John I cover most of it
your comment below vis-a-vis historical involvement. The following: "The West are responsible for much of the turmoil in the area, especially since
WW1.".
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Enlightenment No 2, Tommy. The Balfour Declaration and Sykes Picot Agreement undoubtedly contributed to the mess. But didn't the Ottomans have a benign little sojourn there for a few centuries? And haven't Muslims been killing one another since the 6th century? And didn't that nice Mr Hitler cause hundreds of thousands of surviving Jews to seek a national homeland in Palestine?
No, Tommy, your contribution as a Westerner to the cock-up is real but is only one of many.
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Enlightenment no1 (as requested John) Why is it the West's duty to resolve the turmoil in the region with "shock and awe". The West are responsible for much of the turmoil in the area, especially since
WW1.
*Below is a link. UK spent 13 times more post war
UK government spent 13 times more bombing than on rebuilding post war
TRIPOLI, LIBYA - AUGUST 29:
Herald Scotland:
Jody Harrison, Reporter / Sunday 26 July 2015 / News
Published Sunday 26 July 2015 /
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Good to hear that the spirit of the Tudor lives on at the Old Courts, Isobel. Thanks for the update, and for another great piece.
Comment is about Catch the choo choo to Write Out Loud Wigan's Christmas party at the Old Courts tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Not completely accurate I'm afraid, M.C. The survey found that there are approximately 3 trillion trees in the world which is far more than was previously thought. The bad news is that we've lost about half the world's trees since the start of human civilisation, and we're currently losing 10 billion every year. Let's get planting some more!
Thanks for your comments Steve, Stu and Cynthia.
Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Julian Jordon, Judy Gordon and myself once held an impromptu Write Out Loud meeting in the wonderful station buffet bar at Stalybridge, as featured on the famous rail ale trail. Many thanks to Andy N for featuring the waiting room poems on his blog http://onewriterandhispc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/poetry-at-stalybridge-train-station.html
Comment is about Lines in a station waiting room: poets brighten up the day for passengers (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Love this! it has a decided yet still questionable tone that rings true
Comment is about WAR AND PEACE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
It does seem to me that everyone who is certain of what we shouldn't do is clueless as to what we should do.
Comment is about WAR AND PEACE (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
I think the key phrases for mr in this, MC, are "tribal" and "religious dogma". The Middle East is beset with divisions too irreconcilable for the West to solve.
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Lynn Hamilton
Fri 4th Dec 2015 19:23
Thanks Graham, Mr LDLB and Cynthia.
Graham, it is and I have plenty of it!
Mr LDLB, I'm always seem to be in the shit, it's just the depth that changes!
Cynthia, yep your probably is correct but this 'shit' is subject to change on a daily basis according to taste!
Glad you enjoyed it ;) x
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
Poems in praise of food are always welcome - especially
mouth-watering examples written with obvious delight.
Having said that...
Personally, I'd spend my money
On a pot of Rowse's honey!
:=))
Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
A very recent Google survey tells us that there are more
trees than ever before. A short reassurance that these
premier gifts from nature still stand in the defence of our
world.
Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
The essence of these lines is understood. But it's always
easy to be wise with hindsight - as I will show with my
own opinion that George Bush Senior failed by not pushing
on with the guidance of his general "Storming Norman" and
seeing the job through. This failure gave his opportunistic
son Dubya the chance to return and add to the mess.
However, the tribal nature of the Middle East would have
been entirely suited to Lincoln's words about some people
and all the people. Trying to please that lot is an ongoing
puzzle that is beyond the ability of the "West" to solve...
beset as the region is by the sort of religious dogma that
makes the situation in Ireland seem like Sunday School.
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
tiptree. as fine a choice in jam as you can get. i love mrs darlington but thats local to cheshire and north wales i think. she certainly lives round here anyway. sensual and provocative. makes jam sexy. a great poem, especially the meta pay off which is funny and pointed.
Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
thanks cynthia! im really glad you liked it. round here the council wear bizarre, pale orange jackets, hence the papaya tinged. i remember someone once telling me they'd rather read a thousand poems that make the mundane interesting than one about love and war. its stuck with me!
Comment is about drain (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
The situation is indeed complex, David, although it seems it has had the effect of making experts of us all!
I am convinced that where we are today can be routed back to our failure to take action against Assad. That doesn't mean necessarily that we would be now somewhere better but we would be somewhere different, and personally I'd have rolled the dice.
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Enlighten me, Tommy.
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Tim, I'll get back to this - I love 'list' poems.
Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Do you mean 'traveller' as in the word ''gypsy'? Or someone who simply 'travels'? Not sure there is a difference.
'In Absentia' is also really good. IMO, you have the touch of the 'artist', a gift which I think is very rare among writers. It's not just originality of ideas, but also their unusual association, and the power of diction to express these relationships in a meaningful manner.
Always just an opinion, and always with respect - always.
Comment is about Celia (poet profile)
Original item by Celia
I totally agree. It has a powerful idea, the imagination to pursue it, and the words to effect it. Very intriguing. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Comment is about Dead of night (blog)
Original item by Celia
Fabulous - full of vivid imagery, sound effects, great diction selection, humour - and all to describe a very common occurrence that has become real poetry - as can anything - any time - anywhere. I salute you!
The 'papaya tinged workers' is great - not sure whether it's their jackets or their faces; and so was 'gentleman' to describe one of the crew - the value of the unexpected word.
Comment is about drain (blog)
Original item by Stuart Buck
There is much to admire in this poem, and much that is contradictory. I think the 'writer' needs to take a positive stand. Must he find the needed strength to continue daily living from 'outside influences'? Or can he raise, access acceptance and understanding from the depths of his own attitudes and personal courage?
This internal battle is with us all, all the time. Keep exploring, and certainly keep writing.
And welcome to WOL. You'll really enjoy it.
Comment is about You can't hurt the boy (blog)
Original item by Eric Berard
SHIT as a metaphor covers every imaginable subject. This is a very clever way of referring the actual physical 'shit' (with exacting detail) to any range of ideas the reader wants, or needs. The straight-down-the-hole format is both brilliant and very funny.Probably hitting the political scene broadside. Or maybe just an irritating person like a partner.
IMO, a really good poem.
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
I'm afraid your analogy of events regarding the middle-east John is simplistic and woefully short on analysis.
Comment is about The Masterly Strategy of Inactivity (Not In My Name) (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
I confess I had this desire on a few occasions David. When people are out of control , I'm sure a drawn weapon would bring them to their "senses."
"if you can keep your head...."
Thanks for your clear comment. Ray
Comment is about MORTAL REMAINS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
<Deleted User> (8659)
Fri 4th Dec 2015 10:08
Well Lynn, there's a lot of it about. We've all got to either swim with the tide or we drown! Good poem. Ledger
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
Is this what they mean by verbal diarrhoea?
Sorry just couldn't resist going through the motions!
Graham
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
Lynn Hamilton
Fri 4th Dec 2015 08:38
Thanks for reading and commenting JG x
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
Love this. Explodes with imagery. x
Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
Thank you for reading me and for your kind comment Sonia. I'm glad it resonates with you.
Comment is about Balancing act (blog)
Original item by Celia
J Graham
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 22:59
Love it!
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
J Graham
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 22:57
Lynn Hamilton
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 20:07
Pardon! Thanks x
Comment is about SHIT (blog)
Thank you all for kind appreciation of this poem. It's amazing what memories are evoked for anybody who might read it. It is also gratifying to know that some of you like me still use such a device. a friend of mine is currently buying as much second hand vinyl as he can in charity shops. I agree with you ray that it is a mechanical act that has all the ritual which is wonderful.
Onomatoperfect seems like a great word to me Stu. the challenge maybe for one of us to use it in a poem!
Glad you like vinyl city J, although I have c.D.'s and still a stack of tapes! Vinyl has got to be the best.
Cynthia, I also missed Sale last month. I do not know what will happen at Sale now John is no longer compering. I guess it's watch this space.
Thanks for your comments.
Daniel, good to hear from you mate. i am sure that I had something akin to dansette when I was knee high to a grasshopper .
Wow M.C. it certainly seems like you have had a long history with Vinyl in it's various guises. I have been blessed with being left a ten inch album of Glenn Miller by my Dad. great music and a great piece of history.
Lynn I also remember balancing coppers on the arm of my old player rather precariously. heady days
Thanks once again everybody.
Comment is about Drop the needle (blog)
Original item by Martin Elder
I don't think I've ever said a poem was mouthwatering Cynthia but your V2 certainly is
Comment is about Cherry Jam (blog)
Original item by Cynthia Buell Thomas
cheers Stu. Maybe more prose than poetry -but I just felt it .
Ray
Comment is about FINAL SCENE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
I've come late to this, but congratulations Laura!
Comment is about Aylan poem in refugees anthology (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
oh dear - and we seemed to be getting on so well
Comment is about Perhaps... (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
you're bang on Colin with the title. I agree that it took over the whole purpose of the poem. It's nice to have that sort of genuine input.. Thanks
I hope the new title works! Ray
Comment is about ON THE EDGE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
this is fantastic. i really like reading your work. this reminds me of The Top 10 Luminous Mushrooms of Cerdanya Forest by Billy Ramsell in that it presents a nature themed list in a really well written, poetic way.
http://poetrysociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1053-Ramsell.pdf
Comment is about One hundred reasons to plant a tree (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis
Sonia Gupta
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 11:46
Sonia Gupta
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 11:45
Sonia Gupta
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 11:44
You write so well. How often have I battled such demons. Amazingly intuitive work.
Comment is about Balancing act (blog)
Original item by Celia
Sonia Gupta
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 11:43
love this ray. cant add anything that hasnt been said. wonderfully cinematic and descriptive prose.
Comment is about FINAL SCENE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
<Deleted User> (13762)
Thu 3rd Dec 2015 11:16
Ray, I like this but I think the title is too obvious and gives too much away. Hope you don't mind me saying?
I like also that it reminds me of so much - cliffs and suicide go hand in hand - it's difficult to disassociate the two - the lure of walking nearer the edge - the wondering what it would be like - the temptation of everlasting night.
Comment is about ON THE EDGE (blog)
Original item by ray pool
this could go on longer than the war
I suggest that what we are saying is 80% the same
however-
while ever my taxes are going on bombing without a plan I will protest.
while ever innocent people are being killed - I will protest
and even if only 50% of what I see on my widescreen TV in 'safe' northern England is reality - I will protest.
thanks
Ian
Comment is about Perhaps... (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Thanks, Steve! We certainly appreciate the support you give to this site. And congratulations on a recent poem of yours appearing in the Morning Star, too.
Quote shocking news about Aldeburgh, it's true. Let's hope they can come up with a formula to make sure this wonderful festival still takes place next year.
Comment is about Questions over future of Aldeburgh poetry festival after organisers' huge cuts (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Tim Ellis
Sat 5th Dec 2015 20:37
We've got to the end of the first week of the Paris climate conference, and I gather a document of some sort has been produced after a lot of wrangling between negotiators which the politicians will have to fight about next week. I don't know yet what the document says, but I've no doubt it falls well short of anything that will help us. But at least they're talking about it seriously now. We can but hope.
Talking of hope, although I've only sold one, single online copy of my pamphlet since I published it, I'm going to post the link yet again. I'm a poet, I have to be optimistic!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speak-Unspeakable-words-overheating-world/dp/1519178085/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449347744&sr=1-1&keywords=speak+the+unspeakable
Comment is about END OF HISTORY SALE! (blog)
Original item by Tim Ellis