Re: a comment on West Sands, late afternoon in winter by Nicholas Jones	27-Sep-02/3:43 AM
p.s. What does Bonza mean? I take it it's a good thing.
Re: a comment on West Sands, late afternoon in winter by Nicholas Jones	27-Sep-02/3:42 AM
I actually wrote that poem years ago and just wrote it down from memory - it was a bit different originally, I think. I'm glad you like it. It specifically refers to the beach at St. Andrews, but I don't think you need to know that.
Re: a comment on Transfixed (#2) by Christof	27-Sep-02/3:38 AM
Yes, Orwell is being ironic, and it demonstrates the obsession of the character with money. It's not meant to stand as a poem in its own right, but parts of it are surprisingly good. Orwell always wanted to be a poet but was rubbish at it.
Re: Transfixed (#2) by Christof	27-Sep-02/3:33 AM
This is the poem in question - I found it on the internet. Remember, it's written by a character in the novel. Sharply the menacing wind sweeps over The bending poplars, newly bare, And the dark ribbons of the chimneys Veer downward; flicked by whips of air, Torn posters flutter; coldly sound The boom of trains and the rattle of hooves, And the clerks who hurry to the station Look, shuddering, over the eastern rooves, Thinking, each one, ???Here comes the winter! Please God I keep my job this year!??? And bleakly, as the cold strikes through Their entrails like an icy spear, They think of rent, rates, season tickets, Insurance, coal, the skivvy???s wages, Boots, school-bills, and the next instalment Upon the two twin beds from Drage???s. For if in careless summer days In groves of Ashtaroth we whored, Repentant now, when winds blow cold, We kneel before our rightful lord; The lord of all, the money-god, Who rules us blood and hand and brain, Who gives the roof that stops the wind, And, giving, takes away again; Who spies with jealous, watchful care, Our thoughts, our dreams, our secret ways, Who picks our words and cuts our clothes, And maps the pattern of our days; Who chills our anger, curbs our hope, And buys our lives and pays with toys, Who claims as tribute broken faith, Accepted insults, muted joys; Who binds with chains the poet???s wit, The navvy???s strength, the soldier???s pride, And lays the sleek, estranging shield Between the lover and his bride.
Re: Transfixed (#2) by Christof	27-Sep-02/3:20 AM
Interesting. The visual images are very strong. Lots of damage and brokenness. It makes me think of the poem that the guy writes in George Orwell's 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' about wind and poplars.
Re: Transfixed (#2) by Christof	27-Sep-02/3:20 AM
Interesting. The visual images are very strong. Lots of damage and brokenness. It makes me think of the poem that the guy writes in George Orwell's 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' about wind and poplars.
Re: Nighttime Conversation by unknown	27-Sep-02/2:51 AM
Ah, the old fruit as sexual metaphor routine. Should really have used a fig, though, rather than an apricot. Much more genital.
Re: Disbeliever by ThoughtfulSoul	26-Sep-02/6:45 AM
I like the idea of wanting to disbelieve but being unable to. Not sure about the 'do know' construction, though. Otherwise, very nice. God has not talked to me in the phone, but nor has the Pope, and I think he's real. I suggest you go to church on Sunday and see if anything happens in your soul.
Re: #16 by mikejedw	26-Sep-02/6:41 AM
Hmm, the old if a tree falls in a forest does it make a noise conumdrum. The answer in this case is yes. This is an ironic deconstruction of the solipsism caused by the atomisation of society as a result of neo-liberal free market economics. Or possibly just a beautiful peace of whimsy.
Re: Life Of Sorrow by squall1leonheart	26-Sep-02/6:37 AM
Is the one very long line deliberate? It is a provocative move that attacks our bourgeois expectations. I think the deliberate spelling mistakes create a sense of naivety that is appealing.
Re: a comment on WLPAN by Nicholas Jones	26-Sep-02/1:34 AM
I wouldn't fall in love with me. I have nothing to offer except my rare sock puppet collection and love of chocolate digestives. I'm glad you like my poem though.
Re: a comment on Noblesse Oblige by Christof	25-Sep-02/4:09 AM
It is good that we can use Poemranker for a private conversation. All the americans must be in bed. When they log on tomorrow they'll wonder what was going on. I think I might have some brie for lunch.
Re: a comment on Noblesse Oblige by Christof	25-Sep-02/4:06 AM
I didn't see the programme, but there were people like at St. Andrews too. People who pretended to be far posher than they were. Thankfully, you meet very few people like that in Swansea!
Re: a comment on The Nights Draw In by Nicholas Jones	25-Sep-02/4:02 AM
I realise that now. Perhaps I'll get out my sewing kit and reattach it.
Re: Noblesse Oblige by Christof	25-Sep-02/4:01 AM
Have you been watching Bargain Hunt? David Dickinson is like a god. Anyway, this is great. I love the idea of selling antiques in the name of socialism. Perhaps I will devote myself to this when I finish my PhD. You bring in history (Cromwell and Ireland) in a way that fits with the poem and is integrated into it.
Re: a comment on The Nights Draw In by Nicholas Jones	25-Sep-02/3:58 AM
Christof - I am impressed by the speed of your replies. Thank you for your positive comments. Incidentally, I really do possess the jacket in question, although I took off the label.
Re: a comment on WLPAN by Nicholas Jones	25-Sep-02/3:56 AM
By the way, I love the fact it says I posted that message at 3.55 am. Where I am, it's just approaching lunchtime.
Re: a comment on WLPAN by Nicholas Jones	25-Sep-02/3:55 AM
Bloody hell, that was quick. I'm only half Welsh and grew up in England, but I still feel the Welsh language is in some way mine (which is why I'm attempting to learn it). Dylan represents very 'English' Welsh poetry, whereas Gwenallt is the authentic Welsh voice of the industrial south.
Re: Putney at Low Tide by Christof	23-Sep-02/3:48 AM
very elegiac. 'bird beshitten' is fantastic.
Re: a comment on Regime Change by Nicholas Jones	23-Sep-02/1:39 AM
The poem may or may not have been any good, but the response to it proved very interesting. I think I'll write a poem about that instead. Or the German election result - a triumph for the anti-american left!