This is funny but so true for many... I believe that if you find happiness in the little things each day - you will find that the overall greater happiness will eventually find you...

Comment is about Despising of the happy (blog)

This is a lovely poem Pete... I think we can all relate to wanting to capture someone's attention and feeling like we are invisible to them...

Comment is about you never noticed me (blog)

Alvin,

Thanks for that update, glad the gig is still flourishing.

Now to make myself really popular. You may have noticed that the gig listings have venue photos to go with them.

Using all my skill and judgement I still haven't found a photo of Bar-Blue. If you could send one attached to an email to david@writeoutloud.net, you will win at least one eDrink of your choice.

David

Comment is about Alvin Culzac (poet profile)

Original item by Alvin Culzac

I dont know the work you refer too, but i am intrigued. This piece evokes a great degree of interest and yet, a little bit of mystery. I like it.
Mike
x

Comment is about The Goodbye Party (blog)

Original item by Belinda

The mating bit.

Well in the case of Crested Newts, the male will find an open area of water in the pond (on the pond base) and he will do a courtship dance before a female or 2, he then puts down seed for the female to collect if she likes the dance. She collects it in an opening (her clacoea) . She then will lay eggs on leaves and carefully fold the leave with her hind legs, so by sticking the two halves together with just one egg inside. This protects the egg until it hatches. They like to use water mint to lay on, or other similar sized leaves. They hav ebeen known to use strands of discarded video tape, polythene plastc bags even. Nature finds a way.

I have followed the progress of all of this in my wildlife pond I built. Its much better than big brother. (TV)

Best time to see the activity is dusk and further into the night.

I have some pictures on my facebook albums

Comment is about Peter is proud to announce (blog)

This poem had me laughing jane. Incidentally, my granny was the same, she was also funny to watch when you put space dust in her yorkshire puddings. Used to loathe kissing her though, she had no teef!
Have a good day.
Mike
x

Comment is about Visiting Granny (blog)

hello blue, like this poem, had me smiling when you write of burying the pills in a landfill. Perhaps that IS, whats needed. I like the other one too about the ego. Maybe a lesson for many. Including me.
Be well
Mike

Comment is about Instant Nervous Breakdown (blog)

delightful and witty poem. All hail to the warm, inviting, jehovah poisoning, mouse squashing, moon howling Granny! an enjoyable read x

Comment is about Visiting Granny (blog)

you know i like your work , sometimes i find it too hard to comment directly though .

Comment is about garside (poet profile)

Original item by garside

shoeless does a little happy dance :)

Comment is about Peter is proud to announce (blog)

Good morning Gus, thank you for your kind comments, as always, much appreciated, Deb x

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson

love hate facebook day ? i have been there a good while , and enjoy it . it is my social diary ,
lots of people are already there . build it and they will come

Comment is about Can we all join facebook please? (blog entry) (blog)

Ben,

Could you get in touch about the gig you listed in Sevenoaks

david@writeoutloud.net

Comment is about Ben Richards (poet profile)

Original item by Ben Richards

Beautiful, Michael, cares forgotten in true bliss, my perfect Sunday described, kites and all. A very enjoyable read. Peace, JT

Comment is about Sun Kissed (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

Im sorry Christopher, if I missed the point of this poem. I do have a fault, I always belive that if a person writes, they write what they feel or think.The way I read your poem, you were, with your words, the typical American hater/attacker.I have read plenty of this type of work on here, and been attacked for my own works, and thus deleted them, and really care nothing for writting anymore. My mind does not do well, with poetry that, is not a persons true feelings or thoughts, I cant seem to grasp, that its a game/fake. So Im sorry.

Comment is about Macho moderation (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Very nice poem!

Comment is about Sun Kissed (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

It seems that you may be getting a little confused here Clarissa, not all writing is the specific opinion or feeling/experience of it's author.

Particularly so in poetry.

Comment is about Macho moderation (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Blimey Pete, that makes my own addiction to Veganin and Nytol look mild. You've no shortage of energy or imagery, however, and I think you compered the poetry sesh at the Tudor, Wigan, last night, with great chutzpah. I felt knackered but I enjoyed the evening.

