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Obsession

Posted in Books, Love, McAlpine Bell Publishing, Poetry, Rail Tales, WA Writers, Writing, tagged BOOK: Rail Tales, BOOK:Love, Frances Macaulay Forde, KINDLE BOOKS, McAlpine Bell Publishing on June 23, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I’ll admit it – I’m hooked on KINDLE at the moment. It is so easy to put writing you’ve wanted to share for years, up in a KINDLE book and let the world judge it.

I’ve signed up for the Lending Library as well, so people can just borrow the book for a short time, read it and hopefully purchase their own copy – or not.

I still get a fee… so if you feel like reading some short poems about falling in love at my age, I’ve just uploaded another chapbook called appropriately ‘Love’.

I’m also working on “The Return of Rainbows” poems written while a mature-age student at University and some short stories which I hope someone will enjoy.

When I’ve put those two new books up on KINDLE, I am going to attempt converting my children’s book “Santa’s Swim” on there too, so watch this space.

Meantime, buy or lend my latest KINDLE “Love” or “Rail Tales” but remember I have a few printed copies left, which you can purchase directly from me.

Before you…

… I slept in a bed

without creases

only pulled up

the sheet to straighten

smooth – no effort at all

ready for the next dreamtime

now I love my wrinkles…

ReUnion

stepping softly

you trod the path

to my front door

never rang the bell

played favourite songs

over and over until

senses on overload

surrounded by romance

you kissed me quick

heart pumped electric

singing over barriers

erected years ago

against pain and hurt

welcomed as veins

formed highways

joined the chorus

zinging with heat

barely contained

thrumming melody

words all ready

rhymed with roses

thorns ignored

fresh and bloody

us young again

#francesmacaulayforde #mcalpinebellpublishing #RailTalesBOOK #LoveBOOK

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My first KINDLE!

Posted in Books, KINDLE Books, McAlpine Bell Publishing, Perth City, Poetry, Short Stories, WA Writers, Writing, tagged Australian Poetry, Frances Macaulay Forde, KINDLE BOOKS, McAlpine Bell Publishing, Perth, Poem, poetry in Western Australia, Rail Rales, travelling by train, Western Australia, words, writer, writing on June 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »

KINDLE edition #francesmacaulayforde

Well, that’s it – I’ve just published my first KINDLE book on Amazon of a previously printed “Rail Tales ~ notes from the Currumbine Line” and naturally, had to buy the first copy.

“Poetry and stories written while travelling on the Currumbine Line between the City of Perth and the Northern Suburbs in Western Australia.”

It’s live and available right now so I’m pretty pleased. (It certainly wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be but I managed.)

Here’s another of my favorite short poems from the book:

Rail Trail

parallel bars ride the sand

silver bullet steered by hand

expressed in kilometre-d speed

human flotsam to concrete greed

…and a (very, very) short story I hope you’ll smile at, remembering I was riding the rails when I wrote it.

The Great Escape.

Head back, eyes closed. I savor the cool, quiet efficiency of train travel.

I’m alone on this journey. It is obviously not a popular time to commute.

Silence. Then a scuffle, a soft knock below me and to the left, makes me

open my eyes. There it is again. Are there mice on this train?

It sounds like old crackle-y paper. Rounded, moving haphazardly

in all directions.

I hope the security video can’t see me climb onto the seat.

Where is it? More importantly – what is it?

Feeling foolish, I gingerly step down. Then cautiously kneel and bend over,

eyes level to the carpet, bum up.

Oh, it’s O.K. Panic over. Breathe again.

It’s only an onion, enjoying the freedom of riding on the train.

Do you think it’s got a ticket?

#BOOKRailTales #FrancesMacaulayForde

#McAlpineBellPublishing

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Elephants

Posted in Africa, Animals, Art, Books, nature, Poetry, Writers, Writing, tagged Africa, Artist: Jessica McCallum, Elephants, Exhib: All the Pretty Ones Are, Frances Macaulay Forde, Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, Harry Owen, Jessica McCallum, poems, Rhinos, Satao of Tsavo, writing on June 15, 2014| 7 Comments »

My daughter Jessica McCallum’s 3rd exhibition ‘All the Pretty Ones Are’ (all things Circus) was held in 2011 at the Heath Ledger Theatre foyer in the new and exciting State Theatre Centre.

I feel the poetry I wrote to the artworks of that exhibition, was some of my best; particularly this one written from a childhood memory of the circus coming to our small town in Africa. Although he was an Indian elephant – African elephants can’t be tamed and I love them more, for that.

The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos is a call for a world-wide response to the continued senseless cruelty – the terrible things happening to these beautiful, wise, gentle creatures.

Just weeks ago what’s said to be the largest bull elephant in Africa; Satao of Tsavo in Kenya had his face hacked off for his magnificent tusks!

All this information is thanks to Harry Owen on Facebook: I’ve mentioned before, his book to raise funds for the cause of saving Rhino’s and can’t wait for my copy…

Meanwhile I thought I’d share another of my poems from that exhibition.

When I was a child

I remember thinking

that chain around

the elephant’s leg

wasn’t strong enough.

Elephants are tough!

If he wanted, he

could free himself just

by lifting that mighty foot

shaking the metal loose

and walking away…

Why does he stay?

No-one could stop him

If he chose to go, take

his own path. No more

performance on command

– he could find some green.

Walk through jungles again!

Elephants are tough so

why does he stay, stroll

through sawdust, put up

with that lady who leans

into his ear, whispering…

It’s because he loves her.

#FrancesMacaulayForde #JessicaMcCallumArtist #AllThePrettyOnesAreExhib #HarryOwen #GlobalMarchForElephantsAndRhinos #SataoOfTsavo

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Supper Club Videos

Posted in Perth City, Poetry, Sounds, Video Poems, Writers, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Glen Phillips, John Ryan, Ken Nicol, Monday Supper Club, poetry in Western Australia, Western Australia, writing on June 13, 2014| 1 Comment »

A couple of weeks ago in my blog posting ‘SOME FOLKS FOLK’ I mentioned the Monday Supper Club with special guest poets Glen Phillips and John Ryan.

My musician Hubby agreed to go because the amazing Ken Nicol, once the guitarist in Steeleye Span, was also appearing…

I previously included a photo or two but now can share my short videos taken that night, so click onto the screenshots and the links will take you to the YouTube performances.

Although I must apologize for my spur-of-the-moment video skills, I hope you enjoy the local glimpses anyway! It’s all about spreading the love 🙂

‘Dryandra Dreaming’ #GlenPhillips #FrancesMacaulayForde

‘Ice Maiden’ #GlenPhillips #FrancesMacaulayForde

‘Mid Stride’ #GlenPhillips #FrancesMacaulayForde

“Wine” #JohnRyan #FrancesMacaulayForde

“My Kentucky Country Roads” #JohnRyan #FrancesMacaulayForde

“Inside a Jarrah Tree” #JohnRyan #FrancesMacaulayForde

‘Stratford’ #KenNicol #FrancesMacaulayForde

“Initial Variations” Instrumental #KenNicol #FrancesMacaulayForde

#FrancesMacaulayForde #GlenPhillips #JohnRyan #KenNicol #MondaySupperClub #SteeleyeSpan

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CRANNOG Spring

Posted in Books, Ireland, Poetry, Short Stories, Writers, Writing, tagged Breda Wall Ryan, Crannog Spring 2014, Frances Macaulay Forde, Ireland, Poem, poems, Rush Quinlan, short stories, writer, writing on June 9, 2014| Leave a Comment »

CRANNOG Spring 2014 Journal

A free subscription was included with entry into their competition, so I’ve just received my copy of ‘CRANNOG Spring 2014’.

Wish I’d read it before entering… The book feels slim but the 88 page volume is packed with clever writing.

The Galway editorial board did a superb job of choosing short stories and poems which affect the reader – and they did.

Like “Worship” by Ruth Quinlan: Your white shoes aren’t white at all. They’re just cream pretending to be white and when you hold them against the Communion dress they look old and discoloured even though you know they’re new.

The words put put me right into the moment of my own Holy Communion (which I haven’t thought about since) remembering the crisp feel of new material and the smell of polished shoes. Wonderful writing.

Or Breda Wall Ryan’s “Crushie” poem: The rain has stopped. Sunlight/veneers a table set between windows. /The year turns.

The journal CRANNOG Spring 2014 is available for Kindle fans or surprisingly cheaper as a printed version.

Certainly well worth the few dollars to enjoy such gifted authors.

#FrancesMacaulayForde #CrannogSpring2014 #RuthQuinlan #BredaWallRyan

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‘Call Waiting’

Posted in Books, Hidden Capacity, Poetry, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Hidden Capacity, Jessica McCallum, Poem, POEM: Call Waiting, poems, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, words, writer, writing on June 3, 2014| 2 Comments »

‘Pauline’: Jessica McCallum 2002 #jessicamccallum #francesmacaulayforde

Call Waiting

I killed you!

I took away your power to insult.

Never again will your strident, insistent beeping
intrude on intimacies between friends.

No. I struck you off.

I pressed the buttons that devoured you.

I ended your reign of terror.

Then Pauline rang
‘A new baby? Wond….’

Beep – Beep! Beep – Beep!

You didn’t die!

From happy jubilation
brain switches,
buttons pressed,
retreating “Call me back.”

I lost the war.

I don’t blame Pauline.

Rudeness is forgiven under pressure
from the mighty “I wonder who it is?”

Someday I’ll explain
and continue my campaign
for courtesy.

I died a little.

Aren’t I important too?

(Another from my book “Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey”. )

#HiddenCapacity #francesmacaulayforde

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“My Car”

Posted in Books, Hidden Capacity, Poetry, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Hidden Capacity, Poem: My Car, poems, poetry, words, writer, writing on June 2, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Cover ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey’ #francesmacaulayforde #HiddenCapacity

One from my book: ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poets journey’, Pub. 2003, Ireland.

My Car

Red used to be my favourite colour.

I’d just get Tinkerbell (my 1983 Mitsubishi Colt)

cruising nicely at sixty kilometres an hour

then red.

I’d have to slow down.

Pump the brakes.

Change gears gingerly in case her clutch drops out….

An old girl now, she needs TLC…

takes her time to build up speed,

then I see red. (Or orange.)

Bugger!

But, once she’s there (sixty K.’s) she sings like a bird.

I think it reminds her of her youth.

I’ve tried dressing her up (covering the rust).

The silvers don’t match and I know she feels the shame.

The petrol pump makes her feel better.

Once I insert that nozzle,

she almost smiles.

Her seat greets me tenderly

and we smoothly swing away,

high on fumes.

Yesterday,

a young man washed her windows.

She sparkled and purred.

Yes. Red used to be my favourite colour.

Now mottled shades of silver have loyal appeal!

#HiddenCapacity #francesmacaulayforde

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“My Life as a Sari”

Posted in Art, Dance, Love, Perth City, Poetry, Theatre, WA Writers, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Fremantle Press, Indigo Journals, Jessica McCallum, Poem, Poem: My Life as a Sari, poems, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, Western Australia, words, writer, writing on May 29, 2014| 1 Comment »

I love how sometimes a poem ends up taking you to all sorts of places you don’t expect.

‘Dance’ by Jessica McCallum at His Majesty’s Theatre, 2009. #jessicamcallumartist

My poem “My Life as a Sari” has appeared alongside beautiful artworks.

POETRY POSTCARD available from Jessica McCallum

An excerpt published on a postcard.

#IndigoJournal

And published in the INDIGO JOURNAL of West Australian Writing, Vol 3 published by INDIGO books and received lovely comments.

Fremantle Press have recently become on-line partners with the original publishers of the journals and have always been tremendous supporters of those who write in Western Australia, quietly promoting and encouraging new, emerging and established writers by putting their money where their mouth is.

As a result of my inclusion in the journal, Fremantle Press also interviewed me about my writing and particularly, this poem.

My Life as a Sari

Securely tuck your fears under elastic

at the centre of your waist with your left hand,

and with your right, hold the remaining

metres of spun silk – your future, facing inside.

Measure the drop of the fall

and it’s finely stitched edge

for correct positioning against heels.

Wrap yourself in the gossamer fold,

swirling the diaphanous film behind

but stay level and wedge the top border

into your petticoat.

Like a bride preparing herself,

you are now ready to pleat.

At a distance from the last fixing,

hand-measure the delicate veil,

embroidered with details

important to who you are

toward the middle of your body.

Some may need five pleats, some six.

Less is more. Another judgement held on show

– a statement of size, however graciously it moves.

Securely fix the perfumed fanning

and grasp what is left, bring it back around

to wrap warmly and return to the front.

These days, you can choose to gather all loose

ends onto your left shoulder, secured with a jewel.

But many prefer to throw the remainder

over, remembering to hold an arm half bent,

letting the end float freely – the beaded

edge skimming the inside of your wrist.

#francesmacaulayforde

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Library Laurels

Posted in Books, Perth City, Poetry, WA Writers, Writers, Writing, tagged Andrew Burke, Andrew Taylor, Annamaria Weldon, Deanne Leber, Dennis Haskell, Film & TV Institute, Frances Macaulay Forde, Glen Phillips, Kevin Gillam, Nandi Chinna, Pages Cafe, Poets Corner, Poets Corner @ Pages Cafe, Sarah French, State Library of WA, T.A.G. Hungerford, Tracy Ryan, Vivienne Glance on May 19, 2014| 2 Comments »

I’m very proud of our State Library situated in the beautiful Perth Cultural Centre:

State Library Western Australia. (Photo: Frances Macaulay Forde @ 2005)

Years ago the staff supported me when I ran Poets Corner @ Pages Cafe for 3 years between 2005 and 2008. The Library provided a microphone and speaker, displays and advertising in the Library Book shop on the 1st floor and generally encouraged and supported our endeavors.

Poets reading at Poets Corner @ Pages Cafe

More than 80 poets from emerging to firmly established, to first time readers and writers participated for the love of words, sharing them with a new audience; other writers and importantly, the general public.

The audience included luminaries such as (L to R) Andrew Burke, Andrew Taylor and Glen Phillips. 2005

Pages Cafe allowed us to meet there on the 3rd Saturday of each month and welcomed the influx of word-smiths, considering the noise levels and while reading, helped by quietly proving excellent service to patrons.

The library and cafe continued to support myself and many others when launching many, many books (where else would you do it – seriously) over the years:

Interviewing a West Australian Living Treasure, T.A.G. Hungerford for BooksAustralia CTV during ‘An Afternoon with Tom’ at Poets Corner in 2005.

Annemaria Weldon with her book ‘The Roof Milkers’ July 2008

Sarah French was one of many writers included in the ‘Lines in the Sand’ anthology published by FAWWA in 2008. (My poem ‘desertification’ appears on page 28.)