Hi - no way has it been down hill since, but (for me) Coromandel was so outstanding that it's a hard act to follow.
What are Queen remembered for?
Bohhemian Rhapsody.
Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights.
Doesn't mean that they haven't both done some awesome stuff since... but you see what I mean? Besides, you might send off Coromandel & get zilch, but for ME it's world-class. That's the thing with poetry (and many other artforms) that it's such a personal thing. When I've sent stuff off it's nearly always the poem that I added in as an afterthought that gets published, never my "good stuff". All you can do is your best. xx B

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Good Evening Antonionioni

Sad but positive, sad but needed, the commonality is the word sad.

Comment is about Progress (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Good Day Antonionioni,

After being n this earth for near three score and ten I find hope and a faith in humanity the only lights at the end of a very long tunnel.

Comment is about Hope (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Thank You Ann,
At my age I find it hard to hate anyone. However: I have a need to tell my story in verse and being economical with words was never my style

Comment is about Tadpoles In a Jar (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Thanks Dave and Stefan,
for more than twenty years I was driving 100K miles a year and caused more than a few 'road kills' mostly Rabbits ' hence the verse'

Comment is about Road Kill, A Lapin Lament (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Thank you Philipos and Stephan,
You had to know the history of my Godfather to have some appreciation of the man and this verse is no justice to what he was.

Comment is about SWANSONG (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Poignant! Well written too.

Comment is about The Unspeakably Familiar (blog)

Thank you Janet, Banksey and Dave
I appreciate your comments and the encouragement.

Comment is about The Passions and The Place (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Thanks for spotting the typo Anotionionio! x

Comment is about motherfuckinfox (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Took one of your suggestions! Ta! ;-)

Comment is about A charm of goldfinches (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Very charming poem, Ann. If you don't mind a few suggestions:
3rd line - and set them swaying.
illuminate rather than illuminating.
skims like a stone.

Comment is about A charm of goldfinches (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Belt up, Janet!! Some touching observations here.

Comment is about Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot? (blog)

Interesting one! It's all sadly necessary though as well as inevitable. We have got out of hand and the preposterousness of unchecked population growth has reached its zenith.

Comment is about Poetry of the Apocalypse (blog)

Original item by Alain English

Very interesting way of putting it!

Comment is about Hope (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Ian, this is sadly true despite the peace it (the bomb) has bought between the major nations for decades.

Comment is about Progress (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

They can fox off, can't they? (Is there a mis-spelling in the title Ann?

Comment is about motherfuckinfox (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I don't think this will be here for long!* Just been reading an article about how foxes are getting bigger therefore more dangerous. I wonder why? xx * self censorship will probably kick in tomorrow.

Comment is about motherfuckinfox (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for commenting so thoughtfully on 'Respect', Izz. Yes it's hard to concentrate for a long time at an open mic evening, which is why the Bards formula works imo. Two breaks (not one) and the compere (Steve) saying something constructive after each person. This is usually a mix of the humorous and thoughtful and kind of helps the poem to settle in the mind.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

PS - for what it's worth - in Coromandel you wrote one of my favourite poems of all time - up there with Robert Frost, Hugo Williams, John Burnside, Mervyn Peake, etc - pretty good company, I think you'd have to agree ?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I disagree Banksy. Incompetent and greedy though our political and economic masters are, they operate with a definite agenda which Pilger tries to get to the root of and more often than not, he succeeds in exposing the lies of the powerful and the effect they have on innocent people caught in the crossfire. Though the powers-that-be have much intelligence and cunning, their agendas (as Pilger and others depict them) are very complex and take several years to implement.

John Pilger is not a wanker. He is a brave and principled man who stands up for the powerless against the powerful and for this he deserves to be commended.

Comment is about The War You Don't See Review (blog)

Original item by Alain English

HaHa - unfortunately, that's the way it goes... you post one of your best & it gets no attention ! Me & Isobel have discussed this phenomenon at length. For my part, I didn't see the prog - and, charming as the poem is, I think it would have far more meaning (for me anyway) if I had.
And I like polish bears but I feel no great affinity for them like you do (it's cats I love - every last man-jack of em).
Some of what I consider to be my very best stuff has not attracted even one single comment. Hmph ! (stamps feet)xx.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Ian. I love the first verse. I almost don't think you need the rest, but that's just me ('spect you hate me now!) ;-)

Comment is about Tadpoles In a Jar (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

On the naughty step. = good theme/title for a poem?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Very bleak - good to see you here again. Hope you're well. xx

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Hi Greg - so glad you "are" poem of the month! Always like your stuff! Happy New Year! xx

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I like your lyrics, Lisa - including the chorus, where I think any tune should repeat for the first and third, and second and fourth lines (as in "Once in Royal David's City", e.g.).

Comment is about Lisa Milligan (poet profile)

Original item by Lisa Milligan

Cheers, Win, and a very happy new year to you too! Greg

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

thanks Ann for comments on 'revelations/blackpool.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hmmm - I'm not a part of this little club, (as I prefer written poetry) - so I can't comment directly, but I can indeed imagine. I reckon it's quite similar with the blogs in that some quite obviously post, but never read. Maybe they are to be pitied, as they dont know what they are missing as (IMHO) there's some truly talented postings on WOL. We're all different though & one mans poison, etc. Just recently I was reminiscing about school (hated it BTW) and one rather bookish guy (nice lad though) was always going on about Bruckner. I thought that as he was so passionate about it, that I must be missing something, so I listened to some (8 &9th) on YouTube by the Berlin Phil. & conducted by my very favourite - Claudio Abbado... and what a fucking racket ! And yet this guy loved it & it brought it home to me just how different we all are in our tastes. We're all human, but I think that that is often where the similarity ends.
[I've got a big hat anyway just in case :) ]

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

no tea for me Cynthia, In fact I had the first cup of tea in my entire life last week (Lemon and ginger if that IS tea at all) created a well rounded picture this one. liked the drumming kettle and pretty chinking which provided the perfect accompanyment, win x

Comment is about Would you care for tea? (for Elaine) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

nice take on a classic John. Win

Comment is about Ah Yes, I Remember it Well (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

sounds like christmas Kath ? Win

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

From my experience the stifled is far, far worse than the unrestrained. With unrestrained you at least have a chance of one day being significant and starting to swim. It can happen - you just have to believe it.

Your poetry is so raw - it stirs a lot up for me. x

Comment is about (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Ooooo - can I join you? What a lovely description Cynthia - I can imagine you opening that cupboard and all those lovely smells wafting out. For some reason this brought to mind Bilbo Baggins and his little hobbit hole - cosy and orderly and just how life should be but isn't.
Most of your cupboard would be wasted on me mind - none of your fancy earl grey for me - PG Tips or Cafe Noir and some warm buttered toast please. x

Comment is about Would you care for tea? (for Elaine) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

LOL - this poem could be levelled at a few in the Tudor where the atmosphere is slightly less reverent than other venues. There are some poets older poets who even get up and leave once they've done their bit.
I personally find it hard to concentrate fully on listening to poetry for a whole evening, especially if the venue is well attended. That's why I like it when they restrict poets to one or two short ones and mix it up with music. The music needs to be good though and to not dominate the poetry.
Just to follow on from this poem Dave, it would be interesting to know how many people of the ones sat there attentive, are actually listening to the words...
For sure poetry attracts a lot of frustrated performers who maybe haven't made it in other performance spheres and enjoy the buzz of being on the stage. Mutual respect is important though and you are right to draw attention to it.

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thank you for commenting, Philipos, Cynthia, and Greg and a special 'Happy New Year' and thank you to you, Francine.

I won't be saying who the poem is aimed at. If anyone thinks it isn't about them then it probably isn't, if they think it is about them, then perhaps it is -

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

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi Greg, well done with your POTM. and happy new year. Win X

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Loved this - of course!! So pleased you were thus inspired! It was a wonderful evening indeed! X

Comment is about Would you care for tea? (for Elaine) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Congratulations Greg, on Poem of the month!
'Dance On' is expressed in a sad, matter of fact way, leaving the reader enough to empathise, yet wanting to know more...

Happy New Year!

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Wow Dave, I wonder who you are aiming this at...
Clearly a strong message, that performed, may give some a reason to pause, reflect, and perhaps show some respect! (Although they may be so wrapped up in themselves that they are totally oblivious...)

p.s. Je te souhaite Bonne Année 2011 : )

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

This has real venom, Dave, and knowing you are a really nice guy makes me wonder about the recipient. Reminds me of Dylan's Positively 4th Street.

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Happy New Year Ann, and thanks for your comments on my New Year Wishes poem. Hopefully I will be around more again now, but it's nice to be missed sometimes :) Cheers, Dave

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

You are v. naughty! x
...Cynthia started it, O foxy one :)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

My word, Dave, what kind of poets do you hobnob with? It's a good rant, with a very valid point as says Philipos.

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Yay! More 'Happy New Years' etc. etc.

Yes, I will continue in my quest to write something 'joyfully erotic' one day. It is 'a long felt want'...as they say. I will rely upon you to tell me if I ever succeed (I mean that).

Your obedient servant and fervent admirer...well, err, ummm....me!

:-)

Jxxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I really enjoyed this and was pleased to see you got the rooibos in - well red tea anyway - and what I especially liked about it most is you tell it just as your experience unfolds

Comment is about Would you care for tea? (for Elaine) (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A lot of soul in your poems Ian and every word worth savouring

Comment is about SWANSONG (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

I think it was Wilfred Owen who said that Poet's warn - your poem makes a good point

Comment is about Respect (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

very moving-thank you

Comment is about SWANSONG (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant

Enjoyable and thought-provoking. Have you seen the 'humorous' book which claims to help motorists identify road-kill?

Comment is about Road Kill, A Lapin Lament (blog)

Original item by Ian Gant