Thanks for the overnight likes and for your comment Keith, always appreciated.
David
Comment is about The sum of all we truly are (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Anne Price
Thu 27th Jun 2024 05:00
I was a friend of Reuben when we were students at Bretton Hall in Yorkshire. He was very kind to me and helped me to reimagine how my life could be.
Today I remembered him and was dismayed to discover his passing. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to thank him.
My sincere condolences to his loved ones. He was a very good man.
Anne Price (formerly Anne Renshaw)
Comment is about Tributes paid to innovative poet and protest verse editor Reuben Woolley (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
leon stolgard
Wed 26th Jun 2024 20:41
Streakers yes-but NOT shell suits! 😂
Comment is about Bring Back Streakers! (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
"....what it might take to extricate a heart from the depths..." in the case of my closest, and longest lived friendship,it was suicide. Not much has changed since the fall of Rome and the replacement of stoicism by Christian lethargy.
Comment is about enough rocks for a monument (blog)
Original item by Landi Cruz
David,
A well scripted poem from which I detect a call for liberation and a call for a new vision for the future.
Thank you for this,
Keith
Comment is about The sum of all we truly are (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Thank you Penguin, you are of course correct; at least the poem is about the sound rather than the spelling, but I will make the required adjustment!
Comment is about The Best Poet's Name (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Thank you MC & John; the Viking option is certainly food for thought. Or maybe just being abandoned to the buzzards on some remote Snowdonian crag? Having had a buzzard launch an attack on my head from behind on a run I feel a certain affinity with larger hawks (and yes, there was also a poem in the experience!)
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
An oration in anticipation
Of a farewell celebration?
Much to enjoy (?) here, not least if one has had responsibility for
organising such an occasion.
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
There is every reason to despair of idiocy existing in certain aspects of human behaviour...mostly based in the desire to
impose control over the lives of others. This and the trait of Thuggee (spelling?) were taken on by the fashionably maligned
British Raj in its time, with notable success.
Comment is about SUTTEE (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thanks for the early likes folks much appreciated.
David
Comment is about The sum of all we truly are (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
Make sure this is in your will, RAP.
I myself have decided on. Viking funeral. A longboat pushed out into the River Aire and an archer with a fire arrow to set it burning as it floats towards Hull. With all the time someone blowing on a huge horn. Nothing too ostentatious, you understand.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LClTjcyNJSI&pp=ygUZdGhlIHZpa2luZ3MgZnVuZXJhbCBzY2VuZQ%3D%3D
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
A very slick production process you've got there. 😃 I used to record mine in the office before or after work but we moved to a new office above a noisy restaurant and unless I want all the poems accompanied by rattling plates and creaking chairs, it's not worth it.
On the subject of poetry audio - please see my latest post in the blogs section...
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Thanks Tom, that’s very kind of you to say so - there are many more on Tik Tok (@andyspangles), I record them in the kitchen in the early morning - before my wife’s up for her cup of tea! 🙏
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
I love this Andy, thoughtful and funny. Really enjoyed your reading of it too. Masterful.
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Thanks Hélène, I didn’t know where it was going when I started writing it, but in hindsight, probably should have done… at least it made you smile!
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
A fine poem John,
a tradition of the persecution of women exists in many cultures and religions, just as you have illustrated here. Some would argue that this immolation is a choice. It is clearly not when regarding the societies expectation that women must behave in this way without question.
I believe such unquestioning and the vacuum of freedom to speak amounts to persecution. The clip of Lenny Bruce which Landi posted highlights this expectation and attitude excellenty.
I lived in a society where adult men threw hand grenades through girls school windows because they feared their education due to words written in a book that went unquestioned, and still does. Those men were never prosecuted, nor were their actions condemned within their society.
The acceptance of the degradation of anyone because of something which is written in a book is persecution even if the persecuted are so down trodden that they simply accept it.
Those societies invariably reach permanent change only by civil disobedience, bloodshed and violence.
David
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP52Oauid_I
Comment is about SUTTEE (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
One I posted three years ago https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=116240
Comment is about MILKSHAKE FARAGE! (blog)
Original item by Lee Campbell
Awesome poem R A! Ironically, had me smiling.
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Lots of thoughts swirling around this piece after reading, but this was the first...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XiBy3wAEOn8&pp=ygUbTGVubnkgQnJ1Y2UgSmFja2llIEtlbm5lZHkg
Comment is about SUTTEE (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thank you Larisa, I’m glad you enjoyed the reading!
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
This poem sounds so good. I like your pronunciation. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Larisa
Comment is about Celebrant (blog)
Original item by R A Porter
Thank you, Keith and Manish, for your generous comments.
There's no alternative to diplomacy in the end, but its rituals must grate with the poor devils caught up in the fight.
And thanks to everyone who liked this poem.
Comment is about Summit (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks, Greg and Graham. Ah, only in court, Greg, what a shame!
Yes, I remember the Ray Stevens song, Graham. It's interesting that John Arlott, in his hilarious deadpan commentary on the Lord's streaker, call him a 'freaker', which sounded even better.
Streakers were always amusing. I'm thinking of the poor bloke who tripped over the boundary rope trying to run on to the Oval and never even made it onto the field of play. ('He's been grabbed by the stewards'), another commentary classic.
By contrast, the selfie seekers at Euro 24 have an Invasion of the Body Snatchers quality.
And thanks to Nigel, Manish and Tim.
Comment is about Bring Back Streakers! (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
JC - I prefer the union but I'd be content to let Scotland have its say about that move, although I'm not exactly sure what their
currency would be even if the EU agreed. The "Bawl-bee" perhaps? 😏
Comment is about THE LION RAMPANT (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you to those who liked this poem it means a lot.
To Manish and Martin, thank you for your comments, they are so greatly appreciated.
Comment is about In the Still of Night (blog)
Original item by Tim Higbee
Truely liked this one Watts.
In youth I attempted to play her game
She let me live, a broken man gone down in flame.
Comment is about She's so dangerous 🤪 (blog)
Original item by Watts
Thank you for the comment, it is very welcomed
Comment is about You could never……… (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Such sad news. What an incredibly brave woman and performer and so funny too. I once shared a poetry gig with her in 2018 ( I think) at the Carlton Club in South Manchester and she was hilarious. Her self deprecation and the poetry she used to highlight her disablement had no barriers. A sad loss.
Andy
Comment is about Disabled performance poet Jackie Hagan dies after long illness (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Well written Tom. Strong and emotive imagery.
Comment is about Tide Pools (blog)
Original item by Tom
For me the entire emotion of the poem is encased in this powerful line
Loving you hurts, it mimics a ruinous injury
Great line, JD
Comment is about You could never……… (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
It is a gut-wrenching experience when faced with that reality for a loved one. A well composed bit of the brutality life can force upon us. Very good poem, Manish
Comment is about Known Eyes (blog)
Original item by Manish
Someone did ask me what "Venn" meant. I found that rather disappointing as without understanding its meaning or pivotal purpose within the imagery of the last verse it makes no sense.
"Venn" is a reference to the Venn diagram invented by John Venn, hence its name.
Oh well, we can but try.
Thank you to those who have read and contributed, publicly and otherwise.
David.
Comment is about The Convergence of Everything (blog)
Original item by David RL Moore
The Streak by Ray Stevens comes to mind! Don’t look Ethel!!
Comment is about Bring Back Streakers! (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks Graham and Dawn. This one was a bit of an experiment, I saw a very evocative comment under a music video on YouTube and wanted to try and tell this guy's story (sort of).
Thanks also to Stephen, Manish, and Leon for reading and the comments. 😃
Comment is about Tide Pools (blog)
Original item by Tom
Ah, Erika! I believe I was there when she appeared in court ...
Comment is about Bring Back Streakers! (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
I suppose you’re right, Stephen. I’ve heard it said that they underperformed. Nonsense, they weren’t capable of performing any better.
Next thing, MC, is they’ll be wanting to leave the UK ((Scexit). Mind you, as a Brexiteer yourself I expect you support them in this if that’s their democratic wish.
Comment is about THE LION RAMPANT (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Mind you, John, there's something quite heroic in average players getting so close, even if they didn't get all that close. Oh well, Hasta la Vista, as they said in 1978.
Comment is about THE LION RAMPANT (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thanks a ton, Graham, Tim and Stephen for your most generous comments, they mean a lot to me. Cheers!😊
And thanks to all those who liked this.
Comment is about Massacre (blog)
Original item by Manish
leon stolgard
Mon 24th Jun 2024 22:36
Hi Larisa-your writings are getting to a very high standard-as we see here-well done girl!
Comment is about The Lonely Willow (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Wonderful, John. A snapshot, with all that that entails.
Comment is about The photograph (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Ironically fitting when considering how historically Scotland has
chosen European interest over that of its nearest neighbour.
Comment is about THE LION RAMPANT (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Thank you to all who liked and commented on this poem. It was borne out of a strong sense of nostalgia for my childhood days in Warwickshire. Graham, I left England as it is not the country I remember from those halcyon days. It has changed out of all recognition. MC you are right about being of a certain lifespan. I am fast approaching 77 years. The hamlet I remember was in the 1950's. I have since revisited it and left feeling rather sad. I don't cope well with changes.
Thank you all again,
Keith
Comment is about An English Hamlet (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thank you Tom, Tim & Keith. Also thanks are due to Aisha, Holden & Patricia.
That is why we dread children, even if we love them. They show us the state of our decay.
Brian Aldiss
Comment is about The photograph (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Contrast and stream of conspicuousness - indicative of grief. I like the imagery.
Comment is about Tide Pools (blog)
Original item by Tom
I think if the refrain’two boys splashing etc’ was used several times throughout this it would be more effective and bond the different messages. I’ll get my coat…..
Comment is about Tide Pools (blog)
Original item by Tom
R A Porter
Thu 27th Jun 2024 07:35
“Fats” (!) I was equally unimaginatively “Ports” at that fine establishment, Hatfield College, Durham a few years after you John. My closest mates were the rugger buggers Skel, Griff & Pongid - all still great pals. I was in plays, so was a bit of a curiousity. My only real brush with the aristocracy was when, through one of the plays, I met and went for a drink with a fellow cast member called Rebecca. Her Dad had “recently changed jobs” so the family had moved from St Albans to Durham. It was “very handy for Victoria” and I was welcome to stay any time I was down. I later discovered she was the Archbishop of Canterbury’s daughter & home was Lambeth Palace 😀
Comment is about SIR RODNEY (blog)
Original item by John Coopey