Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

‘THE BOX’ - READERS VOTE ISSUE 139 - RESULTS 

1st Narcissus Pamela Trudie Hodge
2nd Swan David Norris-Kay
3rd Call Me Old-Fashioned Peter Johnson
4th Street Scene Mary Anne Perkins

REACHERS NEWS AND VIEWS

Delighted to say Fay Davies has joined us here at RP; many will know her from Linkway days. Fay has her first novel published, The Lawmakers, ISBN 978-07552-045-1-9. Amazon, Authorsonline, or direct: Fay Davies, The Shieling, The Links, Burry Port, SA16 0HU £12. Congrats go to BMJ for receiving the ‘Critic Of The Year 2010 Award’ from The International Poetry Society Of Kolkata (Calcutta), India. You must be proud Bernard and pats on the back from all here at RP.
Ronnie G

I really admire the cover in all recent editions of Reach -since it went glossy, but must confess to being a little baffled by the latest, is it planet Earth or perhaps Mars there in the background ? Anyway I liked it. (It is the person’s imagination freed from the rain by poetry, Ron)

Also liked your "Spring Shorts" especially "Great Gable" the first mountain I climbed with my (then) two young children.

1. The Conversation by Jean Atkinson -A well observed and touching poem.
2. Cat at the Tank by Mary Charman-Smith, amusing, well written very visual.
3. Narcissus by Pamela Trudie Hodge -simple, restrained and very effective. 

But of course there were as usual many other poems I admired in particular those by Oz Hardwick, Roger Harvey, Jenny Hamlett, Christine May Turner -how "Paradiddle" slips off the tongue, Joan Sheridan Smith and "Downsizing" by Ben McNair -sad but true!

Best wishes to all, Ron Woollard 


I wasn't sure of my vote placings but then it all fell into shape in a flurry, after a lot of soul searching.

1= Swan - David Norris-Kay and The Plunge - Pamela Constantine
2= Waking Light - Richard Labram and One Truth - Albert Oxford
3= Flodden Field, 1513 - Peter Davies and The Battle of Flodden - Ron Woollard
4 After the Dusk - Rosemary Whittingham

Other favourites: What A Lovely War! - Cedric Murcott (not only for the sentiment but in particular for the last verse); To the Lady at St Pancras - Mavis Gulliver; White Cross - Jenny Hamlett; Ephemeral Juxtaposition - Richard Bonfield; From the Otherside -Denise Margaret Hargrave (I am going to try this form); The Watering Can to the Garden - Alan Spencer and Wild Godrevy Shore - Ronnie Goodyer. Loved being called the ‘Tetractys Queen’ by Claire Knight - thank you, that's an honour bestowed. Carol Ann Darling

Another super selection of work in issue 139 from which I'd like to register my vote for favourites:

1st 'Swan' by David Norris-Kay. A cleverly crafted poem, enhanced by some lovely alliterative elements, 'laughing lace' being my favourite.
2nd 'The Plunge' by Pamela Constantine. This subtle account of seeming inevitable loss touched me deeply; a quiet sadness beautifully expressed.
3rd 'Street Scene' by Mary Anne Perkins. Oh how this strikes a sad chord with me, having recently witnessed a huge tree in full blossom and being a roost to hundreds of birds, smashed down and dragged away to make room for car parking. Monstrous! 

In common with most readers of Reach, it's my practice to look at your own entries first -always impressive. Dawn's 'Baklava' was no exception.
All the best, Albert Oxford

  
Another lively and colourful read. I had quite a hunt to find you this time, Soxx! It doesn't feel particularly spring-like today, but Alan Spencer's watering can is turning me 'summer-wards' bit by bit. I was intrigued by Carol Ann Darling's precise 'Geometric' -and entranced, Ronnie, by your Spring Shorts page. Wendy's finely-honed 'Listen to Mermaids Singing' sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. And now for my line-up:

First Place: 'The Plunge' by Pamela Constantine. A strong voice with a fine blend of subject and rhythm, giving us a lyrical but uneasy foretaste of spray 'where the dark sea tossed'. One of those poems that leaves a deep and lasting impression.

Second Place: 'Swan' by David Norris-Kay. Another distinctive voice. The poet has created a convincing -if surreal -scene. The 'wake of laughing lace' is a most evocative description of those ripples.

Third Place: 'Ephemeral Juxtaposition' -the beauty of simplicity; the art of saying so much with so little.

Fourth Place: 'The Call of Home': Barbara E. Robinson. I love this description of the wild feline who taps 'with taloned paw'.

Gower greetings to all, Caroline Gill

What a superb sci-fi cover. Every magazine's cover is always a great artistic surprise! The first stanza of Ronnie's 'Spring Shorts' reminded me of my various hill walking adventures as a young man .. Travelling up to the Lake District with a dentist friend in his convertible Aston Martin sports car, then exchanging luxury for the rigours of Great Gable, Scafell Pike etc, and a two man tent! Dawn's 'BAKLAVA' is great, especially the comparison of almonds to 'smooth milky fingernails'. Lovely stuff.

FIRST: NARCISSUS - PAMELA TRUDIE HODGE.
JOINT SECOND: UNCLE HARRY -MARGARET WHITAKER and
ONE TRUTH - ALBERT OXFORD.
THIRD: BJORN AND BENNY WRITE FOR ABBA -ROGER
HARVEY. (I have always been a secret ABBA fan, but have never "come
out" until now!!) 'Dancing Queen' being the anthem of long ago wedding
anniversary celebrations.

Warmth and Love to all fellow Reachers, David Norris-Kay

  
I had a difficult time choosing the winners once again but the following stood out after a second reading:

1. The Plunge – Pamela Constantine
2. = White Cross – Jenny Hamlett and Affinity – June White
3. = Swan – David Norris-Kay and Uncle Harry – Margaret Whitaker 

Close runners-up were; The Conversation, Jean Atkinson; Bjorn and
Benny, Roger Harvey; The Watering Can to the Garden, Alan Spencer. I
loved the cover, especially the enlarged back picture Ronnie – so unusual
and quite brilliant.

Regards and smiles to all, Barbara R.

Well now, number 1 just has to be Peter's Old-fashioned, as although he says the poem has nothing to say at all, I think it says a lot and I agree with every jot and tittle. 2 Jenny's White Cross -I know it and it took me right back.........the wind's jester, the rain's whipping boy - excellent imagery. And Pamela's Narcissus -a simple story, but not a word out of place, nicely structured, moving - what more can you ask?
Love and spring blessings, Tina

My thanks to all the readers who voted for And Peace Is. I am humbled that so many can manage to get themselves organized, read all the poems, come to a decision and vote on time. My Reach will probably be read on the plane as we are heading off to Canada (part business, part pleasure) for the last three weeks in April.
Best wishes, K V Skene

From the amazing cover to the back page RP is always full of delightful surprises. As I am going away for a few weeks a decision about votes must be made very quickly, so the poems with immediate appeal for me at the moment are:

3. Narcissus - Pamela Trudie Hodge
2. One Truth - Albert Oxford
1. At the Museum - Rowena M Love 

Others on my list are Cat at the Tank and To the Lady at St Pancras, I know there should be more but I must go and finish packing! As snow threatens here in the North I wish all Reachers a sunny Easter.
Eileen Carney Hulme

  
Another beautifully-realised cover (even if Soxx appears to be drowning not waving!) heralds another sensitively-edited issue. My favourites are led by the inventive and well-crafted Paradiddle by Christine May Turner, with Flodden Field 1513 by Peter Davies and two and Narcissus by Pamela Trudie Hodge ay three. Rowena’s At the Museum, Pamela’s The Plunge and Mavis Gulliver’s Lady at St Pancras are also excellent and memorable poems. Best wishes, Roger Harvey

I like the cover and motto of Issue 139 - it should inspire us. I'd be interested to know if other writers find that they need to have a break from writing after a time. I have found that it helps me to take time off and return refreshed - not necessarily a holiday, just a change of activity. Voting is difficult again this month but there is nothing new in that! It is always interesting to compare your own judgements with the majority. I like Dawn's Baklava the poem as well as the Greek or Turkish confection and Ronnie’s Spring Shorts. There are many to enjoy including Colour of Love by Joan Sheridan Smith, one of your reliable regulars, Thoughts on Robbie Bums by Joan Corney and the Flodden poems by Ron Woollard and Peter Davies. I fear my choices may again be a minority view but I like Rosemary Whittingham's At the Dusk as 3rd. David Norris Kay's prize winning Swan and Fading Light at Cedar Park by Cavan Magner joint 2nd place and for 1st Call Me Old-fashioned by Peter Johnson as I have a taste for subversion!
Best wishes to everyone, Peter Day

My choices from the latest excellent edition.

In third place my vote goes to “The Conversation” by Jean Atkinson. I liked the way the reader was encouraged to misunderstand the two boys in the same way I assume Jean had misunderstood them at the time. Really well told. In second place I have “Uncle Harry” by Margaret Whitaker. He may have been a “black sheep” but it is real affection that comes through her verse, and the lines around “unversed in the protocol of grief/offered a limp posy of white narcissi” are really very touching. But my choice for first place goes to “Narcissus” by Pamela Trudie Hodge. Death, it seems to me, is often written about, but rarely well. This poem is the exception that proves the rule. I certainly share the idea that it is apparently insignificant and unrelated things that can cause memories to flood back, usually in a strong and unexpected way. The image of “their white roots searching/blindly for the light” is really poignant, an image for the bereaved everywhere. I don’t think I have read it for the last time! Best regards, Dave Costello

139 proves to be a top quality magazine, well produced and full of originality. So many fresh ideas and fanciful notions. My No 1 though goes to 'Narcissus' by Pamela Trudie Hodge. We all leave things undone when we leave and this is so appealing. 2nd place goes to 'Monochromes' by Ken Champion. I see a dark cacophony of pictures in this, a great write. And for No 3 I place that rat-tat-tat of battle 'What a lovely war' by Cedric Murcott. Truth and cynicism lying together. As always lots to enjoy and read over and over. Best wishes to one and all. Oh, and the dog! Eric Langford

Beautiful poems. I chose, among many others,

    1.  One truth – Albert Oxford. Very moving 
    2. = Nomads – Norman Bissett and The Plunge – Pamela
           Constantine. 
    3.  = Narcissus – Pamela Trudie Hodge and Paradiddle – Christine
            May Turner (Good fun)

Also enjoyed Peter Johnson’s Call Me Old-Fashioned, how I agree!
Best wishes, Joan Sheridan Smith

It was good to receive Reach a little early. A very different but pleasant blue cover this time, but I can’t find Soxx. (Front, in bottom right corner) I do agree with David Norris-Key in not liking the modern trend in “deliberate obfuscation”. Reading some modern poets is like groping through a fog. So difficult to touch on that delicate balance between the blatantly obvious and the totally obscure. Votes this time:

1st Call Me Old Fashioned – Peter Johnson
2nd Paradiddle – Christine May Turner
3rd Listen to the Mermaids Singing – Wendy Webb
4th Thoughts on Robbie Burns – Joan Corney

Must mention: India – on tour – Joanna Lynham: Street Scene – Mary Anne Perkins: Uncle Harry – Margaret Whitaker: After the Dusk – Rosemary Whittingham: From the Otherside – Denise Margaret Hargrave: Flodden Field – Peter Davies and The Battle of Flodden – Ron Woollard and The Conservation – Jean Atkinson. Your title “Spring Shorts” conjured up a rather strange picture! (Oi!) In fact, you took us right into a gallery of places with all their colour and atmosphere. I liked Dawn’s mind wandering too – the kitchen is often a good place to start from. Attempting to write a summer poem for the proposed summer collection might be a good way to ward off the chill of the current Blackthorn Winter. Best wishes to all, Valerie Flatman

I hope that you all enjoyed your break in Somerset and that Soxx made his peace with Kevin the goose. (Soxx and Kevin still best of enemies Linus!) Another great selection of poems, always so difficult to choose though.

1) STREET SCENE by Mary Anne Perkins
2) NARCISSUS by Pamela Trudie Hodge
3) TRAVELLING HOME by Jane Fraser Esson
Love and Light to you all, Linus 

   1. Roadside – Oz Hardwick
   2. Paradiddle – Christine May Turner
   3. Street Scene – Mary Anne Perkins
Best wishes, Cavan Magner 
 

Fascinating cover, and yes! Soxx is there, how that dog does put himself about!
1st. Bjorn and Benny write for Abba - Roger Harvey. Just loved it, danced to the music all the time, still do now and then.
2nd. Geometric. Carol Ann Darling. -A very clever and intelligent poem.
3rd. -India -on tour -Joanna Lynham -persuasive social comment with atmosphere and imagery. Of your Spring Shorts, I think I liked Great Gable best, and really enjoyed Dawn's pudding poem.
Good wishes to all, Kate Edwards

A stunning cover this month - as is that of the current Sarasvati - and great poetry, as ever.
1) At the Museum: Rowena M Love - so evocative and well described.
2) Narcissus: Pamela Trudie Hodge -gentle and poignant = Bjorn and Benny Write for Abba: Roger Harvey - the last part lifted this poem to more than just a portrayal of musicians.
3) Waking Light: Richard Labram - succinct and effective = Swans: David Norris-Kay - beautifully written
Also noted: Listen to the Mermaids singing, stirring stuff Wendy; Cavan's Fading Light, a chilling truth; the 2 Flodden Field poems, interesting; also liked White Cross, Nomads, Affinity and the Call of Home (and just a wee point -my spring haiku is in fact a than-bauk).
Wishing all warmer days. Claire Knight

I hope Somerset was like the beautiful Rilke lines on your Welcome page, and that Spring has sprung, as we move into deep autumn, with harvests of grapes and figs to compensate. Here are my choices for Reach 139 – another stunning issue.
   1.     Nomads, Norman Bissett: some startling images and language,
            e.g. 'her little human scraps'; and Narcissus, Pamela Trudie
           Hodge: a beautiful link between the man and the bulbs.
   2.     At the Museum, Rowena M. Love: lovely evocation of an
           artefact that is not reduced by time or space.
   3.     A Different Music, Peter Day: so simple, sad and lovely
Love and blessings, Ginny Sullivan 


If I may say so, I thought that Issue 139 was a particularly good one with a wide range of both subject matter and inspiration for some excellent poems. I would like to offer my votes as follows:
1.    It just has to be Swan by David Norris-Kay. Simple, beautiful and well structured.
2.    Listen to Mermaids Singing by Wendy Webb. Brilliant metaphors, well structured and very thought provoking.
3.    What a Lovely War! by Cedric Murcott. I chose this a being representative of at least three other anti-war poems in the same issue. That is probably my own favourite genre for over forty years. Owen himself told us poets that all we can do is to warn and so we must.
4.    Call Me Old-fashioned by Peter Johnson. What an absolutely splendid piece of intentional rubbish! Sadly, this is far from being the worst poem I have seen published in recent years and that proves Peter's point. Well done Peter, I applaud your sentiments and, from comments made by at least two other correspondents in Issue 139, I am not alone in condemning the sort of thing that Peter mimics here.
Best wishes, Graham Woodall

Hard to choose, settled on:
1) Call Me Old Fashioned - Peter Johnson
2) Affinity -June White
3) Nomads - Norman Bissett
4) Spring haiku - Claire Knight
Loved the haunting cover. Lynn Woollacott

Many thanks for Reach Poetry 139, with its surrealistic, Dali-esque, highly imaginative cover: Arthur C Clarke meets Alfred Hitchcock? Very appropriate, anyway, to Indigo Dreams (although I did miss Soxx). (Bottom corner – probably where your thumb is now Norman!)
1) Street Scene, by Mary Anne Perkins. I enjoyed the lilting cadences of the poem's extended lines, its punchy opening/closing and the muscularity of its imagery.
2) Bjorn and Benny Write for Abba, by Roger Harvey. Comes slant at the personal ecstasy and private loss behind universal art, and subtly interpolates quotations from individual Abba hits.
3) Roadside, by Oz Hardwick. I liked the laconic, understated, world-weary tone of this Edward Hopper verse-scene based around a few artfully selected details.
Rowena M Love's At The Museum and Cavan Magner's Fading Light at Cedar Park also featured on my shortlist; and I admit to salivating more than somewhat over the Nigella Dahlishness of Dawn's Baklava.
Yours aye, Norman Bissett

One of the pleasures of the RP covers for me is discovering where Soxx is hiding! Once again many delights are to be enjoyed between your sensuous Spring Shorts and Dawn’s sensual Baklava. For the vote – this time for a change I have no hesitation in choosing my number one:
       1. Street Scene – Mary Anne Perkins, for the craftsmanship, use of
           metaphor and placing of rhymes.
       2. Listen to Mermaids Singing – Wendy Webb and the analogy
           with the wrath of the Gods
       3. One truth – Albert Oxford
       4. Roadside – Oz Hardwick (memories of my USA year)
and other pleasures should not be forgotten from: Ben McNair, Pamela Trudie Hodge, Margaret Whitaker, David Norris-Kay, Peter Johnson, Christine May Turner, Cedric Murcott, Jenny Hamlett and Richard Labram. Cheerio for now, Josie Davies

(Street Scene is from Mary Anne’s excellent collection ‘Shadow-Play’,
(IDP) available from our website bookshop or chq to us here. Just £6.50)

1.Roadside - Oz Hardwick - I could smell the smoky bar and hear the voices in this poem!
2. Narcissus - Pamela Trudie Hodge. I admired the gentle handling of such a delicate situation being compared to the gentle flowers in the poem.
3.The Watering can to the gardener - Alan Spencer. Quirky and original. One of those poems that made me say "Cool, I liked that"
Hope all is well with you and yours, Love and light, Laura-Jayne 

   1.   The Swan – David Norris-Kay. Just full of bright imagery.
   2.   What a Lovely War – Cedric Murcott. An interesting
         incorporation of Wilfred Owen’s solemn sentiment in a poem
         that reflects an emotion ever present through the centuries.
   3.   Narcissus – Pamela Trudie Hodge. A lovely piece brought to a
         contented end.
Best, Richard Labram

Wow! I wonder what inspired that little lot! The way to the stars, spiced with a strong flavour of surrealism (Cover design 139). I was ‘over the moon’ to find that Simply This had been so well received by readers, and I would greatly like to thank all concerned for such warm, friendly response.
   1.  Flodden Field, 1513 – Peter Davies. A pearl of haunting lyricism
        from the Welsh wizard.
   2.  The Battle of Flodden – Ron Woollard. Free verse of the finest
         quality imbued with forceful imagery.
   3. Swan – David Norris-Kay. How well the sheer serenity and
       sombre mood of the swan’s silent world is here portrayed in 
       verse.
There were a number of other lovely poems that I might have mentioned,
for this issue was truly top-notch! Regards to all, Bernard M Jackson 

Many thanks for 139, I liked your poems very much and also Dawn’s.
   1.   One Truth – Albert Oxford
   2.   India On Tour – Joanna Lynham
   3.   Swan – David Norris-Kay and Affinity – June White
I also very much enjoyed Narcissus, The Plunge, The Call of Home and Bluebells. Wishing sunshine to all, Joan Corney 

   1. White Cross – Jenny Hamlett. I know ‘Fat Betty’ quite well.
   2. Roadside – Oz Hardwick
   3. Swan – David Norris-Kay
Best wishes, Gerald Hampshire 

What talent we have again in 139, making voting non-the-easier! After 10 possibles (Mavis p21; Joanna p25; Graham and Peter p26; Claire p27; Jane p28; Jenny p29; Mary p32; Denise p33; Pamela p34) :
   1. Flodden Field 1513 – Peter Davies
   2. Call Me Old-Fashioned – Peter Johnson
   3. Fading Light at Cedar Park – Cavan Magner
   4. A Melting Moment – Ted Harriott and Swan – David Norris-Kay
Ronnie’s cover and Dawn’s poem brilliant as usual. Love to Soxx and Hannah but not necessarily in that order. Etelka Marcel

Thank you for freeing me with this month’s inspirational poems. To begin with, your cover I loved, dramatic! Next your Spring Shorts (not wearing apparel as might have been expected) had great appeal for me, each a painting in itself. Dawn’s Baklava expressed the sensual pleasure of preparing a honey-drenched delight with as much dexterity of making it. Yummy.
   1. The Watering Can to the Garden – Alan Spencer
   2. At the Museum – Rowena M Love
   3. Swan – David Norris-Kay
Closely followed by The Colour of Love, India-On Tour, Roadside, Narcissus, Nomads, and Fading Light at Cedar Park. Such an apt title. It describes my sister so well.
Best wishes to all, enjoy the promises of Spring, Jean Atkinson

I loved your haiku ‘Lizard Serpentine’, Ronnie. A real snapshot moment. And Dawn’s ‘Baklava’ – absolutely wonderful.
   1. The Call of Home – Barbara E Robinson
   2. Call Me Old-Fashioned – Peter Johnson
   3. Listen to Mermaids Singing – Wendy Webb
The very, very best from me, Trudie

Yet again, RP is chock full of lovely poems. I liked your Haikus for Cornwall. They paint a vivid picture. My three votes go to India - on tour by Joanna Lynham. I have had the same experience last time I was in India, so I could relate to it. I really like the turn in the last stanza. My second vote goes to Conscience by Peter Butler and third goes to Narcissus by Pamela Trudie Hodge. Best wishes, Mala Mason

Joint 1st: Street scene by Mary Anne Perkins and Nomads by Norman Bissett;
Joint 2nd: Travelling home by Jane Fraser Esson and Uncle Harry by Margaret Whitaker;
Joint 3rd: India on tour by Joanne Lynham and The Call of Home by Barbara E Robinson. Best wishes, Barbara Greenall 

   1.  Richard Bonfield's 'Ephemeral Juxtaposition'. Anyone who can
        express something so clear and perfect in such a beautifully
        concise way deserves highest commendation.
   2.  Pamela Trudie Hodge's 'Narcissus' is excellently structured and
        carries a wonderful image of the cycle of life and rebirth. No
        pretentious language, no cliché, no false sentiment. I admire this
        work very much.
   3.  Third, Peter Johnson's 'Call Me Old-fashioned' has a great sense 
         of ironic humour but expresses so much of what I feel about
         pretention and silly fashion in writing. Lovely.
Thanks again Ronnie, for a worthwhile issue. Willie Wilson

I really enjoyed 139 – especially the friendly atmosphere that clearly exists between all the subscribers and contributors. I’ve no idea why it has taken me so long to find out what Reach Poetry is all about! Nice to see so many names who I know well from their membership of the British Haiku Society whose journal Blithe Spirit I edited until recently.
   1. Roadside – Ox Hardwick
   2. Monochromes – Ken Champion
   3. The Battle of Flodden – Ron Woollard

With all good wishes, Graham High

***ALL VOTES COUNTED FROM THIS POINT TO PRINT***