Thank you for your wonderful comments on Lemon Pips. As a newish poet, with no background in poetry, I am often flummoxed when one particular poem seems to reach people, then another does not. To me, I can never tell which it will be. This, of course, is a problem if I ever intend to send poems off (hopefully) to either a competition or a publisher. Will I one day know which of my poems works? Is this just me or does it apply to everyone? Or should I just hold to what I think are the better ones. I am often gobsmacked by the reaction to certain poems which, for me, took little work. Or should I say concious work. It is a puzzle! But thank you again for your input which I always value!

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cynthia-lovely poem re a particular level of poverty-but with great respect,I partly agree with Winston,but from personal experience I could easily advise you on a much deeper level,ie-weeks on end-not days without food-blocked up toilets-doors hanging off-mental and sexual abuse-watching parents near killing each other-literally having to boil grass to have something to eat-on occasions also having to walk tens of miles to relatives,to get food.the list goes on-and believe me,much deeper! bit different from hand washing clothes etc? And of course there are the even much poorer people,who would make my past life seem like luxury! poverty is? mmmmmmm good question.Absolutely no disrespect to you dear Lady,but I was only pointing out to you my view,having unfortunately lived it.But in its self,a beautiful poem,as yours always tend to be.Thank you-Stefan-x

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I don't think infused coffee beans have made it down to Cornwall yet! I actually liked the first verse best. Do critics ever add anything to a poem? Except their opinion of course! xx

Comment is about Coffee and Critics (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cyn - "Dreams" - thanks for the comments. it's based on a true story & the crux is that if you want something badly enough, you can sometimes make your dreams come true & the narrator is just telling that tale. B

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your allusion to Aristotle - who the hell was he? He sounds profound - I shall have to do some research! LOL

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

John, try leavin a message on his profile, im sure his email was 'woodenhorse@tiscali.co.uk'
hoping all is well with you, been too long

Comment is about John Turner (poet profile)

Original item by John Turner

I like the caustic humour in this. Some people will swallow anything but no-one will ever pull synthetic wool over your eyes Cynthia! A most original analogy. Critics to opinionated, yet not always clued up individuals. I like it - though I found the first 3 lines an odd introduction - not sure I fully got that bit.

Comment is about Coffee and Critics (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thanks for your comment on my latest Cynthia. Yes, I had a lot of fun with allusion - the discussion thread also! You are probably right about it being too stretched out. Perhaps I tried to cover too many areas - the youth of today could make an entirely separate poem - and I am beginning to sound old!

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hello Coopey! Who 'he'?

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

I can smell the coffee here Cynthia and it smells wonderful, hopefully it won't leave a bitter after taste. :-)

Jx

Comment is about Coffee and Critics (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Like this Marianne, tis clever. Donna

Comment is about Bird and Fish (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

I left a comment too, but I'm not sure where it is. Is there another 'place' on here? I also complimented Fatima on her efforts, and her inclusive notes.

Comment is about Unsuited by Fred Holland translated by Fatima Al Matar (blog)

Original item by Poetry in Translation Group

A frank and compelling observation with clear, artful images; but mostly, it shows a universal truth that could be applied to almost anything, not just a 'menage a trois'. (no French marks available). Very good title.

Comment is about For the Notion of Emotion of Three in a Bed (blog)

Original item by Max Wallis

Once again - a show-stopper. I am in awe. You have expressed a very sensitive idea, and used sympathetic 'action' to illustrate your point, with superb vocabulary. It is imagination in the purest sense of 'showing truth', which will be new to someone. Interesting that you finally chose 'lemon pips' as the title, stressing the epitome of hope.

Comment is about lemon pips (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

The 10 O’ clock news with Fanny Inyeface…

Bee addict making bee-line for drugs white-lines dies in no time…

Suicidal Satsuma in high rise standoff…

Chernobyl Scientists deny Lakeland woman’s claim for compensation…

Details of Scottish Health Service’s patients self-removal of bum-boils announced…

Grim Reaper reflects on eviction notice after maintaining that flat is haunted with mutant Lakeside women...

Police deny that an undernourished officer and his oversized hat were solely responsible for their failure to discover valuable stolen piano. “The officer's behaviour was upright and in tune with Force policy" said Inspector Graham Sharp.

Comment is about Get Creative! (article)

Thank you for your comments on various things much appreciated ;-) Went to see Bad Company last night at MEN Arena they were brilliant !!! As for marrying you ha ha I probably already did a few times ;-)) heh heh
luv TC XX

Comment is about Beulah (poet profile)

Original item by Beulah

HI Winston - tis a good idea - the funds from the sale could go to the running of this site

Comment is about Death Wish (article)

The world needs more Peggy's x

Comment is about lemon pips (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you for reading Lemon Pips. Yeah, I don't think she's mad, just a little eccentric and doesn't expect too much from the world. A gentle soul!

Comment is about Beulah (poet profile)

Original item by Beulah

Yeah, I don't think she's mad, just a little eccentric and doesn't expect too much from the world. A gentle soul!

Comment is about lemon pips (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Dear Marge
When I was young and in my prime
I could not bend my c*ck
If I tried with both my hands -
'Twas like a stick of rock.
Now I'm in my 60's
This is true no longer
I find it bends in just one hand;
Am I getting stronger?

Comment is about How Does Everybody Stop Having Sex? (blog)

mad peggy. lucky peggy. harmeless peggy. a calypsonian, stage name Crazy,had a hit in the caribbean once, called Madness Is Gladness. Not euphoria but gladness. so many look upon glad people as mad people. The mad people that I've come across have never been glad.

lovely descriptive sensitive work.
oh, eccentric peggy!

Comment is about lemon pips (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thank you Beulah for reading and commenting so nicely on
my poem 'Alone'...
I am glad it made you smile... I think we can all relate to it ; )

Francine x

Comment is about Beulah (poet profile)

Original item by Beulah

The room is vast and tasteful
and of no time or fashion.
As curleques delight around your image true.
The frame as curled as the horns of exotic cattle.
Our hearts as soft as oranges and lemons
but twice as bitter.
Your bee-stung lips smile at me from the mirror.
The vast and tasteful mirror of no time or fashion.

Comment is about Get Creative! (article)

Sometimes it's quite soothing to pop into someone else's head, a made-up someone. My aim anyway!

Comment is about lemon pips (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi 'A.E'

First of all, many thanks for your comments. Secondly, where have you been? This site needs those Salmons who swim against the tide of mutual gratification. We don't want a site full of 'suckers' - we need the odd 'blower' too. Now get your boney linguistic ass back on here and do some mother f**%$£g blowin'!

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Perhaps so, Augusta, but I just speak as I find.

Comment is about How Does Everybody Stop Having Sex? (blog)

She made a beeline for me

She was going to get it

Bee down

Buzz 999 on my Orange

daa daa daa daa daa daa

Spent the whole night in A&E

Ward 7 in the ‘Viccy’

Hope she makes it

Most times she’s a honey

But today in Glasgow she was a cow

I need more space

I need time to reflect and get back to my music

Comment is about Get Creative! (article)

Thank You John .. Thank you for recognising a style reminisent of Longfellow... Were it only one % as good... still I try... thank you for your remarks about my legs... perhaps you could show us yours...??

Augusta x

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Cynthia - thanks for the comments - it's much appreciated. all the best. B

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hey, i,m glad someone likes my character in 'Space dust', as she is sweet and mis-understood, haha. Thanks x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

The 1st line in the first stanza is incorrect!!

Augusa XX

Comment is about How Does Everybody Stop Having Sex? (blog)

I like this poem very much... accertive yet appealing.

Augusta x

Comment is about For My Unloved (blog)

Original item by Max Wallis

Fabulous, Marianne. 'your absence that sucks me like a parched clarinet' etc. etc. - so many amazing comparative figures of speech, unexpected verb usage, and internal music throughout with all poetical guns firing. Sorry I missed it last week.

Comment is about Mr Piano (blog)

Original item by Marianne Daniels

Kealan, I find it unreal that no one else has commented on As the Moon Prevails. Would you consider reposting it into April's lot?

Comment is about Kealan Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Hi Ann - you be a daffodil if you want, but they dont do a lot, now do they? whereas monkeys on the other hand stuff their faces all day, pee all over their cellmates, have copious sex - often with other species; oh, hang on a minute, maybe I was thinking of jodie & ken there.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Beulah,hope you are keeping well-thanks for comment,non-critical,or critical.Either is welcome and neccessary of course! on 'Becoming Bonaparte' thank you-my best regards.Stefan-x

Comment is about Beulah (poet profile)

Original item by Beulah

John, yes "guarantee full well" I recognise. Ta for your comments on the funeral poem. It were nerve-wracking but the red wine and Valium saw me through.

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Interesting insight on 'sleep dust', why do you think she is bad luck? Thanks Winston

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Following a comment from Paul, I now realise that the footnotes are the most important part of this blog; the understanding of cross cultural differences that make translation so difficult.
Having read through those more thoroughly, I can see that the Arabic version must be very different indeed.
What struck me in particular was the fact that the impact of a relationship on outer friendships was not something that would be considered or identified with, within the arab world.
This led me on to thinking also about the differences between the sexes and of just how women and men interract within both cultures. This must have a huge impact on the nature and validity of such translations. Thank you for bringing this to our attention - fascinating stuff.

Comment is about Unsuited by Fred Holland translated by Fatima Al Matar (blog)

Original item by Poetry in Translation Group

Thanks Winston - my audio files are on my other computer right now but I intend to upload them!

Comment is about For Help (blog)

Original item by Max Wallis

Another belter... well done Thomas / Ann / Steve. I wonder if we eventually had say 15 of these they could be brought together on a CD?

Comment is about Death Wish (article)

Thanks for commenting on latest Cross Cultural Poetry project.
The point of the project is not the translation per se but to understand and appreciate the problems, particularly concerning cultural differences, the translation process throws up. That's why I asked Fatima to provide notes on the translation process.

I think your idea about an audio version of the poem is a good one and I'll try wherever possible to get one in future.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Ta for reading Poet's Death. Actually I wrote this a few weeks ago, just popped into my head, don't know why. I expect I'll be found slumped over my computer keyboard making my last blogg entry on WOL (as opposed to a blogg exit - sorry bad taste Elvis joke!)xx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Actually I wrote this a few weeks ago, just popped into my head. I expect I'll be found slumped over my computer keyboard making my last blogg entry on WOL (as opposed to a blogg exit - sorry bad taste Elvis joke!)xx

Comment is about a poet's death (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

This is an interesting project. What a shame you can't get more feedback on how well you translated it. I have recently written something in French which I might post at some point. It is nigh on impossible for me to translate it into English in a poetic yet meaningful way though. Or maybe the poem/song is naff to start off with. French is such a beautiful language that you could listen to the ingredients on a can of dog meat and not fail to be moved. You should perhaps consider attaching sound to translations like this, so people can at least hear the flow.

Comment is about Unsuited by Fred Holland translated by Fatima Al Matar (blog)

Original item by Poetry in Translation Group

I'm guessing this was inspired by the tomb stone discussion thread...
Yes it would be good to die in genteel pursuits - a pen in hand, working out your iambic pentameter. I'd hate to be remembered as poor Elvis is.....

Comment is about a poet's death (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Just to say this is supposed to be a bit tongue-in-cheek. I don't take myself this seriously! (I hope I don't anyway!) ;-)

Comment is about a poet's death (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Rachel try leaving out completely ''an obscenity of frog spawn'' and add a 'd' to ''an'' and-
''The frog had gone,

and in it’s place

gazing blandly up

with a thousand jelly eyes.

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Lovely - this is where poetry wins over fiction - you can tell an entire story in a few lines. Is there even one of us who does not know what this feels like? B

Comment is about Forget (blog)

Original item by Lisa Milligan