Just come across this Cynthia, it`s a clever one . It can be taken two ways depending on who owns the letter in the drawer. The fact that it is open to interpretation makes it compulsive reading!
Cate xx

Comment is about Letter in a Drawer (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I love this, a great image!

Comment is about I am lifting the piano with one hand (blog)

Original item by Gaia Holmes

Well Im not ashamed to admit I love Christmas too. It may be uncool, and it may be too commercialized, and it may be religious { oh anathema!!} but your poem says it all for me!
Cate xx

Comment is about Christmas (blog)

Original item by sian howell

A definite feel good poem - makes you remember all that is good about Christmas, which is sometimes hard to remember in the build up.

Comment is about Christmas (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Nice one this Sian. It reads like a Christmas wish list.
It creeps up (or down in this case) on us once again. Happy festivities to you.

Starlight.x

Comment is about Christmas (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Of course Homeward Bound has a north-west connection, doesn't it? Was it Wigan or Warrington station Paul Simon was sat on? As an S&G fan and a railways buff I'd like to get it right

Comment is about Bobby Dylan (blog)

Photographs by Rachel Bond

Comment is about Frank Abrahms at the Tudor House, Wigan December 2009 (photo)

Beautiful.I love the line:
"You quickly jumped outside the frame
into a world just out of sight"
It captures the speed and surprise of death, not surprising that your visual imagery is intense , given you're a painter. I loved this and was left feeling comforted rather than sad. Also the photo reminds me of being in Meribel in the early 90's

Rachel
x

Comment is about My Friend the Ghost (blog)

Original item by Alison Mary Dunn

I love your writing. I'm not much cop at lit-crit so I'm never sure exactly why things grab me, but your writing does, it makes me sigh.
Rachel
x

Comment is about Gaia Holmes (poet profile)

Original item by Gaia Holmes

Thanks very much for taking the time to have a lok at and comment on my stuff. It's very much appreciated.
Cheers
Rachel
x

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Lovely stuff this,it had me laughing , (why is such a vastness called a 'mere') and then seconds later gasping in sadness. I really felt it. I also love the imagery, it had me right up on Beacon Fell. Thanks for the emotional work out.
Cheers
Rachel
x

Comment is about Under the Wire (blog)

Original item by John Aikman

;-))) You missed 'Bulging Bellies' ha ha
Very festive ;-)
TCX

Comment is about Christmas (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Merry Christmas, nice idea for the structure in this Sian. and a good contrast to the previous blog post! Win x

Comment is about Christmas (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Quite right - don't apologise. A real "It's a Wonderful Life" poem. Bedford Falls on Christmas Eve. Excellent. Happy Christmas!

Comment is about Christmas (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Losing someone so important to you from your life it does feel like all the pain in the world is yours, glad you're feeling a bit better now.
Movingly hard to read work,
Cx

Comment is about Bereavement (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Divine ...
This poem should televised as a play...

So so creative,.I adore it .

Superb!

Augusta x

Comment is about Marilyn (blog)

Ann, I hope you keep writing. You have an unique view and voice, methinks.
Michael

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I don't wish to bring this one down butI can't get the hound of the Baskervilles out of my mind! Oh. I have just brought it down, sorry. win x

Comment is about Alpha Male (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Seconded, thirded, fourthed and fifthed. Wonderful debut. As someone once said to me...'Now, you either have to write more or travel further!'

Excellent stuff.

: )

Jx

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

hi steve hope your life is on the up ... always a pleasure to read your work, sorry to hear that things have been a bit upside down....I can identify. sian X

Comment is about Steve Regan (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Regan

Rachel... Can I just say that 'Dad' is stunning. Looked at it late last night and it'sstill in my head. Brilliant. Win

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Hi Rachel, Welcome to WOL. Enjoy... You havemadequite an impression as a new member. winston

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Hi Alison, wow, thanks so much for the comment. it's so wonderful to get positive feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can't wait to have a look at your work,
Thanks again,
Rachel
x

Comment is about Alison Mary Dunn (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Mary Dunn

Hello Rachel, a very warm welcome to WOL. Loved reading your poems. 'Spring Cleaning' has literally blown me away, but not like an 'autumn wind', more like a breeze of incredible inspiration! What a fantastic imagist you are. It's like seeing a short film inside my head as the message reveals itself through your words.
You're one to look out for!

Admiringly, Ally ;o)

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Hi Anthony, thanks for the welcome and the comments! I was hugely impressed with myspace, the imagery is almost tangible...does that make sense? Plus the sense of warmth and love....gorgeous!
Cheers
Rachel
x

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Ann, Thanks very much for your comment on The Balloon, I have just had a quick look at your poems and really enjoyed them, I was moved to tears by Bereavement, it is so raw. You communicate that pain so well.
Cheers
Rachel
x

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks very much, you lovely people. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed (in a nice way)at the comments. I'm unsure as to the etiquette yet (hey, that rhymed!) so I'll post a heartfelt thanks on here and then settle down to have a gander at your profiles and thank you 'personally' when the kids are asleep.
Cheers,
Rachel
x

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

What absolutely brilliant juxtaposition of tragedy and comedy in dad.

