Thanks for the likes, Hugh, Ghazala and Stephen G. Thanks also for the kind comment. Upsetting scenes indeed.

Comment is about India (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Beautiful ?

Comment is about Buried Treasure (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

I am a Larkin fan too, Stephen, but not unashamed, I fear. The racism that he shared in his letters to Monica was awful. The poet who edited his poems and those letters. Anthony Thwaite, recently died. He might have spared Larkin's reputation somewhat had he kept them out. I'm not saying he should have done, but ...

Comment is about Mister Larkin (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you Nigel for commenting ?

Comment is about Body Language (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Thank you Stephen for commenting ?

Thanks also to everyone who has clicked 'Like' for this poem. ?

When we put exactly what we're thinking and feeling into a poem, it turns out that it isn't only available for us then to know what we're thinking and feeling, but stays available (if we let it) so we can never forget exactly what we thought and felt. It can be a mixed blessing.

Comment is about Vigil (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

Wonderful images, Brian. Has a certain horror theme to it, redeemed in the last verse.

Comment is about A Boy on the Shore (blog)

Original item by Brian Hodgkinson Jr.

My thanks to Aviva for the enthusiastic response and to Ferris for his support. The likes of John, Hugh, Julie, Holden and Leon are also much appreciated.

Comment is about Sell-By Date (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Another lovely, poignant poem.

Comment is about Vigil (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

An impassioned poem, Julie. It really captures the urgency of the situation and its global reach. The pictures that we are seeing are harrowing.

Comment is about India (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

I wish I could have read this much earlier in my life ?
I will use the power of your incantation against any future heartache.

Comment is about Incantation (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thanks. I think i'll leave heart in twice. It is important after all.

I keep meaning to get onto Zoom Greg. It just hasn't happened yet and didn't see this until now.

Comment is about My Isle of Wight School Trip, 1987 (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

I've now attended another reading, at Bacup, where the poet laureate said specifically that he was aiming to present a different set of poems at each library. It's a great way of appreciating the extent of his work. At one point he disarmingly burst out laughing at a double entendre in one of his poems ... something about pulling his own cracker ...

Comment is about Simon Armitage launches library tour at 'Ashby-de-la-Zoom' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I know what you mean about dreading those 'Big O' occasions. Me too.

Enjoyed.

P ?

Comment is about (#NaPoWriMo 2021 - #Haiku of Life (2021 (blog)

Original item by Andy N

Great observational work here Greg. Cities are becoming empty shells as the office work gets devolved into home working, making these significant edifices more like modern sculptures. If MK is anything to go by they are like dead or dying monoliths that nobody wants but even now Santander are building another huge one!!

Mayors eh? No matter what stripe!

Comment is about Vauxhall (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for the comments, MC, Phil, Stephen, and Graham, and for the Like, Holden. It was my first visit to London in over a year. I wasn't impressed at what had gone up in my absence. Actually, I'm not against towers per se. But none of these at Vauxhall have any architectural merit - some towers do, imo. These ones are just cheap and very, very nasty.

Comment is about Vauxhall (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks JD and Ferris for the likes. Thanks to everyone blown away with the comments and likes on this attempt. ?

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Unsure at what to do
the poem says
it is possible
only if you want.

Comment is about Body Language (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

2019
Volts of lightning
rubber soled shoes
helped stage fright.

2020
Day off week off
normal working hours
never came back.

Comment is about #NaPoWriMo 2021 - Haiku of Life (2019 and 2020) (blog)

Original item by Andy N

?

Comment is about Sell-By Date (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you Ghazala and Stephen for commenting ?

Thanks also to everyone who clicked 'Like' for this poem ?

This is one that sometimes makes me wonder 'is it really a poem?'
I can hear myself answer too (two answers): "It is" and "It isn't"

Comment is about Body Language (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

??? Brilliant! Wonderful! Stylish! Clever! Amazing!???

Comment is about Sell-By Date (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thanks for the like Stephen G

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thanks to everyone who liked this poem. I don't write many poems about sex but I enjoyed writing this one because it has a twist of humour, I think.

Comment is about Leg (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

A fine poem of experience.

Comment is about Body Language (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari

I love this.

Comment is about My Isle of Wight School Trip, 1987 (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

Thanks, Greg. So many cities now sport these "gathering gangs of threatening towers". They seem to have become a kind of international virility symbol to attract footloose billionaires and the like.

Comment is about Vauxhall (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Am with you all the way on this MC - well put if I may put it that way.

P

Comment is about GENERATIONAL (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you, Kevin. I feel my style is becoming more Shakespearean.
I shall have to stop courting politically correct disapproval, MC; I really shall!
And thanks for the Like, Stephen.

Comment is about SEXPLOITATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Profound observation Greg, and one wonders at the graven imagery.

