Would agree with Greg here - you simply have to have the magic roundabouts in any poem about Swindon. Have driven over them many a time - you really do take your life in your hands cos no-one seems to have a clue - a bit like driving in France when you just get off the ferry...

And how about the soul-less outlet centres? All the soul poured into poetry no doubt. And everywhere you go the the sound of polish verse...

A fun idea for a poem. You could be poet laureate for the town.

Comment is about Swindon: the Poetry Capital of the World! (blog)

Original item by Hilda Sheehan

and we hardly know each other :-))
i like the optimism that comes with the sentiment
Steve M.

Comment is about Proposal (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thank you Ann, you are tempting one- by one I mean me. :o)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks K, your comment is appreciated. Tommy

Comment is about Kealan Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thank you Kealan;Steve and Ann. :o)

Comment is about Five degrees of separation (19th Oct 2011) (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

That bird had so much presence - even when fast asleep. I couldn't even see its head as it was firmly tucked under its wing. I'd love to see some of these birds when they're awake.
I heard some seals too, they howl softly like hounds. Another spooky sound, but very beautiful.

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I listened to the divers call as well - lonely, sad. I've heard it before somewhere - maybe on "Twin Peaks" I think..

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Some great thoughts here - here's to world domination - by Swindon! (Don't you have railway museum? Surprised Greg didn't mention that!)

Comment is about Swindon: the Poetry Capital of the World! (blog)

Original item by Hilda Sheehan

Thanks for re-visiting the shores of my poem Greg, at this early hour!

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

My bird book describes its song as a "mournful wail, rising". To repeat my migrated comments ... I enjoyed this very much, it has echoes of Ted Hughes and DH Lawrence, and my favourite lines are these:

So solidly still,
so alive in your sleep.
Full fathoms deep in it!

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Great fun! I never realised Swindon had so much going for it. But no mention of the infamous roundabout? ...

Comment is about Swindon: the Poetry Capital of the World! (blog)

Original item by Hilda Sheehan

Only just read this Stella. It's lovely. I particularly like how it finishes.

Comment is about It's The Way (blog)

Could I ask a large favour in your opinions of a new personal poetry project poetry project (excuse the unintended alliteration) I am starting a play based on my skills in poetry, where each scene will be a new poem, telling a gradual story, based on my newest poem 'how pathetic'. and possibly incorporating my poem 'alone' also, I am asking anybody I can for their opinions and advice of what sort of ideas I could weave into the plot, as I am trying to plan it beforehand to give a rough guideline, if you could help it would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you :)

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Could I ask a large favour in your opinions of a new personal poetry project poetry project (excuse the unintended alliteration) I am starting a play based on my skills in poetry, where each scene will be a new poem, telling a gradual story, based on my newest poem 'how pathetic'. and possibly incorporating my poem 'alone' also, I am asking anybody I can for their opinions and advice of what sort of ideas I could weave into the plot, as I am trying to plan it beforehand to give a rough guideline, if you could help it would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you :)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Otis, I dunno whether you have given American a fresh listen, I Put it to Solomon Jabby's - Firmly Planted In Dub record. Added a sample of a pandoras box opening at the end. Give it a listen if you can, i would be glad of your feedback. The original album the music came from is Firmly Planted by Solomon Jabby, of which i strongly recommend.

Thank you for your comments on the original American, that i wrote. Yep, there seems to be a great deal of ignorance around, even after Barak's election victory. If anything, his Presidency seems to give license to those who would say 'They' got what they wanted. perhaps they will shut up now??? But i know myself, its deeper, much deeper. And i can only hope years of injustice, will one day find its peace.

there is more i could say, but i know you know where im coming from.

My wife is a zulu. She hails from SA. I spent time in the region working for the United Nations, and i know at first hand the plight of many at the hands of the tyrannical. Not all ears are unassuming.

thanks once again for your comments. I really like your work and read all.

By the way, my second sons middle name is Otis.
Im smiling at that.

Stay well Otis.

Best wishes and much love.

noetic-fret!

aka Mike

x

Comment is about J. Otis Powell‽ (with interrobang) (poet profile)

Original item by J. Otis Powell‽ (with interrobang)

Oh, how annoying for you, Ann!! We can see you got comments from the list on the left, but can't read them. (Take no notice of that Banksy! haha.)
I was too busy to comment on this when I spied it earlier, now I see the personified is missing off the end... anyway, love it either way. I listened to the diver's call on youtube, very haunting. xx

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

faultlessly fantastic
fantastically faultless!

touches the heart
in a sad but warm way.

grateful for the read.

thanks Peter.

regards of the best kind to you.

Stef and Patricia Wilde.

Comment is about Wild Cat (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

it's your poem - you have to decide, but either way, it's still one of your best (for me) xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

HaHa........... liar

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Poo poo poo! I tried to add the soundtrack but then everything went AWOL! And (you prob won't believe me) I'd had some really nice comments too! So I've re-posted.

Comment is about great north diver (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

You combine the elements of love and winter exquisitely in this!
Definitely one of my favourite of yours : )

Comment is about beautiful in snow (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I love this! (Can I buy you a parrot?)

Comment is about Five degrees of separation (19th Oct 2011) (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Thanks so much for your lovely comment (Beautiful in Snow) xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thanks so much for your lovely comment (Beautiful in Snow) xx

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Hello Lynn. Thanks for the comments on my poems "Wild Wolf" and "Who is this Woman in the Mirror".
Lately the last poem has really become my life.

Thank you
Shirley

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

You've got me thinking of Fagin and Oliver Twist with this one Ray - you draw a vivid street picture. There is always a tendency to feel sorry for animals that live out on the streets like this but I imagine many of them may have better lives than those penned up at home alone while the owners work...

You've got some very imaginative rhyming goin on in here - it must have taken ages! I liked the verse about the business men and the hair of the dog. You should try recording some of your stuff Ray. Now we know that you look like a polystyrene cup with green paint in it, it would be nice to hear your voice. xx

Comment is about Summat and Nuffin (blog)

It's definitely amusing - I think that's partly because you break all kind of taboos - there is that shock factor. And the line 'you can't have a wet dream over a vague man' stimulates thought ;-) I enjoyed your rendition of this at the Tudor and in Preston.

Rachel and I were discussing the merits of personality V looks when it came to fantasy and it reminded me of your song. It's a shame you can't put an audio up John.

Comment is about A Ghost-Boned Wet Dream (blog)

Original item by John Togher

oh crikey i know...ill have to write some more.

i agree tho, the cheeky tracksuit was the best bit x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

perfect. xx

Comment is about beautiful in snow (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I like the words and descriptive tone to 'I Hear You'x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I like Impossibility? It resonates with me 'Unrequited Love' I fell in love a couple of years ago and it didn't happen! I was devasted! haha I'll get over it. xx

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Keep those main lines coming - and branch off
into the sidings of your imagination every chance you get. Laughter is rightly called the
best medicine..and one-track minds like mine
really enjoy your stuff.
Thanks for the kind comment about the audio for
Daddy Knew Johnny Cash...albeit I have "cheated" slightly with the musical setting. But getting the message across is the
aim, is it not?!
M.C.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Dave, thank you for your nice comments on No More, appreciated. x

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

I like this, the setup is nice and original, which is the most important function of a poem, look forward to hearing more.

Comment is about Five degrees of separation (19th Oct 2011) (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi John, It was my pleasure - brilliant poem!
And I understand, its been a hard time, and hope you are ok. A catch up would be lovely buddy, I have missed thee!

xx

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

Tonight, Thursday 20th October, is the annual WOS competition. 1st prize £30, second £20, & a non-cash prize for 3rd place. Open to all, come along and make it a night to remember.(From 8pm to book a spot).

Review is about WOSP on 20 Oct 2011 (event)

Wishing you all the best and a wonderful turnout!

Comment is about A Means to an End book launch (Andy N and Jeff Dawson aka Jeffarama) (blog)

Original item by Andy N

isobel - i took off my 'tales from..'writing to adjust and didnt save and now theyre lost forever :( i think you may be the only person to have read them. i must make sure i save everything. have you ever done that?

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Possibly relevant to the theme is the use of ceruse by Elizabethan women as facial makeup

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_ceruse

It was poisonous and long-term use often caused disfigurement and - in extreme cases - even death.

Comment is about Skin Deep (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Thank you! It's so important to hear each other.

Comment is about A PRAYER (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thank you Dave :)

Definitely, Stef - I shall need all the discounts going! Lol :)

Aww, thanks for the compliment, Ann :)

Comment is about No More! (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi Laura, thanks for your comment on September, those amateur drinkers are such a pain :-)
John x

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Mazza, such a lovely comment on my poem September (I think!) must catch up soon, been a bad year etc..

John x

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

This is lovely, Ann, I especially like the first two lines but it is all good. xx

Comment is about beautiful in snow (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove