Hi Laura,
Very touching;the sixth stanza brought it all home for me mate,'for the ice and the mould inside every window'.Superb! Btw, cheers for 'two a.m.'comments.
Comment is about Dear Margaret (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Ahhh...I know of JBs poems on here, we've swapped comments a few times in the past, love his stuff. Just watched the youtube clip - aye, very good, an interesting take on it, and love the ending!
Feeling quite envious now Greg - sounds like you're having a poetic ball. Must get my arse there next year.
Comment is about Vive la difference: Tennyson's heirs and Thatcher's children (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Please do me the courtesy of reading my first words "rightly remember" about Stephen Lawrence: but my question - including much else that has happened since, such as the knifing to death of a London schoolteacher protecting a pupil, or the horrendous pursuit and knifing to death of a youth by a young mob in Waterloo Station - goes unanswered. Where IS the outrage and the media pursuit of publicity? Is the Lawrence case in danger of being "beyond comment" for reasons which provide their own questions? If you are so resistant towards a POV seeking an analogy with attitudes to other equally appalling crimes, then I will be happy to oblige your request not to post comment on your contributions...as not worth my time. Righteous resentment loses currency when it ignores so much else that goes unremarked and then takes issue with being reminded that it does. I live in the real world in which saving a life or two is within my own personal experience and will take no lectures on the value of human life from the sidelines. The poet has the opportunity to remark on what goes unremarked - and can perform a valuable function in addressing perceived wrongs for those who OTHERWISE would be ignored, forgotten or abandoned. You have the right to write your stuff about a very well-known case, and I have the right to regret the public/media failure to remember others - and wonder why?
Comment is about One Of Us - A Stephen Lawrence Tribute (blog)
Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson
I like this - simple, but hard-hitting. Really like the last two lines.
Comment is about The Hierarchy of Death (blog)
Original item by Dave Bradley
Ah - been there, but only the drink part, not the cancer.
A survivor's story. Thanks for sharing.
Comment is about Days (blog)
Original item by fiona sinclair
Ha - good one Ian! With me it's an obsession with symmetry :)(in EVERY aspect of my life). I fought with it as a child for years, it consumed my every waking minute but I managed to get it under control thanks to immense self-will. It never really goes away though - the urges are still there. Every now and again, as a treat, I indulge myself and have half an hour or so of lovely symmetry :D
Still do the whole alphabetising thing though, and when I used to have a car that didn't lock manually, would lock and unlock it a stupid number of times!!
Just found the poem I wrote about it - it was one of the first things I put on here!
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=16523
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (6895)
Thu 25th Apr 2013 11:21
we thank you also for the awareness Ian.
and the poem itself of course.
with well intentioned respect,
and on the humorous side,
perhaps Solar could be just the remedy
you need!
Stock up with Ambre Solaire!
(pun intended)
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
My Efforts -
http://inkyfingersedinburgh.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/virtual-open-mic-episode-6/
(Scroll down a page or so and click on the poem to read)
Comment is about The Iron Lady's funeral blues poems (article)
Original item by Julian Jordon
Nothing else for it Kealan,
You`re just going to have to climb back into that cockpit and fly your
flamin` life yourself.
(I like that:
`What if our hardware wears out
and leaves our skeleton wanting`)
Comment is about Checkpoint (blog)
Original item by Kealan Coady
Yes, of course the photo was of me. Your application for the position of Chief Groupie is therefore accepted. But I hope the rest of you will be in better nick than your eyesight.
Comment is about Yvonne Brunton (poet profile)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Hello MC,
Thanks for your thoughts on "My Biggest Fan". More than one way to kill a cat!
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Hi Ian THanks for kind words on my photographer poem.
Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Harry,
Many thanks for your thoughts on "My Biggest Fan". There did seem to have been a spate of less-than-polite blogs recently, usually spat at someone who had the temerity to take a different political viewpoint.
I like you idea of a free verse poem set to free (unstructured) music. Classical might well suit this best. I might give it a try.
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
John,
To me, this reads like a modern version of Thompson`s `To Monica after nine years`. from the recent discussion blog.
Against all the family memories those last lines read as a repeated poignant cry.
The homeliness increases the paternal `sadness` of the last stanza.
A very moving poem.
Comment is about Has Anybody Seen My Little Sarah? (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (11056)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 21:13
Powerful thought provoking statement...love it Tina x
Comment is about justice for the 96 (blog)
Original item by tina
<Deleted User> (11056)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 20:47
Thanks Tina x
Comment is about LAS VEGAS (blog)
This makes me want to go there x
Comment is about LAS VEGAS (blog)
Absolutely beautiful x
Comment is about 13 YEARS (blog)
<Deleted User> (11056)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 18:50
as you now know - I have to keep doing it until I'm sure it's right :-)
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 17:43
I'm wondering now Ian,that in order to make it up to you-I should place you at the front of that 'Orderly Queue? dont forget the suntan lotion!
I think we can both be allowed to laugh now!x
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
you didn;t have to remove the comment Solar - I actually laughed when I saw it :-) and it sort of highlighted the problem in a humorous and innocent way - by describing the illness I appear to have introduced a tone of admonishment which wasn't really my intention :-( all comments are valid - but thanx anyway x
Ian
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 17:08
thanks for that Ian-I shall remove my original mistaken comment,because now I dont see it as funny.I Hope that with time,and with help,you might be able to overcome the disorder.x
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
I think we've had this discussion before on a poem CAD wrote. What happened to PC Blakelock was horrendous and deeply sickening - it was altogether different from the Stephen Lawrence murder though.
Every policeman knows that he may encounter danger in the line of duty, particularly in riots. You don't expect to be murdered at a bus stop though, out of the blue for no other reason than your skin colour.
Stephen was young, his whole life ahead of him, all those choices to be made...
The only thing I would say, is that coppers are no different to human beings - there are good ones and there are bad ones. I do not believe that Stoke Newington is typical example of how forces run. Let's hope at least that lessons have been learnt from this.
Comment is about One Of Us - A Stephen Lawrence Tribute (blog)
Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson
hey - it's no problem Solar m'dear - no offense taken - it's a weird afliction because you know what you're doing and you know it's stupid - but you still do it. It takes me 5 minutes from deciding to leave the house or go to bed to actually doing it - because you have to keep re-checking - and then you go back and check it again just to be sure.
I appreciate your comments as always :-)
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 16:41
thank you by the way for making me aware of the disorder-I see now what the 'O'referred to.x
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 16:36
oh dear Mr.Whiteley and oops!on my part-
along with my sincere apologies.
Most definitely no offence intended
I obviously missed the point and have no
qualms about admitting it.Sorry mate.x
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Wow, I don't know why I expect more from poets but that is the most ignorant post I have ever seen, even by Mr Newbury, our resident right-wing troll.
Stephen had not one, but two stab wounds, that both severed arteries.
The first officers on the scene not only failed to give first aid, they actually prevented anyone else from doing so, in part because they mistakenly believed stephen had been in a gang related incident.
The police then deliberately obstructed and repeatedly bungled the investigation (according to the report of Lord Macpherson, not me). The conclusions to the report finding thay the Met was an institutionally racist (a term coined by Macpherson) organisation.
It is so ironic that you choose to talk about an officer (assume you are referring to PC Keith Blakelock?) killed in the line of duty, as the death of this young man might have been avoided if only these officers had done their duty and applied pressure to his wounds. If these officers had done their duty ALL five of the suspects in this case that were identified by their own community within five days might have been successfully prosecuted. Then somewhere in the region of £50,000,000 would have been saved from the public purse. The family of Stephen and the people of South London would have had justice and a little more confidence that the colour of their skin would not mean some of them were second class citizens in the eyes of the the law. The biggest part of this story is not the murder, it is the negligent, incompetent response, from the the police, motivated by racism and probable bribery.
These are some of the reasons why this event and this lost life are so significant. Why they must be remembered.
Any case of murder, including that of PC Blakelock (in which, coincidentally various failures to follow procedure also contributed to failed prosecutions and a number of officers were, albeit unsuccessfully, prosecuted for perjury and perverting the course of justice) is tragic. But Stephen was not protected by those who were paid to do so.
Mr Newbury, please do me the favour of never commenting on my work again, or at least make sure you do a little research before spouting ill considered nonsense, where it is not welcome.
Thanks for all the other supportive comments,
Comment is about One Of Us - A Stephen Lawrence Tribute (blog)
Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson
How de doody Mike.
On the Block was one of the earliest poems I wrote. Thought I'd put an early one on and hopefully get a bit of feedback. Tried reading it a bit JCC. You're right it does lend itself to that style of delivery, never thought about it. Thanks for the comment mate, much appreciated.
Comment is about Mike Hilton (poet profile)
Original item by Mike Hilton
*ouch* Solar
if it wasn't such a pain in the ar*e it would be funny - one of the problems with this affliction is that many people don't realise it's a mental illness and most sufferers, myself included, remain in denial far too long. But I get on with it and this isn't meant to be a 'poor me' rant - i wanted to raise awareness. so MC can put away his poisoned pen right now :-)
Comment is about Pure O (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
The last word sums up your poem up perfectly.
Comment is about Banished from Eden (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
Hi Pete,
I read this straight off in with a 'Cooper-Clarke' style in my head.
I don't know if that's how you intended it to be but it worked for me.
Nice one mate - good stuff
Mike
Comment is about ON THE BLOCK (blog)
Original item by Pete Slater
Hi Pete,
I read this straight off in with a 'Cooper-Clarke' style in my head.
I don't know if that's how you intended it to be but it worked for me.
Nice one mate - good stuff
Mike
Comment is about ON THE BLOCK (blog)
Original item by Pete Slater
Having considerable experience of working with humanity "in the mass" in the past, it is clear that there is substantial evidence to show that many adults (I use the term in the physical sense) have regressed - if they ever reached it - from the onset of "mental maturity" to a state of being unwilling to accept responsibility for - or fulfilling the conditions of - being properly functioning grown-ups. The behaviour of certain footie "supporters" at many venues - often with dire consequences - is another indication of this infantile phenomenon. The immature undisciplined and the aggressive love a crowd- which can quickly become a mob out of control and beyond reason.
Comment is about COMPASSION FATIGUE BLUES (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
If we rightly remember this young man - struck down by a single knife blow from young white thugs, then why are we so slow to do likewise for a young police officer sent to keep the peace who was mercilessly struck down and then literally hacked to death by over a hundred machete and knife blows from a rioting ethnic mob in a crime-ridden London housing estate?
Where is the outrage and the media interest over the
absence of evidence or help towards solving this UNDETECTED crime?
I feel a poem coming on!!
Comment is about One Of Us - A Stephen Lawrence Tribute (blog)
Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson
You must everyone else does - - - well done
I wonder if he still lives in that old caravan
with his Dad?
Comment is about Jimmy Rockford (blog)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
Anthony,
I presume you already know of it...But MAGMA are having a `shaped` poetry competition.
They say they `welcome` unpublished stuff, but don`t seem to put a specific bar on blog stuff
(I.M.O.)
The problem is that the words are so confoundedly difficult to squeeze in to the shape legibly.
Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)
Original item by Anthony Emmerson
Handsome beast!
Comment is about Neil Fawcett (photo)
If they had can't see them just using rubber bullets
Thanks for your comment
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
A touching tribute to parenthood, its joys and
pride, with the all-too soon passage of time to
the reality of adulthood and leaving the family
"nest".
As usual from this source, a perfect vocal
realisation of the words.
Comment is about Has Anybody Seen My Little Sarah? (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
One of the best TV series...helped no end by the engaging world-weary performance of its star James Garner, who I recall equally fondly for his performance as Brett Maverick years before this famous private eye series came along. Answerphones have never had so much good publicity!! I can understand your glee about having your poem sent to the man himself. I felt the same way when the subject of my poem "Dambuster" asked if he could submit it to the famous WW2 RAF squadron's museum.
Good for you!!
N.B. Shouldn't "quiet" be "quite" in line 16?
Comment is about Jimmy Rockford (blog)
Original item by Shirley Smothers
Thanks Cynthia for generous comment on my photographer poem.
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Good grief! A little knowledge and a glib pen can wreck civilizations; it isn't always chain balls and volcanoes!
Comment is about J F Keane (poet profile)
Original item by J F Keane
I'm with you! Lots of people are in this camp - do not feel alone! This 'concept' has gained great ground with our 'advanced' technology that shows us persons and events that we can no longer be certain are 'real life' or 'real time' (whatever those are supposed to be.) It really isn't far off the celebrated notion of 'all the world is a stage...etc.' which S. so aptly captured at the level of the not so magically educated.
Comment is about Checkpoint (blog)
Original item by Kealan Coady
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 11:02
<Deleted User> (9882)
Wed 24th Apr 2013 10:59
great stuff Frederick-keep on keeping on!x
Comment is about 21st century maladie (blog)
Ian Whiteley
Thu 25th Apr 2013 15:12
Hi Laura
thanks for commenting on 'pure o' you are clearly someone who understands the condition from your own personal experence. I too have way more than disclosed in the poem including the numbers/alphabet/symetry/order thing - so as Steve has said I'm OCD rather than pure O - but I like the title for what it is rather than as a clinical definition of what I have. Read you earlier work on symetry and loved it - don't you find that there is an angel in the fog with all this though? - because apart from the irritation of the condition it does make me more accurate / precise and throws me into some really creative thinking and situations that I otherwise wouldn't experience. Just a thought :-)
thanks
Ian
Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)
Original item by Laura Taylor