Rachel - your predicament with the chillies makes me laugh. I am reminded of a time when I was talking on the phone to a sister, saying what a good boy my 3 year old was. He chose that precise moment to empty a whole carton of milk all over the kitchen floor....
Dried chillies - you do do exotic cooking - no wonder your poetry is so steamy....
John - so you want some photos... now I think of it, I could direct you one that might help....
Oh I do love this site - it's a laugh a minute - and I shouldn't have had wine whilst cooking dinner....
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Lol!
Well, while I was grinning ear to ear and typing my last comment, my 3 year old sneaked a tub of dried chillies into the living room and emptied it all over the floor....God, WOLOP and having to do my own hoovering! While I was typing this comment, she came in screaming "water mummy water" guessing she didn't put ALL of them on the floor then! :)
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Brill, I did the same as Janet and expected to hear a female West country accent....I jumped!
Very funny poem,really well observed speech, reminds me of a few of the men in my family.
Rachel
xxx
Comment is about weather girl (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
I wrote the book on acceptance speeches last month...and I only came third equal. Enjoy the moment.
: )
If Izzy could just send me some photos I'm sure I'll rise to the challenge.
: )
Jx
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Thanks Cate, for the very kind comment, it's very much appreciated.
Rachel
x
Comment is about Cate (poet profile)
Original item by Cate
<Deleted User> (6895)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 17:41
what else can a real redblooded man say but,PWHOAR!!!!!!!!
Comment is about Stockings (blog)
Original item by Rachel McGladdery
Oh wow! Thanks very very much. I don't know what to say! Ought I to have done a speech?
I am absolutely thrilled.
Going to have to have a cup of tea, to calm myself down. My head's going to be as big as a house now.
Cheers and a huge grin
Rachel
xxx
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (6895)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 17:38
just popped on to wish Mrs Mac congrats as wolop December winner-deservedly so! now wheres those'Stockings?-keep well chuck-Stefo
Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)
Original item by Rachel McGladdery
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 17:36
Well you certainly created a reaction with this one didn't you Daniel?
I think we need to watch out for Craig. He 'sounds' so like someone else on here. I hope he has a sense of humour if he continues to comment in this vein. Respect for your reply in response. I am not worthy! :-)
In my personal opinion i think rhymes help when listening to and reading performance poetry. Deep, meaningful and too much metaphor gets lost unless read by a seasoned performer who knows how to capture and engage an audience using pause, intonations and eye contact etc...
I like rhyme too and cliches might become obsolete when life is obliterated. Life is a cliche for many so some things will be used again and again but occasionally someone will put an extra twist to it to make it a little more original.
For me, that's the clever part though i don't claim to be good at it. :-)
Great comments from the others here.
Janet.x
Comment is about who betrayed rhyming poetry to its literary death? (blog)
Original item by Daniel Hooks
Oh Crikey! Just spotted it. Thanks very much (big big cheesy grin)
xxx
Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)
Original item by Rachel McGladdery
<Deleted User> (7123)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 17:23
Hello Ann,
Thank you for being the first to make a comment on my profile page!
I am still trying to work out how to navigate the site and am in no rush to post any poems, though of course will do so eventually!
I like 'Weather Girl' because it has some originality of theme and a good deal of wit about it. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that the rhyme and rhythm are not top notch, but that doesn't matter as the technical deficiencies are way more than compensated for by the content. I'm not a snob about any form of poetry. It doesn't have to rhyme in perfect meter or form to be good. What matters, and this applies to ANY poetry, is whether it engages the reader and (where rhyme is used) that it isn't annoying for the reasons I stated in the 'death of rhyme' post.
What you have created is an enjoyable read, funny, believable and even a bit poignant in its underlying commententary about the human condition. The audio version adds another dimension and he does very well to get the balance right between his disdain and his yearning!! It is difficult to decide whether to love him or loathe him for his dubious notion of 'romance'!
All in all, your poem is a pleasing experience for this 'WOL' novice!
Craig
Comment is about weather girl (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Let's challenge Aikman! That can be your task for 2010 - to write a tasteful poem about a woman's arse - if that isn't a contradiction in terms...Thanks for your comment Janet. I'm not sure what I'd do if a poem was voted winner which had been removed. My instinct is to say that you should vote for the poem that you like best regardless and I will sort it out afterwards. There are only a couple of poets who remove their work quickly but I am sure they would be put it back up, if the need arose and they were asked nicely.
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Agreed! A well deserved winner!
Cate xx
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 17:18
there's a lot of that going on in the world, not to mention mine. :-)
Janet.x
Comment is about Too much time on one\\'s hands (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Top stuff Rachel...and top stuff Izzy...again!
: )
PS One day I will write a poem that mentions a woman's arse and it won't seem crass, stupid or louche...I've tried, Lord know's I've tried.
: )
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 17:02
Oooh, so it is. There i mean... my choice for wolop. Better put my specs on next time.
So could we have nominated poems which were removed?
When i say i agree with you about the poem, i meant the way it made you feel.... and the quality of the writing. I realize it isn't favouritism on your behalf Isobel.
It does make the blog an interesting read and since it was your idea and your ''baby'', of course you are entitled to voice your thoughts.
It's well put together and obviously becoming a popular feature.
Janet.x
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 16:50
This is so funny. I love your writing style with rhymes. Controversial too.
Janet.x
Comment is about CHRISTMAS JEER (blog)
Original item by Barrie Singleton
Don't get me wrong Craig I don't totally dislike free verse or prose poetry when it is done well but i have trouble when it hasn't got an out right flow and the rhythmn and the meaning is more than unclear.
as for the use of spying in my poem yes i think its a legitimate rhyme and use of the word as poets borrow or steal ideas from each other so they could be said to spy on each other.
As for the snobbery in poetry i am glad you agree! its seems as if you have to have some kind of PHD in english to get anywhere within the publishing world.
yes my poem is cliched but some the points remain and the best poetry, the ones that I have been asked to read again and again have a simple rhyme scheme and an outright meaning.
Dan
Comment is about who betrayed rhyming poetry to its literary death? (blog)
Original item by Daniel Hooks
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 16:45
ha ha... i listened before reading. The male voice stunned me so much the laptop nearly fell off my knee.
Great poem. Very life-like.
Janet.x
Comment is about weather girl (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Janet - I did include your nomination if you look at the list. It was late coming in but didn't have any affect on the results anyway.Darren and Dave's poem didn't receive any nominations. If Darren had won, I am sure that he would have obliged and put it back up. I decided to discuss Dave and Darren's poems in the commentary because one really made me laugh (and by and large funny poems get ignored) and the other very much moved me - being about human atrocity on a horrendous scale. I hope I am not accused of favouritism. What I am trying to do is make the blog a little more interesting than just a list of successful poems, which would be a bit dry bones...You will note that last month I had a little laugh with Augusta and John Aikman....Who knows what I'll pick on next month...
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 16:30
Well done Rachel. Not one but two poems in one month, equally worthy of this award.
I'm afraid my vote went in too late to count. Simply couldn't read all the ones i missed in my short absence from the site. My eventual choice wasn't counted and isn't in the list of runners.
I agree with Isobel about Darrens poem but once a poem has been removed it becomes null and void, removing the option to vote for it. I think i'm correct in saying that?
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (6510)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 16:29
Very good , you can catch words and make them yours.
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Hadn't read this before - but oh - it makes me shiver.... Could you tag it with WOLOP.dec. Don't know if you know much about WOLOP but it would be easier to read my current blog that has just gone up. Thanks.
Comment is about Why So Blue, Sweetheart? (blog)
Original item by Tom
Hi Mike. Not sure if you know much about WOLOP ( you'll find a blog about it just gone up). People vote for their favourite poem of the month and the one with most wins nothing but praise LOL. Your poem was nominated. Could you please tag it with WOLOP.dec so that people can read it as part of a group. Thanks. x
Comment is about SITREP! (blog)
Original item by Noetic-fret!
Hi Debs. Would you mind tagging this with WOLOP.dec so that people may read it as part of the WOLOP group. Thanks. x
Comment is about Bedouin (blog)
Original item by Deborah Jordan Bailey
Would you mind tagging this one with WOLOP.dec please? This was someone's favourite poem in December. x
Comment is about The Staff Room Celebrates (blog)
Original item by Dave Morgan
Hi Paul. Would you mind tagging this one with WOLOP.dec? Thank you. x
Comment is about Last train to Shitsville (blog)
Hi Marianne - would you mind tagging your last two poems with WOLOP.dec? They were nominated again this month so are in the list of runners up. Thanks.
Comment is about Marianne Daniels (poet profile)
Original item by Marianne Daniels
Hi Ann, Sorry yes the2 cats (Bubble and Squeek) are fine. They had a bout of regurgitation a couple of weeks ago but have now thankfully ceased. They do not like going out in the snow ! Win x
Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Hi Ann - could you tag this poem and also bereavement with WOLOP.dec? thanks x
Comment is about walking the coastal path with a pair of nail scissors (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
loved both of these of Rachels. Worthy winner. Win.
Comment is about Write Out Loud Outstanding Poems for December (blog)
Original item by Isobel
Ta for being my 6,000th visitor and your generous comment - truly thou art a sage and onion!
Comment is about Dave Morgan (poet profile)
Original item by Dave Morgan
Thanks for the comment Ann - I'm not just cool, I'm freezing!
Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Hi AnnRe Googlize. Actually wobble would not be allowed here. This one is taken from my calculator series. The alphabet used is derived from letters on a calculator read upside down. So 0 = o, 1 = i, 2 = z etc E,h,s,g,L,B follow.Here's another -
Zoo Shloo
Geese gozzle,
bees hibe,
hogs boss,
eels loobe.
Eggs.
Eggs…
Shhh
Eggs sigh.
Win
Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
<Deleted User> (7134)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 15:34
This is beautiful! Really bloody love it, you could really play about with this if you decide to perform it :)
Comment is about HD (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
WELL DONE RACHEL :-) You are a walop! (Not a trollop! Well, who knows! But great!) Might help you deal with all the snowball fights with the kids off school and all! xxx
Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)
Original item by Rachel McGladdery
Ann, I so know what you mean about the poem on the back of the fag packet syndrome. I wrote one in half an hour the other day while the kids were pestering me and I was hugely pleased with it. Others I work on, like really work and they just don't have that 'feeling'...weird innit!
Rachel
xxx
Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Thanks Ann and Andy for the comments. I really wanted the snow to stick and it felt like a waste all these big huge flakes coming down and just melting... I got my wish this morning though, we're blanketed in the stuff and the kids are all off school....joy, rapture!
Cheers
Rachel
x
Comment is about Snow (blog)
Original item by Rachel McGladdery
Very impressive Cynthia. You have captured the essence of the forces of nature here, and like Isobel says, the imagery is rich and powerful. Im not sure the line "higgeldy -piggeldy" fits in with such subject matter, {but its a personal opinion!}
I love the line "One gorgeous red hibiscus not yet shredded
Bleeds on my eye." Lovely!
Cate xx
Comment is about Force Seven (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Ive just come across this whilst Ive been trawling through December poems on the last minute as usual, looking for a winner.
I love this Rachel....its very moving, even heart rendering in its acceptance of a future which is never going to be. This is a winner to me.
Cat xx
Comment is about Little Clock (blog)
Original item by Rachel McGladdery
<Deleted User> (7075)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 12:22
Hi Annelise. You are our first new member for 2010. Happy new year... looking forward to seeing you post more of your work. Winston
Comment is about Anneliese Emmans Dean (poet profile)
Original item by Anneliese Emmans Dean
<Deleted User> (7164)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 10:48
Hi Andy, thanks as always for your comments on all my poems.
To be honest, i think i posted the last one way too early. It needs some more work and i'm not happy with the title. It just doesn't sit right so i'll have a think.
Janet.x
Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)
Original item by Andy N
I am not a fan of heavily descriptive poetry, particularly when it dwells on nature, but this one is very cleverly constructed and rich in imagery. I like the ending very much. Exactly how an ending should be. Simple, subtle and a great contrast to the rest of the poem.
Comment is about Force Seven (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Cynthia stole the word right out of my mouth - but since I'm following her round, I guess I can't say that... Not sure how I missed this one - very funny!
Comment is about Limerthick (blog)
Brilliant!
Comment is about walking the coastal path with a pair of nail scissors (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Hilarious.
Comment is about Limerthick (blog)
Don't know how I missed this, Isobel. Absolutely terrific. I love it when you bite deep into the apple of your mind.
Comment is about OASIS (blog)
Original item by Isobel
<Deleted User> (6895)
Tue 5th Jan 2010 09:12
a Good,snowy Rossendale morning to you.Mummy Foxgloves.loved the poem,is the 'drowning'offer open to all? yes? wheres my snowshoes! Steaming Stefanxx
Comment is about basque (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Hi Frances - I guess I wanted to give the poem a sort of breathless excitement, hence the "I's" and "ands"! It didn't need to flow poetically so much as pant passionately!
Comment is about basque (blog)
Original item by Ann Foxglove
Tommy Carroll
Tue 5th Jan 2010 19:16
Man this poem shouts anger, parade ground bellows! and all the better for that.
Tommy
Comment is about Oh the Hypocrisy (blog)
Original item by Noetic-fret!