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James Graham



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Name James Graham
User Name James Graham
Specialism Poetry
Location Scotland
Interests Poetry, drama, history, trees
Profile I`m a published poet - two collections, some print magazines, some poetry websites. I enjoy both formal and free verse. In my own work I generally avoid rhyme, because I`m not very good at it, but if you can rhyme, I`ll be full of admiration! Before joining WW I was a member of other internet poetry groups, and have always enjoyed reading and commenting on other people`s work. Any comments will always be constructive.

Published Works

  James Graham's   Clairvoyance is published in . (Available Now)
  • In James Grahams new collection we find poems that capture places from the scrambled heart of the city to the haunted stone circle on the moor; poems that travel in time, looking into the darkness at both ends of time; poems that are inspired by the

  •   James Graham's  Poetry Becoming a Tree is published in Matador Press. (Available March 2016)
  • James Grahams second collection has been praised for its diversity. Some poems are very personal but touch on all our life experiences. There is history and prehistory - including the much praised 'The Book of Lascaux'. And a humorous finale.

  • Latest Work

     » Order by Date     » Order by Work Title

    A Day`s Work by James Graham Word Count: 169
    15  Comments

     
    13 Nov 2005

    A Life by James Graham Word Count: 281
    6  Comments

    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.) 
    5 Dec 2013

    Accolade for J. W. Bazalgette by James Graham Word Count: 226
    6  Comments

    A sort of modern apostrophe. Couldn't think of anyone living that beats this guy! 
    1 Feb 2012



    Annick Water by James Graham Word Count: 369
    11  Comments

    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. 
    8 Nov 2009

    Apps for All Platforms by James Graham Word Count: 151
    19  Comments

    Thought it was time to post something a little less heavy. 
    14 May 2011

    Arithmetic of Silences by James Graham Word Count: 139
    11  Comments

     
    2 Dec 2004

    Arms by James Graham Word Count: 122
    5  Comments

    Two versions: one eccentric, the other very eccentric. 
    1 Apr 2012

    At the crossroads by James Graham Word Count: 172
    13  Comments

    First new poem for four months. It developed, in an odd sort of way, from stopping someone to ask directions in Paris last summer. 
    20 Jan 2008

    At the Laurel Inn, Robin Hood`s Bay by James Graham Word Count: 112
    9  Comments

    Just back from a few days in Yorkshire. This piece is very raw - written in the last hour or so. 
    19 Sep 2006

    Blackbird by James Graham Word Count: 153
    9  Comments

     
    18 Oct 2004

    Book Review: The Blood Telegram by James Graham Word Count: 1387
    10  Comments

    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. 
    9 Jan 2014

    Buying Tobacco in Spain by James Graham Word Count: 135
    11  Comments

     
    22 Jun 2003

    Charles Mingus by James Graham Word Count: 83
    4  Comments

    For this week's challenge. Mingus was a jazz bass-player. The last three lines are adapted from Alice Walker, so not original. 
    8 Dec 2014

    Christmas Eve by James Graham Word Count: 101
    12  Comments

    This was written about 150 years ago, when I was young. But it's seasonal, so I thought I'd post it. 
    29 Nov 2011


    Correspondence by James Graham Word Count: 375
    14  Comments

     
    14 Nov 2007

    Crossings - aka Juxtapositions by James Graham Word Count: 146
    13  Comments

    All very tentative. First of the two poems only. 
    18 Mar 2015

    Cruel and unusual punishment by James Graham Word Count: 2248
    17  Comments

    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. 
    24 Oct 2014


    Don`t spend all your meteorite money on alcopops by James Graham Word Count: 1351
    17  Comments

    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? 
    28 Feb 2014

    Earth People by James Graham Word Count: 1317
    12  Comments

     
    12 Jun 2005

    Eden by James Graham Word Count: 259
    9  Comments

     
    16 Jun 2011

    Endgame - revised. by James Graham Word Count: 161
    8  Comments

    The word 'pawn' is out. This way, readers will be puzzled at first but (I hope) find that the ending is the solution. 
    7 Jun 2014

    Excursion by James Graham Word Count: 187
    31  Comments

    This is new (just finished today). It's a bit of a new departure for me; what do you make of it? 
    15 Mar 2006

    Festival by James Graham Word Count: 2511
    6  Comments

    See below...way down below...below the footnotes, even. 
    7 Jun 2010

    Fire-eater, Mexico City by James Graham Word Count: 165
    10  Comments

    See below. 
    25 Jul 2013

    Flight of Fancy by James Graham Word Count: 111
    6  Comments

    A bit of light satire. I'm grateful to The Guardian for the idea. 
    12 Jun 2009

    For Ashraf Fayadh (two poems) by James Graham Word Count: 348
    6  Comments

    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.) 
    15 Dec 2015

    For victims of British colonial rule, the Twentieth Century won`t go away by James Graham Word Count: 1295
    7  Comments

    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. 
    11 Oct 2006



    Garden City by James Graham Word Count: 23
    3  Comments

    A sort of autumn poem. 
    3 Sep 2014

    Garden of Verse by James Graham Word Count: 125
    5  Comments

    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. 
    14 Dec 2012

    Girl in the baker`s shop by James Graham Word Count: 74
    15  Comments

     
    13 Feb 2003

    Granny`s Bonnet by James Graham Word Count: 85
    5  Comments

     
    1 Aug 2008

    Grumpy Old Man Poem by James Graham Word Count: 124
    11  Comments

    Another little bit of nonsense. 
    24 Feb 2011

    Heroes by James Graham Word Count: 211
    18  Comments

    Whether you liked them or not, youve had Hypatia of Alexandria and the Peasants Revolt. Now another poem on a historical theme. I hope its at least clear. Its a long way from perfect, though, and I welcome your criticisms and suggestions. James.  
    27 Jul 2019


    Hurricane, c. 2030 by James Graham Word Count: 160
    2  Comments

    Trying to write a climate change poem. Failed so far. This is an old one which might, with a squeeze, just fit the subject. 
    4 Nov 2012

    I Sing the Noble Swine by James Graham Word Count: 187
    5  Comments

    A sort of praise poem - which seemed to want to be written in the style of Walt Whitman. 
    15 Apr 2008

    I was entertained by voyagers by James Graham Word Count: 447
    7  Comments

    This is the first poem of a series. There's probably a 'to be continued' air about it. Another two are under construction. 
    15 Nov 2010

    I was entertained by voyagers (Version 2) by James Graham Word Count: 1042
    14  Comments

    The second voyagers poem is here, but it became a sandwich filling between two halves of the first poem. I hope its not too unappetising. 
    11 Dec 2010

    Imperfect Elegy for Mary Richardson by James Graham Word Count: 467
    6  Comments

    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? 
    13 Sep 2008

    In Cold Blood by James Graham Word Count: 72
    13  Comments

    Another 'juxtaposition'. Does it work? Is it valid as a political statement? 
    8 Nov 2004

    In the Music Shop by James Graham Word Count: 77
    7  Comments

    This is so lightweight it could float away on the breeze. Let me know what you make of it anyway. 
    3 Feb 2011

    In the name of defeated generations: Reflections on Jack London`s `The people of the Abyss` by James Graham Word Count: 3248
    4  Comments

    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. 
    16 Nov 2008

    Incendiary by James Graham Word Count: 104
    4  Comments

     
    2 Feb 2010

    Jack Sheppard by James Graham Word Count: 344
    9  Comments

    This has been on the go for a year or so, and may still need sorting. But I'll give it an airing. 
    16 May 2006

    Jardim de den by James Graham Word Count: 238
    7  Comments

    This is based on a recent Amnesty International case. It's very much a draft, no revision. 
    16 Jun 2008

    Jigsaw by James Graham Word Count: 80
    2  Comments

    Poets have been mysteriously silent about jigsaw puzzles. 
    23 Oct 2012

    Junk Mail by James Graham Word Count: 260
    11  Comments

    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. 
    24 Feb 2006

    Kirbuster Farm Museum, Orkney by James Graham Word Count: 130
    10  Comments

     
    4 Sep 2005

    Last Words by James Graham Word Count: 106
    11  Comments

     
    28 Mar 2005

    Listening to Maria Callas by James Graham Word Count: 161
    5  Comments

    For this week's music challenge. 
    23 Jan 2015

    Longevity by James Graham Word Count: 87
    12  Comments

     
    22 Sep 2007

    Look at me by James Graham Word Count: 132
    3  Comments

    For this week's challenge. 
    21 Nov 2014

    Memorial by James Graham Word Count: 251
    18  Comments

     
    14 Jul 2009

    Mercy (revised) by James Graham Word Count: 567
    10  Comments

    A revision of sorts. Lines 4-6 omitted, the closing passage changed quite a bit: readers are now the jury. 
    26 Jun 2012

    Midnight Sun by James Graham Word Count: 105
    7  Comments

    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. 
    29 May 2007

    Mind and Body by James Graham Word Count: 262
    3  Comments

     
    1 Sep 2003

    Monarchy: an authoritarian weapon in the politicians` armoury by James Graham Word Count: 1323
    12  Comments

    This first appeared eight years ago in the now defunct Journalism Group. It's been revised and updated. 
    24 Jul 2014

    Murder in Two Dimensions by James Graham Word Count: 1435
    2  Comments

    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. 
    23 Apr 2013

    My green age by James Graham Word Count: 22
    4  Comments

    Option 1. Phrase from 'The force that through the green fuse...' 
    21 Oct 2014


    New Year`s Eve by James Graham Word Count: 89
    7  Comments

     
    27 Dec 2004

    Not Knowing the Time by James Graham Word Count: 177
    8  Comments

    This is an old one, written when I could still cycle a few miles! 
    8 Oct 2006

    Old Snow by James Graham Word Count: 97
    9  Comments

    Another winter poem. Remember snow? 
    14 Jan 2007



    Performance by James Graham Word Count: 118
    12  Comments

     
    22 Feb 2012

    Picayune`s by James Graham Word Count: 64
    8  Comments

    Lewis Carroll's wonderful 'Jabberwocky' gave me a notion to write a nonsense poem. Not in the same league, but a bit of fun. 
    14 Apr 2014

    Pilgrimage by James Graham Word Count: 874
    8  Comments

     
    24 Feb 2008

    Postcard by James Graham Word Count: 72
    9  Comments

     
    30 Apr 2005


    Rage by James Graham Word Count: 285
    15  Comments

    Some curiosities here, especially in the second part. 
    6 Jan 2012

    Reaping the whirlwind: reflections on the anniversary of September 11, 2001 by James Graham Word Count: 2738
    5  Comments

    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. 
    10 Sep 2007

    Rembrandt Portraits by James Graham Word Count: 187
    5  Comments

     
    13 Feb 2003

    Reply to Victor Hugo by James Graham Word Count: 529
    15  Comments

     
    25 Oct 2009

    Rite of Passage by James Graham Word Count: 88
    7  Comments

    A new version of a poem I wrote several years ago. 
    3 Mar 2009

    Robin Redux by James Graham Word Count: 663
    10  Comments

    This is an oddity. Not a great poem, for sure. Let me know what you make of it. 
    2 Jan 2015

    Sad stories of the death of kings by James Graham Word Count: 330
    9  Comments

    A pair of poems now. Some surprising facts about the Kaiser - it's all true! 
    29 Mar 2014

    Saga of Torvald Longtooth by James Graham Word Count: 1685
    0  Comments

     
    3 Sep 2012

    Shamans by James Graham Word Count: 82
    8  Comments

     
    5 May 2008

    Short Ride in a Time Machine by James Graham Word Count: 2320
    7  Comments

     
    28 Feb 2005

    Should Michael Ross Die? by James Graham Word Count: 933
    36  Comments

     
    15 Dec 2004

    Simon Bolivar by James Graham Word Count: 124
    8  Comments

    Another historical subject. I hope the poem gives a clear picture without needing too much background. This is a first draft, so criticise! 
    4 Apr 2013

    Sixes by James Graham Word Count: 184
    6  Comments

    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. 
    6 Mar 2015

    Something Happened by James Graham Word Count: 344
    11  Comments

     
    9 Aug 2006

    Stinking Yorkshire by James Graham Word Count: 1558
    5  Comments

    Only my second attempt at a travel article - not sure how interesting this one might be. 
    15 Nov 2006

    Stinking Yorkshire by James Graham Word Count: 1563
    6  Comments

    Something to hopefully get the group off the ground. I suppose it would fit some kind of Travel category. 
    25 Mar 2013

    Stoic Precepts by James Graham Word Count: 122
    11  Comments

    A new poem, inspired by recent bedtime reading... 
    17 Mar 2009

    Stone by James Graham Word Count: 173
    8  Comments

     
    14 Feb 2005

    Stone Circle by James Graham Word Count: 328
    9  Comments

    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. 
    15 Sep 2005

    Strathclyde Suite by James Graham Word Count: 435
    36  Comments

     
    2 Aug 2004

    Survivor by James Graham Word Count: 99
    13  Comments

     
    27 Apr 2007

    Survivor by James Graham Word Count: 78
    7  Comments

    Spring's nearly over, but here's a Spring poem. 
    20 May 2014

    The Accidental Shareholder by James Graham Word Count: 640
    13  Comments

     
    18 Sep 2004

    The Canute Stratagem - Flash Poem by James Graham Word Count: 104
    3  Comments

     
    10 May 2008


    The Fearless Benjamin Lay by James Graham Word Count: 312
    7  Comments

    Another poem on a historical theme. Again I hope the history comes across. I know there isnt much in the way of fine poetic lines, its rather prosaic, but I hope the overall impression is of something genuinely poetic. As always, feel free to criticise, or ask questions. 
    8 Aug 2019

    The markets are jittery by James Graham Word Count: 50
    10  Comments

    I wondered if it was possible to write a poem about the global financial crisis. This was all I could manage. 
    8 Oct 2008

    The Mind in the Cave (2) by James Graham Word Count: 291
    9  Comments

    Version 2. Partly dismantled and rebuilt. Still maybe not in proper working order. 
    9 Feb 2015

    The National Memorial in Prague by James Graham Word Count: 183
    6  Comments

     
    18 Aug 2010

    The Scream - a Derealization moment by James Graham Word Count: 263
    13  Comments

    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.  
    18 Apr 2012

    The Total Abortion Ban in Nicaragua by James Graham Word Count: 1092
    5  Comments

    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. 
    22 Sep 2009

    There`s more to Ontario than Niagara Falls by James Graham Word Count: 1700
    5  Comments

    Any faults or inconsistencies in this revision - just let me know. 
    9 Apr 2015

    To Natalie, at the Checkout by James Graham Word Count: 127
    23  Comments

     
    30 Mar 2004

    Tribe by James Graham Word Count: 241
    6  Comments

     
    10 Oct 2004

    Tuesday Morning Poem by James Graham Word Count: 206
    3  Comments

    Written about 20 years ago, when I still had to get up and go to work! 
    21 Apr 2009

    two children by James Graham Word Count: 44
    2  Comments

     
    8 Mar 2003

    Two fantasies by James Graham Word Count: 246
    9  Comments

    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. 
    17 Dec 2004

    Untitled by James Graham Word Count: 20
    2  Comments

    2-6-2 words. Some cheating - hyphenate two words and count them as one! 
    27 Sep 2014


    War Crimes - article proposal by James Graham Word Count: 173
    3  Comments

     
    11 Apr 2013

    Waste by James Graham Word Count: 191
    8  Comments

    I'd like to see what the group thinks of this anti-war poem written in the last few days.  
    23 Mar 2003

    Ways to Live on Earth by James Graham Word Count: 392
    5  Comments

     
    8 Feb 2006

    we can sell by James Graham Word Count: 24
    5  Comments

     
    8 Mar 2003

    What should we write about? by James Graham Word Count: 583
    10  Comments

     
    17 Jul 2006

    Why is this age worse than earlier ages? by James Graham Word Count: 118
    4  Comments

    For this week's challenge. Title and first line from Anna Akhmatova - see forum thread. 
    11 Mar 2015

    Wildlife in the Garden by James Graham Word Count: 196
    4  Comments

    For Challenge 268 
    8 Nov 2014

    Winter by James Graham Word Count: 35
    7  Comments

    Tried to make initial words form a sentence too. Came out as three short sentences. I'm sure this is 'dictated by the form'. 
    22 Nov 2011

    Word from Luanda by James Graham Word Count: 105
    10  Comments

    A reworking of a poem I wrote many years ago. You dont want to see the original! Sorry its so grim, though the very last word may counteract that a little. As far as I know its a true incident. One of many. 
    5 Jul 2014

    Words of the Hujusmodian Prophet by James Graham Word Count: 108
    12  Comments

     
    29 Sep 2005

    Work in Progress (2) by James Graham Word Count: 191
    18  Comments

     
    26 Mar 2011



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  • Also 1 work visible to WriteWords Group Members Only


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