i do agree strongly!! :)

Comment is about Love Is No FairyTale (blog)

Original item by sash

Thank you Laura! Had a bit of a flurry of activity. Hope you are well.

Comment is about They Put Milk in the Rain. (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Yes - I like writing comedy for the ease of the rhyming scheme - it doesn't matter if it's forced - if anything it improves matters :) With serious poetry though, you just have to be more subtle and like you, I prefer the freedom that looser forms afford.

I'm not incredibly well read when it comes to Shakespeare - just the plays I studied at O and A level and odd ones I've seen along the way. One of my biggest ever regrets is not doing English literature at degree level - and particularly not knowing more Shakespeare - it's all in his plays, the great tragedy of human nature. The world is but a microcosm of our own souls - ooooh Barrie - you've got me feeling all poetic!

Comment is about RAGE OF INNOCENCE (All due respect to Dylan Thomas) (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Hi Isobel. You really are a master of intuitive resonance. Secret: When I wove the Rage parody, I had no idea it was a Villanelle! My knowledge of poetic form and poets is very limited (I now keep it so). When I discovered the Vilanelle form (at our workshop) I wrote one - JUST ONE!
Far too clinical for me. If I had to choose, it would be McGonagal! How gentle of you to judge it, primarily, humourous. It is, in fact, one of my most heartfelt cries. (I shall resist going off on one! (:o) Maybe my next posting.)

You have out-Shakespeared me! I had not heard that quotation. How apposite. No flies on our Will.
Yes indeed. The template route to a Villanelle dulls the pain. I suspect most Villanelle writers compile a list of rhyming words first. Personally, as with my Limericks, I like to challenge myself to find the rhymes as I go. (Like free rock climbing but without the sudden death.)

Comment is about RAGE OF INNOCENCE (All due respect to Dylan Thomas) (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Thanks for your comment on my Stuff of Life poem Barrie - that's a personal favourite of mine and I'm amazed you happened upon it.

I'm glad to hear that we are both on the same page when it comes to the important components of life :)

Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

'When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools.'

Your parody brought to mind this quote from King Lear.

What a great villanelle! I've never managed to do that form before but can imagine that working to the template of a parody might be a good introduction

Much enjoyed - and though it's probably supposed to be funny, can see the sad truth in it.

Comment is about RAGE OF INNOCENCE (All due respect to Dylan Thomas) (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

so needed these words right now, j.o.p., thank you, mind blown as usual.

Comment is about Walk Loosely To The Light (blog)

Original item by J. Otis Powell‽ (with interrobang)

Ah ha! Now I understand your approval of my weavings Isobel. We're after the same rainbow's end. Cracking creativity Gromit.

Comment is about The Stuff of Life (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Isobel - I am not adverse to that. Everyting will be all write lol. Looked at your work and laughed.com :D

Comment is about By the Book (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thanks for your comment about "Lonesome Rail".
Always appreciated from yourself with a track
record of your own!
The song will get a month's promotion through
November on www.ukcountryradio.com.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

My life complete; you have called me wicked.
Heh heh heh. I shall post my parody of "Do not go gentle . . ." later. I belong to the 'depart when I choose' school not 'storage unto death' in a 'carehouse'.
Very selfish of Dylan T to hang on to his dad.

Comment is about Workshopping Seamus (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Well at least you didn't lose your sense of humour with the love page. Time for a new chapter I think ;)

Comment is about By the Book (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Tee hee - I shall re-read this then, with fresh eyes - you wicked man ;)

Sorry about the trampoline - it had to go when my garden halved in size :( And I do agree with you about Francine's avatar - it's so full of fun - perfect for her!

Comment is about Workshopping Seamus (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Thanks Steve for your comments, it's lonely on the shelf lol. Checked out some of your work - great stuff.

Comment is about By the Book (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

(:o) But I still miss the trampoline. Everyone goes ape about Heaney, and you are never more than 10 potatoes from his "Digging". So, in my official capacity as 'Anti-Laureate' I am required to put the boot in. All the 'clever' stuff is etched with vitriol! Ta muchly Isobel. X

Comment is about Workshopping Seamus (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Thanks guyz for nice comments, you made an old scarecrow happy lol

Comment is about Fall Into Autumn (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Lovely to see you back! I remember you vividly from my early years on WOL. Sadly Janet Ramsden/Suzie Dent is no longer with us, but I remember the fun we all had. x

Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

A clever piece Barry, with some lovely expressions in it.

'Blunt as an English master's stare'

I think it is a poem!

Comment is about Workshopping Seamus (blog)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Love this Marianne - some incredible lines in here. This is amazing:

Even passing seasons
are riddled incomplete; the weight
of autumn and all her minxes -
on my shoulders with each auburn nuisance;
a girl who is more vocal than I.

Comment is about They Put Milk in the Rain. (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

What an unusual poem - fantastically interesting structure, and 'confetti fication' - love that!

Comment is about ...and in conclusion (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Apologies Francine - I went a bit flippant, probably embarrassed by not really understanding. Now that you ask: not sure if I WANT to be a Philistine. . . it's a sort of default state, on occasion. Anyway - changing the subject - Your logo (do we say avatar now?) is in a class of its own. Formidable!

Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Merci à toi aussi, je suis très contente que t'as lu mon poème 'Today is Full Moon' et écouté ma musique! Et la fille près de la tour Eiffel est très sympa! :)

Comment is about Francine (poet profile)

Original item by Francine

It took me forever and a day to get to the bottom of your page!

Thanks for popping in, and welcome back! It's been a while, huh?
Nice to see familiar faces reappear!

So, explain to me what you mean by wanting to be a Philistine...

Comment is about Barrie Singleton (poet profile)

Original item by Barrie Singleton

Rich use of language Gus; great expression.
Thanks for kind words a few years back. Power to your muse.

Comment is about We Are Missing You (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Tommy, I popped into thank you for kind comment on mine, a few years back, BUT utterly arrested by the poem! An area of 'life' that fascinates me. Your approach very creative (need a better word). Thanks.

Comment is about ...and in conclusion (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi Dave - back after a few years so first must thank you for kind comment. I love your word plays. This one has a lovely irreverence like the old sea-side post cards. Yo are clearly loving retirement.

Comment is about The manikin and the mannequin (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

HI Cate. I see your visits are rare, but thanks for nice words a few years back that I left hanging. (I wasn't giving her madge pleasure - honest. Your poem rich. Both warm and chilling.
you got it right.

Comment is about The Last Song (blog)

Original item by Cate

Are you licensed to use such a dangerous weapon Cynthia? Popped in to thank you for kind comments I left hanging, a few years back.
Have a hug.

Comment is about Crash (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Greg. There is an energy in there that is all your own. It is getting past the words to me. Thanks for kind comments some years back.

Comment is about Phoenix (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Francine,I am itching to be a Philistine (no, I AM a Philistine) I am itching to release my Inner Philistine to say: "I DO love my own voice" but I won't. Sorry I pushed off and left kind comments hanging. Mea crappa. A very etherial concept. Not easy for my kind of bloke.
But I sense a ripple in the Force. Bon!

Comment is about Echo (blog)

Original item by Francine

Hola Isobel! Where is the trampoline? Just not the same. Oh, alright, the poem: I guess the Spaniard has as many names for his Chorizo as an Inuit for snow? (Incidentally I am impressed that you can differentiate, buttwise, between all manner of protrusions!) Oh - yes, the poem. You are as naughty as Betjeman (we dun him this evening at the Newbury Poets' Workshop) but it rollocks (as in rollocking) as 'one bashed out' should. Muy bien (or similar).

Comment is about Touch and Go (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Harry- re ''Wandering expositions''April 2013 your advice: 'Why don`t you fix line eleven?' would then remove/fix the point of the preceding line, it being a stand alone conjunction ''where'' where the word where is indeed a stand alone conjunction! Tommy :)
as in -

''...There are stand alone conjunctions
in hope that it amazes
where
in solitude it functions
in contrived schematic phrases...''

This allows for the humorous play on the isolated nature of the conjunction ''where''

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

Original item by Harry O`N eill

I couldn't immediately see one, Isobel. It may be because, I think, they produce an anthology of the top poems. But if I spot it I'll put in the link. I suppose, with Wendy Cope as the judge, a funny poem stood a good chance this year! I've put in an additional link to her full comments, as they make very interesting reading.

Comment is about Daisy Behagg wins £5,000 Bridport prize (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

More dirty pictures, please.

Comment is about In The Arms Of Morpheus (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

I thought Morpheus was to be found on the Westgate Run.

Comment is about In The Arms Of Morpheus (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Rollockin' stuff, MC. I could hear yer Man in Black.

Comment is about LONESOME RAIL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Is there a link anywhere to this poem Greg? It sounds right up my street ;)

Comment is about Daisy Behagg wins £5,000 Bridport prize (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Fabulous -a very novel idea -Best wishes, Steve

Comment is about By the Book (blog)

Original item by Tom Doolan

Thank you Cynthia, and for pointing out my typos. My brain has been misbehaving of late.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks Cynthia,and yes I deserve a rap on the knuckles for typos.

Comment is about The Other Side of the Wall (blog)

Original item by Nick Coleman

We needed a Judge to score from one to ten but - - -

Linda you were not there!

Comment is about Stockport WOL Prompt 9/9/13 (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thank you for reading and Philipos - thank you for ploughing through! That seems a long time ago now but I have fond memories of it all coming together! x

Comment is about Ineffable (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

*** PLEASE NOTE ENTRY IS £4 ***

Review is about Jibba Jabba on 24 Oct 2013 (event)

Greetings Cynthia: Thanks for your comment on I USED TO DANCE. Word-weeding is a process that assumes inferior words and I don't want to be so judgmental. http://writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=39137
J. Otis

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Expressing new-found wisdoms in verse is a time-proven exercise of truly thoughtful persons - since forever.

Comment is about Love Is No FairyTale (blog)

Original item by sash

Went to Youtube for this poem
Much admiration for the consistency of theme and
the way it tells a story. No wonder Sir Alex
was impressed!

Comment is about 'Made from grit and granite': Tony Walsh's stirring poetic tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The rhymes are cleverly hidden by the stanza structure, and come to life best when spoken aloud. I really think they'd be easily missed in a rapid read.

Comment is about URBAN LULLABY (blog)

Original item by David Subacchi

A cleverly-constructed, tight little poem with a strong message.

Comment is about poor Private Manning (blog)

Original item by John Ling

Hi, Lynne. Good poem, as always. Love your posts.

As I was reading I just kept leaving out all kinds of unnecessary words. Have a finger-flicking good time and toss out several - IMO, they interrupt rhythm and your driving intent.

Comment is about The biggest crime (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Well done. Some superb lines throughout, finely crafted. I especially appreciate 'To be the model and the muse.' - like a definition of the ARTISTIC LIFE in one gulp.

Hurrah for your poetry form too. I have used this structure also, for several works.

Comment is about Just For Today (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan