Poetry Forum

I'd like to come out to play too. London is just down the road from me and it would be a pleasure to meet you all.

Thank you for pointing the way, Jane.

I’m not Scottish or Welsh. Born in England, of English parents. But I consider myself to be British. What interests me isn’t so much finding identity by looking back into the past, although it’s something that is unavoidable, but it’s what I can draw on NOW, going into the future that will give me a...

David wrote:How did Burnley get in there?

Ah, glad you asked. Brace your self -

Ooh, I like that Long Tall Sally clip. Outlandish!

Is it me, or does Graham Taylor look like Gene Vincent?! Or did Gene Vincent look like a young Ken Dodd? Either way, he was quite clearly a great performer. Gene Vincent, that is.

Ken Dodd is still on tour...

Thanks, David.

I'm still not sure if S3 needs to be there at all. The poem probably fits better together without it. I can live with the title, unless something better occurs to me. I'll think on.

I've messed around with the ending. Still not happy with it, but it's improving, I think.

David Hats off for keeping the metre under control. You've tamed the bucking bronco! It's very pleasing when read aloud, though you seem to have to dig in a little at S4 to keep the meter going, giving the suggestion of a bit of a struggle to keep the sense of the words in line with the even pulse y...

Hello Seth,

Yes, l2 could go. There are cricket references- just seemed to fit somehow. Dunstable is in a bit of a state these days.

I'm toying with removing S3. Seems a little out of place now.

Cheers, Mike. Thanks for reading.

REVISION 2 Even the cows have had enough. They’ve given up and gone, removed their silhouettes from the hill, turned their backs and wandered off to find a distant view of somewhere else. It’s sort of fizzled out and flopped, left the crease with battered knackers in a box. Crap handed town, doesn’t...

Joe

I like the idea and enjoyed it enough to have read it through a few times. You've definitely got something to work with here. It's nicely off-centre and probably already lives as a quirky performance piece. But as a poem? Needs a few more ingredients, I think.

Regards

I really, really like this, Mic. The philosophising flies over my head and the editorial about it in the last line of S1 is self-conscious and a definite dump for me. I'd get rid. The E.g. would need to go too. beloved seems like quite an elderly term to use. Especially as you end, rather splendidly...

I don't care, I don't care. I like it!

Three? That's just greedy! Well done YOU.

Suzanne! That voice of yours should be on prescription. You are a natural.

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about here, as far as I can see. I enjoyed your readings, Ros. You deserve respect for standing up in front of your peers and delivering such authoritative renderings of your poetry. Thank you.

Wahey! Ray!

May I suggest promoting the audio section more than is being done at the moment? I’ve always liked walking in and listening to Barrie, Kris et al read their poetry. Listening, instead of reading, brings its own peculiar pleasure. It gives words voice and personality. I particularly relish listening ...

I thank you.

I remember you... just.

You've got a fantastic poem in the Experienced Feature section - View from Cutacre Tip. I've gone backwards and fowards to look at that one over the years. Welcome back.

Antcliff wrote:Whatever happened to Nick Lowe?

I believe he's being kept against his will in a lock-up, somewhere just outside Welwyn Garden City. I think his dad is pretty good.

Here's another one from the old imposter -

Thanks, Suzanne. You know something about audio files? Send something. Please. It would be great to hear another voice.

Regards,

Oskar