Lovely poem about the outdoors Roy.... Your so right, our countryside is a living dream that we all should love to enjoy...plus nice photo...it say's it all ;-)

Comment is about Escape to the Country (blog)

Enjoyable- unlike the dentists.

My Best

Chris

Comment is about NO ONE LOVES A DENTIST (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hello Neil. I'm really, really glad if I've helped. That's what we should all try and do, other pairs of eyes and all that. Mind you, I'm sometimes just talking crap, so beware.

Comment is about Neil Fawcett (poet profile)

Original item by Neil Fawcett

Harry. You just click on Edit, make the changes, then click on Update Entry. If I can do it anyone can.

Comment is about BON VOYAGE (blog)

Thanks for your comment on Bon Voyage, Dave

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks for the comment on bon Voyagemuch appreciated

Hope your teeth stay well

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks John for Bon Voyage,

Nothing like a girl with a decent bum.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Laura,
Thanks for your comment on Bon Voyage

Appreciated

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Just wanted to say a big thanks to Isobel (and Joy) for coming along to our launch and for writing such a lovely review.

Obviously we are biased, but we believe that what we have created with the other 41 artists and the wonderful designers who worked with us, is a unique collection of poetry and photography that explores the beauty, fragility and strength of the male muse, as seen through the creative eye of the female artist.

On each page there is a poem, written on this subject, from poets including Wendy Cope, Pascale Page, Eva Salzman, Clare Pollard, Penelope Shuttle, Linda France (shall we go on?). These poems sit with the final images created, each one completely different in style and perception.

We carefully selected poets and photographers to work together in pairs, and each pair was given one of the poems (again, this was thought about) to read, discuss and respond to creatively. They then met and did the photo-shoot, and the finished result is what is shown in the calendar.

This is so much more than "tits out for the lads" mentality, and that is not political correctness speaking, that is simply an observation of the process and product involved. We do not feel that it demeans the art of poetry nor the poets involved, nor the amazing 13 women photographers involved. We do, however, feel that it allows poetry to reach into the home and spaces of people that perhaps would not read it otherwise, which in our mind is a good thing.

It also gets people reading about and discussing the cause. WE understand it is not everyone's cup of tea, and we welcome those wanting to donate without buying the calendar and appreciate that everyone will have their own opinion. In our opinion, the nakedness of the body, perceived through the eyes of the artist, is not degrading, to the person or the poem, but is a celebration of life. But each to their own.

Once more, thanks WOL for your review and coverage of this project - and it was lovely to meet you. And thanks to all the poets, photographers, designers, volunteers and others who gave of their time and creativity for nothing. It has been an amazing journey and I am (rightfully) proud of what we have created together, in the spirit of collaboration and in a bid to raise funds to find a cure for Type One Diabetes.

Good luck with the raffle!

Posted from Victoria, on behalf of Adam and myself xx

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Our chosen charity is JDRF here is a link to make direct donations - http://www.jdrf.org.uk/page.asp?section=237&sectionTitle=Donate

Thanks for everyone's support in making this an artistic endeavour to remember and behold...

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

lovely poem !I am, stella luminosity? Brill, with your pic! We are all family I sense you mean animals too? I love my animals too? your dog Charlie, I just lost my (Charlie Brown)xx

Comment is about I am (blog)

Original item by Carol Falaki

If a link was added to a relevant diabetes charity that does not require 'arse outery'
I'll donate. I might even click the relevant buttons in the buff with my credit card out.

P.S

I claim no universal right.
No one has to agree.

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

John

That`s what comes of having a poet as a dad.

(I can just imagine you reading it to them)

Thanks for the mention.

Comment is about Aspidistra (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well spotted, Ray, you`re right...thanks!

I would now read:

Serenity, content, and a fond remembering
of all that was best.

If i wasn`t internet thick and scared of messing the whole thing up.

Thanks all,
It was written when I was sitting alone in a taverna and a bridal party came in.
Two bottles of beer and a meal were slammed down in front of me and I found I was a guest (local custom)
I left it with the best man.

Comment is about BON VOYAGE (blog)

agree with all of the comments of the two posts below. It would seem though, that the country has become obsolete for many city dwellers. we may get time off from weekly mundane work and chores but often the effort to get to the country requires too much of what is left. It is sad that not many speak of the country. I did write of a theme or two in the past concerning countryside, but is suppose like many, it is difficult to identify with when you're constantly hounded by wailing sirens, dogs barking people screaming, heavy traffic and of course the pounding beats of music from fly by cars who all they want to do is cruise the streets rather than take the M6 north and get off at Carlisle.

Yep, you guessed it.....................I really miss the countryside, so much so, often i have tears well in my eyes at how I have to live. I often used to go to The Lakes, with a bergen on my back and a special place i used to wild camp at the base of Helvelyn. And every now and then, even though Snowdonia does no allow wild camping, i would take myself off there and run naked amongst the hills.

i really miss the countryside. I really do.