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Sadly, I think it is the picture that set them off.

: )

Jx

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

bloody men! eh Ann

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Honestly, this started off being about my deep and meaningful poem about a most sacred and ancient well - now look where we've gone and got ourselves - up innuendo creek without a paddle!

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Ann-overcome? is that with emotion,emulsion or fluids of another kind? pwhoar!-Stef

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

hi Rachel-no need to say anything more than-FANTASTIC-poetry, absolutely loved 'Dad'what an inspiration you are-thanks-Stef

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Never had two proposals in one day guys - am overcome! xx (That's one each) ;-)

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I enjoyed reading your poems too. The one about the balloon - a tiny catastrophe from childhood! (I still yearn for an old toy dog that my grandmother found in the street and gave to me, only to have my mum throw it away in case it was dirty - maybe there's a poem in there too.) Really liked the one about your dad. The nicotine starfish - great image.

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

Thanks for the comment on my poem.

I've decided to start a campaign to bring 'gambol' back into common usage.

I'm gambolling off now.

Comment is about John Aikman (poet profile)

Original item by John Aikman

Thanks for the comment on my poem - glad it amused you

Comment is about Isobel (poet profile)

Original item by Isobel

Some great lines in this and it reminds me of the song by Sinita. Probably because of the 'big and strong' reference.

Starlight.x

Comment is about My best mates a stripper (and I'm confused) (blog)

Thanks everyone for all the comments. Yes, Darren...this poem was actually written in response to a Billy Collins poem about walking on the water. I use the exercise in seminars now...imagine doing something impossible...its generated some great poems. I do like Billy Collin's poems.

Comment is about I am lifting the piano with one hand (blog)

Original item by Gaia Holmes

Great poem, brilliant flow.
I love this style... blissful imaginings dulling the pain of waiting.

Starlight.x

Comment is about The Love Making Of Hiawatha (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

It's great to see you back posting, Mal.

D.

Comment is about Harry (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

This reminds me so much of a Billy Collins poem. Seemingly effortless glides between the sound of its words, very few similes (I only counted one) but fastened and pulled together tight with an obvious awareness of how the phonology of words sound when read, and how this can be utilised as much as the right chosen words and their semantics.

Beautiful.

Comment is about I am lifting the piano with one hand (blog)

Original item by Gaia Holmes

yes,a state of other worldliness is where this poem takes me too,and oh! but to stay! love-all-your work Ann.as for marriage,would you be prepared to indulge in bigamy? the box of milk-tray is waiting-watch out sharks! Stefanova

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Hi Rachel.

And welcome to WOL. I thoroughly enjoyed your three sample pieces. You obviously have an eye for fine detail, and perhaps more importantly, the ability to convert your observations into very readable and rewarding imagery. I look forward to seeing more.

Hope you enjoy the site. It's generally a friendly interesting and very diverse place.

Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Rachel McGladdery (poet profile)

Original item by Rachel McGladdery

So wish I'd come to this one earlier and not now when I have everyone to get ready for everything...cos now I'm hunting for words when I should be hunting for ballet shoes.
To me your poem sums up the randomness and the lack of control that love can bring with it - probably not the best choice of words, but I'm pushed. Like a meteorite - when it hits, it hits and the fallout can be massive. There is no explaining it and the one that inspires it hasn't always asked for it. Love complicates things. The letter is like a ticking bomb. I like the poem cos it leaves a lot up to the reader - something I've never been good at... An enjoyable read.

Comment is about Letter in a Drawer (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thank you all for your comments. The 'I' is gender indifferent, of course. I took great care with that detail.

If it's possible to interpret one's own writing, I think the greatest elements in this are 'compulsion' and 'secrecy'. The 'lover' is keeping the intensity of the attraction very close; but I'm sure the 'vibes' must be somewhat mutual or the capitulation would not be so complete. The writer is no fool. Writing the letter may involve risk. Secrecy by nature implies a 'victim'. The question is: in whose drawer lies the letter?

Comment is about Letter in a Drawer (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Hi Ann

Just found this buried beneath a pile of blogs and love it.

I'm from Harrow originally. When I was growing up, Ealing was an exotic name on the Piccadilly line when travelling in to London. You've got me all nostalgic

Dave

Comment is about my mum (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Really like this Mike...

Don't like these two lines though...
'For Rumpel and may even
See him crumple if'

To me the poem makes sense without.

Comment is about Adored (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Ethereally beautiful. Yet lonely.
Jan

Comment is about Sacred Well (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I'm just following Francine round when I should be doing some housework... Had to log in to comment on this - it so grabs you. I wonder just how many women could identify with this one? A wonderful poem Sian - it deals with an age old subject but grabs you like it was the first time... 'Holding out for something fine' doesn't seem like the modern way. Funnily enough I'm trying to write a poem about that at the moment - very different in style to this though and I'm not sure if I'll ever finish it - will let you know if I ever do. Thanks for this anyway. x

Comment is about This (blog)

Original item by sian howell