Comment is about 64,000 - cradle to grave (blog)

I'm a big fan of your work and I can never fault it - I really recommend you sending this off and others to reputable magazines and I am sure you will get published:)

Comment is about Sun Kissed (blog)

Original item by Noetic-fret!

And I just realised that your first line isn't "Mutton dressed as lamb" - but it's still too close to the original cliche, in my opinion. And it doesn't really go anywhere.

I'll shut up now.

Comment is about Groupie (blog)

Original item by Mia Darlone

Hiya you

Right. Held off on commenting on this for the first few reads for the following reasons:

1. I've a gig on the date of your play and am therefore some sort of evil cultureless bastard whose opinion isn't even worthy of contempt. (I really wanted to see it!)

2. I like this poem, but there's a few lines I'm not keen on.

It's a great angry, bilious poem - full of spite. I agree with Helen, line 5 is a blinder. However...

Your first line is a cliche. Sorry, but it is. It's an over-familiar phrase - and given that you present a much more vivid (and funny) portrait of the groupie within the rest of the poem, it's also completely unnecessary. It didn't hook me. It also doesn't fit the rhyme scheme.

May I suggest getting rid of the first line entirely and starting with...

"Groupie - turns up in heels
Purely there..."

That way you'd be launching straight into an 'a,b' rhyme scheme. It's a great rhyme scheme that convinces us of the narrator's anger. It rattles along and is dead confrontational.

Which leads me to my next point - Your last two lines address the groupie directly. What if the rest of the poem did this? Just an idea.

"putty in his hands" is also a cliche and I initially had problems with it, but groupies are cliches, aren't they? So I think we can let that one go.

Your last line needs to be punchier. It's good, but it kind of sputters to a halt. May I suggest switching it around a bit and ending on a half-rhyme? It would read...

"I just don't get it, the way you behave
If it's attention you crave, get your own fucking stage!"

Or something like that.

Anyway, what the fuck do I know?! Writing what amounts to an essay in response to your poem, and then being audacious enough to have a gig on the night of your play. In some sort of way that makes me worse than Hitler, doesn't it?

And as for the swearing... Well, there's two things I can tell you about swearing -

1. It's big.
2. It's fucking clever.

Ah, you knew I was gonna say that, didn't you?

Have a good 'un.

Steve

Comment is about Groupie (blog)

Original item by Mia Darlone

I forgot, my Grandfather was a ww2 fighter pilot, and many others in my family were in that war, Im sure they would have loved to stay home and not get sick and blown up, so you could still speak English. HIstory, who came spoiling for a fight when we wanted to be free, of opressive taxes? We learned very well the art of war, and its very sad, The people just elected a guy that made many promises, one was about the wars, seems they are going to leave one place and be sent to another.Afganistan. Im sorry, but it really chaps me, when people think all americans are the same way.when you say spoiling for a fight, You should look at all wars and see what countrys are there, we are not alone.Then you have to wonder, why war? Because it makes lots of money for a few at the top and thats not you or me.

Comment is about Macho moderation (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

HI Melissa, nice/wonderful poem!!! Im sorry to hear about your kitty, of 18 years. I do hope she gets better. I had a dog once, that had tumors and was blind, he was about 20 years old, lived for a long time that way, and very happy. as a child my pet cat had stomach cancer and we had to put him to sleep, I was a mess for a long time after that.I hope your kitty will be ok and live as long as she is to live on this earth, as happy as she can be. xxxxxxxoooooo

Comment is about Shadows Across The Moon (blog)

Yep, thats us, sounds like all of us, and we learned well. Add to it, a canadian chopped a mans head off and was eating him, a German kid went crazy and killed some people.Yeah we are all headfucks, but our elected government are the worst headfucks ever, they dont do what we tell them to do.Yes, by God we control hollywood, our government and the scum sucking music, btw wonder who writes all that great shit? HUM, the undereducated masses? Uncle sam is dead, us headfucks are in the gutters, and yall may be joining us soon. Trash is every place, can we send some to you?Or is your government the same as mine?Do your youth bump and grind?Drink to much and box it out, just after having their cards read into a machine, that tells the government where they have been? Ah yes what a great little poem you have here.Now Ill go and be happy that I have the first and second amendment, that guarantees my rights, to free speech and to own a gun, to keep the balance between the power of the people and the government.A government that seems to become more socialist each day. I may wake up in the morning and be in china. Nice GUN!! looks kinda small, is it a lighter?

