Thanks for your lovely comment. It was actually quite liberating to write something unpoetic LOL - why on Earth have I taken up this poetry hobby, I ask myself...?

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Dave, well done for putting this together, I am sure the WOL community will rise to the challenge and await the results with interest :-)

Comment is about Cat. Prize competition (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

M.C., hold that fort! (that only works using received pronunciation as in most parts of the North West it has almost two syllables).
Anthony, you are right about the greater reaches of poetry. In fact, our gig guide is the only entity demonstrating the truth of what you say and contributing to the network's growth. I was only mentioning the Write Out Loud "branded" nights. Oh, and it is the north, not the North West, as Marsden is in Yorkshire; about two miles in, in fact.
I think 'stonking' is a stonking word, Laura, and well done for your stonking year. Superb. Now 2013...

Comment is about Year of the Red Wheelbarrow: but how was 2012 for you? (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hahahaaa!!! I'm not gonna quibble over it being 'unpoetic' - this is just funny as fuck :D Some touches of sheer genius in here :D

This had me choking on me coffee:
Would that be your only reason for using latin?

Of course not. I wish to make my poetry accessible

to any 8th century scribes and scholars

still alive and looking to hook up on Facebook.

Fanfuckintastic :D

Comment is about Sermo ut parietis (blog)

Original item by Isobel

MCN doing political poetry?! Well, never thought I'd see the day...

Comment is about WHERE ARE YOU GORDON BROWN? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Often with a squint could we see more clearly. It's quite a varied and complex sight to look at, this life and all that it has to offer. Thanks for sharing.

Comment is about Education (blog)

Original item by Ludo

sometimes. In the poem the first expect should be crossed out but still there but couldn't get that to happen in that text box

Comment is about Jesuisnapoleon (poet profile)

Original item by Jesuisnapoleon

Magnificent and very "in the moment." It is as if we were all there simultaneously experiences it.

Comment is about Paxos (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

Hilarious! I'm glad I've never encountered anything as harrowing on FB. I do hope you don't get sucked into a convo like that ever again. For all our sakes. :-)

Comment is about Sermo ut parietis (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Thank you for your kind response, Isobel, on "Gotta Keep On." It was written with a friend in mind, who has been struggling with a debilitating behavioural illness. And all the medics could do is aid them take it a day at a time. I have thus likened it to the anguished vagabond soul of an artist. You are much appreciated.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I loved this short poem. Although I couldn't really read trhough it without replacing first "Accept" by "Except". It made more sense to me this way.

Sometimes when I write a poem, I write down one word, but latter I realise I meant a different word with similar sonority and that different word makes perfect sense anf fits forever.. Does it happen to you?

Comment is about Jesuisnapoleon (poet profile)

Original item by Jesuisnapoleon

art for the sake of art, i love this piece although IMHO it deserves a more luxurious ending

Comment is about The Formula for Art (blog)

Original item by Ludo

It's typical of a woman to complain about the generalizing of women.


How Do I count the shoes?

How do I love my shoes? Let me count the ways.
I love their comfort and style and price.
When my foot can slip in easily, when kicking out of sight foolish Insults and remarks.
I love them for their shine and waterproofing,
Quiet in the walking, by sun and LED torch-light.
I love the comfort as men do strive for Comfort.
I love their fashionability, as they bask In praise.
I love them with a passion when put to good use
In my old briefs, and with my manhood's faith And daily needs.
I love them with a love I show to women
With my swanky gait. I love them with the breath I breathe upon their shine,
The smiles of their buying and tears if their life comes to an end. And if I could be bothered, I shall love them even after recycling.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

somehow reminds me of ee cummmings although more modern, what are your inspirations in litterature?

Comment is about Ludo (poet profile)

Original item by Ludo

U should read this at 3MT

Comment is about conurbation (blog)

Original item by Jesuisnapoleon

Beautiful. Well done whoever wrote this. Thanks for this. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Daddy's Poem by unknown poet (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Love this! The last two lines are spot on! Take care, Tony.

Comment is about Paxos (blog)

Original item by Tom Harding

indeed, we be like the robots in I robot film with made in taiwan stamped on our arses lol.

Comment is about Daddy's Poem by unknown poet (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Love this! Well done. Take care, Tony.

Comment is about In the maze (blog)

Original item by Carla Tombacco

Like the twist at the end!

