Hi Greg As ever thanks for the comments. I'm a lapsed Catholic myself and I think YouTube is about as close to the 'afterlife' we're ever likely to get! It is pretty amazing and if I wasn't always so busy I'm sure I could spend hours on it. I've wanted to do one on the Wolf Man for ages, but it only recently came together. I also quite fancy doing one on Muddy Waters and another on John Lee Hooker - a kind of holy trinity of the Chicago Blues. At the moment, though, I don't really have any angles to proceed on.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Morning Greg, Oh I dunno about the past/present thing so much. I think yours are more immediate possibly because you have the knack of making them seem current, I'm sure yours (like mine) are from tales you heard throughout your life, mine possibly carry the second hand feeling more than yours. In any case I think the fact that yours seem less removed from the present make them more vivid and effective.
Cool coincidence though isn't it that we are both writing a similar theme, feels like we are fellow travellers if you'll allow a tired cliche!Lol.(I'm a tired cliche-er)
I have also fallen foul of the old plastic bird trick, in our case a 3x life size plastic kingfisher on the canal towpath, I hadn't seen one before (though it did look a bit too big) and me and my youngest son did a ridiculous SAS type stalk so it didn't fly off in alarm.
x
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks Greg, my grandad's ship was partly responsible for the sinking of the Scharnhorst and it was an abomination to him that they'd killed cadets.(the sailors didn't know till later) Thanks hugely for the comments, they really are appreciated.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Greg, I loved your comment left for me on my personal site re: the villanelle, about 'bolting one's self into a formal structure'. You understood exactly what I meant about the writing of it being 'an adventure'. I used to write in forms of lines, metres and rhymes a lot. I go back periodically to keep my hand in. My real challenge is - a sonnet (don't care which type).
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Greg, thanks very much for your comments on Fame of a Sort. I've just read your Dance On poem. That has a killer last line too!I don't suppose The Shadows were Rock'n'Roll, really. I liked the strolling forwards then back and the intellectual smile. They did look rather nerdy.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg, Thanks for your comments on 'con tented' you guys seem to be writing a poem on camping memories on the blog entry section. might have to expand this short one! Win
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ooh and thanks v.much for the comment on First Communion Day. :)
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg, I did the nanowrimo last November (52,000 words of utter drivel, can't even bear to look at it to edit!),I was going to put my twitter on my profile but then thought better of it...hence the updated profile status. I've been awol the last week or so cos life has got in the way of art (lol) recently...normal service to be resumed soon I hope!Rachelx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you for commenting on my foxy haiku! No wheelie bins where I live (thank goodness) but we do use bunjees! And I don't live on a street, but a little row of cottages up a hill. And actually, it's badgers! Too many syllables in badgers!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg I'll probably give Southa whirl at some stage. The North would be a good one for you to get into to because they have quite a high profile. I've done a review for them and have another one in the pipeline, but he just will not take any of my poems. He says he likes them and that they've 'nearly made it', but I don't think my stuff quite fits in with his ethos and he probably finds a lot of my stuff too 'intellectual' ! They also do a pamphlet competition, so if you've got about 20 you think are quite good it would be worth putting them in for that also. Even if you don't actually win it's good to get on the shortlist.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks Greg! My dad also made several K9s, among other Dr Who stuff. And many years previously, before the BBC, he helped make the poor whale in the Gregory Peck film of Moby Dick. It's nice to tell someone about him, now he's gone, so thank you. xx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg - thanks for commenting on Twine. I just read your comment to David Cooke about taking a couple of your poems away. It's funny how despondent we feel when no one comments on a poem. I'm sure it's just one of those things! I really don't think it reflects badly on the poem's reception. Often a comment is just someone chiming in saying they've had a similar experience as the one described in the poem, not anything to do with the quality of the poem itself. Or it's just a poet "friend" saying something nice. Or it might be a criticism, which is fine as at least you feel someone has read the blimmin thing. Yet . . I can't help feeling a bit miffed when I see some other poem has 99 comments or something, when my poor little poem doesn't have any. Guess it's just human nature! Sometimes though, someone will discover a poem that's been on WOL for ages, and that is nice. So I hope you put your poems back when you feel like it! I always like your stuff! It is very human, gentle, natural and unpretentious. xx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Glad to hear that you got it into South. Coincidently I nearly suggested that you try The North with it because it looked like the kind of thing they go for. I've never got around to trying South. I seem to remember that you have to fill in some fiddly form. Mind you submitting things anonymously is a good idea. Loads of stuff gets taken just because of someone's name even when it's not very good.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Thanks again for a leaving a comment. It's been very qiet recently. I think my two translations must have frightened everyone away. It's funny you mention piano lessons. I know from my own kids it can be struggle to keep them at it. I would have loved piano lessons, but got boxing lessons instead! I must say The Reluctant Volunteer is very good. I like the portrait of the Sergeant Major and the irony of the phrase 'how's your father? - does anyone say that anymore? The final image is also excellent. You should send it off somewhere.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for commenting on Dad's Shed, Greg. I've enjoyed yours - could do with more of them!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Really like the conversational style to 'Dance On' and the carefully chosen images. You sculpt an atmosphere well Greg, portals to another time with good language and narrative.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hello Greg, thanks very much for commenting on my recentest blogs (oops, made up a word again)I'm very glad you enjoyed them, I will be thinking more about titles as it's something I have a bit of an issue with unless they jump at me, if you know what I mean. As for the young Elvis, God yes, he was absolutely something else.
Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment,
Rachel
xxx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Absolutely anyone with a WOL profile can vote Greg. There is another more official competition called Poem of the Month which you will find in features. In that one, only the previous winner can choose and they must do it from poems posted on poet profiles. If you are hoping to be in the running you need to update your profile regularly with your best work. The quality of the winning poetry is normally very high - take for instance this month's winner. However historically it does tend to go to poets who don't really use the site much and who don't blog.
I set WOLOP up so that we could celebrate the successes of more regular users, focussing just on blogs within a month. If you look back through my blogs you will see all the past results. It has only been going since October and I don't blog much, so it shouldn't be too onerous a task. I also like to use the summary as a roundup on events during the month and to have a bit of fun - which is what I love about this site.
I do hope you find the time to get involved, Greg. Thanks for asking the question also. I hope it may clear things up for others also.Isobel x
ps. feel free to delete this massive message once read - just wanted to be sure you got an answer.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for the comment on Stamford Bridge.
It's interesting to think "What if..." we'd won at Hastings?
But then you think "Who's We?".
Probably not so many of us go back to Saxon forefathers. Our Gert says she's got some German in her, - or did she say that she'd like some? - I can't quite remember.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
hello Greg,
Thanks for the comment. I will have a look at that link, cheers for that. I am sending stuff to magazines at the moment and attempting to keep my chin up as the rejections roll in lol!
As for the naval poems, I have a couple more in the pipeline, seem to be stuck on the theme recently, which is interesting. I am really enjoying reading yours.
Thanks again.
Rach
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hello Greg,
thanks for reading and commenting on the poem. I really wasn't sure whether to post it but then did, then when it had been commented on I did think again about it being 'car crash' writing and thought about removing it, then thought it would look worse to remove it if you see what I mean.
I very much appreciate your comments, particularly about the structure of it, an unusual one for me and one that I think fights with the content. I had to impose structure on it to keep it from turning into an amorphous mess of emotion and I'm pleased you appreciated it....Thanks very much,
Rachel
xxx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Unfortunately, unlike all those others, I completely dried up for 20 years + was worn down by the daily grind of running a Modern Languages department in an appalling comprehensive school for all those years. Still, no doubt it was good for the soul, and at least I have been getting quite a few poems together over the last 18 months. It's funny how things turn out. I suppose at the end of the day, if you've got something to say it will come out in the end.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Glad you like the old banger poem. I wrote it in memory of my grandfather who didn't get his first car until he was about 70! At the back of my mind I'd also like to do another one about this clapped-out old 2CV my wife and I had back in the 70s when we we met up in France. Unfortunately, it's just a vague idea and so far nothing has ever come together.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg. Thanks for your comments on my latest - i don't think we've crossed paths before. You are an editor on a newspaper getting into poetry whilst most of us on here are into poetry but would probably love to get into editing on a newspaper - it sounds like an interesting career. I will try to get round to reading some of yours - am just feeling too poetried out at the moment!
Thanks again. x
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
The one I read was Some People are Crazy.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Just caught up with your poems on Sandy Denny and Andy Williams, both of which I enjoyed. Both took me way back to the dream time!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hello Greg
Sorry for the belated response.
Many thanks for the comments on my train poem. Much appreciated.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Have you seen the YouTube footage from some Irish (I think) TV feature. It's devastating, but very moving. He was obviously still cut up about stuff that had happened years ago. His biography which came out recently is very interesting too. It made me wonder how he survived with the amount of stuff he took in. Mind you, I had the same feeling after I read Eric's. Some people must really have strong constitutions. I feel crap after a couple of pints these days. I suppose I always was a lightweight!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg I was hoping John Martyn was up your street. I've love his work since I first heard him on an Island sampler in I think it was 1967/8. I know I hadn't been too long out of short trousers. I'll post the poem now.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
No Greg You can have a clear run on Peter Green. I think the only other music one I've up my sleeve is an elegy I did last year for John Martyn. But if you're into the blues you must get into Robert Johnson. He's the cornerstone of so much blues and rock and has influenced just about everyone. I might have to have a go a typing the poem out again. It's just so annoying the way the spacing has gone so mental in my blog.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg Stefan Wilde said he was a blues fan so I bunged an old blues poem on. As you're clearly a man who's into his music you might find it worth a look. It's about the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. Unfortunately when I cut and pasted the line spacings went all wonky and it won't let me straighten it out.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg - re Wolf Rock, thanx for commenting. There were meant to be line spacings at various places but they wouldn't come up when I pasted the poem. I did try and gave up! As to the suggested ending, you may be right. I feel that the very last line works for me though, and makes the poem. I guess when the story is a real one, i.e. I couldn't go there again because of memories, it means more to the writer, and when it's so personal it is hard to edit. xx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi again Greg Thanks for posting comments on Bird and Miles. If you like Miles there's some amazing footage on Youtube of Miles Davis circa 1960 with Coltrane playing SO What? (Typically arrogant Miles) Anyway it's just about the coolest music footage I've ever see. You should check it out. Yes I like Dance On because it's well crafted. I like stuff that has been slowly licked into shape. It doesn't really matter how many you get out. If you work out the average in a lot of poetry books often there's only 5 or 6 a year from people like Heaney. I'd rather read one of his than dozens by a lot of other people! BY the way I nearly missed your last comments because the WOL message went into my SPAM. THe only one that has so far.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg I'm starting to catch up with people who have left comments on my stuff. I must say I have enjoyed reading your poems, particularly Dance On. Very well observed and crafted.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Re the turncoat canary...that was part of the thing Gregg but I didn't think it would be spotted lol! thanks for looking .Win
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hiya Greg, ta for the comment, you were close, it was(paraphrased from) one of my Grandad's experiences on a Flower Class Corvette in WW2,
Cheers
Rachel
x
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg - glad you're well. I used to like walking round Hampton Court, but usually went to Kew Gardens! Miss all those trees - not many where I live, too windy! I put the walking the coast path poem up to remind me what I want to do this coming summer, a sort of new year's resolution. Don't think I'll go just at the moment, the days are too short. But maybe toenails don't grow so fast in the wintertime!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Greg, many thanks for the reply on my profile and also for the comment on Little Clock!
Cheers
Rachel
x
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
PS. I've edited it slightly, tightened it up a little I think.Thanks for your kind comments...it made me look at it again and aim for even more of a tight rhyme scheme.
By spooky co-incidence, I have fished in Masvingo, for tigerfish. Caught fuck all....but I did have an English teacher (from Sheffield) who played the guitar and smoked rollies.
: )
Jx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Many thanks for your positive and considered response to my last offering. Most appreciated!
: )
Jx
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for your kind comments on my Foxes poem, how come it's impossible to see your own typos! All corrected now - thanks!
I like your strangers on a train poem. Quietly touching!
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hello Greg,
The Poems for Rosie blog is really just a repository for my work (something of a tidy place to keep everything). I have been published a couple of times during my "Angling Period" so to speak. As to a book, perhaps some day, something to leave the children and grandchildren maybe. regards, Graham
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Ray Miller
Tue 30th Mar 2010 09:55
Greg, thanks for your kind words on First to Depart. It's my favourite poem and I do like that last verse a lot. Let's not mention the football.
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman