Good afternoon Isobel,

Thank you for grappling with my grandfathers scrotum.

I would very much like to produce a self published book of my poetry... and 'Bollocks' might well be the Title although many of my poems do include reference to ladies gentalia... now I wonder what a combination of the two might be...

I'm open, as always, to suggestions.

Augusta

August

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I admire the fact that you are trying out different poetic forms
Cynthia - It is interesting to see and read. What Poverty is, can be different for everyone - I really like the last verse as it is a universal feeling and says it all.

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you so much Cynthia for taking the time to comment on my Granfather's scrotum.

Augusta xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hey Max, great to see you on here
rach
x

Comment is about Max Wallis (poet profile)

Original item by Max Wallis

Thanks Greg, my grandad's ship was partly responsible for the sinking of the Scharnhorst and it was an abomination to him that they'd killed cadets.(the sailors didn't know till later) Thanks hugely for the comments, they really are appreciated.

Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I think the one on the right is a bloke Steffie, (not sure where his hand is goin') but he has more blokey legs. I love the video (not sure about Kate as a small boy(?) in a dodgy wig but Donald Sutherland is so gorgeous! And it reminds me of all the men who are heroic and clever and inventive and wonderful. Like my dad and my partner (and you of course! ;-))xx

Comment is about for all the men I love (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Yep a truly fishy tale you`re quite right to fin ish!! oooops sos I just cant resist a pun!
Cate xx

Comment is about Brrrh! (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I love the general theme and the idea of this Cynthia.
My 'favourite' stanzas are 4, 6, 7, 8 and the final one because they are the ones which touched my heart.
The whole thing though is very thought provoking. The only one i thought was a little out of place is the second one. Some people do still enjoy hunting for berries and wild greens just for the sheer pleasure.

Janet.x

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A lovely well observed piece Rachel with some very clever words. A thousand jelly eyes is great although the obscenity of frogspawn didn't sound right to me. Loved the feel of the birds and the almost surreal entrance of minis to what is a superb natural scene. Perhaps your best work for my liking.

Comment is about Up The Tops (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

One word for me sums this poem up-WOWSERS!(back to my drawing board)sniff sniff-yeah,let us not forget eh Rach.Stefan-x

Comment is about Remembering The Scharnhorst (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Keenly felt, tears in the wind. You show great empathy with moments many years ago, Rachel

Comment is about Remembering The Scharnhorst (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Wow, Rachel, this is absolutely the business! So well-observed, nature in tooth and claw, plus Minis. I've been waiting for you to introduce birds into your poems. The whole thing is like an "ice cold gulp of water." What a landscape. Marvellous. Greg

Comment is about Up The Tops (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Isobel, thanks for your kind remarks on Unexpected Steps. I retired over a year ago and the menagerie is somewhat depleted, 2 dogs, 4 cats and a rabbit. Can't seem to get rid of the kids, though.

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi Cynthia, Liked this idea. Some great and strange subject matter. the sausages in crystal really put things nicely into perspective. also liked the idea that poverty is relative and to some it maybe going without caviar... to others going without food. maybe this could be explored further in another poem. Win

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Heel Ms Foxglove, a graphic novel is a comic! Pictures (they call it 'artwork') and words (they call them 'captions')... I imagine the medium might appeal to you.

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ah!! so there you beautifully are-was it worth mithering you back again? too bloody right!(aw swearing on Palm Sunday)as to the poem? mmmmmm...not bad-not bad! just flippin brill! now put that navel down(save me the cheese!)loadsa love-Steffamungus-xx

Comment is about Up The Tops (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

An entertaining read Ray. I agree with Janet - this is so off the wall but there is a thread of something else running through it that intrigues you. I love rhyme too - it makes poetry musical and definitely more performance friendly.

Comment is about Unexpected Steps (blog)

Shock me - what happens when you get to 0 - Apocalypse Now?

Comment is about Paper (blog)

Original item by John Togher

Stan's gloves definitely not in my car. I had to empty it recently cos it was going in for repairs. I found an awful lot of rubbish and things I'd forgotten I had - but no leather gloves. If they weren't at the Green Room, he may have dropped them en route to the car. I'm always doing things like that - often purses! Will defo make it to Waterside again - it was a good night. Hope you are better. xx

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Cynthia, thanks for your comment on The Soldier. I think if you write about something you are passionate about, your message will inevitably be clear as day.

- Josh

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I love this.
x

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Isobel, I was ill on Tuesday gone, and missed the first Waterside in ages. Sounded like a great evening. Maybe it will take some of the 'anti' out of the venue. I see I also missed you and Janet. My loss. Speaking of - Stan still seriously wonders if his only leather gloves might not be in your car - somewhere. Did you check any further?

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Thanks Ann,I have been introspective and a wee bit crap of late....feeling springier now so hopefully I'm on the up again. My mum likes that poem too, I will make Chris take me up there again today...see what's changed this sunday!
xxx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Sorry Cynthia. I didn't realise it was in haiku format - that explains it. I wasn't saying verse 3 was weak. I just found it odd to end a line with 'kind fishermen toss' - maybe because I have a mind like a sewer!

I think that formal structure is sometimes too restrictive. For me it isn't always the best way to develop a poem or explore a theme. Maybe that is because my mind likes to be free and I find all kinds of structure a bit oppressive LOL! Someone psychoanalyse me.....

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Excellent poem Dave - I agree with what others have said. Visiting Pompeii is a powerful experience with the plaster casts of people especially moving. It makes you wonder what people would make of our world in 2000 years if it was frozen in time.

Vesuvius will apparently blow again but no-one knows when. Some scientists think it's overdue and there's a lot more people living below it now. Apparently the governmemnt is having trouble persuading people to move

Comment is about Pompeii (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Unless I have goofed, these stanzas are in strict haiku format as regards number of syllables per line; not necessarily though in the truest spirit of the form.

Stanza 3 IS weak.

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Ha ha - and up to its usual mischief. If only I could get to have the 3 wishes...

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

That doesn't surprise me Dave. This really has to be read to be appreciated - though you may find it works better in a non public house poetry venue.
I have occasionally managed to breathe life into page poetry but it is hard. You are lucky to be able to turn your hand equally to page and performance.

Comment is about Pompeii (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Full bodied and a little too vintage, unfortunately.... LOL xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ah the Genie is out of the bottle!

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Hi John, good to see this developing on the page. It has the trademark Togher clinical medical/sexual procedure written all over it. lol Win

Comment is about Paper (blog)

Original item by John Togher

11 hours.

Comment is about Paper (blog)

Original item by John Togher

What a great poem Rach! Really brill! I've missed you, this is worth the wait. You are fab! xx

Comment is about Up The Tops (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Oh Isobel, you look nice this morning but it's a little bit early for me! Are you sweet or very very dry? (The latter I suspect!) And of a good vintage! Cheers! xx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Dear Dermot,
I rekindled the art of love, and my love withdrew...
Now what am I to do?

Comment is about Dear Dermot (article)

Hi cate - thanks for comments- read through your poems. I like your sunflower theme (all in good time I hope) as I have also written about them.

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Mole smooth grey - yes!
OK I give in- no more of this - it's becoming a splinter group. I can't compete. - I must say though - it has given us a sense of porpoise.

Comment is about Brrrh! (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I read this out at the Tudor. Didn't think it went well. Think my comic stuff is better suited. I have read Pompeii by Robert Harris (and most of his other books - I see The Ghost has been made into a film - Not my favourite) Have been to Pompeii - fairly recently - Fascinating place - must go back. Thanks for comments - Dave.

Comment is about Pompeii (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

Mmmm...
chin-chin ; )

xxx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

This is a very beautiful piece Cynthia and has got me very emotional. Who couldn't be touched by it? It goes right to the heart of humanity, our own mortality - yet offers hope with such a delightful ending.
I am encouraged by Hatta's experience of losing someone - though I am not sure if encouraged is the right choice of word. Very many people speak of smelling something connected to their loved one in the days following death. It is easy to put this down to extreme grief, lack of sleep, psychological disturbment. When you are not close to the deceased but still sense them, it does make you wonder...
To get back to the poem. I love the way you expressed the whole experience. Like a narrative but with such lightness of touch and such humanity.
Isobel x

Comment is about The Colour of Death Is Gold (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

A thought provoking poem Cynthia - I would say that poverty has the most scarring and long reaching affects. A final stanza that hinted at that would round it off.

I find the structure a little odd in this cos it doesn't sit the way I would read it. Let me illustrate by reworking the 3rd stanza.

Poverty is
the dock where kind fishermen
toss severed heads to you

Hope you don't mind me saying this.

It was lovely to meet you and your husband at Freed Up, bye the way.

Isobel x

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you for your comment Ann. If I could play the guitar I would. :)

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Just read this again, and I get more form it with each reading. It is a beautiful poem.

Comment is about Go Hug Grandad (blog)

Original item by Simon Rennie

Thank you Cynthia x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

An astute social comment here Steven wrapped up in humour. I like it!
Cate xx

Comment is about Some Mothers Do Chav Em (blog)

Original item by Steven Kenny

So sorry to quite disagree
When dolphins chose to play with me
And circled round with fun and grace
And laughed up close right in my face.
Then let me touch their silken side
The mole smooth grey of dolphin hide,
Before they dived back to the deep
What memories left for me to keep!
Cate xx

Comment is about Brrrh! (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

You once put on one of my poems Cynthia that "poverty is a bitch" and this poem says it all. I like the tight style and the repetition which emulates the sheer drudgery that poverty brings.
Cate xx

Comment is about Poverty Is (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Super poem, Simon. Hits hard with punching humour. Love the rhyme scheme.

Comment is about All The Pies (blog)

Original item by Simon Rennie

It is beautiful, Simon, intimate and penetrating to life's real meanings. Gorgeous line: 'a soft apocalypse displaces time'.

Comment is about Go Hug Grandad (blog)

Original item by Simon Rennie

Delightful.

Comment is about Daffodils and Snowdrops (blog)