Comment is about The loneliness of Lucy (blog)

Original item by hugh

Fflobadob lubabdub dobbadobba lub.
Wee-ee-eeee-eed.
Script writing was so easy then! Thanks for the lovely memories - do you think this programme was the start of the FlowerPower generation and their preoccupation with 'weed'?
no wonder the woodentops dog had its ears cut short and his tail cut long. Surreal man!

Comment is about Oddle Poddle (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

flash it up in lights of neon
Good riddance to the scottish scion!
excellent little ditty M C xx

Comment is about WHERE ARE YOU GORDON BROWN? (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks for the comments. Otla, I write in both ways, it depends on the occasion and on the texts themselves.

Comment is about Carla Tombacco (poet profile)

Original item by Carla Tombacco

Thanks love, I dont worry too much about spelling etc, but everything on the video is spelllllt right
(-:

Try not to get angry love.

Really glad you liked that line its a turning point in the poem, a point of realisation.

Hope your ok XXXXXX

Comment is about Rekindle cake (plus video performance attached at bottom) (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

love this.

Comment is about The Formula for Art (blog)

Original item by Ludo

I confess the i enjoyed writing best was, "but must abstain from shagging wayne". The accentual stress fell from heaven!

Comment is about Gays (No Sex Please - We're Bishops) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

"O Lordy lordy, good heavens above...
Will man-made religion ever mention "love"?
Another gem, JC.

Comment is about Gays (No Sex Please - We're Bishops) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I treasure this particularly for the rhyming of "piss-up"and "bishop".

Comment is about Gays (No Sex Please - We're Bishops) (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Bill and Ben! Where do you start, Dave? Their strange relationship with Little Weed - they'd scarper home to her whenever trouble threatened and disappear into their flower pots - the man who worked in the garden, who we never saw, and the little man with a squeaky voice who used to give me nightmares. I'd forgotten about old Slowcoach. Never mind Andy Pandy and Rag, Tag and Bobtail; Bill and Ben was the only kids' programme worth watching at that time. Oh, and Sooty , of course.

Comment is about Oddle Poddle (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

No worries - it would be a boring world if we all had exactly the same taste :)

Comment is about Daddy's Poem by unknown poet (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

well isobel i like the poem, its 1 i was sent. we all have our views if we like or dislike. yes its sentimental. maybe too much. it could actually have been adapted from an american poem but im just guessing there. yes the last bit is a bit annoying but i thought id include the full thing.

Comment is about Daddy's Poem by unknown poet (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

I suppose everybody's idea of moving is different Nick. This is too sentimental for me to find moving. It sounds like something American that has been adapted to fit the British military scene. That kind of scenario just wouldn't happen in an English school.

A lot of people don't like chain mail because of the implied threat at the end. The 'send this on or else' message. In this case there is no threat of anything nasty happening - just the accusation that we would be uncaring people - which wouldn't be true at all.

Comment is about Daddy's Poem by unknown poet (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Winston!!!!! What have you done?!?!
Loving it. Waiting for more of your beauties.

Comment is about fall (blog)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hey Chris, what's your FB addy? Cheers.

Comment is about chris dawson (poet profile)

Original item by chris dawson

Well ...

Thank you ladies for your... advice and attached embrace.... and I appreciate that Francine's is a French kiss, i meant that tongue in cheek.

The implication, from your comments is I believe, of late I'm feeling a little bruised and as a consequence feeling sorry for myself, and should with immediate effect dust myself off and get on with being a happy Gus.

You may be surprised to know that the short stanza posted above was the 1st of many, 1,242 at the last count. An epic so dark and dire in it's content that I may well have been responsible for tens of thousands of lovers the world wide...

... going down.....coming together and ending it all in a blaze of gory glory midst a silver shimmering shower of moons and stars!!

I couldn't live with that...well not just at the moment anyway!

Yes, you are right ladies ... I will endevour to enable you tingle and sizzle in all the right places in all future postings.

Appropriate embraces and titillations.

And by the way, thank you Tony... good to hear from you too!!

Many thanks to all

lots of love

Gus xxx

Comment is about Rosalind (poet profile)

Original item by Rosalind

Well ...

Thank you ladies for your... advice and attached embrace.... and I appreciate that Francine's is a French kiss, i meant that tongue in cheek.

The implication, from your comments is I believe, of late I'm feeling a little bruised and as a consequence feeling sorry for myself, and should with immediate effect dust myself off and get on with being a happy Gus.

You may be surprised to know that the short stanza posted above was the 1st of many, 1,242 at the last count. An epic so dark and dire in it's content that I may well have been responsible for tens of thousands of lovers the world wide...

... going down.....coming together and ending it all in a blaze of gory glory midst a silver shimmering shower of moons and stars!!

I couldn't live with that...well not just at the moment anyway!

Yes, you are right ladies ... I will endevour to enable you tingle and sizzle in all the right places in all future postings.

Appropriate embraces and titillations.

And by the way, thank you Tony... good to hear from you too!!

Many thanks to all

lots of love

Gus xxx

Comment is about Again and Again (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Hi Ged

Some cracking sentiments and lines in this, although it's chockful of typos and I felt terrible rage at those ;p

This line really stood out for me, and tells me it comes from your own experience:

Realise your not trapped but your now free to love her.

^ real wisdom gained from serious thought. Love it.

Comment is about Rekindle cake (plus video performance attached at bottom) (blog)

Original item by Ged Thompson

Watch yer mouth Tommy! You've not been shopping with me yet. I'm in and out so fast you don't see my feet move. Actually - I only buy shoes when my last pair are beyond further repair. Work shoes usually last me about 5 years, and me steelies are indestructible.

Idea for next poem:

How To Generalise About Women and Insult Them at the Same Time

;p

Comment is about Advice to women (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Quote
One question I get asked a lot is, can men come to Loose Muse events? Of course they can. This isn’t a women-only event, but one that welcomes anyone interested in writing. In fact 10-20% Loose Muse audience is made up of guys who come because it’s a high-quality, interesting night. But while they’re welcome to take part in the Q & A sessions, only women can read from their work.

(Sorry guys, but there are plenty of other nights where you can read your stuff.
Unquote
-----------------------------------------------

It sounds like men are second class citizens at your events. Also you say there are plenty of events for men? Mmmm what does this really mean? I have never known of a male only event (puzzled). Also, I have never been to an event that comes with the black and white negative connotations you have stated. All the poetry events I have ever been to - bar none have broken down stereotypical barriers - not erected them.

All the events I have been to - bar none, have given an equal platform to straight men, gay men, bi-men, young and old men, to straight women, bi-women, gay women, young and old women...to both genders from all kinds of differing socio-economic and educational backgrounds. In fact almost all these differences have nearly always melted into insignificance. Poetry is quite amazing; it's amazing how it can break down these barriers. With the right organising and comparing - It offers people a common connection. You hear people's minds/souls and forget the rest.

But your event erects barriers in one respect doesn't it. That's rhetorical - it does.

To reiterate somewhat - I'm not aware of the existence of a solitary "men's poetry night". I think should one exist (I doubt one does)...most would avoid it. I most certainly would not go to such a thing. Equally I would not go to a - hetro only poetry event, or a 30 something only poetry event or a working class only event. Because each label - screams of those it excludes.

Just to add; I do not recognize the nature of the typical male poet you paint, which I must say sounds very sexist (a man talking about women or female poets in such a wholesale way would most likely be thought of as… a misogynist 1970s knuckle dragging throwback?).

You get good and bad poetry of all types from all types of men and all types of women. When it comes to risqué material - I have heard it from men and women alike in equal measure (I have also seen men and women make the passes you speak of – though to be fair, not more or less than in other places people socialise). To paint one sex in the way you have, with all its derived inference; and to paint the other as noble. Well it seems dreadfully narrow minded and utterly false.

I prefer to think true liberation is inclusivity - an equal platform for all. As the French would say Liberté, égalité, fraternité…though without the need for a revolution lol.

I have no doubt whatsoever that you have done some very good things for your poets. I don't question that for a second. I'm sure also that you have really brought poets on and helped their confidence and helped them achieve real success – that’s great. Pretty much all good poetry nights do that. But you’ve erected a barrier that needn’t exist. Erected a barrier that plainly discriminates against male poets finding their feet or achieving; some of which clearly attend your event.

I really wonder how you can ask men to join you? How can you ask them to watch, but to not be in any form part of the exchange. Poetry is the sharing of gifts is it not, an essence of communication? I thought poetry was about sharing – but the men at your nights are mute or rather muted!

Do you not trust your male poets in the audience at your night – with your ambiance and in your setting; do you not trust them to be able to share their poems too? Or would they, ‘being men’, be likely to dribble shag poems on the basis of their testosterone? Also do you ban women, particularly over 40s, those who tastefully dribble out shag poems – you know because of their estrogen ;) Teasing of course, but, well I think the points are pretty important behind the jokes – don’t you?

A bigger question for you…

If this was an all male poetry event and women were welcomed, but told that they had no right to any input in the ‘open mic’...would that be seen as reasonable? Would it be seen as helping men and their poetry blossom?

Or

Would it be seen as misogynistic and something from a bygone age?

That’s a question for each person to ask themselves.

P.S

I co-run 24 poetry nights a year at two differing venues. I know how hard it can be and I know all the effort it takes in running an event. So I congratulate you on the effort, on making a difference on behalf of the female poets you have helped (genuine no pat on the head stuff). I hope you go from strength to strength – though maybe in a somewhat differing direction.

The magic of poetry breaks down barriers. I have friends; young, old, male, female, gay, straight and from all kinds of differing socio economic and academic backgrounds - precisely because poetry - cuts through all that. It has done the same for many of the poets I know too. Also it’s not just at the nights I’m involved with – it’s with everyone else's/all other events. Every event I have EVER been to has had this effect – it’s one of the powers of poetry when people come together around it.

I get the showcasing of female talent - I get the emphasis...I just can’t see why you can’t or wouldn’t want to extend the sharing process – whilst still showcase the female talent with guest sets.

I am probably not telling you or anyone something different from what they already know, but the point is still important and needs to be made; every poetry event has its own style and an organiser can in part shape that…whether it is having a stage, microphone, lectern etc. Having set lists, or keeping things as a read around where people remain seated…lots more ways. Choice of setting also has a huge impact, from loud pubs and niche wine bars to cafes and libraries. And as compare or in association with your compare; you can shape an event towards a given taste – towards your taste. If you want an event that allows quieter/more reticent voices to come forward (they exist in male and female varieties by the way) then that can be done.

Maybe I’m missing the point…no doubt some will say I have and they might be right.

In any case must dash!

I have to dribble out another shag poem before the big hand reaches that big number at the top of the clock...otherwise my wife will end up making a dinner that goes cold!

Comment is about Loose Muse: redressing the balance for women writers (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Love those internal rhymes and all the 'ee' sounds in the first three verses. This is a great poem but (for me) the Jeremy Kyle joke at the end dissipated its power.

Comment is about A great sense of urgency (blog)

I know of such an old plum tree, two, side by side to be exact! And have had to gather the fallen fruit, with sweat and stain, sweet and summery. Wonderful memory now in poem! Thanks for sharing that. Splendid, splendid poem.

Comment is about The Plum Tree (blog)

Original item by Gareth Mathias

Me again! - Ian (who has all sorts of weird and wonderful information stored in his brain!) said that it was the Dodge family who started the Dodge Motor Car Company (don't know how that would help us though!)

D. x

Comment is about Stockport Council; Museums & Cultural Attractions Consultation‏ (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

Yes, I do believe Dodge City was founded by Stockport people (I think the Dodge family) - hence 'Dodge Hill', a Stockport road.........

Y'all have a good day now (I am practising my American accent.......hmmm...............)

Love, D.

Comment is about Stockport Council; Museums & Cultural Attractions Consultation‏ (blog)

Original item by Stockport WoL

I wonder what the writer of Bill & Ben was on all those years ago. Luckily I must have been slipped some of the same 'cos I watched it - not much else on if my fading memory serves me right. See, I can talk rubbish too! ta muchly,

Comment is about Oddle Poddle (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Simple ain't it? To write like that is one of the aims of aspiring poets. Congratulations on such a fine piece of work. ta muchly,

Comment is about Eyes On A Winter Page (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

I cowered at your 'Blenches' a major thrust forward into the world of proper poetry. great ta muchly.

Comment is about unwanted (blog)

Kissed the 'social comment' and made us cry. ta muchly

Comment is about Georgie Porgey (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

The dotage comes to us all. To die is only nature's way of shouting: 'Slow down' A most enjoyable read, ta muchly.

Comment is about Times of Change (blog)

Original item by Tom Chapman

Dropping drugs is a sure highway to Hell. Most interesting, ta muchly.

Comment is about 'Cos it's the ones that love you (blog)

Original item by Wez Jefferies

Looking at yourself and revealing what you see is always one of the hardest releases a poet can make - and then the rest is easy - he said knowingly!! Ta muchly, Nick.

Comment is about Man In The Mirror (blog)

Original item by Steve Higgins