It always makes me laugh, how in control people think they are when really were just just trying to fill a minute with 60 seconds run, to paraphrase one of the greatest poets of all time.

And yes, there is comfort in our smallness, it reminds us that we're not responsible for everything.

Thanks Devon.

J. x

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

I did take a closer look MC
Why comments you got all of nine!
Poor Eve it seems got in a tangle
I think she was into the wine.......

Comment is about THE GLOBAL MEDIA (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I like this my friend......

Comment is about Finding Places (blog)

Original item by d.knape

PS Ann wrote to tell me that I'd misremembered her account of the Mayan midwives. So, to put the record straight, here's the proper story:
When Ann read "My blue hen" in St Ives, she explained that each time a baby is born the Mayan midwife makes up a song for that baby and sings it every time she visits the mother before the baby is born. As the mother goes into labour the midwife sings the baby out into its own song, one that will make it feel safe as it has heard it for 9 months inside the womb. The other mothers sing the beat of the mother’s pulse and all the women of the village breast feed the baby so that it knows it belongs to the whole community and is safe there.

Comment is about Poetry that really matters: Ann Gray (part two) (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Don for the Hey hey hey

and thanks for the likes from

jennifer Malden

David Irvine

Angel whispererer indigo child x ( 21746 )

Comment is about The Ambush (blog)

Original item by Nigel Astell

Speaks wonderfully on the resilience of nature DK. Let's hope it is always the case.

D

Comment is about Finding Places (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Jason, sometimes we need to reminded of just how small we really are, I certainly know that I do. In that smallness is comfort and liberation, I find. Thank you for this.

D

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Don, let me say that this blows my mind. Wowsa. You really pushed hard against your own constraints to bust out into this. I hope you found it worth the effort.

Prose poems have been around for centuries, you may find it helpful in your quest to check some out. Baudelaire could be a good starting point. A link to my favorite: http://www.100thmonkeypress.com/biblio/acrowley/downloads/translations/which_is/which_is.pdf

D

Comment is about First Efforts at New-Age Poetry (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Unfortunately I'm lacking
a lucky charm
Also I'm lacking
a snoring alarm

With thunderous snoring
I'm fearful of harm
Unfortunately I'm lacking
a port in a storm.

?

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

It was a sentence, MC, which, as I read it, I thought “It has a certain rhythm. I could make a poem out of that.”
(And I think I was born out of my time).

Comment is about "FOR THESE" SAID THE FATHER "ARE THE THINGS A BOY SHOULD KNOW" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I can imagine these lines being used as the preface to a novel of
the long-ago.. Like a curtain drawn back that dispels the mists of
time and reveals a world gone by.

Comment is about "FOR THESE" SAID THE FATHER "ARE THE THINGS A BOY SHOULD KNOW" (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Don, you're not slipping the form is a tad quaint! And you're right. Personally I forgive poeple even when I can't forget their transgression. To be completely honest my memory is a little too sharp. That doesn't mean people have to pay for that!

Adam, don't let this scare you! I usually am honest and mellow, but like any human being sometimes I get pissed! I lash out in literary ways which allows me to maintain calm, balanced, as honest as they get relationships with even those who have really hurt me, at least those who deserve it, when the good qualities outweigh the flaws!

Thank you both gentlemen ?
Mae

Comment is about Well Enough (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Poetry, read or spoken, can be said to be composed of complementary forms. The page is indispensable for varied
reasons yet the enjoyment to be had from listening to a fine vocal
rendering of poetry (a Burton, a Gielgud - to mention just a couple)
that is available via the medium of recordings can be profound.
I have some old LPs of poetry - one of the late James Mason reading
"A Shropshire lad" - and the experience of hearing the words come
alive in those famous tones never palls. The current open-mic
system seems to attract new talent and that has to be a good thing.
Long may it prosper.

Comment is about Let's hear it as spoken word reclaims the stage: poet launches book on its rebirth (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Don - a brave effort to accommodate current fashion - salutations!
Well, it is said that poetry reflects the age in which it is created.
That would surely account for what is turned out so often nowadays.

Comment is about First Efforts at New-Age Poetry (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Efforts not wasted. A great way to usher the new age pieces. With time you will outshine all new agers. Continue writing. Quantum theory on the buzz. Quite a rock n roll.

A+

Comment is about First Efforts at New-Age Poetry (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Thank you so much Merey, life is such a fleeting thing, it's surprising how few times we stop and allow all of our senses to inform us, and when we do, we often wonder why we don't do it more.

J. x

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Extremely motivational. Uplifting the spirits incredibly. Beautiful expressions and imagery used and nature harnessed meticulously.

10***

Comment is about Acceptance (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

It takes skill to captivate with one line.

J. x

Comment is about ... The Way I See Things (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

Oh Rose so glad you like it
'Twas so damn hard to do
I now challenge all WOLers
To New-Age toogaloo....

This bloody genre New-Age
While so damn hard to do
Produces inner peace (yes Rose)
Toodle oodle ooo.....

Comment is about First Efforts at New-Age Poetry (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

One of the most beautiful things is to read a poem that takes you on a journey. Samples shows the vulnerability, courage, and strength take me as I am. While loving the perfect imperfection you made. Love it dope poem.

Comment is about Dyphrent (poet profile)

Original item by Dyphrent

Hi David,

I don't know where to start concerning angels. Their images have been so completely propagandized as to make them ridiculously impotent. I much prefer to imagine them as fiery creatures that don't lend themselves as pretty little statuettes to Sunday school teachers and flaky spiritualists.

My imagination has gotten me nowhere so far...

Anyhow, I don't suppose that it's rare for quite gifted people to end up "on the fringe". I can imagine that it could be very frustrating to be energized by some unconventional idea and to be unable to get others to make the connection. On one hand, it's probably true that everyone needs a grounding force of sorts, but imagine if all of the Einsteins were born to fundamentalist religious families who teach their religious texts from literalist points of view--that's so grounded that it may as well be buried.

I'm going to lose you to the analogy if I keep going.

Thanks for opening up with the comment--I needed that )

And, thanks to all for reading.

Rachel

Comment is about rare birds (blog)

Original item by nunya

Brian - I have moved to a higher plane. This New-Age poetry is leading me to undreamed-of experiences. I am not expecting POTW as I imagine it would be difficult to judge the poetic merit of my piece. Can only try.....

Gosh Brian, this New-Age stuff is tough. I don't know how other WOLers do it?......

Comment is about First Efforts at New-Age Poetry (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

What a shame that they cancelled POTW
Cos I think that you'd cracked it this time
Even Brian admits that this one isn't twaddle
And I have to say it's sublime

Comment is about Resow (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Its frankly quite a shocking story this one which started my interest in this topic years ago. Look forward to sharing my poem at Manchester Central Library tonight.

Comment is about Remembering Peterloo: reading by Manchester poets and Shelley recitals to mark 200th anniversary (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Mae,

so succinct and direct. I wrote for hours yesterday about consequences of loving too much, yourself or others or power or words, that is what I was trying for in my sestina. It seems like there is a consequence here and it shouldn't be overly pursued.

Comment is about Well Enough (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Devon,

I am just happy to be here and happy to get some eyes on my words. I so enjoy your poems. Hope you had a great day. I enjoyed writing the Sestina but will probably not attempt an other though it was a good drug...took my mind in many cool directions.

Kind of hung over from it though. I had no poems in me today.

Comment is about Consequence - A Sestina (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

What a beautiful line. Makes me want more!

Comment is about ... The Way I See Things (blog)

Original item by Mikey V Kinsey

How do I comment
Here dk
And not upset
Your spouse who lay?....

Close to you
With loving arms
Surrounding you
With loving charm?

Done my loving
Bit to her
What a shocker
Not snore-purr

dk your ears
Should be more
Tuned to diff
'Tween storm and snore

(Forgot. You're getting old...)

Comment is about Thunder (blog)

Original item by d.knape

Reap what you sow
Clique this may be
It cannot be faulted
You're right DoRoThY.....

Comment is about Resow (blog)

Original item by Don Matthews

Reminds me of something I say : 'Damage done never forgotten'. You may forgive but you never forget. It also works the other way. Choose carefully what you do and say......

It took me the first verse to click into rhyming. What's going on? I'm slipping....

Comment is about Well Enough (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

A perfect intertwining of rhythm and rhyme Belinda. I have now met Sandy.......

Comment is about Hurricane Sandy (blog)

Original item by Belinda Sue Kiser

you get your coat.
I'll get your goat!
?

Comment is about ray pool (poet profile)

Original item by ray pool

and here i thought i was the only American on WOL. haha
I live in Texas with a toad, a lizard and the neighbor's cat.
the toad & lizard are okay, but the cat is a bandit and marauder.
unlike the cat, i came to poetry late in life, so late, I have very little
time left, so I write everyday. then I bother people with my poetry.
it's a sad situation for them. for me, it keeps me off the couch
and out of rehab.
?

Comment is about Belinda Sue Kiser (poet profile)

Original item by Belinda Sue Kiser

I hope I don't come off too agressive, if read the wrong way it could be even dangerous. It's not a "shut up!" towards the reader. It's simply my occasional bitterness finding an outlet in words.I hate bitterness, but there it is.. I'm sure it has happened to you too, to everyone and anyone...A person hurts you but they're too important, too beloved for you to cast them out of your life, so you forgive them even thoug they haven't apologized, even though you can't forget, no matter how much you want to. And you pretend all is a-okay and you act normal around them but you're also cautious and a tad reluctant to trust them. Then they catch that and ask to know why? This poem is the answer to that! A sort of "If i tell you, I'll hurt you.Let it go, what's done is done anyway...so why not just get along?"
Wow, big comment!
Thank you Jason?
Mae

Comment is about Well Enough (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

I like this Mae, I love the solid, gently balanced menace behind such a matter of fact request/warning.
I don't know what it's about and nor should I, and I certainly wouldn't be rude enough to ask after such a clear warning.

J. x

Comment is about Well Enough (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Thanks Heart, and I'm glad to be able to count you into that group of people which I hold dear. Your support as a friend is most welcome. Hope the birthday party improves. If not there's only one answer, MORE DRINK!!!???

J. x

Comment is about Riffing On Divinity (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Thank you for commenting on Marbles Don - appreciated. There's another poem about marbles somewhere in the making - the names of different types such as glarnies, if I remember correctly. They were the best kind and I hated losing those. Costly too then. P.

Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)

Original item by Don Matthews

I think you misunderstood me, I found the expanding line lengths to be a plus to the poem. As far as I know, the only restrictions in a sestina are the end-word rotation & number of stanzas. It really is a difficult form, and you pulled it off quite beautifully. I myself, am sceered of it (not a misspelling).

D

Comment is about Consequence - A Sestina (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Thanks Keith and Jason. Yes, a big (but necessary) topic to explore in a sonnet. But, as Robert Browning, wrote "a man's reach should exceed his grasp/Or what's a heaven for?" We either learn from history or we are doomed to repeat the errors of the past. The 29 May 1453 is remembered across the Orthodox Christian world as a tragic defeat that saw Anatolia, the Near East and the Balkans handed over to the Ottoman Turks and their religion Islam for over 500 years. The only way that Constantinople could have been saved was if there had been concerted military action by Catholic Europe. That failed to come: “For Constantine a successful defense of the city depended on relief from Christian Europe. The endless round of diplomatic missions that preceded the siege had all been undertaken to beg or borrow men and resources for the cause of Christendom. Daily the population looked in the direction of the setting sun for another fleet — a squadron of Venetian or Genoese war galleys. … But the sea remained ominously empty.” On August 3rd 2014, ISIS moved its forces against the Yezedi and Christian minorities of Shingal in Kurdistan. The leaders of the minorities begged for help from the west. None came. Tens of thousands of innocent people were murdered or enslaved and forced to convert. This deliberate attempt at genocide has been ignored by the west. In fact, there has been a campaign to allow ISIS collaborators in this act of genocide back into their countries of origin. We don't learn, do we?

Comment is about Echoes of history (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Like that d.knape, brilliant. If my opinion is worth much. I think awarding good poetry in whatever form can be very gratifying. Everyone likes to think someone likes their poetry. Getting acknowledgment like this poem of the week. Makes you want to write more. Unless you're a die hard poet. Then you don't care. Some strive for this and well myself it doesn't bother me. Like raypool said, some may take offense, get their feelings hurt. It's impossible to cater to everyone's emotions. This is a hard world, not everyone is going to place nice and someone always feels deserve more, for a number of reasons. Maybe they do. I personally like fairness. Make it fair. I've been on several poetry sites if you weren't in the popular click, no one paid any attention, no matter how good they are.

Comment is about Time to take a break for Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you dear Heart! The first line was added later, in editiing ?, it lacked a stronger beginning. I'm glad it worked!
Thank you for the support my friend?
Mae

Comment is about Mother (Love In The Time Of Disapproval) (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

I don't quite get the trousers thing but it sounds comic! Makes me smile! ?
Mae

Comment is about Everything- An Etheree (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Thanks Heart! Did my very best with this one...tough it was! ?
Mae

Comment is about Satan's Ark-A Sestina (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

So many stories expertly woven together! Love it!

Comment is about Satan's Ark-A Sestina (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

Awesome first line, really grabs the reader and pulls into the rest of the poem. I love the story you tell.

Comment is about Mother (Love In The Time Of Disapproval) (blog)

Original item by Mae Foreman

"60 seconds of vanishing clarity." Always a line will grab me. Sometimes the ones who were supposed to be there for us are the cause of all our hurt. I know that well. I hope there are still enough who stand by you. Easy enough to say that we leave it in the past but hurt is still hurt and although I think there is pressure to not talk about it.... Yeah.... Sometimes we really just need to say the words and confront it. I hope that makes sense. I'm at a very boring birthday party and a little tipsy. I love your poetry so much.

Comment is about Riffing On Divinity (blog)

Original item by Jason Bayliss

Faith denies proof, it would not be necessary to have faith in the existence of any God if you could prove they existed. So all belief is an act of faith and therefore unprovable, and that's fine.

But given that by it's very definition faith denies the need for proof, why would anyone assert that their faith is the right one and all others are so wrong that believers should be persecuted, punished and murdered?

It makes me sad that whilst pretty much all religions teach peace and tolerance, they seem to generate so much killing and prejudice.

I have no faith, but would willingly accept that I may be wrong and someone else may be right, and I know most good religious people would too. So how do we all keep letting such terrible atrocities occur in the name of a God?

Great poem.

J. x

Comment is about Echoes of history (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

So happy you both read the work and found it satisfactory. I researched the myths a bit myself and began a deep read of Persephones variations especially in regards to the phrase the Dread Persephone which I had not heard and forgot to capitalize in the poem.

Not sure I could have pulled it off if I did not have freedom of line length. I did not see a requirement there in any description of the form. Oh the edits if that is the case but will most likely limit myself to a small change in title.

Consequences...A Sestina of Varyong Line Length.?

Comment is about Consequence - A Sestina (blog)

Original item by Adam Rabinowitz

Yes Greg other than two entertaining evenings in the company of Pam Ayers and Roger McGough. Doesn’t stop me from making a comment surely? The point I was trying to make was that there have been many previous peaks involving the spoken work.

I’m only capable of ranting on a page!

Comment is about Let's hear it as spoken word reclaims the stage: poet launches book on its rebirth (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Aw Shucks...Leon your are too kind.
Thank you.
Gotta have change Rachel
Jason I put the pedal to the metal
Dorothy there is no speed limit

I'll send a postcard...

Comment is about Whoa (blog)

Original item by Lisa C Bassignani