I think you should write one also Anthony. I've always written one - even for the ones I've organised - just cos I've felt inspired by myself ;)

People could give you an honourable mention but not vote for you. Lead the way Anthony - I want to see how you do self repressed happiness.

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi All,

Just to clarify: yes, he/she/they are all fine. The idea being that many of us write about ourselves (perhaps a little too often.) What I am suggesting is that it is still possible to write about oneself - but from the viewpoint of an external observer. I've structured the competition this way (even though I've written from a first-person perspective myself in the past) simply because I can't imagine why anyone would be interested in reading about me! Perhaps other writers are far more interesting? I especially wanted to challenge those writers who almost always seem to write from their own viewpoint to try something different for a change.

I freely admit that I'm not a great fan of "me" poetry, unless it's done extremely well and embraces concepts that are universal to all in an original way. I'm afraid I tend to skip the type of "Isn't my life awful/catharsis" poetry that new writers often start with, as it can often be boring and self-indulgent. No doubt, as expressed on the discussion board of late, this type of poetry has a therapeutic value to the writer, but to the reader this can often be rather tedious. I felt that making this stipulation would perhaps encourage those writers who tend to fall into this category to stretch theirselves a little.

Writing about someone else, or even yourself from an observational viewpoint, ought to require greater imagination; trying to see ourselves as others might see us. Of course there's no necessity to write about anyone - happiness/joy itself would be a fitting subject.

Anyhow, I'm glad I'm setting the competition and not entering it!

Regards,

A.E.

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Thanks for letting us know Julian. Moxy is missed. If you're reading this Moxy, why not pay us one of your flying visits?

Comment is about WOL favourite adapts Rabelais for Radio 4 (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hello Laura - thanks for pointing out my error in the tag line of "Be Grateful". I will
probably wait a while and enter it nearer to the competition completion date...with the tag line suitably amended!

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

There is no light without shadow. Love this poem.
With warmest wishes, Larisa

Comment is about BE GRATEFUL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Beautiful poem, dear Lynn! The ending is really the best part of it: waiting,
unless...
may be...
until...
the next time?
With love and warmest wishes, Larisa x

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

think it was kitchen knife and razor did it.

do you mean scars inflicted through life?

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Cheers Rach - I did wonder whether people would think it was about self harm. That was not my intention as the writer though. But as always, people are free to see what they see in the words.

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

he loves a stripey woman:

criss-cross pinkness

ridged in parts,

running riptide on the skin of

a sinner full of scars

i love this rhythm, i love the stripey woman image. like the use of i's and r's and the way it all tumbles almost carelessly into the ideas of guilt and self harm.
ive seen some pretty ugly scars on girls arms cut up to ribbons and sometimes they cut so deep down it s not the blood let that kills em but the scarring of themselves apart. i like the tiger/zebra wilderness images. some girls get stuck in cages like lions gnawing their own limbs.
great poem difficult theme

have just read about the tigerella tomato...now thats cheered me up , squish xx

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

think this lovely dear, the daisy petal game ; he loves me he loves me not, he loves me and forgets me not he doesnt love he is dead for every spindle of the dandelion head.

'he will have his say'

'I will or will not let you take my clothes,
peel me one by one'

very clever x

Comment is about Daisies (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Thank you ladies :)

Did you know that a tigerella is in fact a striped tomato? The 'fruit of love' :)

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Puts me in mind of the Joy and Sorrow part of the The Prophet, this :) And I agree with the sentiment - we must have opposites, or we have nothing to balance or compare

Comment is about BE GRATEFUL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello chuck

Just a note to say that your piece 'Be Grateful' isn't quite tagged correctly if you want it going in the competition.

At the moment, it is tagged 'WOL,com' and it should be tagged 'WOL comp' or it won't appear in the tagged list :)

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Haha!! 'rise to stardom' indeed! :D What are you like?! Anyhow, ta for the note on me review chap, appreciate it :)

REALLY wish I could have made the performance on Monday, totally gutted that I missed it. Am massively proud of Bob and all the people involved in the group :) I actually really like the song as well!!

Hope to see you soon fella, take good care xx

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Laura,

That first verse blew me away, had to read it a few times and each time my smile widened.

Led on to a wonderful read full of survival of self, love and understanding..think this is top stuff..

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

The tale of a survivor!
Love the lines:

'she loves a man of god who
kisses ribbons telling tales'

'tigerella shows her book of life
where pages turn like leaves of gold'

'a skin of storied scars
and he kisses every one'

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Lol Laura, I'll have to get back to you on that one. Expect a reply sometime in the future :-p

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

'Joyous season'
hahahahah
hahahahah
hahahahah
hahahahah.
The End

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

a repost:

Summing up Ted Hughes' poetry

Squawk squawk
Berry drop
Over there
Mind the tractor!
Look at them spuds!
Weep for the soil
Away to market
Bills bills- ah the sun!
My mad wife
What a life
Sorry i rhymed
Look at the time!

Comment is about Ted Hughes honoured in ceremony at Poets' Corner (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I'd agree with Mrs Mediocre on this one - though it pains me to call her that.This seems like a very strong woman who has endured more than most - a very loved one also. Having your scars kissed is a beautiful image to end on.

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

these are powerful word, it makes me think deep or war and the cycle that continues - nice job.

Comment is about Dominga Corazon (blog)

Original item by Christopher Anthony Leibow

I really like this - the ending startled me a bit, but then nothing is ever predictable with you!

Comment is about Daisies (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Rich with imagination - a delight to take in!

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

Indeed - 'tis true!

Comment is about cause & effect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

I like this - It reminds me of a song by The Smiths...

'I know it's over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real'

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

hmm...You have captured that feeling of wanting something but having to wait for it..ahh I remember when...lol but that was an awful long time ago...

I enjoyed this Lynn :o) x

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

What a lovely poem - and different too - tho I invariably like your stuff Marianne - as you know. Can identify with the scenario! x

Comment is about Daisies (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

My favourite verse is...
" I smash my head off the wall
i rip my heart out in the open
I cry for any one beast of hell to dare
devour it"
Like the desperation and steady flow.

Comment is about hope (blog)

"Tigerella warrior"....."Ridged in parts"
I imagine this woman as incredibly strong, mentally and physically. I love it.

Comment is about Tigerella Warrior (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

seriously though,
we loved the ending especially.

We think,probably as you no doubt
have gone through,
the teen years
of being the most trying,
when it comes down to the on and off's etc
of love.

Gonna make love now-
to fish'n'chips
gread'n'gutter(haha)
and a dirty big mug(not mine
and not actually dirty)
of Yorkshire tea.

Even if it is in the Rhondda!
come on builders! get your finger out!

catch you later Lynn-
now where's my cap? haha.

Stef'n'Tricia.xx

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

And I was going to make some quip about buses until I read your comment Lynn!

Waiting is the hardest thing ever when you really want something to happen. I think you capture that well - also the lack of conviction and self delusion so many of us suffer from! x

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Ah, I'm with you there, Stef! I'd be the size of the bus home though after all that waiting!
Lol, thank you Stef'n'Tricia for your kind comments.
Love,
Lynn xx

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thanks for your comments everyone. I'm glad you found something to like in my ramblings. I shall make you all honorary mad hatters :) xxxx

Comment is about Alternative Reality (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Oh thats love for you Lynn-
pleasure'n'pain-
yummy in a strange kinda way.

Loved the poem-but
would have loved it moreso
had you mentioned waiting waiting..
along the seafront,
next to the ice cream stall!

Love.

Stef'n'Tricia.xx

Comment is about Waiting (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Enjoyed this Marianne, liked the twist on the love me love me not thing :)

Comment is about Daisies (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

It just says not in the first person, so he/she is allowed :)

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hm, I'm sure I must have been in that 11% of happy, but not impersonal... :)
Great idea Anthony, but echo Ann, presume we can have 'he' and 'she'?

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Is that a surprise ending or what! Agree entirely with other comments.

Comment is about Akram and the Tank (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'd certainly agree with those wise words Dave - succinctly put.

Comment is about cause & effect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Dave
Unfortunately though, some of the consequences of the choices made by 'people' have to be lived by others
Great poem though

Comment is about cause & effect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Aaah, 'Aperitif': I can still smell the perfumed whiff...who needs pictures when you've got words eh?

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

It's a rum ol' place, is la la land. Methinks you do a mighty fine job of summing it up, pard.

Comment is about IN L.A.CALIFORN'YA (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Nicely done, nicely. All language is ultimately on a hiding to nowhere. The best it can manage? Poor approximations of reality, or beliefs, or whatever. Nonetheless it's still my wife [but don't tell my mistress, music. They don't always see eye to eye.]

Comment is about Thou (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Ah, 'Come Inside Now' - lucky lass [you? her? How about both?] Passion: wot a volcano, eh? And yes about food too - next only to 'the most fun you can have without laughing' [cheers Woody].

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

'Nearby buildings are swallowed in darkening air' - you've got a loverly slant to your tongue, chuck. And 'D:R' - aye, they certainly know how to make a cheese sarny in Utrecht [where I used to live] although, it has to be said, they don't know cheese from a rubber bathmat when it comes to variety. Edam? Gouda? Yes, and...? Where's the rest? All that apart - Holland yes; I fell in love with the place totally, Utrech' especially. Please recommend another of yours to read next. Are there any you're partic. proud of?

Comment is about After a Long Day (blog)

Ah hum and yes I love it. Naughty li'l otter. Naughty! an' thanks ever so for liking me own efforts bud. Yowza!

Comment is about Vertav Alle Ze Vishiz Gon? (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Bugger. Happy?? Upbeat??

Erm...Kath, when you find out what it means can you let me know? ;D

Reet - best get me thinking cap on then. Woo, love comps!

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Neat haiku Dave, love the repetition of those three words, and how it ties in with the 3 lines

Comment is about cause & effect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Can there be a "he or a she" then? Sounds difficult to me! Good idea tho Anthony.

Comment is about WOL Competition! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hiya Larisa :o)

I had a friend (many years ago) whose parents where from Sotland, but differing areas.

Her father was from Glasgow and had a very broad, thick accent whilst her mother was from Elgin and had a very soft lilting accent.

When listening to them together you would have thought they were from differnt countries!!

p.s. Is that you on the picture?..joke :o) x

Comment is about Glamour, Glamour, Glamour.... (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska