Tue 1st Mar 2016 12:34
Good afternoon to you Wendy.And awwww! (re The gravy train)I feel sooo guilty now for having corrected your spellings-especially since I too have been corrected for misspelling-haha! Had I known you were a (lovely)lady of senior years I can assure you that I would have withheld my suggestions. Please accept my apologies and the warmest of wishes.Thank you.Jemima.
Comment is about Wendy Higson (poet profile)
Original item by Wendy Higson
booka in oswestry is my local bookshop and definitely isnt in need of a boost. the readings and performances are constantly sold out and the little cafe (alas it has a cafe) does a roaring trade at all times. still, i will attend as i do have a soft spot for the worlds wife.
Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy plans readings tour in support of independent bookshops (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
The problem is not that there isn't a very diverse range of talent out there, from many 'people of colour'; but that it often doesn't get past the first hurdle of actually finding an audience. You have to be visible to find that audience; and that visibility only occurs if people are given the opportunity to read, to publish and to be seen by the reading and listening public.
And when it happens, and a person of colour actually wins an award, along comes the 'they only got it because of political correctness' brigade, to keep them as far away as possible from that visibility, or to denigrate that achievement. Because they couldn't possibly have got their because of talent...
There are some very good writers out there of a very diverse range of backgrounds: Kei Miller, Vahni Capildeo, Sandeep Parmer, Mimi Khalvati and many more. Something for everyone in fact (and I've only mentioned poets here...)
Comment is about London literary weekend aims to redress festivals imbalance for writers of colour (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Well, I guess if it gets us thinking of and even going into independent bookshops a little more, it's got to be a 'good thing', Graham. I was pleased to see that a bookshop in Haslemere where I did a reading last year has made the national final, no less, for independent bookshop of the year. It was a very jolly evening but the reading - attended by Mr Ray Pool among others - was in an upstairs room at the bookshop which only housed two dozen people at a pinch. It wouldn't have done for Carol Ann Duffy, that's for sure!
Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy plans readings tour in support of independent bookshops (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Hi Ray :) Thanks for your feedback. Soon to be a grandad lol. You certainly have produced a smorgasbord of work. I like Pizza Express. Used to live in Tooting Bec, many moons ago.
Comment is about Little Boy Blue (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
I think you have woven a cracking poem here John. I love the way the rhythm of the piece literally weaves itself. Nice one
Comment is about YGGDRASIL (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Wow there is some powerful phrasing here Vicki and a great metaphor. 'I long to swim in your energy 'I think is my favourite. Can also feel your passion with this. Fab
Comment is about Lovelonging (blog)
Original item by Pixievic
Thanks Cynthia Buell Thomas!!
To be honest, I did not attempt any specific form.I counted the lines later... :)
But yes no resistance in adopting any structured format.
Sonnet is the one I wish to try..
Comment is about In Limbo (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
Thanks Scarlet...I penned whatever happens around us..humbled by your kind appreciation.
Comment is about In Limbo (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
Hey thanks Tommy..:)
Kindly elaborate what all you think after reading this.. ;)
Comment is about In Limbo (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
I like this. Very effective in the whole double-meaning of 'March'; the militaristic aspect is key. A bit rough around the edges, perhaps, but this too lends the whole thing charm. No battle is going to be pretty. Good work! DB.
Comment is about March (blog)
Original item by David Lindsay
This is brilliant. Much love. DB.
Comment is about WHERE IS WALES (blog)
Original item by David Subacchi
Intriguing. Looking forward to reading more of your work. DB.
Comment is about Edge (blog)
Original item by Scarlet
You can find more of my work on line simply by searching on DAVID SUBACCHI.
Comment is about WHERE IS WALES (blog)
Original item by David Subacchi
I have read through this several times and find that I cannot see its purpose.
Is it merely a caravan for CAD?
If it is to support independent bookshops why are some readings in cathedrals or music halls?
Accompanied by music?
I'm sorry!
Comment is about Carol Ann Duffy plans readings tour in support of independent bookshops (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Very funny picture up on your profile. Is that you? Or your general view of the world just now? Cheer up. You'll like WOL.
Comment is about Mem (poet profile)
Original item by Mem
You have clear thoughts, imagination and the will to write. Maybe even the necessity to write. I do like the repetition, as it binds the poem together.
Read a lot; write a lot; scrub out a lot; and I think you will find yourself getting better and better.
I'm still learning after YEARS of writing. And I do follow my own advice.
Comment is about Many (blog)
Original item by Mem
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 29th Feb 2016 20:37
the cheque is in the post Greg...;o)
Comment is about Greg Freeman (poet profile)
Original item by Greg Freeman
A universal theme, in very current 'speak', and insightfully handled. The 9/10-line stanzas are quite interesting, as they fall into place so naturally. Just out of sheer interest, would you ever standardise them into a 'structured form' of 9 or 10 lines each? Form can convey so much power. Or is that anathema to your principles?
Comment is about In Limbo (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
Lynn Hamilton
Mon 29th Feb 2016 20:12
I can relate to this. X
Comment is about All I Want to Do is Write (blog)
Original item by Candice Reineke
Much appreciated comments folks; makes it all worthwhile. Greg, all us function musicians loathed the get in - I got a parking ticket after five minutes. Mind you there were no red lines then!
Ray
Comment is about AT THE CAFE ROYAL (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Evocative and classy. The ending is excellent.
Comment is about Burnt (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
Greatly enjoyed; fabulous diction expertly used to extract every nuance.
Comment is about AT THE CAFE ROYAL (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Lynn Hamilton
Mon 29th Feb 2016 20:04
Thanks Candice, for reading and commenting. Photography is another hobby (and I say hobbies because, unfortunately neither are going to earn me a crust) so I consider you very lucky to spend your working day doing what you do. X
Comment is about Roller Shutters (blog)
<Deleted User> (6895)
Mon 29th Feb 2016 20:03
Wesly Kiplimo Ng'etich
Mon 29th Feb 2016 19:35
I love your work, Cynthia. You are incredibly talented. The imagery in some of these poems is breathtaking. I am especially loving 'Lines on Pablo Picasso’s ‘Aperitif’' and 'Girl in the Lake'.
Comment is about Cynthia Buell Thomas (poet profile)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Wow, thank you Cynthia. Your feedback and appreciation means so much to me.
Comment is about Edge (blog)
Original item by Scarlet
I love how original this is whilst really resonating at the same time. Beautifully written.
Comment is about In Limbo (blog)
Original item by Juhi Gupte
Captivating thoughts here Jeremy. I like the use of faggots with smoke , a thought pattern as if under threat.
It almost feels that any mention of racial origins is immediately risky. What changes?
Can I just say I think peddle should read pedal, with respect.
Ray
Comment is about Safe Space (blog)
Original item by jeremy young
So gratifying this one Tom. Simple and heart warming and well - turned, a soufflé of words for what is obviously a deep experience.
Comment is about Little Boy Blue (blog)
Original item by Tom Doolan
I love this, Ray, and very much admire the music and craft of it, the plinths and synths, the foppishness, sweet curse, and stairway plush. Lovely conclusion. Nothing wrong with Dancing Queen and Dancing in the Street, mind you!
Comment is about AT THE CAFE ROYAL (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Mon 29th Feb 2016 08:06
bloody BRILLIANT! Thank you so MUCH!
Jemima.
Comment is about AT THE CAFE ROYAL (blog)
Original item by ray pool
Mon 29th Feb 2016 08:01
hear! hear! (check spelling-their not there) Thank you.Jemima.
Comment is about The Gravy Train (blog)
Original item by Wendy Higson
Wow. This has a smooth rhythm and tells the story with such few words, beautifully placed to please my eyes and ears.
Comment is about Roller Shutters (blog)
"This forum is for sharing poetry, not distributing dodgy diatribes intended to hit imaginary targets."
I invited you, within the poem, to state that it is not a poem: because you disagree with the dialectic, and don't wish to consider the issues - and you have.
I fail to see the imaginary.
Comment is about What You Won't Read in the Guardian (blog)
Original item by jeremy young
A popular misconception on WOL is that much of the work is autobiographical. I'm not going to assume so.
Verse two is of course the strongest. However, the choice of "one's legs" instead of "my legs" I feel is out of place.
In verse three I would exchange matches (too weak) for torches.
Alexandra, you have really ramped up the ante with this piece.
Comment is about Burnt (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
Hi Cynthia, I'm not sure why you suggest the final stanza lacks discipline, it is constructed and expressed with the same care and attention as the rest of the poem.
Yes, I agree 'slags' is a strong term, and the women involved were frequently labeled as such throughout this affair, and also in the recent court cases, and indeed still are in some quarters - hence why I use the word.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhaff/uc182-vii/uc18201.htm
Comment is about What You Won't Read in the Guardian (blog)
Original item by jeremy young
As ever, MC, I respect your viewpoint. The real strength of our society is that we will decide this matter in the ballot box.
Comment is about WHAT ARE THE ODDS? (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
So many veterans experience real issues of reassimilation into a society which has no idea of what they have returned from.
Comment is about AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER GOES HOME (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Jeremy, so much of this is really good, especially at the beginning. IMO, the first four stanzas are super, a complete work. The next stanza is good in itself, another poem. And then, it just seems to derail into a third 'work' that takes off like an express train without a driver.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'sorry slags', which may not be derogatory at all by intent. Words are so powerful, and open to singular or regional interpretation.
You are a classical thinker. And I greatly admire that. Just not sure what happened to your instinctive discipline.
Comment is about What You Won't Read in the Guardian (blog)
Original item by jeremy young
This is not easy reading once through; but given the courtesy of a reread, or even two, the word associations become very intriguing indeed. I, also, enjoy this.
Comment is about Sleet (blog)
Original item by David Blake
Adam - thanks for reading and commenting.
Graham - with ancestors who served (some who died),
in the armed forces, I can believe this is a situation that is experienced in far too many cases and is an inescapable
burden that lingers on after the initial call to arms.
Comment is about AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER GOES HOME (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
JC - I always appreciate the restraint and even-handed
nature of your responses - especially on an emotive vital topic like the EU Referendum - IN or OUT.
I caught (on TV) the recent lecture in favour of "OUT"
given by former Tory minister and Grandee Lord Lawson
- who now lives in France! It was quietly and cogently
delivered - and, to me, most convincing in its considerations of past and present...and why we should
say goodbye.
There is no real reason why the future of the UK
should be guided by an EU which thinks itself the centre
of the world (very far from it) and limits our national self-determination and wider trading potential within its
own framework. It has no defence position unlike NATO
even while it makes no bones about its own army and
a police force that will not accommodate complaints.
Who would invest in a supra-national business that allowed no access of inspection to its accounts and
ran a security set-up that did not tolerate any
come back about its behaviour?
OK - off my soap box.
Cheers.
Comment is about WHAT ARE THE ODDS? (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
HI Jim. This looks so good on paper as well as live, and just has so much penetrating power that America is encapsulated in its almost Hollywood presentation. You can feel both resentment and incredulity pouring off the page, plus of course that big serving of semi - rant. John Betjeman it is not!
Wonderful stuff.
Comment is about A common language (blog)
Original item by Tramping Artisan
Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments!!
Comment is about The stranger on her neck (blog)
Original item by Alexandra K. Parapadakis
Scarlet
Tue 1st Mar 2016 12:52
This is incredibly beautiful, for its imagery and its truth. I love all of the metaphors and references to nature. My favourite that I have read by you so far. Very nice work.
Comment is about Lovelonging (blog)
Original item by Pixievic