I have to agree with the others, and this is such a fantastic line!

'Leaving me feeling
Like I had just kissed chaos.'

Comment is about My hometown (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Almost prayer-like, evoking such a feeling of peacefulness and compassion. I think that you have conveyed what you felt very successfully. XX

Comment is about Scarlet Ribbons (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Moi aussi... je suis d'accord avec Anthony !

Comment is about If being obtuse was an art form it would be called poetry (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

It's when you're stuck in and you can't help seeing it that I turn to full-on expletives!!! And then try to go out anyway.

Good fun, Ann and the poem is much more valuable than the dusting of course. Unless, as I, you have an asthmatic in the house...! XX

Comment is about silly housework poem (warning - contains the word bugger;) (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

once again-faultless IMO.

much enjoyed.

S.W.

Comment is about Mourning Dawns (blog)

Authority is wallowing in the opportunities these riots have given them. The pathetic sight of kids looting shops for designer clothes and electrical goods is manor from heaven for Authority. They would have briefly been worried that this was a genuine political uprising, but as soon as it became clear that it was nothing more than a few ramshackle bands of lost youth stealing things that they could never afford they were relieved. Now, of course, they have the excuse they need to hunt down these evil doers, hound them out of their homes and lock them up with ridiculous sentences. While Authority continues its merciless assault on the weak and the poor who pay over and over again in blood and tears for the misadventures of Authority. And what do the powerless do? They beat the powerless with their righteous indignation and congratulate Authority for their brutality.

Comment is about The Haves and The Have Nots (blog)

Original item by Isobel

Such sweet savour of being apart yet hoping for the miles to truly melt. You have captured this so well. You evoke a very sensous feeling. X

Comment is about On Ice (blog)

Ok Ann, you and Izzy can come and stop at my place apres pub crawl if you don't mind sleeping on air beds : )

Comment is about Join fellow poets for a walk in Ted Hughes' stamping ground (article)

Original item by Julian Jordon

Nash, was really moved by the truth of this poem. Comfort in memories and realisation of what must be in the last line.

Well worth taking time from work to write and share this. Thanks.

Comment is about Underneath the Horse Chestnut Tree (blog)

Original item by Nash

Pearls of wisdom, Cynthia. I liked this poem very much. As Tom said, like Basho.

Hope you and yours are well, btw. XXXX

Comment is about O Sweet Confusion (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you for the kind comments Dave. Always appreciated. Graham

Comment is about Dave Carr (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Carr

A great performance piece, Laura. And as I know how nervous you were about the reaction you'd get, very, very brave of you to perfom it too.

Poetry that gets us thinking is always going to be a good thing. I feel very strongly that poetry should not be cosy and nice but should make us all sit up and take notice.

We all need to look at our values and beliefs every now and again and answer the question, whether we have got it right or whether we need to modify what we think. None of us get it right all the time.

Listening carefully to each other is what matters: even if we agree to disagree we can still respect and care about each other - very much, as it happens.

A wonderful blog. XXXX

Comment is about Cause and Effect (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Dystopia for some, reality for others. Well crafted powerful piece.

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Thanks Banksy. Roger McGough, eh? I'm on the phone to Waitrose first thing in the morning.

Thanks Dave. I absolutely agree, you can only focus on so much in a poem, or a novel for that matter. Most things are filtered out. Where I live isn't nearly as bad as I've painted it, some days it just seems so and I have tried to acknowledge that at the end.

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

fantasic poem Lisa.

"who can you count on for proper care?"

you won,t be able
to even imagine the answer to that soon
the way things are going.

scary.

cheers.

S.W.

Comment is about The Patient (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

Hi Elaine, thanks for commenting on For My Parents.

I wrote both pieces in June a week apart.

Didn't kill any zombies in the end, the "bigness" of the day, emotionally, hit me and the leaps I'd made in understanding myself - there are light bulbs switching on all over the place at the moment! :) xXx

Comment is about Elaine (poet profile)

Original item by Elaine

Heh heh - I don't disagree with you either - so we are not in disagreement. Does that mean we are in agreement though? You are the negotiator - I'll let you decide :)

Re our dishonest leaders, financial controllers and the 'establishment', I don't imagine that things are any different now to how they have always been - it's just that we get to find out more via the media... That isn't to excuse what has gone on though. I guess I just find the scenes of social unrest more psychologically disturbing. Even though it may have cost the country less, anarchy just scares me - a future filled with such incidents is not a rosy one. I suppose the density of population in this country doesn't help - there are just too many pressure points. The riots just prove that society is fragile and that the system only works if man allows it to. That probably sounds like a lot of shite. It's late - I think too hard and I'm waffling - but I know you'll forgive me. xx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Well done you for the Pushcart nomination. Strange names these competitions have. There's one over here called the Doorstep Challenge - or is it doorknob? Your name is a little familiar, actually. Do you use other poetry forums?
I've written poetry for about 5 years, some other stuff before that. Nice to read your work.

Comment is about Banvard's Folly (blog)

Original item by Christopher Anthony Leibow

Thanks for the answer!
With love and warmest wishes,
Larisa

Comment is about Kealan Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thanks Win for commenting on For My Parents, lovely words to express your emotions about it. I've also made a fuller "reply" on my blog ;) xXx

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Thanks for commenting on For My Parents, I've made a fuller "reply" on my blog ;) xXx

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks very much for the comment, really appreciate it and yeah I think it meant "I'll read it again" Either that or a new form of abbreviation has been invented.

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thanks, John, glad you liked the atmosphere - thought I'd submit another Calderdale Poem having visited the other week - I'm afraid you'll have to get used to my over-alliteration - seemed to creep in constantly when I started writing, as did rather a lot of internal rhyme & is now an established feature of my style. Unfashionable perhaps, but I'm not renowned for being fashionable in many areas of life!!

Comment is about Heptonstall Chapel (blog)

Original item by C Richard Miles

Have to agree with the others. A classy write.

I've lived in areas like that, Ray, for many years, and while it would have been possible to set out everything you describe and more, there were also some lovely people and some reasons to hope, despite the apparent dilapidation and neglect. The poet or writer is, of course, free to focus on what grabs them. But is it possible for anyone to sum up everything going in any area or town in one piece?

Perhaps Frank Capra would have thought so. It's a Wonderful Life shows how a whole town can be healthy through and through, or rotten through and through. But is that really what it's like?

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

marvellous Ray !
reminds me rather of roger mcgough. B

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

I was going to say...
"Fu***ing hell mate, you'll never last on here talking like that"
but then I looked back to see some of the great & good approve as well.... so maybe you'll just ignore my smart-arsed remarks & I'll congratulate you on words well-written & ideas very well articulated.B

Comment is about If being obtuse was an art form it would be called poetry (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Excellent poem in alexandrines, CRM. Difficult to do. On first reading the lines seem as though they should end sooner (or continue for a couple more syllables). But I got the flavour after a second reading. I assume the final lines should be slow-read to set it down.
Lovely atmosphere created, although some of the alliteration seemed a bit overcooked for my taste.
(I'm being hyper-critical. I wish I'd written it!)

Comment is about Heptonstall Chapel (blog)

Original item by C Richard Miles

Hey Ray,

Nice to meet you. I appreciate the feedback. I am very satisfied with the poem as it is and the Pushcart Nomination that I received for it.

So how long have you been writing?

Comment is about Banvard's Folly (blog)

Original item by Christopher Anthony Leibow

What a nice poem. The opening couplet is a lovely image. Speaking of which, I began to wonder why the poem wasn't arranged in couplet form. Less of a problem later.

How his deformity angers her.

I think "angers" disturbs the rhythm. riles, peeves, stings?
The part I liked less, though, was this

Huge bolts of love

The canvas sags from longing

Immense wood contraption



(Gears-pulleys crank machinery)

Three miles of canvas.

An uninterrupted portrait.

especially 3rd and 4th lines. I think 3 miles of sagging canvas would say enough.

Comment is about Banvard's Folly (blog)

Original item by Christopher Anthony Leibow

Very interesting and nice poem. I love it so much. But...as fas as English is a foreign language for me, I sometimes do not understand some phrases. Here is an example: "I will it again." Please, explain! Does it really mean "I'll read it again"?

Comment is about Nothing Happens For A Reason (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

If the medical community doesn't treat addiction as a disease, and mistreats patients, getting caught up in the stigma like the rest of society...who can you count on for proper care?

Comment is about The Patient (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

Thanks all.Seeing what does and does not go down well on WOL is one of life's more interesting lessons.
I was very conscious of those "wheres and whiles", Andy. But what to do?!
Isobel - can I quote you on the "poetic sweat and toil" to my wife? Not sure she's convinced.
I think when I wrote it I had Auden's Night-Train poem in mind, the rhythm anyhow. But Bob Dylan'll do, Dave!

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

Hi Lisa

I see your login problems are solved. Jolly good. happy blogging. Winston

Comment is about Fidelity (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

Thanks for all the comments on this.
The penny has dropped Isobel. Now I know why we get the also by Dave Carr messages. I think that is the first time I've done it more than once a month.

Comment is about Reading, Rioting and (A)rithmetic - a villanelle (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Hi Isobel,

No doubt you're right re the mindless thuggery and looting, "free stuff" seems to be the prime motivation. What I was getting at is that the law and morality/ethics should apply equally to all, whether you are a police officer, tabloid journalist, politician, investment banker or a disaffected youth.

Cameron spoke yesterday about bringing people to justice and fixing our broken society; his comments were aimed at the recent looters and arsonists. They could just as easily have applied to all those in the aforementioned categories, but were purely aimed at the recent troublemakers. As was said before, the latest spate of wrecking has given the Tories "a good day to bury bad news." Now the government is focused on punishing the perpetrators of last week's misdemeanours, and taken the heat off his cosy chums in the press and banking sectors. The cost, according to the Grauniad, of the riots is somewhere around £100 million. The bankink crisis/bailout cost the country an estimated £7 trillion - and no one was prosecuted. Kind of puts it in perspective for me. The motivation is exactly the same - pure, undiluted and unrestrained greed.

I see so much that's similar to the organisation I work for. The shop-floor workforce are scrutinised and disciplined for the slightest mistake, yet higher managers get away with the most monumental cock-ups, scams and totally unacceptable behaviour. We will never be an equal society until the same set of rules is applied to everyone.

That's a rather more long-winded explanation of the point I was trying to make - and I'm not disagreeing with you at all!

(I'll shut up now, I'm beginning to remind myself of someone I'd rather not be compared to!)

Regards,

A.E. X

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I think there are some stocks up at Rivington. (Just kidding) I thought the rhyming came across well when I heard this at the Tudor. Some good points about the bankers and high finanvce. No excuses though. But probably the most commented poem of the month - didn't want to miss out.

Comment is about Cause and Effect (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

I guess the noises and stuff have always been there but we always put them down to the dog when some of them might not have been. (That's the rational explanation anyway) Haunting seems the wrong word. Presence maybe?

Comment is about Sparky (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Great poem Ray. Nice rhythm. Put me in mind of Bob Dylan's Hard Rain.
Dave

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)

very good. I will it again later....

Comment is about Nothing Happens For A Reason (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thanks so much for your encouragement. When I was here last year, even with critiquing others, I never quite connected. You're right though, it really is the way to get people to read your work.

Hang in there - something will come to you! I was having a dry spell myself and was getting a bit worried. I’m also into photography and usually go back and forth between that and writing anyway but I seemed to be uninspired for a little too long poetry-wise. Then one day, I as looking at one of my photos and heard the first few lines of a poem go through my head. So I started writing when inspired by my photography. I’ll be posting those but at the moment, I seem to have hit another block. I guess you never know where your inspiration will come from – but life sure does have a way of eventually sending you something to write about!

And thanks very much for taking the time to read and comment on “Waiting For A Star To Fall”. Very much appreciated!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thanks Larisa!

Comment is about If being obtuse was an art form it would be called poetry (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

I've never been able to write in a stream of consciousness so I envy you that ability.

This is a light delicate piece Lisa and works well as a short poem. I like Ray's idea of going from general to specific/individual. It makes for a sad, whistful ending. x

Comment is about Waiting For A Star To Fall (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

I hope you stick with WOL. Like all places, it can appear to have a clique - those people are just regular contributors though - who have commented on each other's work and lives enough to have a rapport and be able to josh each other.

If you want to get feedback the best thing is to start reading the work of other poets and making comments. That attracts poets to look at your stuff. If you have been on other sites, you probably realise that by now. We have a lot of fun in discussions also.

Doing performance stuff is really good fun - you should try it. The only problem is that it is a hobby that needs feeding. If you're not writing or producing anything decent(which I'm not at the moment) it can get a bit depressing.

Ho hum - I sometimes wish I was a musician - it would be a whole lot easier to perform! Take care for now. x

Comment is about Lisa Milligan (poet profile)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

Nah, Andy - keep the past tense - it is more bitter-sweet and evocative, for me, that way! There's a sighing to the sound of the poem that fits so well. Understated, as Charlotte said which is why "just kissed chaos" is so powerful.

Do agree with Charlotte re: portals of doom though. I totally get what you mean but think a more original Andy N. version would strengthen the image. XXX

Comment is about My hometown (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Hi Isobel - thanks for writing me back! I very much agree that page poetry is from the heart and I can't write it any other way than for myself, which is why I post everything I have on each site. In my case also, it's definitely not commercial.

I do look forward to feedback, both to learn and grow but more to connect. It is a great privilege to me when something I write about my life's experiences resonates with someone else.

I've been on 3 other sites and one was a tremendous experience. Unfortunately, one bad apple spoiled the whole barrel so since then, I've been looking for another site but haven't found the feedback, connections, and evolving friendships that I experienced on that site. Sometimes what I run into is a site with a well established "clique". Sometimes, like I mentioned, I run into other poets that just "don't get" my writing or are uncomfortable with it. Obviously I miss it or I wouldn't be blathering on and on wasting your time! That comment in your Biography just struck me as ironic since it's similar to what has been going on somewhere in the back of my mind lately.

I like what you said about the social interraction that happens...how life finds its way into our poetry and discussion...and how we share it. I guess to sum it all up, the key is finding the right place.

I think it's really cool that you're on stage and wish you the best of luck. I admire the courage it takes to do that - good for you!!

Lisa

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I think the lower case for your name is very telling of where you were then, who you were to yourself. I'm another idenitifier with this. Actually it has touched me more deeply than I care to say. Well, I have just said haven't I?! Thanks but in a way not thanks - I hope you know what I mean.

Its really good. Says it succinctly and has the ripples of meaning - you can read it over and the impact just grows.

Comment is about Early Learning (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

I enjoyed this Scott - a very abstract non emotive approach to what happened - which is what you were after. Your writing is very powerful.

You give the atmosphere of a post science fiction type apocalypse. Let's just hope these events don't keep re-occurring...

Comment is about ? (blog)

the best one you've written I really dig this !

Great opening and strong stanzas throughout. A bit of a tweak in lines 4 and 5 getting rid of repetition and you have a keeper.

One of the best I've read on here in a while.

Comment is about My hometown (blog)

Original item by Andy N

'kissing chaos' has to be one of the best images in this poem - it's unusual but really effective.

For some reason I would have preferred this poem written in present tense - I think it would flow better without all the 'hads' and used tos and it would feel sadder at the end - the loss would be more immediate.

I enjoyed it though. xx

Comment is about My hometown (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Well I hope you win your petition Ray...

Your work is always so well polished - genuine pieces of poetic sweat and toil. You deserve to be praised. x

Comment is about I Live Over There (blog)