In my earlier comment I was speaking mainly from a performance perspective. Black poets aren't well represented in the North West, hence I've only had opportunity to see and hear poets specialising in a street/rap style - highly successful poets, I might add.
I have no doubt that those poets and all black poets are equally capable of writing in perfect Iambic pentameter, or any style they choose to - I just spoke of what I'd heard.
I don't think it hurts to actively seek out poetry from different cultures, if in doing so you are producing a book that reflects the heart and soul of Manchester, with all its components.
If anyone other than John finds my comment patronising or racist, then I do apologise - it was not intended to be. Discussing ethnicity is sometimes like treading on egg shells - only for the brave or the foolish.
Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
2CV Shirt, Brilliant! x
Comment is about Julian Jordon, compere, October 2012 Photograph: David Andrew / Write Out Loud (photo)
<Deleted User> (10062)
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 20:58
Ushiku! Love your stuff man! :)
Niiiiiiiiiiiiice.
Comment is about Ushiku Crisafulli (poet profile)
Original item by Ushiku Crisafulli
As distinct from a loose flabby lower one eh -
the sort that says "sorry...there's nothing left (we've spent it all)".
Comment is about Chin up chaps (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Hello TC - wondered where you were!
Comment is about OPPRESSORS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Yes, it was a wonderful night. Re the Fly in the ointment comments. These are clearly driven by the editors wish for fairer representation of a multicultural Manchester in the BOMP pages and a self critical attitude to strive towards this. From what I know of them if this came out 'wrong' it is simply that. Winston
Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Many innovative images, and a fine lyricism of verbal melody throughout.
I was hoping to meet you at the BOMP event last Thursday. Some day, I hope I shall - just to see your words in the flesh.
Comment is about Blonde Memory (blog)
Original item by Kealan Coady
You make what seems to be, immediately, a valid point. But, I ask you to define 'poverty' as you understand and use the term. For therein lies the argument.
Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
tony sheridan
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 18:44
What a pack of lies they ply us with! Nice one Indigo! Take care, Tony.
Comment is about PoLieTics - NaPoWriMo Day 2 (blog)
Original item by Ushiku Crisafulli
tony sheridan
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 18:39
tony sheridan
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 18:33
Stiff upper lip and all that! Nice one Tommy.Take care, Tony.
Comment is about Chin up chaps (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Of course it is. But it won't be if it tries peddling ethnic stereotypes.
Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Well, John Keane, you scored a brownie point there I suppose, but I am sure Isobel meant no harm by her comment. Its great when people will establish poetry presses and promote poetry in spite of recessions. There are some shining examples around, of which this is one. Perhaps the Best of Manchester people were referring to who turns up to live readings. Maybe they meant to be encouraging to people who might think they would not be welcome. I have always found live poetry in the North to be very welcoming to all.
Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I like the spoof on a famous poem. Neat.
JC's comments reminded me of s similar feeling
when seeing family in my South Devon birthplace,
only this time they all seemed to be from Liverpool!!
Comment is about Citizen's Lament (blog)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
???
jesus christ almighty
such ignorance flies a kitey
we cry for dear old blighty
then write a pile of shitey.
chin up chaps
Tommy
Comment is about OPPRESSORS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
So funny! I will be chuckling for a while yet..and as laughter is the best medicine, I say thank you for the contribution to my health!!
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Anything for a rest!
Actually this was inspired in 2004 by a certain Mr Archer but now it seems to apply to 3 fiction writers! xx
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
No love behind a painted face
that hides the hurt and fear, BEAUTIFUL IAN CONGRATULATIONS B
Comment is about The Clown (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
No love behind a painted face
that hides the hurt and fear, BEAUTIFUL IAN CONGRATULATIONS B
Comment is about The Clown (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
No love behind a painted face
that hides the hurt and fear, BEAUTIFUL IAN CONGRATULATIONS B
Comment is about The Clown (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
<Deleted User> (6315)
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 15:26
Hello Harry..thanks so much for dropping by on my second hand love!..A little fun..but pah!...How I wished you had replied earlier..LOL..x
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
HI TONY MANY THANKS B
Comment is about BENEATH THE TREES OF LILAC (blog)
Original item by BRIAN EVANS
Yes indeed, isobel. I think your interpretation of ageing and decay is a bit more elegant than mine! On the matter of you having the balls - that would come as an unwelcome surprise!
Comment is about A Daol Fo... (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Black writers have a lot of 'soul and rhythm'...? What is that but a hackneyed ethnic stereotype, right there? Well, I can assure you that black poets can write sonnets, blank verse or anything else, without reflexive recourse to 'soul' or 'rhythm'...
All of this just reinforces my belief that left-liberals are patronizing racists of the worst kind. This knee-jerk conflation of skin-colour with 'rhythm' and 'soul' is not only offensive, but ludicrous in the extreme.
Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Yvonne,
you`re just jealous of the Huhnes,
aren`t you?
Comment is about Citizen's Lament (blog)
Original item by Yvonne Brunton
Charlie,
I love the way your alliteration seems
to make the the supperation and the rot even
more yacky.
An effective and arresting `remember where you
are going` poem.
Comment is about The Cupboard of Death (blog)
Original item by Charlie Sparkinson
M.C.
Stanzas one, two, four and five are sound and indisputable.
But - be fair - if we`re poets, stanza three is of the essence if we`re going to write any decently robust poetry against anything at all.
Comment is about OPPRESSORS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Freda,
I second what John says about your rhyming.(I don`t usually agree with with deleting punctuation - but this would`ve worked easily with just the full stops...it `runs` so well)
I`m fascinated by your highlighting of the word word entropy` (and the dual mechanical/sociological implications of the word itself...for instance: a stay-at-home mother is not available for work but is vitally essential to society...also the tendency for whatever system to inherently collapse. For instance: Communism, and our latest Capitalist sally.)
For me-as a Christian-the word also recalls all I ever learned about not putting my faith in systems.
A good one, directed to the brain also.
Comment is about Entropy Song (blog)
Original item by Freda Davis
John,
No way could I ever compete with an arse like that!
(honestly now, it was yours, `taken behind your back` by Gertie, wasn`t it?)
The `scaffolding` and `Antarctica` are ace!
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Absolutely brilliant Harry. Should have been an article, this.
Little has changed then. My first time at Dead Good Poets had near-fisticuffs (nowt to do with me) with one guitar-wielding xenophobe pointing menacingly at various members of the audience, saying: you're not from Liverpool. He also pointed to David Bateman and accused him of being "an existentialist tosser". Fortunately, no non-Scouse shops had their windows smashed that night.
Comment is about The way it was. (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
tony sheridan
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 11:36
A beautiful poem! Take care, Tony.
Comment is about BENEATH THE TREES OF LILAC (blog)
Original item by BRIAN EVANS
To misquote Kenneth Williams: Entropy, entropy, we've all got it: entropy!
Get that damned fuse lit someone, anyone!
Extremely well crafted Freda.
Comment is about Entropy Song (blog)
Original item by Freda Davis
tony sheridan
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 11:22
Nice one John! Take care, Tony.
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Ha - it occurs to me that I've already written the Yin to your Yang, though I didn't have the balls to post a proper picture with it.
Enjoy :)
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=4933
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
<Deleted User> (6315)
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 00:53
Aye, a wonderfully crafted write Freda, thoroughly enjoyed your poem and your message too.. :)
Comment is about Entropy Song (blog)
Original item by Freda Davis
<Deleted User> (6315)
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 00:48
Brilliant Harry..just wonderful..(we suspected they were Jewish) had me in fits..Oh thanks so much for putting this up..what a treat..
Comment is about The way it was. (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
<Deleted User> (6315)
Tue 2nd Apr 2013 00:44
riiiiiiight.....you've been peeking...tsk..
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
We have practically got a monopoly on yorkshire prisons here. take your pick ( or shovel, depending which chain gang you're on)
I once knew an ex con who was trying to break back in so that he could steal prison shirts which apparently were selling like hot cakes in London
Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)
Original item by John Coopey
CONGRATULATION PATRICIA BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN WELL RESEARCHED,IN LANGUAGE OF YESTERYEAR KISSES B
Comment is about Magazine editor wins National Poetry Competition (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Fully agree with the sentiment, MC.
It seems everyone sees it as the other side's fault.
I once went on a management course where we were asked to write down all the people who were a problem to us at work. We wrote about our boss, our staff, our peers, our suppliers, our customers... No-one wrote "Me".
I've never heard anyone ever say "Come the revolution I'm looking forward to being taken outside and shot".
Comment is about OPPRESSORS (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I do have my own take on this which Bob Dylan scurrilously poached from me!
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=35758
Comment is about The Cupboard of Death (blog)
Original item by Charlie Sparkinson
LOL - then you'll have to hope that your sculptured body starts to attract better than the above offerings :)
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Happily this is not a fate which affects we men!
Comment is about The Cupboard of Death (blog)
Original item by Charlie Sparkinson
'The end is nigh' - yes it does feel a bit like that at times - and like you, I do worry about the future for my children - they won't have it as good as we had it.
This is a difficult subject for a poem cos there are so many layers to the problems - ecological, economical, social. It's a bit of a minefield but you tackle it well.
x
Comment is about Just Another Ode To Be Ignored (blog)
Original item by Noetic-fret!
Can't he;p you there, Isobel. I write my poems from personal experience and, as I still have the sculptured body of a Greek god and the todger of a pagan fertility symbol, I shall have to wait many years for deterioration to set in!
Comment is about Don't Look Twice - It's Cellulite (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Dave Bradley
Wed 3rd Apr 2013 00:37
Excellent review of what must have been a great evening. BoMP sounds terrific. Regarding ethnicity - risking Izz's eggshells - it's people from a Chinese background or heritage who have been missing in my experience. Haven't run across one, yet they have been present in numbers in the North West for centuries.
Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman