Perth Words… exploring possibilities.

Yesterday:  sorting, saving and adjusting my ‘millions’ of family photos while the memories flood in – and realizing the date.

Anniversary

Your quiet smile

loud in my head

listening eyes

speaking when

touch removed

sorrow returns

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2018

#FMFPoems   #Anniversary #Loss  #OldPhotos  #Memories

The painting is on the small tester board included with my very first set of oils, given for my birthday, when I was twelve in 1962.  I am amazed I still have it.

#FMFPoems,  #PoetryPostcards  #INeedYou  #Love  #ReturnedLove

#FMFPoems,  #PoetryPostcards  #Cinquains  #Love   #Secrets

#FMFPoems  #PoetryPostcards  #PerthViews  #RottnestIsland  #PerthCity  #Forbidden  #Smoking  #Peacocks

• A couple of years ago, working at our stall, selling our delicious home-made fudge in the sunshine on Mindarie Keys boardwalk,  with the seagulls, boats and water slapping, I suddenly saw my mum.

  She’s been gone for many years, but still, caught unawares…

  This customer looked so like; sounded very similar and her mannerisms – even her stature – she could have been my mum!  I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.

  Although we were six deep with customers, I took off after her, rushing to catch up before she disappeared – desperate not to lose ‘her’ – again!

  I can’t remember what I said which convinced this lovely lady from Tasmania, to sit with me on a stone wall in the sunshine with crowds walking around us, and let me tearfully explain.

  So many similarities; English upbringing, boarding school, love of books, music, nature, roses and her huge garden at home where she grew a lot of what she needed to eat.

  Probably, she said, why her son turned to cooking – he was a visiting celebrity chef and she had come over to keep him company.

  Needing to hear her talk, watch her eyes smiling at me in gentle understanding, eventually – reluctantly, gave her a hug ‘goodbye’.  (Living down south, I hadn’t been able to…)

  Hubby had to carry on, cope on his own with a rush of Fudge-a-holics, while I cried for my loss, all over again.

  Sleep

  I can
  only consider
  soft eyes
  repose
  calm, sweet face
  small breaths

  ’til I realise
  they’re mine.

  I breathe
  and contemplate
  the alternative
  only when
  someone asks…

  Frances Macaulay Forde © 2006

#FMFPoems, #MissingMum  #Poetry  #Loss  #Strangers  #Fudge

Seems appropriate today – lots of shards…

#FMFPoems  #PoetryPostcards  #Poem:Rain  #StormyWeather

To keep my old fingers warm, I’m doing so much knitting these days.  My grandson has a favourite blanket which is now well past it’s prime but he insists the four I have made since, to replace it, just don’t cut the mustard!

My daughter wanted a lacy shawl to wear over her shoulder for a winter wedding but the first version was the wrong colour and more a poncho… the second screamed Granny and the third confirmed crochet just wasn’t… so I converted it to a skirt for her niece!

And my grandson has his own signature style jerkins and jumpers but I love to knit for babies too.

Haiku Memories

Infant in pink

Nanna’s careful looping

knits memory

 .

Complicated re-

call of life’s patterns

crocheted with love

 .

Wanting to freeze

frame glympses, keep sakes

in dated order

 .

Signposted

familial purl noted

before casting off

 
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2013

#FMFPoem  #HaikuMemories  #MyPoetry #Knitting  #Crochet  #Family

As it seems I am not the only fan of good poetry, I wanted to give you all a heads up about another excellent poem on Write Out Loud today.

It’s ‘Noises Off’ by Tony Hill, one of my favourite poets who unfortunately doesn’t post encough for me – I eagerly away any new poem, relishing his clever words each time he does.

#PoetTonyHill  #NoisesOff  #WriteOutLoud  #CleverWords

Counting sleep…

I have so many Pinterest boards,

they overwhelm me…

but it’s necessary I check them

every night before sleep.

Gazing at the beautiful photos

calms me, prepares me for rest.

It’s a mystery – drives hubby mad

considering  for hours…

glittering jewels, intricate designs,

glamourous clothes.

Royal fashion icons addictively

inspire imagination.

A girly thing, I know, which by now,

I should have outgrown…

Then last night’s epiphany! I don’t actually

want jewels, gorgeous gowns…

travel to exotic places, adoration.

It’s something else entirely.

Lingering over pictures of our Queen

examining her dress…

Remembering my mother similarly

draped, often in home made.

I need that royal smile or frown knowing

her royal age, limited time left

to vicariously exist… believe I’ve not

lost someone I love and still miss.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2018

My latest poem, posted today on Write Out Loud.

#FMFPoems  #CountingSleep  #Poem  #Parents  #OurQueen