There I was looking for Mrs Wright and she was in Wigan all along.
You could call this the three stages of domesticity in a Shakespearian sort of way. I think it tells a good story.
Dave

Comment is about Domestic Science (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Ah the little green men!

This reminds me of something from way back when by 'Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters'
- some members of Hawkwind who did a charity record for the widows of starfighter pilots.

'Catch a falling Starfighter
Put it in the pocket of your jeans
You can use it as a cigarette lighter
Or an opener for a can of beans.'

Of course yours is better
Dave

Comment is about Space Junk (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Come off it Ray.
I bet you do a mean Macarena.
I love the snippets of french - just enough to give it a satirical edge. And 'tearing the caws out of the crows'
Dave

Comment is about Pour Tous Les Jours (blog)

The ending is fine and makes the poem. I wonder about the 4th verse, seems a little out of key to the rest.

Comment is about Now and then (blog)

Original item by Andy N

thanks for a great site. onwards & upwards...

Comment is about Write Out Loud celebrates another record month (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I agree with Harry's opening point on 23 Oct.Politics not just about bankers and money.
Unfairness,exploitation,inequality and discrimination are rife.
And we all run with and contribute to them.
It's a dirty business, living.
Poetry should attempt to tell some version of truth and we should own up to our own shortcomings (oops 2 owns in a line, shocking).
Apologies for the royal "we" Julian. I meant "I" of course.

Comment is about Roy Harper and the politics of poetry (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

books are over-priced.

Comment is about Armitage fears online poetry piracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yo, ma bitch! Muther-trumpin'!

Comment is about rebel in the boneyard (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Yep, nice poem, last 3 lines I like best, "curve into and below" is striking. To crib, I'd say that the 3rd line - "bedecked with coloured life" is just paraphrasing the first two - and in 10 line poems, every one counts!

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

Thanks very much, Stella and Andy.Holidays are hell, wherever you have them.

Comment is about Pour Tous Les Jours (blog)

"The light at the window,so square and so same
So full-strong as ever, the window frame
A scaffold in space, for eyes to lean on..
(from Old Age Gets Up)
I hope he has the sun streaming through the windows of Westminster Abbey and not trapped in a dark and dusty alcove behind others. I wonder if the winds will stir the ashes of Dartmoor...

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

I agree with all the comments here. It captures the ability of the mind to go on automatic pilot when doing something mundane and reach for "Something – possibly - glorious."
Nice one.
Cate xx

Comment is about Making the Bed (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Ah yes, I see where you`re coming from now.
It works. But Im quite a fan of classical poetry and I wouldnt say this it "sub" anything!
Cate xx

Comment is about The Wind in The Chimney (blog)

Original item by STEVE RUDD

Ah, 'twere ever thus. And it's just a damned weed, for all the gods' sake! Honestly - take Tramadol for back pain [nasty, nasty little drug with all those lunatic side effects] and it's O.K., you can be a space cadet because it's licensed; the Gov't have got their share. But spark a doobie and watch your back, the filth are after you. Some things are plainly preposterous mutter, grumble, moan...

Comment is about DRUGS COME FROM A PLANT (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Cate, it was kind of you to comment at such length.

I see what you mean.

Set against that, I was trying to go one beyond the standard nature poem.

I started writing this poem one night when I was sitting up with a sick dog, by the stove, listening to the wind and rain howling down outside, and it seemed a metaphor for how nasty life is - not just the weather, the weather is merely the front for the underlying nastiness of life - not only is it freezing cold, pitch black, blowing a gale and pissing down, the dog is ill, I had (and still have!) money worries, I am not in the best of health, various people who we'd relied on like joiners, plumbers etc had behaved like dickheads and caused more damage than they'd fixed, and so on and so on - and this is life, that's all there is, just the howling of the wind. The nasty words were chosen to try and demonstrate the nastiness of the wind because the nastiness of the wind is the nastiness of life. A dark, impersonal, random battle where birds just get chucked away and people get hurt

But yes, you are right, I don't think I quite made it clear, but one thing I didn't want to set out and write was some sort of sub Wordsworth, Edward Thomas nature poem!

Comment is about The Wind in The Chimney (blog)

Original item by STEVE RUDD

he makes some good points there, Mr A, espcecially about poets being the awkward squad and dissenters. Living signs of contradiction, that's what we are.

Comment is about Armitage fears online poetry piracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks J.C. - I will check out your kind suggestion. Loved your take on "Little Donkey"! Poor little darlings would probably
have been traumatised for life!!

Comment is about A FESTIVE SEASON SUGGESTION (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Oops! Blowing me cover already!

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Crackin' idea, MC.
Me and my mate have just done a School Hymn for our local infant/primary. (My first draft of lyrics was "Little Bastards, Little Bastards" to the tune of "Little Donkey", but he wasn't impressed!)
Why don't you post it on the Discussions Board? It might attract a bigger audience than a blog.

Comment is about A FESTIVE SEASON SUGGESTION (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Poetry is deserving of the widest dissemination
but the question of proper reward is there to
be answered. Poetry deserves its financial due
as much as any novel or other literary work.
Indeed, one might say that poetry is the MOST
deserving IF it is deserving of posterity. Much of what is considered fine was written in
other ages yet has survived because it speaks
to our humanity in ways we can enjoy and identify. It is, perhaps, no accident that
many of these possess a rhythm and/or imagery
that captures our attention and holds it. I
wonder if these qualities exsit in any great quantity among modern writers who would describe themselves as poets? Are they in
danger of becoming victims of fashion and the
passing trend...too wrapt up in their obsession
with obscure introspection to recognise that they are in real danger of being forgotten
almost as soon as they cease to create.
The internet is an astonishing medium for the
wider distribution of poetry and can exist
alongside the hardcopy we are all so fond of.
Books have their place if the number of customers in my local bookshop is any guide.
The poetry press needs to be more embracing
of style and ocntent but that is the function
of the smaller presses and long may they survive. Poetry has never been likely to
make a fortune for anyone but it may provide
the promise of being recorded for posterity.
What greater prize can a poet ask for while
seeking to earn an occasional crust from an
uncommercial occupation?

Comment is about Armitage fears online poetry piracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Now you've got me flummoxed, Richie/Martin!

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Thanks John for your comment on'Obsolete Airline Beverage'. Just read 'Doing It Twice' and - I'm in the library's quiet study section - snorted at the resolution. Naughty man!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi J.C. - thanks for the reply. It seems
fashionable/P.C. these days to knock "England"
and the "English" and it is even more annoying
that the words are invariably absent from any official forms we are continually having to fill in. Maybe it's all part of offical policy to absorb us into some great multi-mass
called "British". So much easier for today's politicians to control and dominate. I wonder
what the bards and poets of another England
would have said about that? It's a fair bet
that today's politicos would never have ransomed Richard the Lion Heart and snuggled up to Prince John instead! :-)
Cheers.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Ta very much for your comments on 'Passing Clouds'and I have added more details to my blog. Much obliged.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

The down-side for me would be trading one boss fpr another.

Comment is about Retirement (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thoroughly enjoyed, Ian. Pacey rhythm and excellent story-telling.
As you say, not likely to be able to buy the ingredients these days without attracting attention! No bad thing.

Comment is about A STRANGE SORT OF BABY FOOD (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Hi Stella, not sure how I missed this one! You paint such a lovely picture with a few words. Top one. :)

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

If poems can make for diverse interpretations,
why not comment? :-)
Larisa - the teacher is often the source of a
child's love of poetry and is not to be
confused with being a "preacher"...far from it.
Those I remember with fondness did their best
to interpret and convey the meaning of poems
to a questing mind. I thank heaven for them.
English is the most difficult language - full of nuance and hidden meaning, hard enough for
the English sometimes!!
I should have put "refer" instead of the word
"hint" in my earlier comment and been more
exact (and accurate?) in my words. Apologies
for that.

Comment is about What is more important? (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

I love this, Dave, many good lines, and the idea is lovely. :)

Comment is about Pillow Fights (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks everyone. I think it was called Housecraft, then Domestic Science, then Home Economics - now it's food technology! And Cate is right about them doing very little cooking - it's all about calories and healthy eating. Bring back stodgy puddings, that's what I say - they didn't do me any harm.

Resistant materials is the name they now give to woodwork Ann. I think it may apply to metal work too. Why on earth they have to meddle with those names I have no idea. Whoever heard of a resistant material worker?

I'm grateful for your comments. A good friend told me that they didn't think this one was as good as my past work. I think they are probably right in some ways. It doesn't have poetic flow and there is no spectacular imagery. It is more of a conversation with myself as much as the reader and an appraisal of my life so far. It's also a celebration of the happiness I feel right now - so for that reason alone, I'm happy for it to sit amongst the rest of my poetry.