Comment is about Vauxhall (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Ah....an entertaining evocation of another age - stripped to its bare essentials. Today, armies of appointed arbiters of "morality" and
"dangerous influences" would be on your case.

Comment is about SEXPLOITATION (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I recall Prince Charles' observation about "Carbuncles" on the face of a much loved friend when considering the development in London.
He was derided, not least by the architects that unleashed their
egos on the environment of a famous city.

Comment is about Vauxhall (blog)

Original item by Greg Freeman

You absolutely have to use the word 'heart' twice, Emma! This is a really powerful poem looking back at childhood, always a rich seam for poetry. It's also a wonderful title that immediately draws you in. Any more of this and we will demand that you come and read at Write Out Loud Woking on Zoom! Fancy looking in tonight, just to listen?

Comment is about My Isle of Wight School Trip, 1987 (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

Thanks for the likes Aviva, Holden, Dean and Greg.

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

You could use '...brought my broken heart out...' in the first instance and then there's a sort of surprise factor where later we find it is broken completely into two and why, and that absorbs and even justifies the re-use of the word. But I didn't actually think it was a problem, I'm just suggesting this because of your comment.

Comment is about My Isle of Wight School Trip, 1987 (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

In hindsight i'm not sure i should have used heart twice...

Comment is about My Isle of Wight School Trip, 1987 (blog)

Original item by Emma-Jane Stradling

Hello curious, I felt compelled to introduce myself after reading your profile as a result of seeing a comment you had left on a poem today. I instantly was captivated and intend to read all of your poems when I have the time, as I identify with your personal situation like a mirror image. I am a 58 year old Bi-sexual male who has been living a double life since the age of 9 years old. I am a father, have x wives, and x secret male lovers. Life has been a confusing, stressful, mess. And getting older, and still wanting a lover is a very lonely place. Only recently after beginning to express myself in poetry have I found peace, and contentment. Blogging my poetry on write out loud has changed my life. Many of my poems have a Bi-sexual theme, and I would like for you to read some. I think that you will find them very interesting. Here are three poems I suggest that you read. "Under the Bridge" "Caution! Door swings both ways", and "the Hook". By J.D. Bardo. Thank-you. looking forward to reading your work, both old, and anything new.

J.D. Bardo (Patrick)

Comment is about curiousdud3 (poet profile)

Original item by curiousdud3

love the word Macabre
but what happens to the last part of the word?
the BRE
it is not pronounced?
it is silent.

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

to post a comment you must log in.
to dig a fence post you must have a shovel.
to understand my poetry, you must have a screw loose.
?

Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)

Original item by keith jeffries

Thanks to both of you ? much appreciated

Comment is about After Salvador (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Dear Curious,
I read your biography with interest. I have been on WOL for over four years. I am a gay man, who by virtue of my sexuality have suffered a lamentable catalogue of abuse, prejudice, discrimination and violence, job loss and eviction. I am now 73 years old. A lot of what I have written here was in the past.

Your poems are of a high standard, which you really should pursue as it is also cathartic and comes from your inner self. You obviously possess courage to address your sexuality to your nearest and dearest. Stand up and be proud of your humanity, your personal dignity and courage, your sexuality and put pen to paper and write. You stand out as a unique and talented individual and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Keith

Comment is about curiousdud3 (poet profile)

Original item by curiousdud3

Thank you Keith for the kind comment and like.

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Nice write.
It takes a lot of courage to kill someone else's grandma
If people don't want to be near none-mask-wearers they can always cross the road.
And if that side is full of idiots, then they can cross back.

Comment is about Courage (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

I like this poem for its almost perfect description of Spring but also the transient nature of the seasons.
Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thank you for taking the time to record this, made it extra special. I can't imagine ever reading any of mine out loud.

Comment is about After Salvador (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Although I laughed, but hv not much words to say. I second Keith's words so to say.?

Comment is about A PLEASANT SURPRISE (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

A poem which goes to show that it takes all sorts to make a world. I particularly enjoyed the description at the beginning as it really sets the scene. A pleasant surprise could be a shock for many.
Thank you for this

Keith

Comment is about A PLEASANT SURPRISE (blog)

Original item by J.D. Bardo

Thank you Ghazala for your kind comment and like.?

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

Thank you curiousdud3 for your kind words, it means a lot coming from you. Yes, we are getting there slowly, I should have been attending a wedding this weekend. Nice to see you here, hope you have a write to share.

Comment is about Cherry Blossom (blog)

Original item by julie callaghan

I love your voice, it enhances the beauty of your poems?cool®

Comment is about After Salvador (blog)

Original item by Dean Fraser

Confusing signals?

Comment is about Body Language (blog)

Original item by Aviva Rifka Bhandari