WELCOME TO THIS SITE
This site began in 2009 and features occasional poems and verses of mine – posted at the tab named ‘newly posted poems’.
Some are serious. Others just for entertainment. I hope you will find something worthwhile.
I’m grateful for comments, favourable or critical, and have found many of the responses encouraging and thought-provoking. Don’t hesitate to register adverse comments – these have often been highly instructive.
You may follow new postings through RSS feeds or automatic email notification.
THE HEADER PHOTO
The picture above is a view of the coast in north east England (Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland), taken from a photo by Tom Stevens – see http://www.tomstevensphotography.com/
I like the way this picture combines the grandeur of the natural world with human life, both past and present.
THE TITLE
Why the title: “The poetry:prose/prose:poetry converter”?
See the tab called “The title poem”. This separate page presents the first poem, one about poetry itself:
“Today sees the launch of a new and exciting product made for your pocket or bag: the poetry:prose/prose:poetry converter. We call it the P4C … “ It’s light verse, but also has a point to make.John Stevens
Just getting started with this blogging stuff. Exploring sites for like-minded indivudals to share poetry and/or comments about it. Not limited to poetry, though, and not interested in those Top 100 sort of sites – just plain talk among colleagues. See http://www.writingsbystone.wordpress.com to evaluate potential common ground.
By: chucky0629 on August 18, 2009
at 04:46
My blog is very new and your comment is the first outside those from my family – so it’s very welcome! I’ve checked your own site and found poems there that I’ve enjoyed, and I’m now subscribing. I like the accessibility and the imagination. I look forward to new postings.
By: John Stevens on August 18, 2009
at 14:48
I’ll have to figure out that subscribing stuff and all the RSS, comment, rely options. Glad you visited my site.
Don’t expect coments from me too often. I’ll reply to anything (when I’m available) and drop by from time to time, commenting when it seems appropriate. Off on a three week trip to Montana and Alaska later this week – no communications from there, which is one reason for going.
By: Treally N. O. on August 18, 2009
at 19:41
Hi, John.
First of all, let me say that it is really nice to have comments written by you in my website. This feedback you are giving me as you read my poems is very important; as you know, I’m Brazilian and my first language is Portuguese, not English.
May I ask you for your email so we can be in touch more often? You can send me an email whenever you have the chance; it’s joseruypc@hotmail.com
Hugs,
José Ruy
By: joseruypc on March 18, 2010
at 20:37
Thank you for your comments on the last two you read. Yes, I very much try to keep a musicality in my work but I’m trying to experiment in how to embrace all of that – to actually contain the music within the words that you read as well as the words that you hear… if that doesn’t sound overly arty and impossible, haha. And Brighton is all about Hove residents but as I was comissioned for the Brighton festival, I had to use a little bit of artistic licence. The 6’4″ gnome was particularly pleased with his stanza but unfortunately, the old chinese woman died shortly after they pulled her wall down. It really was her life. Very sad. Thank you again.
By: Narnie on November 13, 2010
at 10:17
I am looking forward to more of your poems. I have subscribed to your blog because it looks so cool. Have a nice day.
By: Midnight Orgasm on May 25, 2011
at 09:12
I’m looking forward to reading your poetry, but I have to comment on the photo too. It feels like I should know this place. I have lately been unable to get enough of anything to do with British history. I just finished watching all the discs of the movie epic “Pillars of the Earth”, and I was glued to “The Tudors” every time it aired, though I think it was a bit over dramatized. Reading material, too, has lately favored British mystery writers and poets. Maybe it’s my Scotch/Irish heritage coming to forefront. Is it possible to be homesick for a place you have never seen?
By: Shirley Alexander on May 30, 2011
at 20:08
Thank you. About ‘homesickness’ – could it be a universal need to feel in touch with our roots? Living in south east England I’m on top of mine. We live not far from Hever Castle where Anne Boleyn lived, equally close to the Tudors’ Hampton Court, nearer still to the Pilgrims’ Way of Chaucer’s Tales.
By: John Stevens on May 31, 2011
at 13:09
Like the photo you’ve selected, John.
Since you’re using it as a backdrop for two poems, I figured I’d also tell you that it evokes a feeling of vague uneasiness in me. At least at first sight. There’s a lot going on in that photo. It’s busy, visually. I look closer and see order and perhaps even beauty. If nothing else, it makes me pay attention.
By: J.D. Perkosky on December 12, 2011
at 18:41
I know what you mean. The photo of birds on the wires against the sky (at http://johnstevensjs.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/deciphering-the-world/ ) seemed perfect.
Hannah Stoney, who made the picture, has creative talents across art, crafts, photography and writing – see her blog, opposite.
By: John Stevens on December 13, 2011
at 13:49
John,
Ethel and I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. You’ll have to go to fourwindowspress if you don’t know about it, and if you follow the instructions you’re a winner. We are mainly trying to let you know how much we honor you and your work, so you may or may not chose to accept the award. That’s up to you, but we certainly think you are worthy of more than this one gesture of thanks for you and your poetry.
By: Thomas Davis on December 21, 2011
at 23:59
That is really kind of you both; thank you. I must read up on it. More important than being nominated is the simple fact that you and Ethel (who write really good poetry) like reading some of the pieces I post.
By: John Stevens on December 22, 2011
at 16:30
happy new year from David in Maine USA
By: fivereflections on January 2, 2012
at 18:17
hope all is well in your neck of the woods
David in Maine USA
By: fivereflections on February 12, 2012
at 07:45
Light with depth! I like the thought and admire the start you have made. I look forward to more. Happy blogging.
By: David King on March 18, 2012
at 09:11