Let's get this straight from the start
Category: Writing and Poetry

Let's get it straight from the start

Let's get it straight from the start
I fart in bed, I've said it straight out
so no shouting and getting all offended
when I let one go.

Let's get it straight from the start
I can't do two things at once
I can talk or watch TV, not both,
believe me, it's your choice.

Let's get it straight from the start
I hate shopping, I'll hop along with you
because I love you, but I'll never
ever enjoy it. It's wrong.

Let's get it straight from the start
I like sex. I like it all the time
any time is fine by me,
don't plead ignorance on this one.

Let's get it straight from the start
I want kids. My friends talk shit
and don't know me
if they say "not him".

Let's get it straight from the start
I don't care about money
I really don't, so if that's your bag
you'd better pack it.

Let's get it straight from the start
I love you, unconditional,
I'm not traditional in much
but love is love.

3:00 AM - 39 Comments - 60 Kudos - Add Comment

Bernie and the shopping trolley.
Category: Writing and Poetry

Bernie and the shopping trolley

1992.
Working in Forest Hill
Supported housing for people with learning disabilities
Bernie, (in his forties with Down's Syndrome) and me head off to the pub.
I'm happy that his quiet half of lager shandy,
sat in the corner,
is making a difference to positive integration.

Archie, a dodgy mate by any standards,
said he'd like to meet some of "the loons"....so I wait nervously.

He turns up late,
half eight,
I was just going to leave (shift finished at ten and I had to help Bernie to bed).

First thing he does is get three pints in, with whisky chasers and a grin
I introduce Bernie as visually impaired with Downs Syndrome.
"What did he say?" Archie asks taking Bernie's hand.
"Blind and stupid" Bernie answers finishing his whisky.

You should have seen the game of pool.
The two of them doing a mock walltz to whatever was on the juke box every time a ball went in.
The laughter and the grins
infected the pub.

Four pints and chucking out.
Bernie too drunk to walk.
Archie appears from nowhere with a shopping trolley and off we go.

The wake night staff just laughed,
and I felt good,
felt I might just understand my job.....a little better.

1:53 AM - 40 Comments - 78 Kudos - Add Comment

the list of things you only do once
Category: Writing and Poetry

the list of things you'll only do once

some moments are unique
tweek your memories and they fade
jaded by repetition,

losing my virginity, oh god,
honestly, don't make me remember
a fumbled tumbled relief..."at least that's out the way",

going to my grandmother's funeral
unusual weather is all I remember
tears and rain and tears...just muddled,

posing for the life drawing class
some arse I lost a bet to made me, and yet,
you know it kind of turned me on,

that abseil horror, and I hate heights,
but somehow found myself
two hundred feet high...why?

that first kiss with  her, anita,
love is nothing
until you've kissed the one

some things

don't come around

often.

8:31 AM - 72 Comments - 78 Kudos - Add Comment

Riverboating
Category: Writing and Poetry

Riverboating

Riverboating, summerfloating days
the heat hazed blue-blue Mississipi sky,
untying our knotted fears
uncrying our worries
in its deep muddy love,

Low-necking, cotton summer-dressing days
we weren't in love just very happy,
stealing coolness
from the softness of the river
its slow gentle love,

Paddlesplashing steamboat lovin' days
we laughed as kids
in our knee-scraping-huck-finn easy ways
in our scruffy friendship
we heard the river calling,

Riverboating, steamboat-whistle days
the heat hazed blue-blue Mississipi sky,
untying our knotted fears
uncrying our worries
in its deep muddy love,

in its soft slow love.






For Lainey (without knowing you this would not have been written)

4:43 AM - 75 Comments - 76 Kudos - Add Comment

The Five Minute Poem Game
Category: Writing and Poetry

Todays poem....

Strangers in the Night

Who is breathing on me
In this place so awkward

My bed reeks of your
Body fluids grotesquely
Overtaken while
Comfort hides

Vomit covered nightmares
Of your regular visits
Fill my nostrils
The discomfort of this place
Has robbed me

Left me alone
To find my own
Satisfaction

Who are you and where
Did you take my lover

When you wed
Your bottled friend
We are but
Strangers in bed. 

 by SueBee

I know this is played in various groups, but I am starting it on my blog as well. I'm allowed to I invented it. It's a simple game. Write a poem from a given title as quickly as you can (five minutes is the target).

At the end of your poem post the next title.

Feel free to comment on any poem at any time.

Poems I like (or others like) I will cut and paste into this bit and post links if you put them on your own blogs.

HAVE FUN

Si

Links to blogs....

a few poems.....by poetman

Of Rivers.....by Naome

9:39 PM - 142 Comments - 64 Kudos - Add Comment

A blog of useful links
Category: Writing and Poetry

Here's a link to The Jane Crown Radio show. There are many shows on blogtalk radio, but this is the one I listen to. It is a series of interviews with many of my favourite poets, and many I have never heard of. Each show is about an hour and a half, and gets into the real meat of poetry.

Interesting Interviews



Here is a link to Je Maverick's site. I recommend anyone who love poetry to at least know about what Je is up to. He promotes poetry better than anyone I have met on the net. He is also one of my favourite poets.

This takes you to a very useful hub link on his site

This takes you to The Multiple Poegasm Competition

This is the link to his homepage



I'm going to add links here that you might be interested in. I'm starting with some e-zines that you can read , subscribe to, and SUBMIT to. If you want to get published online. This is a good place to start. I've only posted a few so any recommendations will be gratefully accepted. I've added two more, but the best way to find these is to follow the links on the e-zines themselves. There are many e-zines out there and when you find one you like, just submit.

Deadbeat Press Blogspot....lots of good links here

EVISCERATOR HEAVEN

HECALE

JOURNAL OF HEROIN LOVE SONGS

shakespearesmonkeys

Cause & Effect

duotrope

Gloom Cupboard

KILL POET

86magazine

skitzolit

decomp magazine

Flutter Poetry Journal

Oak Bend Review

3:AM Magazine

&c magazine

Big Pulp

5:39 AM - 25 Comments - 40 Kudos - Add Comment

ian dury
Category: Writing and Poetry

ian dury

his death was quietly done
understated even,

the press made a fuss
but not much,

and then he was gone,

i phoned old friends
mended bridges,
reaching
aching
for shared understanding,

for once
she didn't know
she didn't make it right,
i might have cried,

quietly,

i yearned for her
to put his records on,
or something,

and I learned about love
and pain
and death, 

and i learned
a small thing,
about
us.

5:39 AM - 81 Comments - 100 Kudos - Add Comment

doublespeak
Category: Writing and Poetry

doublespeak

i've run out of words
for how fucking hot it is
this week....
(damn)
...i missed the rhyme but can i
inherit the earth,
for what it's worth,

i've run out of words
and that is good
or i'd write another fucking crap poem
owin' nothing to no one
just stealing their words
with half a wink,

wanker.

i've run out of words
i used a million monkeys
.....but nothing.
i put them in a blender
but got a quarter pounder

i'd like fries with that.

i've run out of words
shit
and fuck
and cunt
and doublespeak
are all that's left,

so i watched tv (Big Brother)
we hate/love the
wannabe
nobody
reality
irony
empty
people,

the joke's
on
me.

10:46 PM - 43 Comments - 62 Kudos - Add Comment

A Myspace petition and a discussion about poetry
Category: Writing and Poetry

I've emailed Myspace again today so I'm bumping this up. Please sign up, and join in the discussion if you have time, and ask your friends to do the same.  

Thanks Si



This is a call for everyone to sign this as a petition to Myspace to get them to notice and fund "THE MYSPACE BOOK OF POETRY Volume One". Please sign up and leave a comment. PLEASE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO DO THE SAME. If we can get enough comments and kudos we might make them see what a good idea it is for them to support this. I am sure they make enough money out of us seeing their adverts that they can spare some to sponsor poetry. Many of us are of an age when we have the "disposable income of the grey haired". We are the demographic their advertisers should be after. This gives us power. The Turner Prize had to start somewhere, so why not The Myspace Prize for poetry, they could sponsor Vince or I'mso to write for a year, or they could sponsor me to stop!

These are the things that can be done if we all join together and make a noise. This is what I am asking you to do on this thread. To make it interesting I am going to try to start a discussion about what poetry means to each of us. "THE MYSPACE BOOK OF POETRY" is a Myspace e-book. 50 respected poets have chosen a poem (theirs or someone else's) that is important to them, and they have then said why.

The idea is to get Myspace to acknowledge this project and sponsor its publication. I would then have to re-ask all the poets involved for permission to print with proceeds going to charity. I am passionate about this. I have friends who span much of the diversity of Myspace, from established poets to writers just starting out, people who just love to read to people who just love to have fun here. I post nonsense and have fun a lot of the time but this is the one thing that is important to me. I hope you will help me make this work. I think poetry can change the way we think and feel. This is just the start.

Please sign and say you agree, and if you have time take part in the discussion. I have two questions....

1. What is poetry really for, what is the point of it?

2. Which was the first poem that really stunned you, shook you up and changed the way you thought about poetry?

Those are just two questions, please feel free to add your own.

Here are the links...

The Myspace Book of Poetry

Today's poem is "jesus left his cross behind" .....by Nancy Jay


I'm just adding an extra link here as thanks to the response of so many I have come across something similar. This is a collection of poetry from myspace published by Copeland Books. Where I have asked 50 different poets to select they have chosen their own, but it is poetry from Myspace in a collection, and it features two poets whose work I admire, Mer and Flame in the snow (and others who I will get to know).

Here's the link...

THE NEW POETRY...Showcase Myspace

And here's where to submit for their next volume, but hurry submissions close on 30th of June...

Submit for their next volume here

Thanks

Si

10:55 PM - 421 Comments - 342 Kudos - Add Comment

Si's 100th Post...(how to have a number one blog)
Category: Writing and Poetry

I've been on Myspace about a year and a half now. I still remember the thrill of getting my first friend's request. I still remember the fear when I sent my first one out. I always promised myself that if I ever got a top blog I would do something special with it. This post, that I am now changing for second time, is actually my 100th post. That is why I have spent so much time on it. I have played games to get it into the top 10. I have promoted "THE MYSPACE BOOK OF POETRY" because that is important to me, but really what Myspace is all about for me is people.

I play a game. I go to a friend's profile and click on one of their friends I don't know. I keep doing that till I find someone who sparks my interest. That is how I came across Spiderboots, and I just thought she has the coolest name ever (there is a picture that goes with the name...tackety kickabout boots tied up with red string and decorated with webs)

I liked her straight away, but it wasn't till I'd known her for about six months that I realised quite how special she is. She has Cystic Fibrosis.

She never mentioned this to me. I found out by reading a blog of hers about someone else.....

sad....by Spiderboots

Everyone should read this. It is the single most moving piece of writing I have come across on Myspace. It is beautifully written, honest, and it shows how special she is as a human being.

WHAT IS MYSPACE ALL ABOUT? As I said, for me it is about people. It is about the connections we make, and it is about what can be done. HERE'S your chance to do something. Spiderboots (I won't give her real name) is a shy person who gets on with what life has dealt her without complaint. She is talented at making jewelry but writes bloody awful poetry that I love (winks).

Most of all she is brilliant at being ordinary in the face of adversity. SO GO READ HER BLOG. Go ther and leave a comment that reaches out across the internet and makes a special person smile.

IMAGINE if you were this person and suddenly got 100 comments, suddenly realised that people all over the planet knew about you and sent hugs. YOU LOT have the power to do this.

THIS is what Myspace is about for me. 

sad by Spiderboots.....EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS

The Sorrow Tree......a poem by Spiderboots that is just bloody awful

Pink and Silver.....a photo of a piece of jewelry made by Spiderboots 



Si









Click here to see the book....
THE MYSPACE BOOK OF POETRY Volume One

 

 

9:52 PM - 714 Comments - 217 Kudos - Add Comment

Grande Iced White Mocha
Category: Writing and Poetry

Grande Iced White Mocha

It seemed at best
an odd request from someone who drank
own-label-hardly-able-to-taste-the-caffeine-brown-powered-shit
at home,
but that's what he asked for
and that's what he got,
this was his day,

I could sense them staring
he turned
daring them to ask....
I've got cerebral palsy love, do you want a bit of it!
Just drink your coffe and we'll go
you drink it, it's shit anyway

This day had gone as badly as I feared
hospital appointment
lots of jargon
and then that one word...

malignant.

i shouldn't be in care
I know
i live with a bunch of fucking loons cos I look wrong
I know
this is all shit, all of it, shit
I know
i'm going to die from fucking cancer, how fucking stupid

He laughed
I laughed
People stared

and we laughed some more.

The coffe was shit.

3:26 PM - 56 Comments - 88 Kudos - Add Comment

The Songlines
Category: Writing and Poetry

 The Songlines

There is a book,
Twenty years my friend but I always end up
replacing him,
five times given away and once left on a train,

Each copy pencil-margined with notes
and quotes
and poems,
thoughts and meanings saught
and worries shaped, and lost,
and sometimes smiled at,

Each copy made its own
grown into dog-eared love
until I think it's time to send it
to a new friend,
or an old one who will smile
indulgently
at my odd gift,

I sent the last one Canada bound
and haven't found the need to but a new one,
wondering at this missed ritual
I thought
and I remembered what it is to me
that book...

a journey
to a long forgotten savanah
a first step
a singing of the world into being
and me to seeing,
a journal
of a travellin' man
who walked the world
differently,
and showed me the songlines
so easily missed,

I smiled at this
at me,
no need for pencil-noted books
when I have found
a travellin' man.

This is for Larry Kuechlin.....he knows why.
 

7:55 PM - 31 Comments - 52 Kudos - Add Comment

Along a Ruined Sea.....by Larry Kuechlin.....a review
Category: Writing and Poetry

Along a Ruined Sea.....by Larry Kuechlin.....a review

Click here to buy Larry's book at deadbeatpress

Click here to buy Larry's book at Lulu.com

First off I have to declare an interest. Larry Kuechlin has become a good friend of mine via this Myspace internet thing. You would think that would make me want to praise this book. It does not. It makes me want to be what all good friends should be, honest.

If and when you buy this book, skip the introductions and go straight to the first poem, "Manifesto". It is as stunning  start to any book of poetry as I have read (and I've read a few). He stole the title from me, but then I stole it from several others so I shouldn't complain. It set the tone of the volume perfectly

"You read my words
but do you hear me?"

This is the voice of someone who has much to say, we need to listen. That is the key to this book for me. Larry has lived a bit. He has experienced much. He shares it here. If we are prepared to listen we will honestly be enriched by the end of it.

There are too many stunning poems in this collection to mention them all. The poetry begins and ends with my two favourite poems from Larry, "Travelin'" and "I Turned". The former is a tour de force through the American South, through poetry of truth and hope and universal suffering, and finally warmth. The latter is simply the best love poem I have read.

"The River never ends:
it just shades away
under a Cajun drawl"...........from "Travelin'"

"I will ever
only breathe
you;"...................................from "I Turned"

There are a couple of poems within the collection that for me are still too inaccessible, but that is me. I love poetry that speaks clearly to me on first reading. "Quetzalcoatl" is one of these. It requires some knowledge from the reader, where his other poems speak straight to the heart of all of us. The language is beautiful and that carries it through.

I want to be harsh and honest here, but the truth is that for me this is a truly significant work of poetry. I want to write poetry that anyone can enjoy. I want the "poetry of the ordinary". Ordinary words used to make beauty and depth. Larry Kuechlin achieves that here. This is a book that in 20 years time could well be a set text. It brings poetry back to everyone. Larry Kuechlin has the skill to make complicated forms accessible and beautiful.

I have bought other books of poetry from discovering people on Myspace, but this is a watershed. This is a significant work. This is something special that you should (if you are a Myspace Poet) own. This is the start of great things.

Si

Click here to buy Larry's book at deadbeatpress

Click here to buy Larry's book at Lulu.com

Here is a link to Larry Kuechlin's Page...

Larry Kuechlin

Please do read him.

Si

6:30 PM - 28 Comments - 40 Kudos - Add Comment

An interview with Tarringo
Category: Writing and Poetry

AN INTERVIEW WITH TARRANGO T. VAUGHAN

I have disabled comments for this blog. Please follow this link.....This interview on Tarringo's blog to leave comments. The interview is about him not me so it's best for there to be one place to comment. Please do.


Tarringo T. Vaughan has been a friend of mine since I first came across him. We have argued, we have disagreed, but we have managed to remain friends.

He is one of the writers on Myspace who I like the most. He does not compromise, but he tempers that with good manners and a love for others. He is also the only poet I have come across who said how much he loved Langston Hughes' poetry before I did. We could propbably not be more different, but we have become myspace friends, and that is what this place is about for me....people talking to each other across distance and time.

Here is a link to my favourite poem of his....

The Sidewalks of Yesterday

And here are the questions...

1. Can you give us a brief history of Tarringo, background, family, friends etc.

Well I was born into this world in Boston, Massachusetts.  The year was 1976 and my mother was barely 17 years old.  I don't remember being that poor but when I look back we were.  But my grandmother always made the best of any resources we had and I remember my mother, 5 aunts and 2 uncles being very happy and free going.  I just found out recently how I got my name of Tarringo.  My uncle named me after my zodiac sign so it was supposed to be Tauringo, but someone messed up in the birth certificate.  The name was picked out of a hat, so there's no ethnic meaning behind it, just a made up name that I'm happy to have as an adult.

I was the first in my family to graduate high school and the first to attend college.  With what was around me growing up, it took much strength and determination to stay off the streets and make something of myself.  I went to the university of Massachusetts very shy, skinny, feelings of unattractiveness and very moral as I didn't drink, smoke or engage in party activities.  Let's just say eventually I found myself and turned into a very popular figure on the campus.  I just was moral but I loosened up and decided Living for the present was very important because it sets the stage for the future.

I took many English courses In college as my major was English with my secondary being Communications.  I think what bothered me about Myspace at first is those who challenged my writing.  Well, I analyzed just about all famous poets from Lord Bryon, to Shelly to Keats and a 2 whole courses on Shakespeare…and honestly I wasn't feeling poetry at that point.  My focus was more on creative writing and screenwriting.

With a couple of sudden deaths in the family and exploring and dealing with my sexuality, I lost focus with my writing for over 5 years!  So that's why I write so much now..honestly anyone who read me a year ago when I was just beginning to blog saw a very rusty display of writing and my poetry at the time was experimental.  I know some are reading this who brushed me off as a poor writer.  When I found Myspace and the many writers on here, that inspiration returned.  All the writings that I had up in my head for those five years started to explode.  And now I go back to what made me unique in middle school and that is writing with a "tell it like it is" approach.

2. You are very open and honest in your writing, which I admire greatly, was that a conscious choice, or is it just how you are?

It's just how I always been, I believe I write best when there is emotional attachment behind it.  Even in Technical writing classes, I was always the only one to toss in personal experiences or examples in my writing.  I never believed in just reporting the facts, I always like to learn about something and express it in my own way.

3. Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a very bad temper when provoked. You seem a very calm person to me but what is you worst fault?

I'm calm, even when I try to be a fighter.  I think people who know you and didn't know me instantly took your side in that matter, but we had a little exchange before the Flexwriter Poetry Madness even started.  So I felt it as a personal attack, plus being the founder of that site and responsible for the tournament, I felt went into protective mode for the poets who were participating.  As you know Si we all have our interpretations of good writing.  My whole point in that case was what touches you may not touch someone else.  What disappointed me from that is other poets downgrading and being very negative with me and Flexwriters overall when they had no idea a bout the concept.  People who were your friends fed off of your anger and came with attack mode.  A mutual acquaintance felt need to make a negative bulletin about me and my response was to post what she wrote and let those who REALLY knew me make their own decision.  I have high respect for teachers, and that action from a teacher was very disappointing. 

4. We share a love of Langston Hughes poetry, but who are your favourite poets on Myspace (people will want to know)

What I love about Langston is that he decided he was going to be the next "Langston Hughes" and not try to imitate anyone else.  That's always my goal, to be the next Tarringo T. Vaughan.  So in that, who I really enjoy reading on here is Mikki, Marsha who help me with flexwriters, I enjoy Willieboy413, Tracy Mellor recently Eric B, Wingo, Lost in the Shade, and JuicySweet.

5. Whenever I click on your page there is interesting music playing. How important is music to you and who are your absolute favourites?

I think music definitely inspires my writing skills..I can be driving in my car or dancing at a club and hear certain lyrics that trigger a poem in my head that I have to get home and write.  Some of my favorites are Alicia Keys, Neyo, Mary J. Blige and some of the old timers like Al Green, Roberta Flack etc..

6. Despite what people may think I admire the work you do with Flexwriters. It has helped create a genuine sense of community on myspace. I know you and Marsha put a lot of effort into it. Where do you see it going in the future?

Marsha has been great, the glue behind flexwriters has really been Mikki..she logs in when she notices I'm not around and keeps things running, she's all over the place making her voice known here on myspace.  I call her the Oprah of Myspace.  Both her and Marsha saved the Café when I was thinking about calling it quits.  When something gets good, people try to take it down and I didn't feel like being stressed out over it..but with the addition of Mikki, Marsha, and Ben Mealer we've created a fun atmosphere people can come to and just write and share their talent.  There is NO such thing as an amateur when it comes to writing.  When you write with your heart and from your own experiences, I think it's unfair for anyone to call it "garbage".

I would like to take Flexwriters to a real website, which I'm working on.  A brief definition is a person not stuck to the same style or form, willing to challenge themselves to expand their writing skills.  That's always been me and that will always be a flexwriter.

7. Lucky Seven! You can make up your own question and write whatever you like.

What annoys me the most about Myspace?

Well this is where my bluntness is going to come in.  I just get very annoyed with assumptions.  Whether its where someone ranks in the most popular rankings to someone assuming they are not good enough.  Many people say they don't care about rankings but yet form opinions of top bloggers, you may have 3 or 4 who shouldn't be there but for the most part there's quality up there.  And remember its not all the "BEST blogs", its called "Most Popular" because its based off of popularity not quality.  You know I had no comments for the poem you linked above and when I wrote a poem titled "Fuck it" a few months back I think I had like 100 comments in 2 hours.  Myspace is like television in some respects, people want to read the juicy before they read the inspirational.

8. You are always willing to raise the questions that make others feel uncomfortable, race, gender, sexuality.....do you ever feel like you prefer a quiet life on myspace?

Most times I do, but I feel like I'm here to provide a voice and educate if not expose people to the many false stereotypes out there.  I always believe I'm here to make some kind of a difference.  And you can't make a difference with silence.

9. What do you think will be the significance of Myspace on modern poetry, if any?

Navwork Press, Odyssey, Cheryl's Pals, Poetry Nest, Flexwriters…it's already significant because what all these groups have in common is coming up with unique ideas for writing…and in the long run I think poetry will rise in popularity because of its coolness and outlet for social issues.

10. What are your goals for your writing? To be published in print? To affect the people who read you? To satisfay your need to write?

You know, I think I'm one of those people who will die and someone will find all my writing and publish it.  Right now I'm writing to affect the people who read me and satisfy my writing needs.  I would love to be published but anyone can be published as far as poetry.  I would like to publish a couple of novels


Link to Tarringo's homepage
Link to Flexwriter's Cafe

I would like to thnk Tarringo for answering so fully and honestly. I hope this will be interesting for all of you who already read and love his writing, and for those of you who don't know him it's a chance to meet a top bloke and in my opinion very talented writer.

Si








 

5:34 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos

ghosts (visiting the old house)
Category: Writing and Poetry

ghosts (visiting the old house)

it is a dusty sadness
all reds
and yellows

pale and peeling
in empty rooms

we are un-homed
now
no-one to hear us

faint light
through a crack in the door
is just a memory
of another day

those cobwebs

that gate needs fixing

this is not home.

10:19 AM - 39 Comments - 72 Kudos - Add Comment