James Graham

I've posted two versions, a shorter and a longer one. Extra lines are in bold. Comparisons welcome! (The Castles in the Air poem is now in the forum thread.) 

A sort of modern apostrophe. Couldn't think of anyone living that beats this guy! 

This is in my 2007 collection. Just below the poem I've done a very blatant promotion, aimed at new members. All comments welcome, including critical ones. 

Thought it was time to post something a little less heavy. 

Two versions: one eccentric, the other very eccentric. 

First new poem for four months. It developed, in an odd sort of way, from stopping someone to ask directions in Paris last summer. 

Just back from a few days in Yorkshire. This piece is very raw - written in the last hour or so. 

All comments welcome. This book made me angry, and I wonder if that comes across too much in the review. Also if you spot any inconsistencies, or anything that's not clear, let me know. 

For this week's challenge. Mingus was a jazz bass-player. The last three lines are adapted from Alice Walker, so not original. 

This was written about 150 years ago, when I was young. But it's seasonal, so I thought I'd post it. 

All very tentative. First of the two poems only. 

Non-fiction again. Tell me if this is clearly argued, or if it loses you at any point. Or any faults of clarity or style. I haven't commented in IC for a while, but I will be sure to give as well as take. 

Pull no punches on this, please. Is it overstated - does it simply go too far - as a whole or in some parts? Is too much crammed into it? Anything that would be better left out? Is there a clear line of argument? 

The word 'pawn' is out. This way, readers will be puzzled at first but (I hope) find that the ending is the solution. 

This is new (just finished today). It's a bit of a new departure for me; what do you make of it? 

See below...way down below...below the footnotes, even. 

See below. 

A bit of light satire. I'm grateful to The Guardian for the idea. 

There's a very serious, true story behind this poem. See below. (I've added a 'companion' poem, which tries to make a point of sorts.) 

I feel ashamed posting this as I haven't been active in the group for quite a while. Poetry Group 1 is almost a full time job! I shall try to mend my ways and spend some time here. 

A sort of autumn poem. 

Well, I was quite chuffed with Dave's latest poem. And it has given me an idea. If poetry is like dining, it can be like one of my other favourite pastimes too - gardening. 

Another little bit of nonsense. 

Whether you liked them or not, you�ve had Hypatia of Alexandria and the Peasants� Revolt. Now another poem on a historical theme. I hope it�s at least clear. It�s a long way from perfect, though, and I welcome your criticisms and suggestions. James.  

Trying to write a climate change poem. Failed so far. This is an old one which might, with a squeeze, just fit the subject. 

A sort of praise poem - which seemed to want to be written in the style of Walt Whitman. 

This is the first poem of a series. There's probably a 'to be continued' air about it. Another two are under construction. 

The second �voyagers� poem is here, but it became a sandwich filling between two halves of the first poem. I hope it�s not too unappetising. 

From my recent visit to Jersey. I wanted to put the whole story into the poem , not into footnotes or explanations. Is it clear? Do you get the whole picture? 

Another 'juxtaposition'. Does it work? Is it valid as a political statement? 

This is so lightweight it could float away on the breeze. Let me know what you make of it anyway. 

Something I wrote about a year ago, and revised a little recently. I'm not sure how much interest there will be in it - it's rather heavy and very, very radical. 

This has been on the go for a year or so, and may still need sorting. But I'll give it an airing. 

This is based on a recent Amnesty International case. It's very much a draft, no revision. 

Poets have been mysteriously silent about jigsaw puzzles. 

This was first 'published' when I read it to a local poetry group. It got a few laughs. 'Kailyard' refers to a variety of Scottish dialect poetry, usually very homely ('couthie') and sentimental. 

For this week's music challenge. 

For this week's challenge. 

A revision of sorts. Lines 4-6 omitted, the closing passage changed quite a bit: readers are now the jury. 

I wrote this in 1976, after a walk on the cliffs in Islay. The title is poetic licence - the sun was setting at about eleven o'clock. 

This first appeared eight years ago in the now defunct Journalism Group. It's been revised and updated. 

I know the topic of this article may not be common knowledge. It's up to me to make the point clearly. Let me know if you think it suceeds or not. Don't hold back. 

Option 1. Phrase from 'The force that through the green fuse...' 

This is an old one, written when I could still cycle a few miles! 

Another winter poem. Remember snow? 

Lewis Carroll's wonderful 'Jabberwocky' gave me a notion to write a nonsense poem. Not in the same league, but a bit of fun. 

Some curiosities here, especially in the second part. 

This is a long piece, longer than I intended, and rather a sober one because of the topic. I hope there's enough in it to sustain interest. 

A new version of a poem I wrote several years ago. 

This is an oddity. Not a great poem, for sure. Let me know what you make of it. 

A pair of poems now. Some surprising facts about the Kaiser - it's all true! 

Another historical subject. I hope the poem gives a clear picture without needing too much background. This is a first draft, so criticise! 

Sorry, not a new poem; inspiration failed. Previously published in EDP. But I thought I would give it another airing. It's a little like 'The Last Goodbye', a traumatic childhood experience. 

Only my second attempt at a travel article - not sure how interesting this one might be. 

Something to hopefully get the group off the ground. I suppose it would fit some kind of Travel category. 

A new poem, inspired by recent bedtime reading... 

The second Orkney poem. I'm trying here to write about the vast time-gap between us and the neolithic people - and how that gap seems, sometimes and in some places, suddenly to close. 

Spring's nearly over, but here's a Spring poem. 

Another poem on a historical theme. Again I hope the history comes across. I know there isn�t much in the way of fine poetic lines, it�s rather prosaic, but I hope the overall impression is of something genuinely poetic. As always, feel free to criticise, or ask questions. 

I wondered if it was possible to write a poem about the global financial crisis. This was all I could manage. 

Version 2. Partly dismantled and rebuilt. Still maybe not in proper working order. 

I'm really not sure whether this poem succeeds. I won't give any explanations yet, but wait and see if it works for you.  

Sorry to have been AWOL from this group. I haven't written an article in a coon's age, but this one just wouldn't go away. 

Any faults or inconsistencies in this revision - just let me know. 

Written about 20 years ago, when I still had to get up and go to work! 

For my next trick, I shall detach the closing lines from one poem, tweak them slightly, and attach them seamlessly (?) to another. Nothing up my sleeve. 

2-6-2 words. Some cheating - hyphenate two words and count them as one! 

I'd like to see what the group thinks of this anti-war poem written in the last few days.  

For this week's challenge. Title and first line from Anna Akhmatova - see forum thread. 

For Challenge 268 

Tried to make initial words form a sentence too. Came out as three short sentences. I'm sure this is 'dictated by the form'. 

A reworking of a poem I wrote many years ago. You don�t want to see the original! Sorry it�s so grim, though the very last word may counteract that a little. As far as I know it�s a true incident. One of many.