Hey Ann - think I might be able to make your Poetry Mine in August - I'll be on holiday that first week so save me a spot! xx

Comment is about Domestic Science (blog)

Original item by Isobel

The Kingfishers hung off the branches like fairy lights...an awsome sight indeed, especially when the sun caught the colours.. thanks guys for replies :) x

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

nice recollection of childhood here, particularly the first break away..i like your dance with miss kirkbride :)

putting my paper round money

In the slot on the back of the TV,

great stuff x

Comment is about In Keswick I Walked Tall (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Hi Cate. Big thanks for your comment on 'True Manna', glad it touched you. I spent a day of pondering and wandering, firstly in the day time, to a beautiful church in Stratton, Cornwall, where i got to explore from the top of the tower to the final cornerstone. Then returned at night with drizzle and owl calls. True Manna was the night time inspired one, the daytime one 'but first through the gate' was a little lighter. Nice to have two, daytime, nighttime, both sides of the coin. An experiment in openness. Not often i get two in one day straight out with no corrections. At least it made sense to at least one person. :D

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

I really enjoyed reading this Steve. There is some strong imagery here and your use of repetition is very effective.
I do feel however you are occassionally slipping between styles...."I could blow you on to your arse right now" along with "chucked" and "shit" somehow doesnt seem to sit right with the rest of the poem.It is so dark and foreboding and full of wonderful passages it makes me quail for the coming winter!
Cate xx

Comment is about The Wind in The Chimney (blog)

Original item by STEVE RUDD

Such warmth and humour in this Isobel. Think its called "Food Technology" now,and the poor little buggers spend more time pouring over what to eat and what not to eat and how many calories are in an iced bun. We just used to make them and eat them on the way home!!
Anyone who has been lucky enough to have a meal round your table will vouch for it washed down with LOTS of red wine and LOTS of merriment!!
Cate xx

Comment is about Domestic Science (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Dave - cheers for the comment over Now and then.. It's one of those mood pieces I guess that kinda wrote it.... Hope you r k - speak soon.. A

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Lynn - glad you liked 'Now and then'.. One of those pieces that says it all really and I wrote it to cheer up other half.. It's a mood thing I think.. Hope you are k - Andy Nx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Kath - cheers for the note over Now and then.. Nothing I can really add about it as it really says it all and wrote itself.

Yeah, otherwise life plods on.. Busy with job search etc. How goes you and your clan? x

Comment is about Kath Hewitt (poet profile)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Hi Laura - thanks for the comment over Now and then.. It's likely this will get a airing once I get the book stuff out of the way really.. I'm a big fan of the last stanza too.. sort of summed things up best i guess x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

thanks to all who have commented here.. the piece really says it all i guess but it's nice to write something more gentle instead of the hate and angry pieces.. x

Comment is about Now and then (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Isobel;

thanks for the comment over 'Now and then'.. Not much to add to it, apart from you were spot on with what you said about it.. I wrote it cheer Cathy up who was quite down and it did the job.. See you soon somewhere at a gig hopefully but glad you enjoyed it.. x

Andy N x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

i really enjoyed this, Dave.. perfect for a 11am smile! cheers buddy.. Good to see you on Sunday.. Sorry didn't get chance to talk... A

Comment is about Pillow Fights (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

top stuff, Stella.. you said a lot in two short stanzas.. excellent.. x

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

really enjoyed this, Ray.. if i am honest - not sure over the whoosh however..

Comment is about Pour Tous Les Jours (blog)

this really is a SHORT poem - lol x

Comment is about (blog)

Some feedback from Hull artist, Martin waters -

Thanks very much for the comments, i will add them to the comments book.
my knees ache a bit but it all seems to have gone very well. Thanks again for your input to the project, the poems were a valued part of the experience, i watched many people reading the poems whilst i had my lunch each day, after walking through the drift i felt they had greater poignancy for the readers, people often read the poems then walked through the drift again perhaps with different thoughts.

best wishes for the future
martin

Comment is about Poems for Remembrance Day (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi David, Welcome to Write Out Loud

Comment is about David Dunn - The Poet in a Suit (poet profile)

Original item by David Dunn - The Poet in a Suit

Yes I have more to put up - just ran out of time yesterday

Comment is about Dominic Berry, Naked Muse Calendar Launch (photo)

A tasty snack Isobel
A Michelin star from me

Comment is about Domestic Science (blog)

Original item by Isobel

What's with this "resistant materials" thing? I remember making pineapple upside down cake in DS and taking it home wrapped in a Co-op paper bag to find the words CO-OP in red and green dye all across the pineappley top (or was it the bottom?) Made me dad laugh anyway! And I made a toothpaste cake cos I didn't know about peppermint essence! Happy days! I hate cooking! Like the poem tho! xx

Comment is about Domestic Science (blog)

Original item by Isobel