ooo found you...lol after sending you a message too! thanks izz x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Blimey...brrr has that chill factor. Like the internal rhyme you have going on in this..I am trying myself to do a bit of that (mainly cos I am completely rubbish at metre!)

:)

Comment is about To The Bogus Caller (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

An interesting take Julian..I like what you did with your words :)

Comment is about We have become a dead grandmother (blog)

Original item by Julian Jordon

whoosh...just whoosh..

oh and great rhythm too!

:)

Comment is about Class Action (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

What garbage doth thou spout now?
What garbage doth thou spout now!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hey Ian..Thanks so much for the great comment on my last effort..To be honest I don't do political poetry much at all...(and that fourth verse is my fave too!)

Again thanks so much :)

Comment is about Ian Whiteley (poet profile)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Golden Fibs
When is a Fibonacci sequence also a geometric sequence? Clearly this is not the case for the standard Fibonacci sequence but consider all sequences obeying the rule that each term is the sum of the two previous terms but with different initial terms. In Golden Fibs you will find a general Fibonacci sequence which is also a geometric sequence.

Comment is about Golden Fibs (blog)

Original item by Graham Ramsden

you get better and better with each new poem.
oh! you make us sick! (haha!)

well done Sir!xx

Comment is about Class Action (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Hi Mike
Happy for you to comment on the news item, but we would prefer you not to attack your fellow members with personal comments - blinkered, out of touch, and your final comment about placing of heads.
I know this is an emotive topic, but let's not let her mess with our site, eh?
Just a little reminder :-)
Thanks.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Apologies for editing it after your comments.

Comment is about We have become a dead grandmother (blog)

Original item by Julian Jordon

I thank you for your comments. A bit rushed but I felt the need to mark, not her passing so much as my dislike of how hypocritical she was and all this is; the way her death is being exploited by others on both 'sides'. In the end, whatever you make of it all, she is someone's grandma, and should be buried by her family with the respect one would give to any dead grandmother; not all this exploitation which will backfire on the Tory party, I am sure. Unless you take a conspiracy view, that they are using it cynically to provoke a reaction.

Comment is about We have become a dead grandmother (blog)

Original item by Julian Jordon

Chris - your response was appreciated. My main quibble is that if Thatcher was so reviled by so many as it generally put about by "the other side", just where did her mandate to gain a third term of office come from? As for her "friends", where is the mention of her dealings with De Klerk that preceded the subsequent transition of power in South Africa? And what about the massive importance of her contacts with Gorbachev that saw the historic decline of communism and the ensuing meaning of freedom for many across the expanding world?It's easy enough to dwell on the perceived failings of selective choices (even if, in the wider political sense, these probably amounted to very little of actual importance in effect).
It's clear there was anger at the apparently endless demands of unions of whatever origin, with their avowedly HARD LEFT of centre leadership which clearly had little care for what the rest of the country wanted - or thought about their behaviour. They led their members to confrontation and their members allowed it. This country has NEVER been of a hard left persuasion and that ideology got ideas above its station with its attitudes and demands. In short, parts of the UK under a hardwired ideology at odds with the majority population took up a cause with all its risks - and lost. To cry foul for what happened afterwards seems a bit lame so many years on...with a decade of Labour government in place since. Where are the millions from the many Labour millionaires that could help kickstart deprived areas that always vote Labour. The numerous luvvies of the vastly rich entertainment world rarely turn down a chance to flaunt their Labour credentials - so where are THEY when it comes to alleviating the hardship of the "comrades" and their "communities"?
It is reported that famous Liverpudlian Sir Paul MacCartney is worth over £600 million. Not a bad fund of dosh to help the city and its less well off! Our Victorian forebears were quick to commit to social causes like the famous "Peabody Estates". Where are today's equivalent benefactors to the "working class"?Notable by their absence, it seems!

Comment is about Nothing Left (blog)

Original item by Chris Co

Thank you Alex!! Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Singer songwriter (blog)

Laura, well said! Some people on here are so blinkered and out of touch it's unreal. I find being labelled cold, ignorant and unfeeling just because I choose not to mourn (and neither do I celebrate)the death of an individual that I associate with so many of todays ills more than insulting, some people need to take their heads out of their arses.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

An intriguing mixture of "old-fashioned" often "elevated" phraseology and an obvious affinity with nature and its gifts, presented in a style that is almost Victorian in effect.
Last line - I'm unsure about "her's"...what does this refer to?

Comment is about On A May Glory- A Welcome Song (blog)

Original item by Nithinpurple

Thanks for your comments on 'Citizen's Lament'
and I will remove the first 'or' as you suggested.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

JC - at least your stuff has something to say - AND is always entertaining to boot. Not a bad thing on any writers' site worth the name.

Comment is about "Here's My Tits - My Arse's Behind" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

hello MC...thanks for the comment on my latest...rarely do I do political poetry..it bores me to distraction. One my face book page I actually put a comment about wanting to write about bears, then all the gumph happened and Mrs T was everywhere..but I must admit I do not mourn her passing. Again thanks for your comment. :)

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I enjoyed the sardonic use of "We have become a (dead)grandmother" to set the style of the content, which, by necessity I guess, would not be appropriate to anything positive in her achievements in office. One of the more imaginative contributions of its type, with its adoption of some well-known lines from elsewhere to enhance the overall effect.

Comment is about We have become a dead grandmother (blog)

Original item by Julian Jordon

Thank you Cynthia - for your time and comments. Perhaps I should let go of the punctuation for a while... the pace is important to me but sometimes I do get tangled up! Am hoping to hear you read at Sale tonight so be nice to say hello. x

Comment is about The Seagull (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Hi Greg - I equate "You're entitled to your view" with the words "with respect"...not necessarily meaning exactly what they say :-))
My view is based on direct involvement in many instances and the wider state of the countryin the years leading up to the confrontation with the Scargill faction. It seemed that there were those in this country who would (and could) have brought it to its knees given the chance and the "proof of the pudding wasin the eating" in occurrence after occurrence. If there were "two countries", it was because the South, with its settled and substantial population, was increasingly disenchanted with activities and avarice it did not agree with or understand. You rightly admire Churchill as a great war leader, but his own early record confronting industrial unrest (when it was most certainly more justified given the far greater social/material deprivation) was of a hardline no-nonsense variety that earned him the hate of those involved. I recall that he took the "send in troops/police" view at the time. The nature of the times and political precedent tend to set the agenda for action by the government of any era. Thatcher had Heath's experience/downfall to bolster her decisions and actions. The likes of "Red Robbo", Scargill et al represented the crocodiles which Churchill himself believed could not be appeased and, it can be argued, the miners' strike and its residual effects were a direct result of all that had gone before in year after year of demands and disputes that were so damaging to the country and its prospects in the emerging global economy. Even Neil Kinnock had to disassociate himself from the Militant Tendency and the likes of Derek Hatton to retain any chance of popular or even Party support. It was too late for him, but Tony Blair was the ultimate beneficiary.

Comment is about Margaret Thatcher: how I missed my moment (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Good technique - very tight Julian - Loved it :-)
Ian

Comment is about We have become a dead grandmother (blog)

Original item by Julian Jordon

Yes, its a great night and venue in capable hands. Win x

Comment is about CBT in Sale on Tuesday (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cynthia, thx for popping by and commenting on my poem Never- Win x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Very atmospheric. Would you consider scrapping most punctuation and letting the reader coast through your words? I think we would arrange your ideas without being steered. I do know that many winning poems in contests are still much punctuated, like image-heavy prose. Yet, I embrace unharnessing words, giving them freedom to fall into your mind (as you do yourself, although I am nowhere as skillful as you are.) Perhaps you are experimenting -different styles for different poems. Balance is hard, but you are the BOSS.

Comment is about The Seagull (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

This is very well written, with clever twists of words and meaning. I compliment the poem itself, not necessarily the expressed opinions.

Comment is about Nothing Left (blog)

Original item by Chris Co

I don't dispute, Greg, that Thatcher was a nasty piece of work, ultimately with an arrogance and self belief that bordered on insanity. Nevertheless, at the time she came to power Britain was an international embarrassment. Even the USSR thought our products were too shoddy to buy. Something drastic had to be done.

Comment is about Margaret Thatcher: how I missed my moment (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I totally agree with Solar - the only poem I felt inclined to comment upon. It's basically the same points but presented without the 'rant' element and therefore, IMO, more penetrating.

Comment is about mild frenzy (blog)

Original item by Paul Sands

Good one, Winston, just plain interesting. I like the structure of the copy.

Comment is about Never - (blog)

Original item by Winston Plowes

This poem is sharp, in concept and in craftsmanship, full of original images that excite all the senses and push the brain into high gear. It is an - experience - one of the best poems I have ever read. I salute a master hand.

Comment is about Synaesthetes night out at Cafe Oto (blog)

Original item by pauline sewards

Graham - you presume too much. I prize good manners and respect above most other things and indeed they were the first things I taught my daughter. Do you think I would be like this over any other funeral/person?! Do you think other people who are reacting the same way as me would too? That's some insult there.

I am becoming quite enraged at being told what to think and how to feel about all of this by the way, by people who did not live my life, who were not subject to the humiliation, the shame, the absolute grind of existence that me, my family, and everyone around me lived through. By people who don't seem to have acknowledged any of her serious crimes against humanity, her collusion with an out-of-control, violent and fascistic police force. You can have your own thoughts on this, but you respect mine and I'll respect yours. I'll not tell you to feel the way I do, so stop telling me to feel the way you do.

She's having a service today - why can't that just be it?

Why is this amount of public money being allowed to be spent on an extra state funeral (and it IS a state funeral - missing out the word 'state' does not make it otherwise) when families are being evicted, food banks are having to be used, and the people on a lower financial rung are being demonised and punished purely for being without money?

It is obscene beyond measure, and I am incensed by it all.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Nice one, Tommy! Right wing, middle-class dinosaurs whose days are, thankfully, numbered.

Comment is about "Here's My Tits - My Arse's Behind" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Your point is well made, Graham. I am also from such an era. When I was little all following traffic would remain behind the cortege rather than overtake, as a mark of respect.
I mourn the passing of such an era when people had respect for others, which is sadly less a part of our society now; and much of that change in attitude is down to her promulgating the self-first, no-such-thing-as-society philosophy.
As for the funeral itself, were it a private, rather than state, affair, I would wish that she were treated like anyone else from her era, with the respect you suggest; the problem is that her funeral - to the apparent disgust of the queen - has been hijacked as a publicity stunt by members of the government. It is that to which I object. It is also foolish of them, as she was clearly a divisive figure and their insensitivy is fanning the flames of dissent.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Graham, I doubt many of the dead that passed yourself and your father had the same devastating impact on communities and the country as what Thatcher did. Would you have removed your hats and bowed your heads if it had been Hitler, Saddam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden? I thought not! Why do you think that all of these comments are being posted? Why do you think that in some areas her death is being celebrated? It's because she was loathed and sadly, her legacy still thrives today.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I give in, Tommy. I just can't compete with your wit and repartee.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Cheers Chris. Great to see both you and Natalie and thanks for the comment.

No offence taken at all. I was annoyed as you were trying to read and somebody was going on and we couldn't hear you.

Look forward to seeing you both soon.

L xx

Comment is about Louise Coulson (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Coulson

John when you met Blair- did you cum in your drawers?

Comment is about "Here's My Tits - My Arse's Behind" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

When I was a young lad, I remember walking along the High St in our town and seeing an approaching funeral cortege, my father stood at the kerbside (as did I) with our heads bowed. Other men took off their hats and bowed also. We didn't even know the occupant of the coffin, it was just respect and knowing how to behave.
I've been posting on here for a couple of years now and I thought that there were a lot of good eggs contributing too.
Having read some of the comments on sundry Maggie related pieces, I guess many have just not been brought up the way I was. Shame.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thatchers lasting legacy: developing ways to aerate ice-cream in order to keep the bulk but reduce content-hence raising profits. Adulteration.

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ahhh Laura..knew you would make it your own..and you have lady..x :) x

Comment is about Dear Margaret (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hey Ged...nice one....and as usual with that great flow that works so well..Going to love hearing this!

Comment is about Ripples of Detriment (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

Just to reassure you - I don't think there were any hecklers as such, at the last Tudor.

There was one lady talking very loudly in the corridor, seemingly unaware there was a poetry night going on right next to her - and there was a very drunk local standing by the gents. I'm not sure if he was meaning to shout encouragement or whether he was just very drunk and shouting for the hell of it. That's a bit of an occupational hazard of performing at the Tudor - for me it's part of the whole charm of it - no month is ever the same :))

Comment is about Chris Co (poet profile)

Original item by Chris Co

Hey Louise,

Great poem/performance at the Tudor - me & Natalie both thought you were really good. Kinda suprised given you said performing might not be your thing.

Real conviction and a sort of "history of our days" vibe - good stuff.

I hope I didn't cause any upset when I was on. The lights were pretty dazzling on stage and I couldn't see - just heard what I thought was one of the hecklers. Natalie told me afterwards you were telling one of them off for me...so sorry if I said the wrong thing.

Hope you read next time out.

Best

Chris

Comment is about Louise Coulson (poet profile)

Original item by Louise Coulson

Ha! This made me laugh Larisa!

Comment is about I Am the Chair A day in the life of comp (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Oh now then..there is nothing quite like a real letter is there?..Gasping letterbox is such a good line Ian.

A lovely read too (smiley face inserted lol )

Comment is about Waiting For Miss Write (blog)

Original item by Ian Whiteley

Would that be the same Pinochet befriended by Lady T? Hmm.

Comment is about Chilean poet Neruda's remains exhumed in murder inquiry (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the author died, according to my book on copyright and IPR. Was 50 before 1996 act brought it in line with rest of Europe.
Her funeral is being hijacked by the Tory government out of desperation at their plight, in the hope that it will provide a kind of 'Falklands factor', in my view.
Labour can hardly claim too much moral high ground on this though, as her legacy informed Blair's weltanschauung, which still seems to inform the present leadership's.
What would St Francis have made of her using his material outside Number 10?
I agree wholeheartedly with Laura's observation about spending so much when we are cutting, for example, disability benefits.
I defend the right's right to its view of her, but deplore the insensitivity to those people whose views are shaped by their experiences of life under her, particularly in the blighted north. She is not Churchill.
And, should son mark even be allowed into the UK after he got his mumsie to use (abuse?) her office to solicit financial favours over dodgy goverment arms sales?

Comment is about Wordsworth's Ode to be read aloud at Thatcher's funeral (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

You're entitled to your view, MC. But just so there's no misunderstanding, I was living for most of the 80s in Surrey, albeit working for a leftish newspaper. During that time I felt I was in an occupied country, occupied by the right and their newspapers that demonised and caricatured any opposition. Two tribes? Thatcher greased things so that her son could make money, there's no getting away from that, and insisted that he inherit her husband's baronetcy. Not a shining example, really, of anything except how to make money without really working for it. Which brings us back to the bankers ... I might add that I greatly admire Churchill as a war leader and as an orator whose words still send shivers down the spine, and indeed, bring tears to the eyes. It deeply saddens me as a Briton that the staging of this funeral suggests that Thatcher was his equal. It is a stain on this country.

Comment is about Margaret Thatcher: how I missed my moment (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Speaking out of my arse?
It is medically reported that there are less germs in the rectum than the mouth. I feel the truth of that when on the receiving end of your less polite observations.

Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Only the most seriously humour-deficient mindset would have failed to see the funny side of that! Thank heavens we Brits. still
have that famous reputation to fall back on.

Comment is about "Here's My Tits - My Arse's Behind" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey