Ray, I believe both man and woman were part of the same congregation for years. It's hard to be certain as I really couldn't pry with any grace. Even if she did start the conversation and introduced such a personal topic so quickly. I did ask her whether she had consulted a doctor for verification of her sterility, and her shocked response was: Why on earth would I do that! And I decided: Say no more; she is content with her view of life. And weirdly, maybe even satisfied with her lot; it evokes much sympathy.

Thanks, Laura. The whole subject, in so many guises, lies close to my heart.

Comment is about Worthless Women (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

How long will it be, MC, before everyone of us, man and woman alike, has had some allegation of inappropriateness in the past made against them?

Comment is about JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I liked this one too, Trev. Felt the rhythm of the train. We've all experienced such "transports of delight". Trains do it for me too, more than any other conveyance.

Comment is about Early Train (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

This is beautiful, it needs to be read out loud.
Great use of language and description which is what I like to read and write.

Hannah

Comment is about the Oyster Dreamers (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Our past can live forever in our poems.
Really enjoyed this one, like the picture too.

Hannah

Comment is about Beyond an end (blog)

Original item by Richard Alfred

A very moving poem.
Thank you for your comment. I am so pleased to be reading your work.

Hannah

Comment is about Magical Boy (blog)

Original item by Richard Alfred

Hello Duncan, I enjoyed this poem as it is beautifully crafted, with good rhyming and very entertaining. Thanks. Keith

Comment is about Wind Up (blog)

Original item by Duncan McKenzie Ross

Hello Philip, I have truly enjoyed listening to some of your poems, in particular The Loss & Meet me There. Both your delivery and voice are superb as the reader is so comfortably invited into the scene. Thank you, I look forward to reading or listening to more of your work. Keith

Comment is about Phils Words (poet profile)

Original item by Phils Words

I think this poem is sweet. It makes me think of seeing a loved one after a long time of them being gone. Seeing bright colors as the happiness that shines from within them. When it says "swallowing time and distance" , I understand the feeling of being so far from someone for quite a bit of time. That time and distance means nothing when they are very close at heart and you care tremendously about them. It's exciting, and overwhelming all at once because they will have to go back sooner or later.. In the last stanza it is basically saying they now have to part from each other , "returning to the beginning , we feel somewhat different. Carrying it all with us in empty hands." They can not stay together, they have to return to their own home and empty handed. Without one another. But just because they leave does not mean that the memories do.

I really like this poem and the meaning that I personally took from it because I can relate on a personal level of having someone I love be so far away. It's great to have them back but they'll have to leave again.

Comment is about Traveling with you (blog)

Original item by Robert C Gaulke

Wow - thanks for that Jacob. I wrote this for a poetry group, with a loose prompt of jobs/employment. It occurred to me that the commute was a part of that, and it sort of spiralled from there. And yes, I suppose it is a bit depressing.

Comment is about Early Train (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Hi Suki
This poem gives me a lot of visual images, sort of there but not there, then there from a different angle,every time I read it. Great writing.

Comment is about Afterimages In Space (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

I really enjoyed this poem. I can't help but feel like there are many guys (including me) who go through this exact situation where they wonder about the life of the woman passing by. Whether it be on a shuttle train, at work, or even school, there always seems to be someone who you can't help but find interest in. You wonder how their life would be with them, and you eventually start to grow an attraction for them. I feel as though this is a prime example of such event occurring. In the beginning, one can notice them either from sheer coincidence or from changes in their characteristics just like you noticed the subtle difference in her face from a day to day basis. She peeks your curiosity, and then you start to take glances when she doesn't notice. Near the middle of the poem, or in other words this phase of this situation, it is apparent that you've become attracted, and you start to care. You start to wonder what their daily lives consist of, and you then start to imagine your lives with them. Then it is clear. There is nothing between the two of you, and you can only help but feel despair and long for the possibilities that could've been after realizing that such a relationship is impractical and highly unlikely. It's a depressing and unpleasant story that I feel many of us go through. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Comment is about Early Train (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Ahh thank you Hannah and Helen ? Very glad it raised a smile for you both. I need to get learning this I think, for performance ?

Comment is about Burn and Rave (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Cynthia,

Yes that's me in the photo. Happy with a G&T and a suntan. I miss the heat already and it's only November! I am off to Santorini in July and already counting the days :) x

Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Cheers Colin.

Comment is about Early Train (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

'Give as good as good as she gets?' I certainly hadn't insulted her, MC; I was just a humble sub-editor querying something in her copy. I think it was my pronunciation of the word "Wales" that she mimicked. Trivial, I know, but no other reporter did such a thing in the 31 years I was there. So when I hear her "upper" class vowels spouting drivel - despite her no-doubt expensive education - on Question Time as the token female columnist of a certain type (since you mention Private Eye) a few oaths invariably escape my lips. Of course, she may be your pin-up, for all I know.

Comment is about JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Laura! So many great lines. It made me belly laugh and I want to be your sidekick! Brilliant.

Comment is about Burn and Rave (blog)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hello Trevor, good to see you posting. I enjoyed this very much. All the best, Colin.

Comment is about Early Train (blog)

Original item by Trevor Alexander

Greg - it tends to point towards a woman who can give as
good as she gets in this life. Who has not been subjected
to having the piss taken? In my old career it was a daily
occurrence and we just got on with returning it in kind...
often with very satisfying results!
By the way, I was intrigued to learn she did a spell at the Grauniad - as Private Eye (that superior piss-taking periodical) liked to call it due to its frequent typos. How
many in her line have made the reverse journey to The
Daily Mail/Daily Express et al, I wonder?

Comment is about JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hey been awhile since I've posted on here, have not stopped writing tho! Will be uploading new poems very shortly, please stand by.???

Comment is about Myescape (poet profile)

Original item by Myescape

Hi Steven,

Nice review. You're right too - there is room for all kinds of poetry, not only the so-called edgy kind.

Hope you're keeping well.

Cheers,
Suki

Comment is about The Five Petals of Elderflower: Angela Topping, Red Squirrel Press (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi there Ray,

Thanks so much for the feedback, really appreciated; it was a nice little exercise. Perhaps I have also been affected by a supernatural, autumnal vibe!

Rose, thanks for the "like" too!

Cheers,
Suki

Comment is about Afterimages In Space (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

Yes, I remember Julia Hartley-Brewer. She took the piss out of my cockney accent when she was doing a casual reporting shift at the Guardian. Admirable woman. Not.

Comment is about JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

I will endeavour to express my interest in a more poetical
form albeit that I would challenge the assertion that I
"keep posting stuff life this".

Comment is about JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Strong and powerful writing explaining this ritual.

Hannah

Comment is about The Pain Feels so Good (blog)

Original item by Justine Ramos

This was entirely my own idea Suki - but I pieced it together as I started writing, so it did feel a surprise - I hope it works in that way. I left it a bit open for interpretation, so as to disorientate the reader. I should be aware of the WOL system; never thought of that, thanks.

Cheers Col. This was a re-post from a couple of years back. Thanks for picking up the positives!

Kevin, I know you like a tale or two yourself! That sort of derring do could keep the punters happy I suppose. I read one of the Famous Five stories about smuggling once . Was I influenced by it - nah!

Thanks all x Ray

Comment is about A MINER'S RETURN HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks for commenting Tony, I do love Larkin's grasp of atmosphere and louche style. Great compliment .

Glad you enjoyed it David. Thanks!

Thanks Laura, David and Kevin for liking.

Ray

Comment is about IN THE WHEATSHEAF (blog)

Original item by ray pool

David you probably hit the nail on the sharp end but I will take that as a compliment but I couldn't possibly say that. ;- )

Comment is about Brothers in bed (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Justine, Welcome to Write out Loud. I have read the poems you have posted and can relate to most of what you say. Keep writing as I look forward to reading more of your work. Thanks. Keith

Comment is about Alone (blog)

Original item by Justine Ramos

Really Keith. I don't see you with tattoos and piercings. Having said that, it's your body to do with as you please.
Nice poem. Good flow to it .
Cheers Kevin

Comment is about Personal Fashion (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

David, thank you for this. I was eleven at the time and the memory of it has never left me. Keith

Comment is about Petrified (blog)

Original item by keith jeffries

Your writing reflects a lot of sorrow and pain.

Comment is about Alone (blog)

Original item by Justine Ramos

mmm. Maybe also the poetry is in the pity.

I love the challenge of using rhyme
The kick and punch of ev’ry line,
But sometimes thoughts within my head
Flow smoother with a softer tread.
Like any bond it feels quite free
To step outside the puzzle tree,
And develop feelings, thoughts and moods,
Without metre, rhyme or constrictions
Of balance, structure, free descriptions.
And so the words can fly and flutter
Cutting through, like knife through…
But a poem pure in word and deed
Is a gift, a joy and great indeed.
M x

Comment is about the Oyster Dreamers (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Shouldn't need to be said, but it still does. So well said Cynth.

Comment is about Worthless Women (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

This isn't a poem. Why do you keep posting stuff like this?

Comment is about JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Another thought-provoking poem from this welcome source.

Comment is about 'My arms grown taut with the thought of that wind' (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

The theme strikes a chord with my own experiences - whether inspired by being high above a distant valley or comforted by the dependable strength of friends. Anyone
who has been in a high place in body or spirit will know the
wonderful sensation of somehow being raised up to a level
beyond the limits of their usual existence. I sense this in
the lines of this poem.

Comment is about Stand Amongst Mountains (blog)

Original item by Roy Chetham

Rather than placing restrictions on the use of words in
poetry, rhyme obliges its users to investigate and utilise
the glorious ever-expanding English language to best
effect. It also requires discipline and a distinct devotion
to obtaining the right result for what the writer seeks to
impart on paper or in spoken form. It need not be
regimented or confining - far from it - but a memorable
means of conveying something that will stick in the
consciousness, often for a lifetime. I think of the
angry message in a famous World War One poem that
still resonates with its barely concealed contemptuous anger....
"Good morning, good morning!" - the general said,
When we met him last week on our way to the line.
Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead
And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine..."
Rhyme has no equal when used to such devastating lasting effect.
The skill is in its application.

Comment is about the Oyster Dreamers (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Hello Desmond,

A beautifully crafted, pared-down but razor-edged exposition which maintains a cool, partially deceptive approach; the steel inside the velvet.

Well deserved POTW, and well done indeed!

Chris Hubbard

Comment is about 'Elegant Lies' by Desmond Childs is Write Out Loud's Poem of the Week (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Fantastic Ray. And the way that you read it sounded lake you were telling a true story.
I could imagine smugglers telling this tale to frighten people away from where they commit their activities .

Cheers Kevin

Comment is about A MINER'S RETURN HOME (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thanks Patrick ?

Comment is about Smile- the facet curve (blog)

Original item by Ankita Srivastava

Thanks for reading David Colin, David and Andy. Glad you liked it Andy
I am sorry it reminded you of your now present feelings towards weddings David.
For me this was a scene I witnessed recently driving by the church and perhaps drawing a bit of artistic licence from what I saw and heard
Thanks again for reading fellas
cheers
Martin

Comment is about The bells they ring (blog)

Original item by Martin Elder

This poses a very serious dilemma Cynthia . I'm curious as to whether the woman became born again as a sort of refuge from the shame - if so that is an even wider issue . I'm not sufficiently educated to take the argument any further, but you speak the truth. At least women are fighting back in terms of lifting themselves up from slavery to men in those tribal societies.

Ray

Comment is about Worthless Women (blog)

Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas

I'm thinking strangely of Golom! Some presence flitting over a sort of Highgate cemetery scene with your ideas in its head full of purpose and curiosity - quite a challenge you have brought off. Or elements of Tim Burton.
Such a delight of subtle imagery and bravely different words Suki.

Ray

Comment is about Afterimages In Space (blog)

Original item by Suki Spangles

The doubt. I can understand this.

Hannah

Comment is about Break the Cycle (blog)

Original item by Wardah

This is so clever and true too.
Step up to the plate - keep hearing that one.

Hannah

Comment is about It is What it Is (blog)

Original item by mike booth

Love these legends and stories passed down.
Great writing, made me smile.

Hannah

Comment is about The Sea Dog (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

I enjoyed this poem so much. The description, the story and emotions.
Thank you for commenting on my poem The Bound Bird.
Really appreciated your comment, especially so as it led me to your work.

Hannah

Comment is about Remembering James (blog)

Original item by Jon Darby

much to think about and feel here. a beautiful moment of words.

Comment is about Smile- the facet curve (blog)

Original item by Ankita Srivastava

thanks . it was written and posted in the moment. Im glad you felt that.

Comment is about pull (blog)

Original item by Jenn