Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 15:22
Adam,
I agree with Mae - this is a radical twist on the Ghazal form. I am shocked and delighted by the departure for the usual longer couplets. Well presented you rebel!
D
Comment is about Ghazalit (blog)
Original item by Adam Rabinowitz
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 15:18
Dk,
You are so tuned in to the seasons. It's toad time here - due north of ya' - they are all over the roads, particularly when it rains.
D
Comment is about The Toad In The Road (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 15:16
Jason,
Love the intense rhythm and rhyme of this poem. I've been snapping my fingers and reading it aloud - multiple times. I would love to hear an audio file of this. It almost reads like "Hit the Road Jack", but there is another tune that is hanging around in the back of my head that is more rhythmically similar. As you gave me "Othello" (and thank you for that), perhaps you know what tune that's snapping away at the back of my skull.
You are always one to write positive and inspiring work, and this one does it in a very Beat fashion.
Thanks,
D
Comment is about Black Jack (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Thank you for teading liking and commenting.
Don, the true fruit of art is never low hanging but must be climbed for as though one were seeking a rainbow in a cloud.
Metaphysically,
A.
Comment is about Ghazalit (blog)
Original item by Adam Rabinowitz
Not a clue where this one came from just had that "Ack," sound on my tongue. ?
(P.S. They are all genuine words, none made up for poetic licence ?)
J. x
Comment is about Black Jack (blog)
Original item by Jason Bayliss
Always enjoy animal poems, He should have stayed at Toad Hall!
Comment is about The Toad In The Road (blog)
Original item by d.knape
After a certain point in his life, yes, stone deaf.
I don't know what qualifies for what, I'm not even sure my limerick is even a limerick, I think so....? But either way I do like your verse Don! Thank you?
Mae
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Lisa, Jason Thank You for your T words ? Don what do those other letters stand for?
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Golly gosh he's gone to ground.
Ooops. Tomorrow's letter. Sorry Ruth.
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Amanda, have you thought of putting it into stanzas? I find it hard to digest all in this linear fashion. But that's just me......
Comment is about Pocket Full Of Lint (blog)
Original item by Amanda Ann;
Lisa - me at my sexiest best
Ruth - I was in Singapore many years ago and the drag queens had their own street, since pulled down. You are right, they can be quite stunning. Seems this is still quite a feature of Singapore
https://sgmagazine.com/nightlife/news/meet-4-drag-queens-competing-next-drag-wars-singapore-crown
Chrystel - my dress doesn't fit anymore. I've grown in all the wrong places
Comment is about Parental Failure (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Wasn't Beethoven stone deaf ?
There was a young maiden from Froze
Who got a rose stuck up her nose
The silly little maid was beside herself
Well you would go and sniff rose you chose
Now our Rose would not be so silly
To get a rose stuck up her nose
(She's living it up in Barbados)
I hope she comes back,(need her prose)
Does this qualify as a limerick Mae?
Only the first line Don......?
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
And his terse tendencies teeter towards topical tension.
Terrific!?
J. x
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Perhaps the more pressing question is who is your Ariadne? Who gives you the ball of thread so that you can find your way back? Because without this, Theseus though brave, would still be lost. Before any of us try to navigate the labyrinth of our minds we need Ariadne's thread and something really secure to anchor it to. Love this thought provoking poem.
J. x
Comment is about Labyrinthine thoughts (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
I, like Tommy, would say:
I now think it done.)
As is.
Comment is about Clausal inference (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Nothing to say?
Truly! there Ruth
You are nail-head hitting
Good Golly Ruth, Strewth!
This ditty is brought to you by the letters N T R G G S....?
Interesting poem
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Thanks, Devon. You are very kind. This is my intention.
Comment is about Labyrinthine thoughts (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
I am an instapoet
Spill poems out a jar
Plenty where they came from
Got heaps more in my car
Please don't shaft or dart me
I have a pop-up stand
And every Sunday arvo
I dish out my own brand
Thankyou Devon for having faith in me in my new genre venture ?
Comment is about The Written Word (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
A Stellar guy named Nigel, always makes a Tremendous arrival
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 12:45
John,
A frightening question you pose at the end of this poem. I think that anyone who reads this must consider the options available. Do we find liberation in faith or finality? Do we find liberation through love and community? The list goes on. This is going to stick with me for quite some time. I love poetry that makes me think beyond the words.
Thanks,
D
Comment is about Labyrinthine thoughts (blog)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
I like this Cynthia. You never know now whether a picture is real or Photoshop'd
Comment is about The Written Word (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Devon, shafting a dart at 'instapoetry' never even occurred to me. Interesting idea though.
Comment is about The Written Word (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 12:35
Cynthia,
"the 'written word' as a distinctive Idea / Is a privilege we barely notice anymore." - for me, those lines are the "pause button" of the poem. You forced me to stop reading for a moment or two to seriously consider the privilege of this ability.
In part 2, you allude to a crossroads of sorts, where we must make a choice. I think you are referring to the trend toward "insta-poetry" vs. carefully considered craft, the training of which takes a lifetime. But I think there is a place for both, for, as you say "we barely skim the power of language."
Art and Architecture - more than pigments and rooves. Where one is the well, the other one soothes.
Thanks,
D
Comment is about The Written Word (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
I am currently re-reading Edward Hirsch's much-acclaimed How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry. (To which his answer is: ecstatically.)
The acclamations focus on Hirsch's comprehesive knowledge of, and unalloyed passion for, poetry. He is like a friend who knows how to draw you into his world, sharing with you his favourite lines of poetry, individual poems and poets, helping you rediscover your passion for the written and spoken word. I am always inspired when reading his book, which I do in short passages, enough to make me want to write, and to learn more about the individual poets, their work and their cultural backgrounds.
In all of the above regards, John Foggin's blog has precisely the same effects on me. Time spent reading it is never wasted.
Thank you, John.
Comment is about Bridges and troubled waters: Graínne Tobin (1) (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Write Out Loud Woking at the Lightbox … you never bleeping know what to expect! Highlights were Elliot Msindo’s five-year-old daughter Kayla reading proudly and confidently her short poem ‘I am Black’, followed immediately by featured poet Pete Jardine’s set, including his tribute to John Cooper Clarke, complete with family-friendly bleeps. Those bleeps notwithstanding, and no reflection on Pete’s innovative and imaginative poetry, it was enough to see Elliot hurrying his young family towards the exit … well, it was past their bedtime! We also welcomed Lightbox debutants 2b.Frank, Maria Kanag, and Scott Hendry, as well as Heather Moulson, Phil Whittick, Denise Bundred, Patrick Osada, Janet Collinson, Afon Claerwen, Geoffrey Pimlott, Ray Pool, Anna Molesworth, Anne Warrington, Lorri Piimlott, Richard Jones, Michael Cutchey, Eddie Chauncy, Scott Hendry, Tom McColl and Richard Hawtree. All in all, a staggering 22 poets from the floor, plus feature poet Pete Jardine, and compere Rodney Wood. Well done to Rodney for coping with a mammoth second half, and thanks to those who voluntarily trimmed their contributions as time began to run out. Thanks as always to Frances Wood for passing round Rodney’s hat to receive donations to the Lightbox. Co-compere Greg Freeman introduced the shorter first half, took the pix, and wrote this. Our next Write Out Loud Woking at the Lightbox is on Thursday 26 September. The featured poet will be Tom McColl. See you there!
Review is about Write Out Loud Woking on 29 Aug 2019 (event)
Love the picture on your bio - the sheer physics of it!
I presume, by extension, that you might like to keep 'things in balance'? Probably all things?
Or you are just plain playful, self-challenging!
Comment is about Adam Rabinowitz (poet profile)
Original item by Adam Rabinowitz
Laurence Robert Cohen
Fri 30th Aug 2019 12:21
In a time of liquid modernity
We all search for some sort of voice
So that we can feel with some certainty
That in our lives we have a unique choice
To speak our words that can express our being
So we live a life of content and not just appearance
That we can give of self and not just live by consuming
We are confident through language's ' historical assurance
I taught humanities for years, and your work resonates with my experience. Thank you.
Comment is about The Written Word (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 12:07
Tommy,
That quote has been on my mind for awhile, but I couldn't recall the author. Thank you for clearing that up - Paul Valery. I find it difficult not to tinker with a poem. Mostly, spelling, punctuation (if there is any), maybe a word or two. Every now and again, however, a poem calls for a complete redrafting - I did that recently - a rarity for me.
That being said, the question is, regarding the quote, do we really "abandon" the work, or do we call it "complete"?
Thanks,
D
Comment is about Clausal inference (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Jon, what a delight to see your 'rose'. Thanks.
This is a piece written about ten years ago, before the even greater influence of technology running our daily lives today. I admire progress when it really IS 'progress', always a biassed opinion with anyone.
There is no law against 'questioning' the concept of 'progress'. Thank God!
Comment is about The Written Word (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Laurence Robert Cohen
Fri 30th Aug 2019 12:03
The most beautiful poem
Remains in the poet's heart
Where it is perfectly formed
It doesn't end or even get a start
It therefore cannot be completed
Nor can it be in some way abandoned
Like our life itself, it has always existed
The poetic impulse is a life-long companion
Thank you for the thought.
Comment is about Clausal inference (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
From his tenacious tunnel
telescope eyes peer out!
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
And once again, spot-on, dear Jason! That was my point exactly! Thank you!?
Mae
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
It makes me think, imagine being the worlds best musician but being deaf. To bring utter joy to all that listen, but yourself unable to here a single note.
It made me think of Robin Williams, making everyone laugh whilst he was crying inside.
J. x
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
Hey, Lisa. Maybe it could start like this:
"There once was was a fragrant scarlet rose
attached to a young lady's pointy nose!"
What ending would you give it? Lol indeed! ?
Mae
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
A true statement of purpose!
I think there are definite levels of self discovery or revelation, in life and these may be dictated by time or experience or moments of clarity.
It's almost as if as we age we go from a stage of knowing nothing, to having some very clear ideas of how the world works to realising that actually, we're just learning how we work, if that makes sense.
And in the end perhaps you realise that you don't know what life is going to do to you, only what you're going to do about it.
Not sure if that does make sense, but it makes sense to me.
J. x
Comment is about The Nature of Things (blog)
Original item by Lisa C Bassignani
<Deleted User> (22444)
Fri 30th Aug 2019 11:34
Excellent piece Lisa! I will echo Keith's words. And might I add that those last two lines...strong stuff! Kudos ?
Mae
Comment is about The Nature of Things (blog)
Original item by Lisa C Bassignani
Don, is that you in the photo??
Never be ashamed of who you are...you go girl!
Comment is about Parental Failure (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Oh, I'm so sorry Lisa... It came out that way... Maybe I'll write an alternative version or just a whole other piece that has a happy ending! Thanks for reading!?
Mae
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
I was hoping for a happy ending...?
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman
This Poem has been brought to you by the letter 'T'
Comment is about Chat But Not Like That (blog)
Original item by Ruth O'Reilly
Love how you've arranged this poem, makes it interesting to look at...and it's true half the people asking how you are hardly even stick around to hear your reply!
Comment is about who cares, anyway? (blog)
Original item by Chrystel Roberts
What's so distressing
About this cross dressing
Is half the time
The men scrub up
Better than
Real women?
Comment is about Parental Failure (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
I say, if the dress fits, wear it!
Comment is about Parental Failure (blog)
Original item by Don Matthews
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 16:04
Mae,
The first five lines are a true limerick. But I think that if you had stayed with it throughout the piece, your point would not have come off as you intended as limericks in general are humorous and light.
Thanks,
D
Comment is about Blessed With A Curse -A Wretched Rhyme (blog)
Original item by Mae Foreman