part & parcel
of my interest in lyrics generally. I'm a huge
admirer of the skill and mastery of the lyricists from what can be called "the golden age" -
Porter, Hart, Mercer, Harburg, Cahn, Cash and
many more. They literally set "the standard".
It's also no accident that a grateful nod
towards W.S. Gilbert was often made by these
masters of their profession. Verse and lyric
are close and respectful relations.

Comment is about LOVE TAUGHT ME (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I like the sequel D

On the road
the leader decides
to reduce speed
but the followers
also slow down
they all think
must be a
speed camera ahead!

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Ann,
Thank you so much for being so welcoming....hope ill have fun on WOL.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Im mighty glad you can find amusement in the outpourings of my tortured soul.

Ive no intention of adding sound so someone can illegally download my song.You'll have to wait till I get a recording deal.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

As requested Dave

Comment is about Competition Reminder. Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Unusual Mike,but we like it a lot.Very nice to see you blogging again.xx

Comment is about BROKEN DREAM (blog)

Original item by Mike Hilton

This is your strongest suit, MC - C&W lyrics.
Top bombing. I agree with Starfish about "degree by bitter degree" (and the way it "rhymes" in sense with the earlier usage "Batchelor/ Loser in Loving Degree").

Comment is about LOVE TAUGHT ME (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you Ann. Will try to comply but with my old gas driven laptop I am experiencing some difficulties pasting my efforts into blog area.
Will persevere
Jack

Comment is about Jack purvis (poet profile)

Original item by Jack purvis

Tee hee - you've caused my brow to furrow with that though/sorrow rhyme :)

You've also got me pondering at the meaning of your last two lines - you know how much I need to understand a poem, Cynthia...

Have you turned the tables on the blokes here Cynth? And do you really mean kit-ee rather than skit-ee?

Whatever your answer this tickled my funny bone :)

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I am being supportive - IamIamIam.

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sadly folks as the co runner of this event, I can confirm Guitar and Verse is currently off until further notice as Gullivers have changed owners / management etc.

I believe we will be back next year. Watch this space!

Review is about Guitar n Verse @ Gullivers on 7 Nov 2013 (event)

Hi Nigel: "The Road" - a sequel - - -

You did
Said the marchers
'Cause you're first

Said he
It's a curse
Being first
I will walk behind thee
Therefore my walk will be
Quite indescribably
More relaxed, leisurely...

(with apologies from me, D)!...

Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)

Original item by Stockport WoL