Biggups! And much love.

x

Comment is about Escape to the Country (blog)

Hi Anna, when i read this, i thought, wow as it gathered pace. But i have to admit that the last bit let it down for me. I really feel you could have gone somewhere braver with this one. Although one can see the truth in the last line, i felt an almighty epic was in the offing. Still though, nice read.

best wishes

and keep posting

mike

x

Comment is about Purple (blog)

A compelling read and leaves the onlooker wishing to know more about the wider scenario. Thumbs up to this.

Comment is about Nothing Cosmic (blog)

absolutely fantastic. I particularly like the last line; a new vista she had nearly denied herself outside and in. For me the fact she made it to the top sold me the idea that the old girl still has the spunk in her for the sake of her grandchildren. My thoughts are that many would be the same from the older generation. a different breed they are than us soft 'gits.'

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant cynthia.

best wishes,

Mike

x

Comment is about The Big Hill (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Wonderful sparky discussion indeed!
Chris - you are hilarious! Thank you for being you!


p.s. I would have absolutley no problem doing something as tasteful as this just for art's sake OR a good cause... : )

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I like this one ray. Really like it. It tells a story and i guess not without an ounce of sadness on looking back.

really like it

Nice one

Mike

x

Comment is about Nothing Cosmic (blog)

Tee-hee
The pain!
What more can I say with my teeth on edge?

Comment is about NO ONE LOVES A DENTIST (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Your comment re: Hey'up is very much appreciated.
I'm not the greatest 'performance' poet, but I have the feeling it might be a good one to perform - maybe after 4 pints?
The 'poets with their prissy prose' bit was something I thought I'd put in as a sort of poets in-joke.

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Sentiment with a warmth of affection that is hard to resist. Nice one, J.C.

Comment is about Aspidistra (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

There are too few poems about the countryside
these days...if it was good enough for the
likes of Wordsworth et al then why not us?
This is a timely and welcome return to a neglected genre. Lords knows, we have enough
to inspire us and this contribution will find
a poem from me with our landscape at its heart.
Looking outwards can be a wonderful antidote
for the angst of all that introspection!

Comment is about Escape to the Country (blog)

Nice poem. gold Septembering is lovely. That last verse would be even better without the repetition of ease and eased, though.

Comment is about BON VOYAGE (blog)

A sweet poem. In contrast to Laura, I thought the 2nd verse were least effective.I'm not entirely sure it makes grammatical sense. I know it's poetry but still...
I'd have preferred the end of the first verse to carry on, for you to be propelled somewhere specific.But that's just me.Lovely last verse.

Comment is about 21 Orde Avenue (blog)

Original item by Elaine

I think your 'wow' comment may be one of the nicest comments I could ever hope for.
I'm not much of a 'performance' poet, but, with a fair wind, I might give it a go sometime.
Thanks again for the time you took to read the poem, and the comment
S

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

excellent, Elaine.. well structured stuff.. xx

Comment is about 21 Orde Avenue (blog)

Original item by Elaine

excellent, Laura.. it's defo a piece i would like to hear read sometime.. will try to make a note to remind me to ask you - lol.

hope you are good.

see you soon xx

Comment is about Break The Loop (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

love poems about the country, Roy and i really enjoyed this..

if i am honest, the ending is a bit tellie for me but it still doesn't jar to me.

top stuff man

Comment is about Escape to the Country (blog)

What a wonderful sparky discussion! Great to see so much splendid debate.

I have been particularly inspired by Ernesto's fantastic work. If he did the same poems clothed they would not be the same. This does not mean the words are not good on their own, it just means they are part of something else, in the same way leonard cohen's words sound great on their own but hearing them sung with a guitar backing makes them something different.

Not all poems would work sung, nor with guitar, nor with or without a certain costume. Not all poems would work performed naked.

Carol Ann and Andrew Motion would probably not do something like this but they are not performance poets. Most of the poets involved in this project are. Performance poets don't have to perform naked but they do have to think about how they perform and find a way that works for them. If, like Ernesto, they find an audience who is inspired by their work then bravo indeed, long may it continue.

Darren Thomas I cannot wait to see a picture of your arse / tits / both! Brilliant!

Chris I would love to see your hard core porn fest for charity it is overdue!

Graham, you were wonderful at the event, hitching eh bloody hell good on thee, look forward to hearing your words again :)

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Both Myself and Stella Jones are delighted at the response to our 'Poets Corner' event at 'Glassfire' in (Sunny) Hoylake , Wirral (right by Hoylake Station)...
On Tuesday night we had around 40 people attend with 20 Poets reading and it is only our 2nd month!!
Poets travelled from Bolton (Rachel Bond)....
and Wigan (Elaine Booth- Guest Poet) Isobel Malinowski and Joy France and with my co-host Stella Jones it made Poets Corner an even more elegant evening...and the Poems were great as well!!
Elaine judged both Hara Willow (Hoylake Poet) and a newcomer - Steve Smith to be joint winners!
Although I know Elaine said it was a very close run thing!..Thanks to both Elaine and all poets...Graham

Comment is about Graham Robinson (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Robinson

I Am delighted at being judged the winning Poet 2011 at last months 'Wirral Ode Show' at The Stork Hotel in Price Street, Birkenhead...it is a great honour!
Thanks to Jason T Richardson..Mo and Dave Costello for a great night..I think all the poets had a great time!...I certainly did!
All the best to Mo who is taking over the show from Jason...am sure it will continue to be a great venue for all poets to go and 'strut their stuff'....

Good Luck from Graham Robinson

Comment is about Graham Robinson (poet profile)

Original item by Graham Robinson

I bloody am, yes.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Dear Elaine,
thank you for your kind comments and I have re-read 'Old World ' and now find myself totally drawn into it. I used to live in Berlin , near the Wall, and once when the seasons were turning in the park ,Tiergarten, where there were ruined embassies untouched since 1945, experienced a moment such as your poem captures .Your craft recalls me to that moment ,painfully unconfessed imaginings.Oh regrets, I have a few!
Would like a re-read of your closing piece , if poss. stephensmithster@gmail.com

Comment is about Elaine (poet profile)

Original item by Elaine

Ha - love this Ann! Some of the lines take me back to a young Shane McGowan actually

Comment is about bucket (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Cheers all

Alana - yes, it toughens us up, but I was a very peaceful child until I got bullied. Then I became a bully for a while. I know exactly how this process works. Insight comes through hardship I've always found.

Elaine/Dave - thanks, yep, I think it'll perform well, and the L/O/O/P thing will be spelled out, I reckon. Breaking the loop, literally. :)

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment folks

Comment is about Break The Loop (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Love this - you think along the same lines as myself, always twisting ideas this way and that, excavating what seems to be a simple concept. Great stuff - enjoyed this

Comment is about All Wise Men Are Dead (blog)

Great. Tough, but needs to be, and, as others have said, does some nice things with words. Absolutely the right thing to be reading in Anti-Bullying Week (and even Alcohol Awareness Week, which is an interesting coincidence).

How are you going to perform the L / O / O / P line??? Looking forward to hearing it anyway.

Comment is about Break The Loop (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hehe John

Lovely piece this Harry. I'm a sucker for anything close to seafaring tales - I blame my dad and all the stories he told me when I was a kid about being at sea :)

Comment is about BON VOYAGE (blog)

Not that you're obsessed with Keats at all mate, honest ;p

I love that second verse, so evocative. And treasures being lentils - all the little things in life that make us happy :)

Comment is about 21 Orde Avenue (blog)

Original item by Elaine

Sorry to do another Awwww, but Awwwww! :D

Comment is about Aspidistra (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I've changed my profile picture accordingly...

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Lynn.
I have,hopefully,
better explained my reply to you
in my poem 'Hypocrite'
if you would be so kind as to read.

the previous comments
were something of a dogs dinner-
this being due to having just arrived home
after a hectic day
of playing referee
in trying to keep two of my Grandsons
from knocking each other out!

my brain seems to have got back
into gear now-haha!

thanks love.

Stef'n'Tricia.xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Dave

Just read your profile poems which somehow I'd managed to miss and throughly enjoyed both of them. Vintage Carr.

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Thx for the feedback on my last/that war poem Dave. Hope to see and hear you soon at Wigan.

Love your laconic/super kool style- Chris

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

Lynn thx for your comment/feedback on my last poem. Appreciated- Chris.

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thx for the comment/feedback on my last John. I wrote it in that pure imabic tetrameter rhyming couplet way so...heyho

Thx for reading

P.S

I would love it if you could be a guest poet of ours next year.

Far maybe- but have a think. We'd lobe to have you on the wirral as a guest poet.

Chris

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

I hope to see the tits/arse
(delete as applicable) of;

Darren
Isobel
Francine
Stella

Cause the ability to do so in a 'tasteful' way, clearly allows me to gain a greater understanding of their poetry.

I shake my big deep mack and shake hard upon such things
Urrrrgh- I reaaaaaaly!!!!!!!!

Poetry my arse.

Can you see Carol Ann doing this?

How about Andrew Motion?

Ooops

Seriously this is utter bollox and arse!

P.S

Graham;
I have no need of your special pen marks...sadly I have my own.
I wish I had doubts about sexuality, just so I could help your needs- unfortunately I am a failed hetro who also believes the same type of female poetry calender would also be equally as sad and bollox.


P.S to the P.S

Wol is very good for news...overall. It does a great job generally IMO.

Also I would welcome future news articles from Isobel and people as talented.

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I respect your views Chris and you have every right to express them.On this one we will just have to disagree, for all the reasons that I have already stated in my article.

I concede that I am not exactly the Brian Sewell of the poetry world, but think there is a place in every newspaper for a light read - why not WOL? I think we can both agree that this type of venture, news article (if you want to call it that) is a rare one - so unlikely to cause you much future concern. I believe the quality of all WOLs news articles to be excellent so you will have plenty to choose from.

What I will thank you for is the controversy. There's nowt like a bit of controversy to get a product known and out there. For me the end does justify the means - even in poetry. x

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman