The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

Nicely done G. The reader hooked by each quirk of perception and experience that the various transport offered. I remember my bus journeys to work, long and tedious, until I learnt how to read on a bus without feeling sick. When I learnt to drive then it was being cocooned in stereophonic surround s...

Hi Tracy, Like Colm, it took me a while to appreciate the poem. The surface of balance, measurement, distance piqued my interest and led me to re-read. The hook became the wife: the communication through the husband, the reasoning for that; the communication of the gift and that 'boast' of sunshine....

Love the laundry.

I rather like that bit as well as Linda.  Thank you for persevering with my 'Brit' poem.

The sweeties:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Hearts

Dropping a dolly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpXKHImnlZM

cheers

Phil
 

making it clearly a metaphor for the fact that this dad is not the first Thanks for returning Dave. Yes, the pursuit of 'happiness' can be more functional/practical than the romantic notion of the 'one love' (as Jane Austen noted in 'Sense and Sensibility' :) ). A growing up lesson for N. cheers Phil

Thanking for keying into the mood and perspective of this Colm. Of course, it is all from N.s viewpoint, and there are always others to 'adopt', though lack of empathy
is not untypical of all age groups in that desperate, competitive pursuit of happiness

cheers

Phil

Highly entertaining T., but real. The title is a grabber and the poem delivers.

muchly enjoyed

Phil

Cherry-picking Colm, but S1 and S5 had the resonance and impact for me, and could exist as separate poems. I like the story behind S5.

cheers

phil

but it is rather that it's true to the poem. Thanks Dale. Pleased that worked in the context and reflected the voice of N. Needed some validation on that one. My favourite line was "He wears Doc Martens, but acts nice." I loved it. It's sort of insightful, with a humorous jest. Also pleased that tr...

I loved the closing image, sums it up so well and adds to so many moments that suggest the insecurities under the surface and everyone's effort to form and shape a new life together. Thanks Dave for the thumbs up on that. I've been dithering! I appreciate the detailed reading you have given, the pr...

My mum scoops hearts from pick n' mix, munches her birthday wishes. The dad offers his grin and grabs a bouquet. He wears Doc Martens, but acts nice. He doodles anchors in margins, the word is kedging he tells me. Squinting I see his frown of thorns, his fingers picking scabs for clues. Mum sets the...