Reading Facebook today, I was taken aback by Louis de Bernieres’ comments on being interviewed by Carlo Gerber at the Seamus Heaney Centre in Belleghy, Ireland:  

“At the end, at ‘question time’, someone asked me to read a particular poem of mine, which was very flattering.  That’s never happened before. I feel that if the Irish like your poetry, then you must be a good poet, as no-one else has an equal flair or love for it (apart from the Greeks).”

As I lived in Middleton, Ireland, happily immersed in their poetic atmosphere for 14 glorious months, I replied:          

“It’s true, if the discerning Irish like your words and call them ‘poetry’, you’ve certainly earned the title ‘poet’.   Wear it proudly. (I’m off to buy your book.)”

So I signed in to my Amazon Kindle Bookshop (my shelves are groaning…

So what colour should love be

on the face we show the world?

Is fear the white make-up base?

The veil clothing us in past experiences,

keeping them close in our minds?

Do blue brows give early warning

above our windows to the soul –

predicting a cautious tale of woe?

The vehicle of words which wound

wears lipstick red – do they reveal

blood spilt in misunderstanding?

When make-up is removed

will it wash away fears, expose

the truth – leave us naked?

Are we all clowns, underneath?

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2011

Last year I was a guest of the Avon Valley Writers Festival held over two days in Northam and Toodyay.  What a wonderful experience, the staff from both libraries made us very welcome.

My handsome son drove me way out in the country and made me feel safe – wish we could do that sort of thing more often.

One of the books I took with me for sale was my Christmas story ‘Santa’s Swim’ – if you’d like a copy, I still have them for sale here.

‘Santa’s Swim’ hardcover version (not available)

I also ran a coloring competition which was very popular – both winners loved their prizes of a copy of the book ‘Santa’s Swim’, a little Santa statue of their very own and a certificate to frame.

Sharon Ojala of ‘Where the Gnomes Live’ is my crafting idol. She inspires me and thousands of others everyday – for free! Her simple construction method is cardboard boxes, Al-foil, paper kitchen towels and PVA glue, paint etc. Her tutorials are so easy to follow too.

The first project I tried was a gnome home which my little granddaughter absolutely loved.

On her birthday I was inspired by Sharon again for her Halloween party.

And yesterday I delivered my latest effort – a tunnel which grew into a mountain complete with cave and waterfall for my 5 year old grandson.

Now the oldest grandchild has ordered a Christmas Village… So thank you Sharon, from the bottom of my heart. My grandchildren are all very happy because of you.

#SharonOjala #WhereTheGnomesLive #MyCraftingIdol #Halloween

Today, Rick shared a poem on Write Out Loud called ‘Old Time Religion’ and I was totally inspired.  His words took me straight back to growing up in what was then, Northern Rhodesia.

Mum with Quinten Quinebelle III or Quicksie for short, in the early 1960’s.

In my African childhood.

We lived next door to a ‘church’,

could hear their fervent chest-beating,

shouting at all times of the day and night.

So could our prize-winning show-dog.

A Beagle barking continuously

can be annoying… but not enough

to warrant throwing an axe

hitting and chopping off her leg.

Her Agricultural show career ended

although she enjoyed the breeding…

We moved away to safer neighbours,

our dog limping through her dreams.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2019

#POEM:InMyAfricanChildhood  #FrancesMacaulayForde  #WriteOutLoud  #Poetry  #Beagles  #Neighbours  #Church