A bit of background, re "Altar Boy": this is the first stanza in a longer poem entitled "From the Altar To The Beach". I think it stands on its own. It appears that Michael has issues with Geoffrey: perhaps they could pm each other :?: Regarding Geoffrey's other rants, maybe I should pm him too, jus...

Dear Geoffrey,
"that evil rascal" (sic) is he
(a) the Devil
(b) me
(c) a combination of (a) and (b)

It's getting late, and I have work tomorrow.

Andrew.

I'd like firstly to reply to Steven: your comments on the poem, encouraged by Geoffrey, came as a surprise. You plucked out plays of opposites of which I was unaware when I wrote it. I recall an essay by Robert Frost ( which may have been published in X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia's excellent "An Int...

Altar Boy December fell so hard on Oakley: every breath struck hexagons of frost. Dad worked back-shift in Valleyfield Colliery; his pit boots tramped us to midnight mass. I stood in the sanctuary, dressed in starched white surplice and red soutane, and swung the thurible in major arcs to drug our ...

Dear Manna,
It isn't me!
It's the highly talented Irish singer/songwriter Shane MacGowan.

Andrew.

Dear Red Poppy, I'd rather be an enlarged prostate than a poem: there are cures for enlarged prostates ( men of a certain age tend to jump the queue), but there's no cure for poetry: trust me, I've been in both places, but thankfully not simultaneously. I trust this sheds some light on this thread ;...

Silly Andrew: the song is called "If It Be Your Will", and not "If It Be You're Will"
It just goes to show why I can only restrict myself to one song at a time

Perhaps I'll get the title right in my next post

Andrew.

I'll restrict my comments about that incredible evening of beauty to just one song: If It Be You're Will, recited in part by Leonard, then followed by the Webb sisters. From my angle (north block, row G, seat 24), I had a clear view of Leonard at the back of the stage. He stood, head bowed, didn't m...

Dear Geoffrey, I'm glad you have climbed out of the trench, yet I remain bemused as to why you used "64" as a ladder for recovery. Your fanatical "criticisms" didn't make my poem "flawed": there's nothing I've written which is perfect. What matters is, "does the poem work?" In this respect, I have b...

Dear Jarkko, Deserved praise indeed! Some of the more recent members of the "Files" may not be aware that a debate took place, not that long ago, about closing the Forum message board. Thankfully, the board kept going, and the membership has rocketed. One of the kindest touches from you was sending ...

Dear all, I've read every post on the "Manchester" thread, including all the reviews by professional hacks and Beautiful Losers alike. All of this has had the effect of increasing my already "swollen appetite" 8) for Leonard's concert at Edinburgh Castle on July 16th. I just can't wait!!!! Nearer th...

Dear Sue,
I agree with you: it's "tripe" (sic).
Just a biographical piece of sentimentality.
Not the constitution of poetry.

End of thread

Andrew.

Dear Geoffrey,
It's been ages and pages since I haven't replied.
Yet "64" gets better.
I will defend that flawed poem
'til the day I die.

Mind you, there's no lack of passion, nor regret......I'm becoming attuned to this situation, about the poem and everything else.

Andrew.

Good G*d, I've heard and seen the clips on whateverit's called, and I'll tell you this: he's back in town, village, city, country, continent, heart.

Enough said.

Andrew.

Can we please have the line-up of band members?
Steve, could you also tell us how he "sounded"?
I can't wait for Edinburgh, July 16th

Andrew.