Crikey???

Comment is about Stockings (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

You have a tremendous talent for tempting us with warm thoughts before stabbing us with icicles Rachel.

Comment is about Little Clock (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

I'm just following Ann around cos I'm lazy like that. Another super poem though.- great use of language - I'm putting those stockings on with you! Love the ending also - sensual but not overdone. So good to see a felmale tackle erotica - so subtly done...

Comment is about Stockings (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Wrenchingly sad. Every mother could identify with the pain this woman would feel. All of the images of the imagined child are acutely recognisable and beautifully depicted. I've never lost a child but this poem gives a haunting insight into that sadness.

Comment is about Little Clock (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

A cooly sexy poem, you are your own voyeur. Some unusual descriptions (of the lace and satin particularly) make it more interesting too.

Comment is about Stockings (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

A really sad and moving poem Rachel, subtly told. The title is just right too. The most heartrending image I think is that she shows the print shyly. It would not be the first word one would think of, but it is so touching and so right.

Comment is about Little Clock (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Cynthia I'm dead chuffed when people see anything of value in my work, thank you. I never wrote it as purposely ironic, more as an entertainment (typical pub poem, lots of swearing etc) with a kick. Symbolism has always been wasted on me, I was brought up in a concrete world with concrete language and I invariably fail to spot the hidden or abstract moral, message or reference, in any poem or story. Probably why I can't take to the "greats". The Buddha under snow just happened to be my only photo with a seasonal reference ie snow, I would have preferred one of a drunken orgy. Now you point it out it suddenly makes me seem like a moraliser. Didn't expect to have to think about my own work! Have a lovely yob-free Christmas.

Dave

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Jeff
Had been intending coming over for Sunday, but having seen the early start; the guest spot; the quiz; the music, and thinking there'll be a large turnout, with open-mic in first half only, I'll be staying at home.
Have a good time

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Many of these images are superb eg. 'let the cold wind in on this concrete evening' .
The whole poem is well-crafted, and provokingly harsh. The last line is masterful.

Give a tiny thought to 'Silence again On Tonight's street Smell of fate ..etc. ' The soft 'c' making the 's' sound just flows into the consonance of the final verse. Nothing wrong with 'Silent' though.

Comment is about Accident on Tonight's Street. (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thanks for the comment Jeff, not sure if it would get into the octagon but sure all I can do is try. Yeah I think I might keep goin with it and see what happens.

Comment is about Jeffarama! (poet profile)

Original item by Jeffarama!

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated and looking forward to hearing more from ya.

Comment is about Malpoet (poet profile)

Original item by Malpoet

This poem seems to resonate somewhere in me. I love the way you make reference to the skies mourning. It's kind of like when I travel back to Scotland. I suppose you're faced with looking at your life and where you've come to and the very place you grew up in seems to ask the question.
Ally x

Comment is about Raining In Darlington (blog)

Original item by Tom

Hey Thomas, a very warm welcome to WOL. I'm so glad to have read the poems you've posted so far. You have a gift and it's lucky for us that you're sharing it.
At the moment I like them all but 'Raining in Darlington' seems to have impacted on me most.
Ally x

Comment is about Tom (poet profile)

Original item by Tom

Thanks for taking a look at Big Fish and The English Teacher, John. What a coincidence that you fished at Masvingo Lake. Were you in Zimbabwe for just a holiday or an extended spell? I did think of making it a tigerfish but it seems they don't grow that big, and I suppose it doesn't matter kind of fish it is. The size is everything

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Strong imagery. Really paints a picture. It is below freezing and snowing outside so this piece is really appropriate.

Comment is about Accident on Tonight's Street. (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thank you very much for your comment Kealan. I am glad that you were interested by my little climate question.

Comment is about Kealan Coady (poet profile)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Global warming does exist and human beings have certainly contributed to a small change in the atmosphere by the production of methane, CFC's, CO2 and other gases.

Climate scientists have a very limited understanding of the drivers of climate change and their models do not include the many thousands of cyclical influences on the earth or the random effects of volcanoes and other natural events on the atmosphere.

At the moment the earth is in an inter-glacial warm period. Earth temperature has been relatively stable for the last 8,000 years or so. Earth climate and temperature usually changes a great deal over that period of time and there are some scientists who believe that are present climate was influenced by the human transition from hunting and gathering to settled farming.

That is no more likely than that our present activities are having much effect.

In short, I think that our present leaders and advisors have about as much understanding of what needs to be done to protect our future as the the Easter Islanders had.

Comment is about Copenhagen (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

Hi Kealon, excellent great writing mate, you're right it could make nice poetry, but as a play I was immediately taken back in time to the struggles between peoples and their nations and the conflict of freedom and greed.

Very atmospheirc, I found myself reading it in the deep grand voices of noble warriors, could have been at the Octagon mate!

Marvellous lines throughout, and great use of English in both parts - could feel the complete feeling of being beaten in 'We are but a blade of grass, In a vast, neglected field, A grain of sand on a dead beach.'

Best wishes with the rest of it, not sure about performing, think I'll watch but if there's anything I can do to help let me know, Jeff

Comment is about Dialogue from a Tragedy (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thanks for adding your fairy dust to my last offering. A review is not a review...without your view! I always keep an eye out for those shapely ankles.

: )

Jx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

This is an interesting piece, i take it you do not agree global warming exists. I enjoyed the use of the Easter Islanders as a medium for repetition, keeps things nice and easily observed.

Comment is about Copenhagen (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

Hi Isobe - you wrote "I think the picture is great cos that could be either sex - very tortured and hard to look at though - much like the poem is hard in some ways to listen to" That's a brilliant comment to me as it is exactly why I chose the pic... haunted drowning neither sex difficult to stomach. Thanks Win x

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Had that day dream drift to it this one Rachel..Liked a lot. Win

Comment is about Sunrise Over England (blog)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Hi Again Rachel

Thanks for reading and commenting on my poem 'Ghazal'

Win, Keep posting.

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Mines a very large Southern Comfort - on the rocks! Loved it - you do have a lot of stamina AE - don't think I could possibly sustain a poem for so long....Love the humour, the lightheartedness and the bonhomie - if only real life could be like that...... xx

Comment is about PAAARRRTTTYYY!!!!! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Frank
I've just come across a comment you left for me in March... I can't have been paying attention. Sorry! I've not been too active on the poetry front of late, but am trying to get my act together again... so to speak.
Anyway you asked if I live in Bacup. What gives you that idea? ... but the answer is yes.
And I share the opinion of your other contributors here about 'shadows' - a really classy piece, I thought.
Now don't feel you need to leave it 9 months to reply to me, will you?
Graham

Comment is about Frank Burton (poet profile)

Original item by Frank Burton

A tour de force Anthony. Loved it! Very entertaining but there's far more to it than that. I think he would approve (-;

Comment is about PAAARRRTTTYYY!!!!! (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Incredibly beautiful Cynthia.

Powerful lines:
'With a fearsome ecstasy I know galaxies are whizzing
Through space; atoms are spinning in me.
The universe pounds into me.
My body is an unbearable prison.
With compelling energy the stars call. They reach for me.'

Comment is about Star Songs (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Very very funny. You're going to get some comments on this one Ann

Comment is about a different sort of person (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Cynthia, words just fail me to describe this wonderful piece, but I will try, it makes my spirit soar. I wish I could have written this.
TC;-)

Comment is about Star Songs (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Cynthia
Thanks for your continuing encouragement.
I have read Star Songs briefly, but it is is so rich that I will have to print it out and digest it. I will get back to you.
peace

Comment is about Star Songs (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Is that with all eight legs at once? That must be quite a sight! ;-)

Comment is about Dreamtime (blog)

Original item by Horace Thespider

Ann
Thanks for your kind comment.
By the way, I can dance.

Comment is about mementoes (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Trenchant - moi? I can sometimes be persuaded out of a position...
Have really scaled down my commentary of late - nothing personal at all - just blog overload and the demands of my home life.
Was never head girl cos we weren't that posh at my school. Was sent to represent the school when the queen visited though so I must have been an honorary one. Remember it vividly cos my mum bought me a new jumper - a rare ocurrence.
Thanks for your lovely comment - I feel like putting my arms around that dog and giving him a big sloppy kiss. x

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Through the back door indeed Cynthia - I think we are all getting 'softer' round Christmas, judging by your other comments. You don't need me to tell you this is a gem, John. I love the sharp image of the eye 'poking like a sea scarred stone on a ravaged beach'. Beyond that I like it for its quirkiness - the fact that you can make a poem out of a little encounter and do it in so few lines. I think we've all been there wondering do I , don't I - particularly on the underground where you have the whole length of an esculator to ponder it! I am also reminded of that wonderful comedy programme Trigger Happy - have belly laughed at many a sketch on there - I remember a funny one on a particularly tuneless Sax player. BTW, 17p isn't much, but if every passer by gave it you, it would soon mount up.

Comment is about The Busker (blog)

Original item by John Aikman

It's all in the last line Cynthia

Comment is about So sensual (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

What constitutes 'smut'?
But I sure wish I knew what you were doing: conjugal sex seems likely; masturbation is possible; a life-sized Barbie doll with a voice button? It's that 'piece of plastic' that confuses me. What don't I know? Educate me.

Comment is about So sensual (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Thanks to Dave B. and Starlight for encouragement.

Comment is about Star Songs (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Fantastic, Horace.
Just saw a driving instructor texting on her phone, head down, totally absorbed, while her student pulled into mainline traffic like a snail, looking terrified. Not illegal though, is it?

Comment is about Dreamtime (blog)

Original item by Horace Thespider

It is good, Dave, so good that my heart aches. I wish I were always sure about irony. The picture of the Bhudda is really pushing the envelope as well, under snow no less. I'm assuming some symbolism is in play here. Well done.

I think that once a poet starts using symbols, indiscriminate symbolism can go bonkers. For me and my work, it is a real pitfall. I have to fight for control.

Comment is about The Staff Room Celebrates (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

As 'Head Girl', and someone who can be relied upon to offer trenchant views, undefended by petty jealousies and perspicacious in their critique...whaddaya think of my last one?

I miss your observations...and crave your approbation.

Or you could just say it's shite....'The only thing worse than being talked about...is not being talked about'! (is that one of Wilde's?)

: )

Jx

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

I wonder if somewhere in the outbacks of Kent, someone wiped their arse on your articles...

Comment is about Softer (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

My ability to comment critically is sadly lacking, but this is the best thing (by a mile) I've seen for yonks.
Thank God

Comment is about The Staff Room Celebrates (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan

Nomvelo sweet and thank you so much. yes you can buy something on. Thank you for the compliment.xx
http://conversationpoetry.co.uk/stateofthenation/

Comment is about Emmanuel Sairosi (poet profile)

Original item by Emmanuel Sairosi

This is really unique, i enjoy minimal approaches to poetry and the content here is far bigger than the poem. Good stuff.

Comment is about twining (blog)

This is a pretty poem, I think God was busy putting spanners and wrenches into mens heads !!
TC ;-))

Comment is about dreams (blog)

Your voice transcribes well to the written word in this thoughtful poem ;-)I have a particular soft spot for quatrains particularly those that rhyme too.
TC ;-)

Comment is about The Voice (blog)

Original item by Lenford White

Hey Sairos. Your writings are amazing. I wish you the best. When r u going to publish something for us to buy?

Comment is about Emmanuel Sairosi (poet profile)

Original item by Emmanuel Sairosi

Hi Sian, Re Decree Absolute. An interesting twist by changing the word She to He. A lot better now I feel and obviously no reason not to change it. Thanks X

Comment is about sian howell (poet profile)

Original item by sian howell

Hi John

Hmmm... yes he/she I think its a lot better.

Win

Comment is about John Darwin (poet profile)

Original item by John Darwin

A true classic Dave!

Comment is about The Staff Room Celebrates (blog)

Original item by Dave Morgan