Hello Ann, could I just thank you for your kind comments on Melancholium. I always read your work, although not always comment. You have very good eyes for a scene. Graham

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

John and Lynn, thanks very much, glad you liked it.

Comment is about Llanbwychllyn Lake (blog)

Melissa I disagree with Cynthia (as I often do) and think as the piece is about to finish, there is a glimmer of hope. I do however think the word home at the end is a mistake and should have just finished "where am I going"?

Comment is about Twisted Thorns (blog)

OI! Berny-whats your game? you have had a long enough break-put that wine bottle down and get back here-pronto! tonto! best regards-Stef-xx

Comment is about bernadette herbertson (poet profile)

Original item by bernadette herbertson

Winston. I've managed to create the link to th ghazal:

I buy them merely for the smells of books
and days disappear in the spells of books

In the sun with a hat and a hardback
I draw refreshment from my wells of books

As a teen my brain was aflame with them
I walked about deaf from yells of books.

For bullies whose brains get tangled with words
I pray there is reserved a hell of books.

At night I was lulled by the wave of words
hissing in my ear from the shells of books.

The notes scribbled by previous readers
genetically alters the cells of books

Faced by the mountain of the works of men
Solomon wished he'd not heard tell of books

The media insists our modern age
will create the final farewell of books

A trail of bent spines and scraps of paper
marks my progress through the pell-mell of books.

Exhilarated I rode the white whale
of Ahab through the turbulent swells of books

Oh Ben your sadly sagging shelves reveal
you can't resist the hard sell of books.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

OH!! no way can I ever-ever watch news reports on this senselessness-how the heck can anyone be so hardened of heart to do this-you certainly have captured the horror of it in this poem-the perpetrators of these slaughters wont be happy till there is no wildlife or wildernesses left.The one story I was very moved by and sickened at the ending was the bbc2 prog on Luna the Orca Whale-lovely story but as I say-with a very sad ending-have a read-see what you think,but only at your convenience of course-catch you later love-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Seal Pups (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Aw ta Lynn for further comments-good ole Benji-not daft eh-snugglechops!am just watching one of the old black and whites-a film called 'A kind of loving' similar to all the old british classics-Saturday night and Sunday morning-Billy Liar-etc-etc.Brilliant films! also got a nice radio prog you might like-poetry/short stories/music.Its RTE radio one, Sunday Miscellany-as with all these shows you can go to earlier progs etc-but if you click on-'Latest show' you might like it-some very inspiring readings on all types of subjects-give it a whirl girl! who knows? catch you and Foxfeatures(Benji-not Ann-lol!)later-cheers Lynn-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Glad you like my short'Oneness'poem-is,nt that rose a beautful image-wow! if I sent a bunch of those to my fancy woman-I would have two wives in no time-lol! and re the sad poem of the old Lady-indeed it is a blessing to have relatives who care-all the time-not just when it suits them-when you are put in one of those institutions-I promise to visit you-as long as you pay for the petrol!! haha-we visit an old friend/neighbour of ours,and although the staff are very caring it must be quite an endurance to sit in an armchair all day-staring at the same poor people-there again,what is the alternative? there but for the grace of God go we! lotsa love-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I enjoyed this, Cynthia, unpredictable and amusing, life does that sometimes! x

Comment is about Cliches (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I agree with other comments made, just love your descriptions, Ray.

Comment is about Llanbwychllyn Lake (blog)

Unique idea, Larisa, loved it and your poem. xx

Comment is about Our life looks like a zibra (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

This is lovely, Val, enjoyed your nostalgic memories, thanks. x

Comment is about The Child I Used to Be (blog)

Original item by Valerie Cook

Hi again Lynn-re 'Natural understanding'did you read it under an umbrella-lol! but I am grateful to you as ever for taking the time to read-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thanks Lynn re'Fair comparison' your kindness goes before-and behind as well-lol!-Stef-xx(B-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Ah, young love, how sweet Gus, I enjoyed this.

Comment is about Boy Meets Girl (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

Yes! They can be fantastic!
And sometimes so plastic!
Like a focus in a circus. lol

Comment is about Our life looks like a zibra (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Now I come to think of it, the "drowned seafarer" did have a beard, moustache and wild staring eyes.

Anyway, I'm about to remove that last stanza, I think you're right - it works better that way and removing it makes the poem less samey when looked at against the backdrop of the rest of my cannon.

Comment is about Near Death (blog)

Original item by Dermot Glennon

Quite a clever poem Larisa-well done! does life make its own tricks? you betcha! thank you-Stef-xx(M-xx)

Comment is about Our life looks like a zibra (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Lovely poem Val-bottle of water-oh that takes me back as well.You were very daring to ride such a big bike-'another tentacle'-nice line-very nice poem-thank you-Stefan-xx

Comment is about The Child I Used to Be (blog)

Original item by Valerie Cook

Hi Cynthia - Rachel is here in case you didn't realise, http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=11547

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Winston. Thanks for the explanation. It does help. I'm trying to put a link to the other ghazal. Might not work!
Didn't work. I'll post it for you later if you like, it was on another poetry forum.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hello Ann. You've some great phrases in this - gut-tug, womb-tied and the 3rd verse." gravely klaxons" is a bit of a mystery to me and I'd have liked something more powerful at the end. Enjoyed.

Comment is about surfing (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Neat and pretty, Dave, though for me bad dreams are more often the consequence.

Comment is about Science Fiction (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Ray, beautifully descriptive and a stunning finish.


Thanks
John

Comment is about Llanbwychllyn Lake (blog)

Lads, I thank you so much. I've little faith in my descriptive abilities, and needed a lift! Thanks again!

Comment is about Llanbwychllyn Lake (blog)

I have to agree - you always seem to use the appropriate words - steering a reader in one direction - before we deviate over a poetic turn's cliff.

Good stuff Ray.

Comment is about Llanbwychllyn Lake (blog)

How bizarre? I was at the sea in North Wales over the weekend, when I saw this complete 'barm-pot' thrasing the rough water to a foam. It was obvious he was in some sort distress but all I could think of was 'I wonder what's going through that stupid head of his?'

Wait - a - minute...

Comment is about Near Death (blog)

Original item by Dermot Glennon

Hi andy, thanks for commenting on Ghazal, yes i like the end best also :-) Win

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

ice and relationships, always a good are to explore through poetry Ann. Win

Comment is about crystal clear (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for comment on Crystal Clear Cynthia. I didn't actually use the word invisible at all though, so I don't see how there could be too much emphasis on that particular word. I was more thinking of something cold and clear and transparent as a block of ice. Not necessarily invisible. xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Ann, thanks for your comments on my latest Ghazal... not writen one for ages so thats nice to do. and thankyou for correction to typo. changed it. glad you felt moved by it. win. x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks for comment Cynthia. I didn't actually use the word invisible at all though, so I don't see how there could be too much emphasis on that particular word. I was more thinking of something cold and clear and transparent as a block of ice. Not necessarily invisible. xx

Comment is about crystal clear (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Cynthia

Thanks as ever for your thoughtful comment on 'Science Fiction'. I'm afraid Sale isn't a possibility. I play league table tennis and it's the club practice night. I beat everyone last week (competitive? moi?) which has never happened before. So, although Sale is tempting, it wouldn't be good form to fail to show this week.

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Dead interesting, Melissa. It crashed right along with strong rhythm and realistic dialogue, keeping the pace strong. For me, the poem should end with: 'Why did I not listen?' which has a real POW factor. I think the last stanza introduces such a different controversial idea that it dilutes the strong message in the piece. This is purely my opinion. The title is very clever.

Comment is about Twisted Thorns (blog)

Good haiku,too,a little gem of pure pessimism. See you tomorrow at Sale?

Comment is about Science Fiction (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Interesting ideas; but I think they are stretching the relationships a bit too far. Individually, I feel they work, as separate poetical observations. Perhaps it is the emphasis on 'invisibility' that bothers me; ice is not invisible, and the iceberg that sank the Titanic certainly wasn't.

Comment is about crystal clear (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi There Paulyn, welcom to WOL. Have fun! winston

Comment is about Paulyn Lloyd (poet profile)

Original item by Paulyn Lloyd

Ann, I happened to read your comment to Pete, about 'secrets' in poems. I think that is a superb way to express it: every poem IS a secret waiting to be unravelled by the reader. I think it is often just as much a 'secret' to the writer. What a great observation!

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Flippin 'eck! can,t believe I did,nt put a comment on before now about Dyes dog! lol!-real foxyface he is-and beautiful with it-like his Muvver! latest news item re dogs-Ken Dodds father had two dog that have now passed away...the headline reads-Ken Dodds Dads dog,s dead-(only to make you laugh Lynn)see you later-Stef-xx(Benji-xx)

Comment is about Benji (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Good morning Lynn-just popped in to say I,ve popped Pepes poem on-now I,m popping off-not in the true sense of course(drat! I hear you say-lol!)enjoy your day ducky-Stef-xx(Benji-xx)

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

A very good morning to you Larisa(and McCoy)hope you are both well.I am so grateful for your comments on 'Oneness' and am very pleased its given you some inspiration-look forward to your poem.thank you-Stefan-xx(McCoy-xx)

Comment is about Larisa Rzhepishevska (poet profile)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

Thanks 4 commenting me! Who would think that workshops turns to be so useful!? waiting for you to post your Ireland stuff here.X

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I agree with Cynthia, it's a fantastic poem and I don't think the lack of punctuation causes anything to be lacking in either meaning or imagery.
I, too, like the references to weight and there's a hardness to the imagery that is really clever - for that reason I don't like 'eider' ... everything else seems to be hard or rough, whether a thing of beauty - like the pearl, or coarse - like the rope. Eider stood out to me, or maybe that's the point?
Love the last 2 lines especially, but less keen on the use of the last line as a title - I think I'd have just called it Stone.
Very good poem though Pete.
Hope you are well - not spoken in ages!
Cx

Comment is about The Stone I Own (blog)

Lovely description, intriguing conclusion teasing the reader. Nice one

Comment is about Llanbwychllyn Lake (blog)

Agree with Andy that this could be further developed - interesting read.
Cx

Comment is about Persephone's last laugh (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

I spilt a glass of red wine on my ma-in-law's brand new (expensive) cream carpet once - I was fully clothed at the time though, perhaps that's why she didn't find it funny ;)
I did wonder if this wouldn't suit being developed in to a short story?
I like the clever use of clichés throughout; poetically - I think 'a truth that could not be diminished' is something you could really develop. Interesting read.
Cx

Comment is about Cliches (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

lot going on here, gus.. top banana man.. i think there is defo a lot that could be said here.. would love to see you perform this.

top stuff, man

Comment is about Stolen By The Light (blog)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

clever stuff, tommy.. very clever.. i think you could probably do more with this piece for some reason as i think it has legs for at least another few stanzas... enjoyed it still!

Comment is about Persephone's last laugh (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Yes, but it's all about death. And yes, I love the sea too!

Comment is about surfing (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

wasn't that gloomy or doomy for me, ann. i love the sea and i enjoyed this piece, in particular the first stanza..

nice one! x

Comment is about surfing (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove