Heh - made me chuckle, Chris :)
It's that time of the year when I am bearing a permanent sneer, especially on the drive home from work, with all the bloody decs up. How many bulbs dya need? Must be 72 on your front shrub alone!!
Comment is about Heaven Sent - body missed (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Excellent performance Steve - really enjoyed this :)
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Hi Alexandra - welcome to WOL. Your poem brought back a memory to me - my teddy's head fell off onec too - into next doors garden! Luckily he got his head back and my mum sewed it on again! Hope you enjoy the WOL experience!
Comment is about Alexandra Carr-Malcolm (poet profile)
Original item by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Hi Anna - welcome to WOL.
Comment is about Anna Grinter (poet profile)
Original item by Anna Grinter
Hello Steve - I appreciate the kindness of your
comment on "Spare Us". I suppose it came to mind in response to a lot of the negative (to
me) positions taken in poetry nowadays - and
the approach to Christmas also seemed a good
time to be positive about the gift of life!
I note from the rhythm in your own words that
you enjoy the appeal of verse. We belong to
a club that may be somewhat out of fashion but
never fails to offer its members a window for
"seeing" and responding to the wider world.
All good wishes...
MC
Comment is about Steve Higgins (poet profile)
Original item by Steve Higgins
Oh Anthony - you are awful! Only you would have thought to run your cursor over that picture. Perhaps it needs some further explanation. You have to run the cursor over whilst at the same time depressing your index finger - that way you get the sign :)
That's a really gross picture John but I love the idea of it representing Pinkie and Perkie with just a perineum between them!
I'm impressed that you've acquired some technical knowledge John - now perhaps you can start learning what to do with those parts :)
Comment is about The Naming of the Parts (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Hi Ray,
Topical (on two fronts) and inventive, but these lines lost me:
"and I have seen his ears stand"
"who undercuts the living down"
Maybe it's part of the colloquial you are using, or maybe (more likely) me being thick.
Regards,
A.E.
Comment is about Nativity (blog)
Original item by Ray Miller
I have asked Santa or is that Julian in a long red coat with a funny white beard for some books to bring along for tonight!
Comment is about Stockport WoL (group profile)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Results of the 2012 competition here http://www.prolebooks.co.uk/page6.html
Comment is about Prole magazine looks for new laureate (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
excellent reportage from the Broadhurst family Christmas Paul. Good hear from you and to have seen you at the poetry jam. Keep up the good work!
Comment is about Paul Broadhurst (poet profile)
Original item by Paul Broadhurst
So true, Anthony. at the risk of turning this into a dissertation, your comment invites mention of the countless research reports that have pointed out the need for young people to have imagination, creativity and thinking skills rather than 'followership' skills. In the 80s when the Thatcher government was demanding more-vocational education with technical, work-related skills, successful Japanese companies were saying they could teach the technical stuff to their employees, what they wanted were young people with a good broad education, adaptability etc. Ditto the Cambridge Industrial Training Research Unit's A-Z study...
Stuff the government. I know, let's have a revolution! come on. Tonight, once the pub's shut.
Comment is about Poetry by heart: Gove and Motion launch national schools recitation competition (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Madness? Don't worry Katy, I've got shedloads, and plenty to spare. Maybe Santa could drop some off for you?
Regards,
A.E.
Comment is about Reflection (blog)
Original item by Katy Megan
I totally agree with you Julian/Isobel. Although I don't have children I feel that there is a great imbalance in our education system. Maybe this is due to the view that schools need to equip children for the employment market, which chooses its recruits via how many academic, one-size-fits-all qualifications they have achieved, Somewhere along the line creativity and free-thinking have become casualties of this philosophy. The vast majority of today's employees are little more than automata, carrying out mindless repetitive tasks with no input into how that work is done, or say in how their employers "manage" the organisation. I feel this stifling of creativity has a much greater effect on both the individual and society than we realise. It fosters a huge amout of dissatisfaction and resentment and inhibits progress and invention, which has to be unhealthy for both society and the individual.
In the future we may look back on this particular aspect of the way society and employment currently operate with both regret and revulsion . . . at least I hope we will . . .
Comment is about Poetry by heart: Gove and Motion launch national schools recitation competition (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I can't really comment on the poem John, as the technical terms you are using are all unfamiliar to me. Love the accompanying pic of David Cameron and George Osborne though. (I'm guessing, but I think that might be a perineum between them.)
Regards,
A.E.
p.s. Just had a strange deja vu experience! Move your cursor over the pic and check out the label it produces - well I never!
Comment is about The Naming of the Parts (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
tony sheridan
Sun 9th Dec 2012 21:56
What can I say?...... More audios please. Take care, Tony.
Comment is about chemical machanics; part two ; knowing enough to understand no one will care (blog)
Original item by SPACEGHOST
tony sheridan
Sun 9th Dec 2012 21:51
LOVE THIS! More audios please. Your poems sound Brill. Going to listen to part two. Take care, Tony.
Comment is about chemical machanics; part one ; the theory and practice of oligarchical collectivism (blog)
Original item by SPACEGHOST
Great writing, powerful stuff and well put together.
Comment is about 4-12-12. (blog)
Original item by Mikhail Smith
tony sheridan
Sun 9th Dec 2012 21:27
Like your sample poem Denis. Last two lines are spot on! Take care,Tony.
Comment is about Denis (poet profile)
Original item by Denis
A thought - if super glue can be used for helping to heal wounds, why not the hymen? Also - brought on by JC's lines...
Is it goodbye to words like foreplay and lube
Once science makes new life in a test-tube?
Comment is about The Naming of the Parts (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Nice sentiment, MC.
So many feel poetry has to be weighty or angry or carping. It can be - but it doesn't have to be.
And for me I'm afraid I tire of its "worthiness"!
Comment is about SPARE US (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
hello Anthony,
Glad you liked "If". Yes, the "skunk'll/uncle" rhyme needed a bit of knocking in!
Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)
Original item by Anthony Emmerson
Hello MC,
Glad you liked "If". I had a lot of time for Cloughie - probably the best manager I've seen.
He took 2 mediocre teams from the lower divisions, Forest and Derby, and won 2 Championships and 2 European Cups with them.
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Hello Mike
Glad you liked "If". Yes, I bet Cloughie's watching the matches with interest.
Comment is about Mike Hilton (poet profile)
Original item by Mike Hilton
Hi Mikhail, welcome to WOL, sorry for delay in replying to cadence Qs, if you want to add me on facebook I can keep you informed of future events in addition to info on here.
I also organise Bolton poetry noghts if you fancy that, been very busy lately but will catch up with your work soon, cheers Jeff
Comment is about Mikhail Smith (poet profile)
Original item by Mikhail Smith
Thanks very much for the kind words, Julian. Hugely appreciated. And yes, it's hard not to feel sorr - Oh. No, it isn't. ;-)
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
<Deleted User> (6895)
Sun 9th Dec 2012 15:21
I note the amount of money spent on this. We cannot get funding and we support far more and more valuable work right across the country. trouble is, we went to the wrong schools.
Comment is about Poetry by heart: Gove and Motion launch national schools recitation competition (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
So true Isobel. Not enough creativity, self expression being encouraged in secondary schools. There's nothing wrong with learning how to read poetry but it completely misses the opportunity writing and reading your own work present. It seems to me to be part of that 'keep the buggers down' mentality that is afraid of the live poetry movement that we are pushing to become a part of everyone's lives. In the early nineteenth century MPs continually questioned the point of having universal schooling. What was the point teaching the poor to read? Now it's 'what is the point teaching the masses to write?" because, THEY, are the ones who can write proper poetry, not oiks like us.
I am delighted to tell you that my granddaughter decided to write herself a haiku the other day, proper 5/7/5 (Senryu, I know, but she's only 6). they taught them about Haiku in her primary school. It has just had criticism from OFSTED. funny old world.
Comment is about Poetry by heart: Gove and Motion launch national schools recitation competition (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (9882)
Sun 9th Dec 2012 13:53
Nice one N.F.
Comment is about I would go somewhere with this but I lost me free bus pass! (blog)
Original item by Noetic-fret!
<Deleted User> (9882)
Sun 9th Dec 2012 13:51
My Pc and I had an argument about that... it corrected the 'lies' to 'lays'... is it american or some such....??? anyway thanx for the typo nonetheless...and yes I am in My fathers Belt mode at the mo... Thankyou for your valued comments as usual...
...havn't seen ya since the sweary lady fainted
at Middleton
I hope you are well.
Gus
Stay in touch.
Comment is about I'm Losing the Light (blog)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
A tour de force, Steve. Magnificent and important. I've put it on our FB pages and my own. Mind you, you do have to feel sorry for Starbucks, not making a profit. Presumably they are still operating here out of some charitable commitment to the UK? Hmm.
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Sorry Isobel there was no insult intended to Wigans hallowed seat of learning and all things Thomas...its that since I was knee height to a pair of your legs...The Tudor has been all ways been known, on the gigs circuit, affectionately of course, as the Bear Pit....
