Why the picture of Paul Blackburn, Freda? ;-)

Comment is about Tax the Rich (blog)

Original item by Freda Davis

Tom, Actually John Hollander once produced a Ghazal about ghazals. Its called Ghazal on Ghazal. I will email it to you as am not sure its out there on the web and there may be copyright issues, H

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Now then John - I reckon miserabilism is a word, yeh. If it sounds right, it is right, imo. ;)

I like the boozing and the days of lying on the couch watching shite on the telly. Not James Bond films though, hate them. I quite like fairy lights too. The rest of it can get stuffed.

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

*crackle* Houston - we have a problem. It's called christmas. There's a secondary issue called 'enforced happiness' to deal with too. It's a SNAFU alright. Over and out. *crackle*

A christmas ghazal? Owww! Am giving my head a little rest before the next one, heh ;) I was thinking about writing a ghazal about how hard it is to write a ghazal, but my brain melted at that point.

Nice profile pic btw. I do love your boat :)

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Cheers for comment on the Lament Ann. Don't know about you, but I only have to hear that phrase 'are you all set for christmas' and I cringe. Humbug. Although I do like the excuse it gives me for buying expensive booze ;)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Re Triolets - I hear that they are very like Pantoums! I liked yours but as a form I find them a bit irritating. ;-)

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

lovely poem..

Comment is about Silver (blog)

Original item by Shoeless Carole

few words with with lots of impact.. i like this ..bernadette x

Comment is about Signature (blog)

Original item by Carol Falaki

oh lovely Ann..point ruby slippers made me smile rather wistfully lol x

Comment is about ghazal (ruby slippers) (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ann
Can I watch?
Better still, borrow your slippers?

Comment is about ghazal (ruby slippers) (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I've been twice to Hull - which was about two times too many

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Copped a lung full of someone's used fag smoke today to remind me of my addiction days - liked your poem though particularly the droll style - well done

Comment is about Gaspers (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Dave - many thanks for the comments - was especially pleased to get through the first hurdle attempt

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thank you for the positive feedback - how do I tag my Ghazal please

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Thanks for your comments on Gaspers.
What fabulous ingredient do they put in fags which makes people stand in all kinds of shite to smoke?

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

This sounds like a very exciting event! Where can I get tickets.

Seriously though... liked the jumping situations and red words. Lovely and light hearted Ann, Win x

Comment is about ghazal (ruby slippers) (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Mark, Welcome to our web site, hope you find something of interedt here, Winston (Admin)

Comment is about Mark Mr T Thompson (poet profile)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Yeah, but did you like it?

Triolets are basically a bit easier than a Villanelle..wot I find fiendishly difficult...easier than a ghazal too if you can find a 'killer couplet' to start off with...after that they nearly write themselves, what with the repetition etc. I found this link very helpful. Have a go...if they are anything like your ghazals you will dazzle us!

http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/triolet.htm

:-)

Jx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Excellent stuff!...Ghazals though, so 'yesterday'.

:-)

Comment is about ghazal (ruby slippers) (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hey Laura,

Thx for comments on my moderate man (rant).

Glad you liked the sentiments and spirit.

My Best

Chris

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Isobel,

Thx for the feedback and proper thoughts on both my last two poems...very kind.

The Starstuff one is a little more me and closer to my heart..but the rant can have its place too Hehe

It seemed to go down quite well at the Tudor...worked with the Bohemian atmosphere LOL

My Best

Chris

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Steve,

Glad you liked the moderate man rant.

Hope to se ya soon...that meal remember.

Chris

Comment is about Steve Regan (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Regan

Hi Marianne,

Thx for the feedback on my moderate man poem...glad you approve of the spirit Hehe

My Best

Chris

Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

'Dervish (i.e. Sufi?) dances...' Interesting, considering the origin of Ghazals? Etc, etc. I like this, very clever, very topical. Must have a go at one sometime myself.

Comment is about ghazal (ruby slippers) (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I generaly don't like Ghazal as a form. I usually find it mind bendingly repetitive, in a bad and boring way (unlike the villanelle).

Not here however; you always seem to do whimsey so well Dave and here is no exception.

The change of context for the last repetition gave the poem the killer line and punch required to make this work well.

Afforded a nice smile.

Well written.

Chris

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Never smoked in my life...but I like the spirit.

Good fun this John

Chris

Comment is about Gaspers (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

thanks Lynn,
for your comment on 'hope through a telescope' always appreciated :) x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

What's a triolet then? Blimey, just nearly getting into them ghazal thingys! x

Comment is about Triolet de la Petite Mort (blog)

Original item by John Aikman

Glad to know you are at least getting some fresh air John! xx

Comment is about Gaspers (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks for the comments on Gaspers, John. I don't smoke myself (or drink, or eat meat) so pleasures are at a premium.
I do enjoy, though, trying to cause accidents on the motorway.

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

Thanks for your comments on Gaspers.
I don't actually smoke, although in my younger days I have smoked anything combustible.
Nevertheless I admire the hardiness of those who brave the elements for a drag - they must be good those fags!

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

your comments on 'obligation'very much appreciated Lynn-thanks love.x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Glad you liked the Triolet. I found this very helpful..

http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/triolet.htm

If you can find a good opening two lines of 8 syllables each that don't rhyme...then you've written half the poem to start with!

Good fun!

:-)

jx

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Ah, he has added it to the list now!

Comment is about Shoeless Carole (poet profile)

Original item by Shoeless Carole

Isobel - that sounds like a challenge to me! ;)

Good stuff John - enjoyed this, must look up the form so I can torture myself a little more ;)

Comment is about Triolet de la Petite Mort (blog)

Original item by John Aikman

Nice one Lynn!

Comment is about Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

'I rehearse a manly pose' :D

Great stuff Dave - blimey - I've been away for a couple of days and the place is now swimming with ghazals!!

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hehehe - made me laugh this one John, love the sing song quality to it as well :)

I see I'm not the only one to eroticise fags :D

Comment is about Gaspers (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Rachael, have just reread this a few times, and it gets more and more lyrical. Lovely work. x

Comment is about Hope through a Telescope (blog)

Thank you all for the feedback on this one. It's a poem which I enjoyed writing but was unsure of how it would come across to others. Your response has been much appreciated.

Comment is about THE OLD CROW (blog)

Hi Lynn,
Added Shoeless to the list - thanks
P

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Don't bloody remind me John. 74 days and counting, such sweet misery.

Nice piece though!

John

Comment is about Gaspers (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Carole. Have you not tagged your excellent space poem with "Space"? As I cannot see it in Paul's list for voting. All the Best, Lynn x

Comment is about Shoeless Carole (poet profile)

Original item by Shoeless Carole

Great stuff - the comments below say it all really - who'd of thought Ghazals and Tescoes eh well done

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Dave
When are these sessions?
I must have more success than "dancing" round a handbag.
You should get out more!

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Eggsellent! (Ann, by the squashy tomatoes counter!) Yes, we are all extremely beautiful in my local Costcutters - and we don't have tapeworms either! (Where-ever do you shop!) ;-)

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks for your thoughts on One Anglaland. I've just added a few spark notes to help understanding.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

For the geeks among us (myself included)
1 Eoferwic was Saxon for York
2 Northumbria was, of course, anywhere north of the Humber ie including Yorkshire
3 Blood-eagling was an old Viking party game. Google it yourself.
4 Not sure of the accuracy of this - I read that the Saxon equivalent of Valhalla was Wael. Tiw was their Boss God (hence Tuesday).
5 The 9th century was a time of religious flux with Christianilty slowly displacing Paganism.
6 Wessex (and Alfred) did, of course, turn round the fortunes of the Saxons at the Battle of Edington.
7 He did hide/regroup at Athelney in the Somerset marshes where he established his great claim in English history - burning the Xmas pudding.
7 If the tide of the Danes had not been turned our history and contemporary society would be much different - a humongous "What If".
We would speak a variant of Danish - but why would we care - we speak a variant of Angle-ish now.

Comment is about One Anglaland (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Marvellous, Dave, top drawer. Tomatoes, anti-tapeworm dose, potatoes ... lovely stuff. But which branch of Tesco's is this? Full of beautiful women? I can't say the same of mine.

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

...and any resenblence to characters in real life is purely coincidental ! Nice one Dave.

Can you tag this as Ghazal please. Win

Comment is about Shopping Ghazal (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley