*Just had a thought, there will be people who come to the Art Gallery who may not follow this Blog and will turn up on Monday without knowing about the change of date.*

I moved all our online correspondence to this site to make organizing events easier. However, if people won't join it, or even open an email account, it kind of defeats the object.

Comment is about June Meeting moved to the 17th (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I think she did some neat side stepping with this one. I imagine writing poems for royal occasions comes with the job and the millions she's made from being poet laureate.

But I can't imagine she's much of a royalist at heart. I can appreciate the cleverness of what she's done though - considering the weight of the job rather than turning sycophant.

It does have the feel of a poem that isn't heart felt though. I'd hate to be in her shoes at occasions like this - but I'd wear them if someone paid me :))

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The Arts Trail proper is on the 27/28 July. However, a few twaiku at the Heatons Summer festival (16th June) wouldn't go amiss. Of course, we will discuss our Arts Trail contribution at our next meeting.

Comment is about June Meeting moved to the 17th (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Is the word 'solute' intended or a misprint?

A birthday solute, is a birthday dissolved.

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Part of the problem is that poetry is perhaps easier to plagiarize than other art-forms. As the man said - alter the line-breaks, change a few names and you suddenly have a reasonably autonomous-looking piece of work. And then, DTP software and the Internet have made it incredibly easy to copy and rearrange individual poems. That isn't really the case with music or the visual/plastic arts.

Comment is about The Write Out Loud interview: Ira Lightman (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Nice work Carol Ann Duffy your poem for the Queens 60th. Nice to see the inspiration I past on to you in May 2009 has not fallen on stony ground; Worth her saltThe splendour the pride a birthday saluteGuards marching bye to horse guards on route Crowds gather round to see the displayFrom all round the world people will payTo enter the house of the Queen is an honourGraceful and regal this life bestowed on herRespected forever and long will be seenGod save the country, long live the Queen Broady

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Just had a thought, there will be people who come to the Art Gallery who may not follow this Blog and will turn up on Monday without knowing about the change of date. Does anyone have up to date email addresses so that they can be told directly about the change of venue? I'm afraid I dont have an up to date list myself.
Thanks John for sorting out the 17th.
Maggie

Comment is about June Meeting moved to the 17th (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I am interested in contributing to the Heatons arts trail, are we discussing this on 17th or is there a plan for us to have a meeting at the Elizabethan at another time. I am away until 14th June. Maggie

Comment is about June Meeting moved to the 17th (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I like this aptly confusional analogy.

(in particular that last line)

Comment is about Exit Stage Left (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

Thanks Dean

Comment is about Deluge (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

I share your sentiments.

Comment is about Deluge (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

Perfect. It is well constructed and works well when read out.

Comment is about North Yorkshire Moors Railway (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ah!re hamelin 'bloke' poem.With performing in mind it probs WOULD need to be elongated somewhat-tis indeed a bit tight.And going back to your last posting on our profile page,as to the de-pigstying of yer 'ouse...spooky! cos we were unhappily engaging in the very same,possibly at the same time as you were,(we)on behalf of our holidaying abroad daughter and family.The clearing of their house-aka-another flipping branch of Toys-R-Us!oh! our sainted aunts!thanks be to the creator of bin bags!haha! hope your sanity was restored and thanks for all your comments,which we always are grateful for,helpfully critical or otherwise.Take care chickadooby and H'enjoy yer sunny week-end.xx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

The school production of hamlet was my downfall, when I totally misunderstood the stage direction, "enter ophelia from the rear#.

Comment is about Exit Stage Left (blog)

Original item by Katy Megan

A fantastic night at ThePoetry Spoke, just great to be apart of it :) Full of warmth, quality and character - we loved it!

Helen Maher Was fantastic - European Bohemia under blue stage lights. Ged Thompson compared brilliantly along with Glenys Feeney, they did us proud on a night where I counted 42 of us at one point! That took some juggling!

According to the bar, we numbered higher with poets slipping into the beer garden and downstairs for real ale. Natalie noted 17 audience members; almost unheard of at poetry events, and the standard of poetry - wow! Not sure it gets any better :)

Really glad everyone enjoyed the night - Thx to everyone who made it such a success. Thx especially to Nicki Leighton for the kind gesture in adding to the raffle prizes. See everyone soon... We drifted off into a warm night with vino :)

Photographs and film to appear on the website in the coming weeks...

http://www.wirralpoetry.com/news/

Review is about ThePoetry Spoke on 6 Jun 2013 (event)

Very hard-won justice, it has to be said...

A fine poem on a tough subject, though.

Comment is about Hillsborough (blog)

Original item by Andy N

That Tsetse Rat is a great poem. Especially the last stanza. I can really picture its curled body...

Comment is about Linda Cosgriff (poet profile)

Original item by Linda Cosgriff

You dont hear many whistling Fathers much these days Shirley.What does that tell you?

Nice Haiku.x

Comment is about Haiku about Dad (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Hi Nigel,
Thanks for the nice/funny comments on my poem "So Why Do I Write". I have stuck my tongue out at a few people. LOL!

Thanks Shirley

Comment is about Nigel Astell (poet profile)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Hi Dorinda!

Decided to update my profile and I saw your comment - six months after you wrote it!

Thanks for your comment.

I've taken down the original poems and posted three others. I hope you like them.

Comment is about Linda Cosgriff (poet profile)

Original item by Linda Cosgriff

I don't think people have changed at all Steve - just your perception of them. Maybe in the past you were talking too much yourself to notice. With age comes wisdom - for some peeps.

Comment is about The Introvert (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Yes, I like this poem. It chimes with my own feelings for / reactions to people generally in these uncertain times.

I particulalry like these lines ...

And discomfort creates another space for truth.

Extrovert friends become enemy.

One thing I increasingly find, as I get older, is that many people now simply talk too much. And their talk isn't conversation; it lacks the necessary pauses for interjection. Some people just seem content to empty their often (mundane) thoughts out to whoever will listen. It's a shame.

Comment is about The Introvert (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Oh the human condition and our propensity for self destruction... very entertaining though

Comment is about Just one more (blog)

hitting on part of Lauras comments-the last line-
suggest 'you are pleased and displeased for them?
great poem! well done Dave.x

Comment is about The Introvert (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

absolutely loved it.x

Comment is about How Absurd (blog)

Original item by Starfish

I'm as baffled as you are...!

Comment is about Pussy Riot protest anthology a winner at indie lit awards (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I love ya too!

I still prefer:

Lest I blink and all vestige of you was dream


but I'm not going to argue about it!!!!!

:)xx

Comment is about We Are Missing You (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

I really enjoyed this vivid poem, Graham, and note that it is a slight re-write of an earlier post. Just out of curiosity, why did you leave out the paella?

Comment is about The Hitting Game (blog)

Original item by Graham Clifford

Thanks, John! - but as for twittering and facebook, I am at a loss! (events you outlined re Heatons Arts Trail some days ago) - - - but I shall look forward to seeing everyone on 17 June (providing we are back from London after taking care of Janet by then!) - - -
Witter I can; twitter I can't.......and, John, may the Lord preserve you from nervous silver-surfers!...
Love to everyone.......D

Comment is about June Meeting moved to the 17th (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Thanks for commenting on The Introvert, Laura. Yes, introverts can behave in extrovert ways and vice versa. People are full of surprises - for others and even themselves. The basic distinction is whether someone tends to spend energy or gain energy by being with people. But even that can vary can't it.

The final line was intended to be enigmatic and raise questions. The introvert's response to a roomful of extrovert friends enjoying themselves can be complex. Of course the introvert wants his/her friends to be happy. But.....

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

God save the Queen!

And may the balm of Gilead settle upon all bitterness.

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

yes you right about the modd changing affects of the sea and all water bodies...all different and unique...

angler fish scare me to death...aaaahhhh!

i m hoping to make it to the beach soonish x

Comment is about Treading Waters (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Mmm. I see.

Comment is about Pussy Riot protest anthology a winner at indie lit awards (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

“we favour working-class writers, and have consistently had a 50/50 female-male mix without even trying”

Well, I wasn't the one who invoked the term 'working class writers'. It has to mean something - why else would it be used? But what does it even mean? Presumably, in their view, someone with no grasp of (or interest in, or perhaps respect for) 'canonical culture'. Or is a means-test applied? I await enlightenment...

Very few people who claim to be 'working class' really are, in my experience. The 'authentic' working classes aren't really aware of class differences, as such. Left wing radicals are typically middle class types who nurture a generic problem with authority (Che Guevara, Pol Pot, a cast of thousands).

Comment is about Pussy Riot protest anthology a winner at indie lit awards (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Verses 'written to order' are not poetry.

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Great!

Comment is about North Yorkshire Moors Railway (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Yuk. Sick bag time!

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Tremendous!

Comment is about North Yorkshire Moors Railway (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for the update John

Comment is about June Meeting moved to the 17th (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

So why do I write?

It's so I can send a well done comment to you!

I can picture you in the back of the classroom sticking out your tongue making me laugh then I end up getting told off from the teacher for not doing my work!

My punishment is to do a thousand lines

To write and not laugh is what I must do
To write and not laugh is what I must do

Comment is about So Why do I Write (blog)

Original item by Shirley Smothers

Great poem by Carol Ann ... with a killer last line, turning a cliche into something profound.

I can understand why it might get a cool reception from contemporary poets, mind, as they are generally left-leaning (nowt wrong with that; I am so myself) and also (often) bitterly anti-Royal Liberal Fascists!

Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy's poem to mark 60th anniversary of coronation (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

'clear blue air' is classic Laura - describes that feeling perfectly - 'beghilos' is very good too - those bloody calculators eh - spent many an hour messing with them when I should have been learning maths :-)
"separated at birth" I think I would have got the better deal out of that Laura - unless you want to double your body weight and take a wack or two with the ugly stick :-)

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Aye, it really must be an age thing. And economic too, almost certainly - it is more expensive now than it's ever been apparently.

Ha - maybe we were separated at birth?! I wrote a poem about needing to be alone a couple of years ago - link here. Its alternative title is 'Just Shut The FUCK Up!' ;D

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=24466

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

thanks for the comments on 'domestosterone' Laura - glad you liked it - 'teak' it must be an age thing - bring back teak references I say :-)a much underused wood.
Just seen your comments on another post about social/crowds/parties etc - knowing what I know about your OCD and now this, I think you must be the female version of ME!totally got your comments about 'alone time' - you just need to start referencing 'teak' more and you'll be there :-)

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Ha - excellent, loved this! Beautifully evocative from the outset, that first verse is fantastic.

I really like how you build it up - was with you all the way :D You should see me play air hockey - I turn into a complete animal. Gets proper dangerous! :D

Comment is about The Hitting Game (blog)

Original item by Graham Clifford

Well, one can be both introvert and extrovert, depending on the day tbh. I know I can be both. Started out completely introverted, discovered booze, became drunken extrovert. Got older, fucked off with society, didn't need booze to be extrovert anymore. Still have times where I just need to be AWAY from all people - just talking is a painful activity.

That last line - are you REALLY pleased for them? It seems to carry some bitterness...or maybe that's just how I read it.

First two lines are fab, btw. Chockful of meaning.

Comment is about The Introvert (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hehe - faultless rhythm in this chuck. Great title, and teak! I haven't heard anyone reference teak since I was a kid!

Comment is about Domestosterone (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Well, here's another thought, John: how does "a strident emotionalist who knows nothing" follow on from the words "working-class writer"? Or, having come from such origins myself, is it just that I'm missing something?

Comment is about Pussy Riot protest anthology a winner at indie lit awards (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello Lynn,
Glad my Living Doll tickled your fancy.

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Glad you enjoyed Living Doll, Ged. We really need more culture like this.

Comment is about Ged Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Ged Thompson