Perth Words... exploring possibilities.

Worth another read?

November 24, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

I’m seriously considering doing another run or making my ‘Rail Tales’ book and others available again. Print On Demand is preferable although with the original print run I published myself, I sold them very quickly and wish I’d printed more at the time.

A couple of years ago, I set up some e-books on Amazon for $1.99 but within three days of publication, they were all available for free on a German website! I was very disappointed and disillusioned and took them all off Amazon. It wasn’t about the money, it was about the discourtesy. Now with the current AI controversy, I may as well publish, so at least I made them available first?

I have friends overseas who have asked to read my previously published words – e-books seem a convenient and cheap way of putting them out there…

What do you think? Any suggestions of who to use? Who did you use – was it an enjoyable journey?

“Trips into Town”

#BOOK:RailTales #ReBlogging #ShortStory #RidingRailLines #WritingRailStories #Print-On-Demand #E-Books #AmazonPublication

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Sultans of Swing

November 3, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

I loved watching Dire Straits in concert in the early 90’s in Perth, Western Australia in what is now affectionatly called ‘The Trash-can’. This Chilean guy Miguel Montalban, does an amazing version of the iconic ‘Sultans of Swing’ while busking in London, so I thought I’d share it. Enjoy!

#DireStraits #SultansOfSwing #PerthTrashCan #FavouriteMusic #ExcellentMuscicians #BuskerInLondon

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Congratulations to Poetry D’Amour Winners 2023

October 5, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Today, I received my WritingWA newsletter which included a link to the report from this year’s judge Glen Phillips and the winning poems for the Poetry D’Amour Love Competition 2023. After reading his report and the poems, I have now ordered my copy of this year’s Anthology from WA Poets Inc. Judging by the winners, I am sure the whole anthology will be a wonderful read.

WA Poets Inc 2023 Poetry d’Amour Love Poetry Contest Winners

#WritingWA #GlenPhillips #PoetryJudge #PoetryD’Amour #LoveAnthology #2023ContestWinners #WAPoetsInc #LovePoetry #LovePoems #PoemsAboutLove

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On Poetry & Painting : Glen Phillips

September 14, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

*Photo : Glen Phillips presenting his words at PoetsCorner@PagesCafe © Frances Macaulay Forde.*

Today, I found this Podcast on WritingWA with Glen Phillips, my mentor at University talking about Poetry and Painting. It was lovely to hear his voice again but I was astounded to hear him say he (unsuccessfully) tried Calligraphy but is now ‘too old’ to learn it! I have always admired his thirst for learning and ageless approach to life. A national treasure who still enthusiastically shares his love of words and art with so many at ‘just a couple of years off 90’.

Glen Phillips is such an interesting and supportive poet and painter who, apart from publishing more than 50 books, is one of the founding Professors at the ECU Landscape and Literature Centre. From the moment I met him as a nervous mature-aged student during a Creative Writing lecture at Edith Cowan University, I have basked in his support and sincere encouragement of all my writing endeavours.

This continued after my graduation during the early establishment of Peter Cowan Writers Centre, WritingWA, the first couple of Spring Poetry Festivals, writing the foreword for my first book of poetry and 3 years of monthly poetry meetings and book launches held during Poets Corner @ Pages Café in the Perth State Library.

Often hosting or as a revered guest, Glen shared his wonderful words with the public, novice and established poets. After my 14months in Ireland, his invaluable support whilst establishing a public arena for poetry in Perth at Pages Cafe, was always very much appreciated.

May I say thank you, Glen, (if you read this). I am most flattered to find you are using this photo from the PoetsCorner@PagesCafe days, on your website Host page. A lovely conscious link to wonderfully never-forgotten, creative and inspiring associations.

#FrancesMacaulayForde #GlenPhillipsPoet #OnPoetry&Painting #WAWriting #WAWPodcast #Poetry #Painting #EkphrasticPoetry #PoetsCorner@PagesCafe #CreativeWriting #EdithCowanUni #PoetsCorner #PagesCafe #Poems #WritingWA #PerthPoets #WAPoets #Writing #PoeticWords

Posted in Writing | Tagged Glen Phillips Painting & Poetry | 3 Comments »

For Father’s Day

September 2, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Flt Lt J.A. FORDE D.F.C - 1944

PATHFINDER

Even after all these years
I miss you, Dad. Your solid
guiding presence, care
kept me safe as I grew.
Just like those brave 
young men of your crew.

Your pioneering spirit, 
lead with confidence, 
convinced me to fly
toward adventure,
the exciting unknown
my far-away future.

Explore new landscapes,
Striding with pride, guided
by you, still lighting my way, 
Like you did in your youth.
My Pathfinder always, 
knowing the safe route.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2023

#POEM:Pathfinder  #RAF-WW11  #Father'sDay  #Poetry  #Tribute  #ProudOfDad

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POEM: Bagdad Ballet

August 7, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Thank you to the American reader who unearthed this posting from 2014 today. I thought it worth re-blogging because there is the threat of war in the air again… just like in 2003.

‘Trucker’s Moll’

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March madness!

July 25, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Sometimes I do miss our hectic Fudge Festival lifestyle, then I pick up a pen or paintbrush and create…

Perth Words... exploring possibilities.

First there were two…

Then there was one..

And finally none.

Well, am I glad that’s over! March is MAD for us and our ‘day’ job.

So many festivals and working 7 days a week for the last 6 weeks has done me in – we both needed to just veg totally today, and I did!

So I apologize for not posting much lately but thank you so much for reading.

This week, I’ll catch up on your blogs and find something (hopefully) of interest to share with you.

Yesterday we were at a Food & Wine Festival in Mindarie Keys, 10 minutes up the coast from us.

Turning around to face the sea breeze, I spied two little birds sitting on a wire, behind. A bit like us this month, barely hanging on but doing what we must.

(I wrongly presumed they were winging their way back to Northern Climes…

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Red Umbrella

July 24, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Someone opened this posting recently and reminded me of the beautiful artworks by my daughter Jessica McCallum, exhibited in 2010. All sold out accompanied by poems I had written specifically to them. I especially liked this one.

Perth Words... exploring possibilities.

“Red Umbrella Series” by Jessica McCallum
from ‘Raincheck’ Exhibition 2010

I see red

when you raise spikes

along the metal shaft,

sharply snap it open,

stretching the bright silk

above your head

–

I see red

a mobile patio –shelter,

protection from storms,

hurling lightning bolts

of tears from women

left wet in your wake.

–

I see red

in a sea of bobbing grey

between skyscrapers

the calm sway – swagger

of hips – loose, lithe strides

confident until another

–

red umbrella takes the stage.

_______________________________________________

‘Raincheck’ an exhibition in case of showers… 2010

Artworks by Mixed Media Artist, Jessica McCallum

Held Aug 23 – Sept 10, Subiaco Arts Centre Gallery, Perth, WA.

(Poetry postcards from exhibitions available from WEBSITE)

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Thanks for the memories, Joan.

July 14, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Wordless Wednesday : Time for a Party!

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POEM: Joey’s Mountain

April 28, 2023 by Frances Macaulay Forde

11 Fun Facts about Koalas

Surfing Instagram today, I saw the cutest video of a baby Koala cuddled by his mum and was instantly inspired. 

Joey’s mountain. 

Oh, to be a Koala, cuddled for
the first 12 months of your life.

Snug and warm above, in a gum 
tree divide, safe in mum’s cozy fur.

Dozing to a leaf lullaby, rocked by 
the wind.  Food to be devoured

with glee - and free. No rent to pay
or house to maintain.  Eucalypt 

umbrella protects from the rain,
swaying wet songs. No need to clean. 

Just stretch a hand, grab a branch - chew.
Time to sleep, feed, breed - as Koalas do.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2023

#POEM:Joey'sMountain    #FrancesMacaulayForde   #Poetry  #NewPoem  #BabyKoala  #KoalaJoey