... times have changed, we all live in gentle times now....I'm off to watch the Manchester Derby.....Comeon you Reds!!!!!
Lots of love
Gus xx
Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)
Original item by Isobel
You are wearing your father's belt again, methinks Gus. powerful stuff. The word 'lays' does not lie easy here: 'lies' better, more grammatical? Unless it is a reference to some sordid act?
Comment is about I'm Losing the Light (blog)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
Wow, that's impressive if you wrote it in a few minutes - I take weeks to get something/anything down. I hope the dark cloud descends more often if it makes you write like that. Jade x
Comment is about Mikhail Smith (poet profile)
Original item by Mikhail Smith
Wigan isn't a bear pit - I'd dispute that accusation to the bitter end. We like a laugh - but on the whole I don't think you'd find a more respectful audience in the North West. I've been to plenty where poets give the impression they are listening because they are sat there quietly - but they must be intent on thinking about what they are about to perform next - cos they don't react to the bits they should react to. There are a lot of egos out there. I'd say that on the whole ALL poets are valued at the Tudor.
I can appreciate that being told to 'cheer up' can be a bit irksome when you aren't up to it though. Perhaps it's just a case of riding out the storm and knowing where to go when it's all over. Hope to see you at something soon anyway. xx
Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
Thank you Isobel for your advice .... and valued comments
I will ensure that I 'Cheer Up', my previous poem, 'You Never Can Tell' a few days earlier had made poor Melanie Rees cry. So I must make amends although, 'Goin Down', well or otherwise, in Wigan's Bear Pit wasn't really what I had in mind.
love the bits an pieces of you xx
Gus xx
Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)
Original item by Isobel
Thank you Isobel and Francine for your advice .... and valued comments
I will ensure that I 'Cheer Up', my previous poem, 'You Never Can Tell' a few days earlier had made poor Melanie Rees cry. So I must make amends although, 'Goin Down', well or otherwise, in Wigan's Bear Pit wasn't really what I had in mind.
love the bits an pieces of you both xx
Gus xx
Comment is about I'm Losing the Light (blog)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
Thanks, folks. Really glad you like it. And do feel free to post the link on facebook etc... :-)
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
YAY :-D
You already know what I think...
Do I have your permission to post on fb?
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
tony sheridan
Sat 8th Dec 2012 23:19
Nice one Steve!! Take care, Tony.
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Isobel is right, you know... so go along and have some cheer :-D
Best parts:
'Washed away in a rain of tears I extinguished love
True true love
I gave up the fight
It’s growing darker now
I’m afraid I’m losing the light'
'Where then in this cold edge of eternity lays the road to Hell?
The light has gone'
xx
Comment is about I'm Losing the Light (blog)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
I'd be happier if reciting someone else's work formed just a part of the competition, or just a part of the funding.
Key stage 3 (secondary level) is already dominated by studying the work of others rather than creating your own. We'll be taking it to a new level if it now becomes all about performing that work.
English at high school has been a big let down for my 12 year old. She so misses the creative aspects of primary school. And what does the main thrust of her English report hang around? Spelling. That pretty much says it all and they have no idea what a gem they have.
Comment is about Poetry by heart: Gove and Motion launch national schools recitation competition (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
'nurturing the hateful hollow'
I like that expression.
Don't know how much of you is in this Thom but it is a moving piece.
If someone can recognise traits in themselves that they don't like, I think they aren't history repeating. The first step to rectifying is recognising - it just takes time and a gentle move in the right direction - and sometimes just a bit of luck.
Comment is about Tears of the Bitter Man (blog)
Original item by Tom
Bloody Brilliant!
Comment is about No-one likes an angry poet on Youtube (blog)
Original item by steve pottinger
Well you may be losing the light Gus, but you're not losing your poetic touch. There's plenty to admire in this and I particularly like the end and the sad irony therein.
This is far too gloomy for Christmas though! Come along to the Tudor on Thursday and I'm sure we'll cheer you up - there's bound to be someone worse than you at any rate - which is always a strange comfort ;)
"Blazing crazed vile obscenities" - you aren't the secret compere by any chance???
xx
Comment is about I'm Losing the Light (blog)
Original item by Gus Jonsson
Laura Taylor
Mon 10th Dec 2012 15:12
Some wonderful lines in this Rach - love that second verse, and am liking the humour you've brought in to it too
See you Thursday! I was going to dress up but I've got fuck all to wear ;D
Comment is about Pearls and Swine (blog)
Original item by Rachel Bond