Comment is about Macho moderation (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

Thank you, both. I brought her home today, and we're not sure still if that thing in her mouth is or is not a tumor. She still has a bad infection, which needs to be taken care of first with antibiotics, but she seems happy to be home. And I'm happy that she's still with me. :)

Comment is about Shadows Across The Moon (blog)

Hi Melissa,
Hope your cat is going to be OK. I have two at present and wouldn't be without them, and have lost several in the past. I feel for you.
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Shadows Across The Moon (blog)

Hi Steve - I have lived in Wigan for around 12 years or so, but I have also had the misfortune to attend one of the 'Egg' nights in Liverpool. You know the one. Self indulgent vocalists hog the 'stage' and wallow in their own delusions.
Both me and another Wigan poet, John Togher, arrived too late to perform. I wrote a little piece about it. Come Strut Your Stuff - We will, if you give us a chance!
I'm over it now, and I've performed there since. It's actually not THAT bad...

Thanks for your comments.
PS - I remember Sam Brady!

Comment is about Steve Regan (poet profile)

Original item by Steve Regan

Hi David
Thanks for inquiring about my gig at Bar-Blue, St. Leonards. It is still doing well and attracting mostly Singer-Songwriters previewing their new material. I am airing some of my new songs as well.
Regards
Alvin

Comment is about David Andrew (poet profile)

Original item by David Andrew

Hi Sian, thanks for your lovely comment on my poem, 'cause and effect.'
Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing when given the opportunity to voice it peacably. :-)

Love Janet.x

Comment is about sian howell (poet profile)

Original item by sian howell

Ha ha. very good.
I thought you said you're an aetheist?

Your loving Christian, Janet.x

Comment is about The York's Prayer (blog)

Original item by Simon Rennie

Hi Melissa,
will the moon come out to play, brings some lovely imagery.
I've been there too. Sleepless and in tears, many times. Does nothing at all for the complexion :-)

ps. prayer sent out for your cat to be pain free.
Bless you.
Janet.x

Comment is about Shadows Across The Moon (blog)

Hi anthony thanks so much for your kind comments. You have a great ability to keep the reader's interest and maintain the integrity of the story throughout the length of your work.Very impressive . Sian x

Comment is about Phoenix (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Thanks for reading and your kind comments on 'A Poem'. It was a painful experience, for sure, writing helps.
I preferred your smiling face photo by the way!
Cx

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

This is so incredibly beautiful... every time I read it I am in awe...

Comment is about Words (blog)

Original item by Alison Mary Dunn

Thank you for your lovely comment Anthony...
I just read 'Weather Report' And I especially liked this part:

But oceans could not
scour away
the footprints
in the sand of me.
Each stinging kiss
has left its hollow mark
on skin that feels
forever scarred
and stained.

Even though this is very sad and I can feel the depth of emotional pain - it's beautifully written...

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Anthony,
thanks for your comment on 'cause and effect.'
Yes it is about being stopped by the police.
I didn't actually mind being stopped, although i'd done nothing wrong. It was his whole attitude in his belief that i had. Not allowing me to speak and his unprovoked verbal attack which i was shocked and upset about. I was simply trying to do my job as he was supposed to be doing his.
The problem is, if i'd got his number and reported it, how much more of the same could i look forward to in the future. It's so frustrating and downright unlawful to use the power of a uniform to vent feelings and cause untold upset to an innocent person, then not even have the decency to admit that this time they got it wrong. I don't get that kind of treatment from some of the most drunk customers let alone the police.
Now i feel much better because i can vent my frustrations in writing. :-)
Thanks again.
Janet.x

Comment is about Anthony Emmerson (poet profile)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Sian,
Liked this very much. Why do we keep reminders of sometimes painful past experience? Maybe it's a learning and reminding experience - or perhaps it's the somewhat masochistic pleasure of revisiting past trauma. We have all done it at some, time and your poem neatly encapsulates the shared and universal experiece of this. A rewarding read.
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Banana Boxes (blog)

Original item by sian howell

Hi Winston,
And thanks for taking the time to read and comment on "Phoenix". Yes, it is long, most of the stuff I do is I guess. I have yet to master short and succinct! I suppose there is no easy way of writing narrative poems in short form, and I do like to try to tell stories in my poetry.
Poor, poor butterfly! Whatever did it do to deserve such an ignominious fate?
Regards,
A.E.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Hi Val,
and thanks for comments on "Phoenix." I guess the story ends there - except for the usual "happily ever after." I'm not sure I could extend it. However, I do seem to write an inordinate am,ount of narrative poetry, so there will be more stories.
Your "Paradise" is an interesting concept of the near-death experience - if that is indeed what you intended! I won't mind at all if I go that way! I also enjoyed the gentle eroticism of "Bliss" - understated and mentally stimulating
Regards,
A.E. x

Comment is about Valerie Cook (poet profile)

Original item by Valerie Cook

Thanks Win for your comment on 'You Came', and thank you also for the song lyrics you sent- very impressed.
I only get growled at when waking the offsping these days, though it's about my Mum (I'm sure she visited when I was having a stressfull time) x

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

Ah I see. Thank you. It was all Greek to me.

Comment is about Malpoet (poet profile)

Original item by Malpoet

Greek homework - haphazardly with a lot of procrastination - in my case anyway.

Pas d'elle y'a Rhone car nous - paddle your own canoe. Not massively funny on its own - the fun comes in watching people tie themselves in knots trying to translate it.

Cx

Comment is about Malpoet (poet profile)

Original item by Malpoet

Can't work that one out. Bit thick really.

You do get up to some odd things Juniper. How does a Greek home work?

Comment is about Malpoet (poet profile)

Original item by Malpoet

Well done, Christopher, a great evocation of the joy of being alive, being human, and being in love. It's inspired me to post one of my East Anglian poems, but not really a joyous one!

Comment is about A Norfolk lane (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

I'm supposed to be doing my Greek homework but couldn't resist a look at Mots d'heures: Gousses, Rames. Very funny!
Only other similar thing I've come across is:
pas d'elle y'a Rhone car nous.
Cx

Comment is about Malpoet (poet profile)

Original item by Malpoet

A guy called Digby has just drawn my attention to a book called 'Mots d'heures: Gousses, Rames' (Mother Goose Rhymes). It is absolutely brilliant.

What it does is translate english nursery rhymes into real French words that sound the same as the English, but are complete nonsense in French. It is hilarious and at the same time a perfect satire on Modernism and the pretentious poets like Eliot and Pound.

Just Google

Mots d'heures: Gousses, Rames

It is well worth a look.

Comment is about The Waste Land - T S Eliot (blog)

Original item by Malpoet

So eloquently put into words... I love the lines

'How you waken in me

What I’ve let slip through time'

Comment is about Expressions so Deep (blog)

Original item by Alison Mary Dunn

great audio version...sian x

Comment is about Different Dad (blog)

Original item by Seamus Kelly

Hi Sian, thank you for taking the time to read and your kind comments about Ask. Deb x

Comment is about sian howell (poet profile)

Original item by sian howell

Hello Gus, thank you for your kind comments on my poem. It was good to see you perform your King Tut in person last week and to have a giggle, normally it's the other members of my Jordan clan who giggle at fartyness, it must have become infectious, oh dear. : ) Deb

Comment is about Gus Jonsson (poet profile)

Original item by Gus Jonsson