I wish you could meet…
Pick flowers…
Knit them toys and jumpers…
Make cupcakes…
Have special conversations…

I try to be you, Mum – every day, for them.
To all the mums out there, have a really wonderful Mother’s Day.
Posted in Love, Poetry, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Mother's Day, Mum, poems, poetry, writing on May 10, 2014| 7 Comments »
I wish you could meet…
Pick flowers…
Knit them toys and jumpers…
Make cupcakes…
Have special conversations…

I try to be you, Mum – every day, for them.
To all the mums out there, have a really wonderful Mother’s Day.
Posted in Africa, Animals, Books, nature, Poetry, Writing, tagged animals, extinction, Frances Macaulay Forde, Harry Owen, nature, poems, Rhinos, South Africa on April 27, 2014| 3 Comments »
Busy doing my tax return and came across an unsaved (!) poem I wrote and submitted (some time ago) to be included in an anthology to raise funds for the preservation of Rhinos.
Harry Owen the inaugural Poet Laureate for Cheshire (UK) in 2003, moved to South Africa’s Eastern Cape in January 2008, was the editor and now the book is published I shall put my order in.
Even though they didn’t use my poem I certainly want to support their very worthy cause.
Thandi
Imagine slow, deep heart beats
echoing inside a massive hide.
Slumberous half-blind grazing.
Open veld rare rhino protected.
Unaware evil stalks with intent.
Crack! Stinging rifle shot thrums.
Laboring body lumbers to escape.
Laid low, as deadly saw crudely
works on pointed bone bleeding
on Africa’s Skin. Enough death,
illegal trade. This is no noble
harvest to feed the starving poor…
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2012
Posted in Perth City, Poetry, WA Writers, Writers, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, poems, rubbish pick-ups, rubbish roadside, WA Writers on April 17, 2014| 2 Comments »
It’s that time of year again (photo taken today). Wish I’d taken photos last year, when I wrote this though…
Two Fans
Two fans enthusiastically spin amongst
a pile of rubbish waiting for pick up,
roadside.
Through wind and rain, even thunder
“Look at me!” but nothing moved.
Clever stack.
Unlike No 2’s plant pots. Scattered
colorful rattles voicing the gusts.
Messy!
Drive-bys; inspection opportunists.
Recycling on a budget or business,
who knows?
Roadside shopping has rules. Don’t
muddle. Re-stack after inspection.
Carefully.
It’s bad manners to sort, scrounge,
accept or reject – pull apart, untidy,
then go.
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2013
Posted in Animals, Love, nature, Other blogs, Poetry, Romance, WA Writers, tagged coots, ECU Joondalup Campus, Fauna, Frances Macaulay Forde, kanagaroos, Love, Peter Cowan Writer's Centre, poems, poetry in Western Australia, Returned Love, romance, writing on April 1, 2014| Leave a Comment »

1990 Bali Holiday – an amazing surprise 40th birthday gift from my Brother Paddy and sister in law, Grace.
I’m sitting here next to the lake listening to the Magpie’s talk, the Wood Ducks peep, the fountains filter their water. This is the first entry into my new notebook the red (for passion) one with a teddy bear (you, of course) playing guitar on the front! I’ve also got my two passports with me and I thought I’d scan the pictures for you just for a laugh. One was taken before you, when I was 15 (British passport) and the other way after, when I was 40 for the Bali trip.
Three tourists walked by obviously looking for something. So I said, ‘The kangaroos are over there’ (pointing) behind Cowan House, ‘lying around in the shade.’ Well, this lovely lady replied, ‘Oh thEnk you!’ in a broad South African accent. Small world hey? She and her husband Gordon have ‘…jEst arrIIEEyeved thus morning at 5am from Jo’burg for 5 dayZZ. He and Pete ‘aff bin frEEnds since grade 5. We’re goin’ out to dEEnar tonight.’ She can’t believe how clean it all is… Anyway, they’re having a good look at our lawn mowers, who aren’t actually doing much. Just lying back, torsos-twisted, scratching their bellies. Totally unconcerned wild, Grey Kangaroos – and these tourists, just a couple of yards from them.
I’m obviously early for the poetry workshop. My watch has stopped again – it needs a service (another thing on my long list!). Wonder what we’ll tackle this afternoon. I have no idea of today’s subject – haven’t been for while, far too distracted by you! Hope you’re having a lovely day. I’m being good and giving you ‘space’ (in the nicest possible way). I hope it’s helping with the study. Hmmmmm – poetry – erotic poetry for you. I wonder if I can do it? First drafts only My Love:
1. Coots
Lakeside, I watch
the Coots bouncing
on top of the water.
They throw their heads
with intention and abandon.
Plunging – immersing themselves.
I want to bounce,
immerse myself.
Plunge into you…
2. Soixante-Neuf
Normally,
I wouldn’t want you
to look at my bum
at that angle…
But then,
you’re not doing
much looking,
N’est pa?
3. Your reward…
… is access.
Complete access.
Although the years
have worn – you can see!
I will allow you ~
only you, this viewing,
this exposure
to my most secret self.
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2002
Posted in Love, nature, Other blogs, Poetry, WA Writers, Writing, tagged ABC Tales, Frances Macaulay Forde, Love, other writers, Perth, Poem, poems, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, words, writer, writing on March 25, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Hyde Park in February… too hot to be out of the shade.
I’ve just found this beautiful poem on ABC Tales , so when you have a moment indulge yourself.
As a fan of the site for many years, I’ve benefited greatly from comments, encouragement and the sheer joy of reading wonderful words from writers I wouldn’t have read otherwise.
The very first item I posted was on the 15th March 2006 was a short story ‘Write to Romance’. (I’ve posted loads of poems and stories on ABC Tales since.)
That story has since been read by 874 people (blows my mind!) and earned a ‘Cherry’ from the editors – such a huge boost in confidence.
So I recommend, anyone with stories or poems to share, join this fabulous FREE site and see what others think of your words but importantly, receive some very constructive feedback from talented and experienced others.
Such a safe and nurturing environment is rare on the net. I’m often inspired by what I read on there so I’m about to post this poem posted on here in February, in response to ‘Bee’ and her poem ‘As Autumn Leaves’.
Posted in Love, Poetry, Romance, WA Writers, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Love, Poem, poems, Professor Glen Phillips, Western Australia, words, writer, writing on March 21, 2014| 3 Comments »
Today, Friday, 21st March 2014 has officially been declared ‘World Poetry Day’.
So where does poetry ‘sit’ in your life and what is your idea of poetry?
Poetry is my way of ordering an idea or response, by moving it out of my head in as few words as possible, to clarify ~ writing the spine of what comes next.
It may stay as a poem, or become a short story, a script for a play or the screen or novel, perhaps even spawn more poems… but poetry is always the key.
Poetry is communicating clearly a strong emotion within me, which combined with the use of metaphor, I hope will find an echo when others read my efforts.
So I thought I’d share my reply to a fun poem Professor Glen Phillips sent and my responding poem (with permission, of course):

Glen Phillips reading a poem at Poets Corner, Perth Cultural Centre, 2005.
BUT BLONDES PREFER DIAMONDS
(or, Lesson No. 64)
If you think ‘a diamond is forever’,
as advertisements used to say,
(and you’re beautiful) grab whatever
lovely hot rocks come your way!
And why not? Centuries of avid men
seeking to turn the head of a cooling lover
resort to this old stratagem well-proven—
how to raise the stakes, get back in clover.
So down to the hockshop, make a grand
by selling heirlooms (or grandma’s wheelchair)
and then hare it to the gem store, with hand
on heart, plead a done deal for a big solitaire.
Gentlemen prefer blondes, but blondes prefer
rocks and preferably bigger and with more sparks
than those in the eyes of he who would woo her.
You good boys, listen, how to get top marks!
Glen Phillips © July, 2007.
and my response:

Frances Macaulay Forde reading a poem at Poets Corner, Perth Cultural Centre, 2005.
Lesson No 65
See, diamonds are hard
as everyone knows,
a girl must have metal
for this century’s woes.
Getting her rocks off
whether blond, red or brunette
no faking, no waiting – Helen,
woman hasn’t peaked yet.
While gentlemen play with image
cream blondes, brunettes achieve.
Red wears stainless steel bands
inscribed with ‘We must believe!’
Don’t strive for tabloid wants
look past the surface bling,
there’s more to a woman
tho’ the sparkle is tempting…
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2007
Posted in Africa, Animals, nature, Poetry, WA Writers, tagged Africa, Frances Macaulay Forde, Inspiration, new writing, Photo blog, Poem, poems, poetry in Western Australia, words, writer, writing on March 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »
I saw this photo by on the net and was immediately inspired: nature + telephone pole = home.
RECYCLED
Sociable weaver
birds gather Kalahari
sticks, grass, cotton to
construct home-trees for hundreds.
Out-dated rest-points built to
carry distance wires become
capsules recycled for
mobile families.
.
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2013
Posted in Hidden Capacity, Love, Poetry, Romance, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Perth City Skyline, Poem, poems, poetry in Western Australia, South Per, WA, Western Australia, words, writer, writing on March 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Thought I’d share another poem from my first book written during my on-line courtship, specifically what a poetry editor in Ireland deemed a ‘quirky’ title, to see what you think.
This comment, at 12.33pm on messenger,
stopped me in my tracks – I had to
question you…
Why say that? Is this where you are?
Role research? Experimenting on me?
I have opened the door for you once more.
You are the love of my life returned
to my room…
‘cos of who you are, who you’ve been.
And who I’ve been – where I’ve been.
My labels are cheap, used and tattered.
Yours exciting, money new, and ‘out there’.
Can you ignore…
appreciate the journey, walk the same road
remembering why I react from memories.
How did this happen and why now?
The director knows the outcome,
my script done…
Nuances of assistance from higher hands…
mysterious determined effort for lasting love.
If the future wanes – dumping my heart…
When I prove not to be what you want…
If my love…
can’t match your carefully constructed,
mental and emotional picture of me today…
Rejection! A resounding slap in the face.
Eternal damnation of idealism – romance.
Proving …
my impossible dreams have no right
to insert themselves into my reality.
I will still love you – hate you first but
eventually settle back to loving you again,
sub-consciously….
I will treasure always you careful words,
your considered approach – all the ‘bulls*it’!
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2003
From my 1st book of poems ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey’ Published in Cork, Ireland, 2003.
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