Posts Tagged ‘poetry’

No 3 of 7 Poems for Valentie’s Day

Posted in Love, Poetry, Romance, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Poem, poems, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, Valentine's Day, words, writer, writing on February 8, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Water bird

Lakeside, I watch

the Coots bouncing

on top of the water.

They throw their heads with

intention and abandon, plunging

– totally immersing themselves.

I want to bounce…

Immerse myself…

Plunge into you….

1^st pub: ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey’ by Frances Macaulay Forde, Ireland, 2003.

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No 2 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day

Posted in Love, Poetry, Romance, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Poem, poems, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, Valentine's Day, words, writer, writing on February 7, 2014| 1 Comment »

Vacuuming

With every pull

toward your body

you expect obedience.

Expect each micron of dirt

to be sucked up and away.

Look at the attention

you give stairs.

How do I become like stairs?

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No 1 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day

Posted in Poetry, Romance, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, Love, Poem, poetry, romance, Valentine's Day, writing on February 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Sleep

–

I can

only consider

soft eyes

repose

calm, sweet face

small breaths

–

’til I realize

they’re mine.

–

I breathe

and contemplate

the alternative

only when

someone asks…

–

Published in ‘The Word Is Out’ Issue 2 ~ Sept ‘06

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Ladies of the Laundry

Posted in Animals, Books, Ireland, MOVIES, Poetry, Writing, tagged Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare, Doolin, Frances Macaulay Forde, Jessie Lendennie, poetry, publishing, Salmon Poetry, Stonecutter's Kitchen, writing on February 3, 2014| 2 Comments »

Two things; ‘Philomena’ is a truly wonderful film offering insight into the ‘Ladies of the Laundry’ also known as the ‘Magdalene Sisters’ presented with humor underlined with the awful truth and William Wall well-known writer and member of the Munster Literature Centre who recently wrote of the McAleese Report, have stirred a memory.

The girls/women have fascinated me since my 14 months in Ireland when I actually met a ‘Lady of the Laundry’ during a lunch break from an inspiring workshop weekend meeting with Jessie Lendennie of Salmon Poetry fame.

Cliffs of Moher with Jessie Lendennie and her beautiful dogs.

Jessie took me to a favorite haunt, a little coffee shop called ‘Stonecutter’s Kitchen’, up near the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare, just down the road from her place.

On a beautiful sunny day, with a brisk breeze blowing off the cliffs, we chose to sit outside in the small sheltered garden, crammed with tables and others who wanted to soak up the sunshine. Jessie and I are ‘pet’ people and when a sweet little dog came over to say hello we both made a fuss before her 40+ owner (we’ll call Mary) came to apologize for the delightful intrusion. Naturally, we started chatting.

When ‘Mary’ found out we were writer and publisher, she told us she loved poetry having recently learnt to read and write. My curiosity and writer-ly instincts kicked in and I probed wanting to know why this woman had only recently acquired this skill, but Mary didn’t mind and willingly told us she was a ex Laundry girl with a dream to one day have something published.

Gobsmacked, I fell silent suppressing the lump in my throat which threatened tears. Although Jessie kept talking a bit longer, I could find no more to ‘chat’ about. The sun seemed to go behind a cloud and I was consumed with what I’d heard and seen on film and busy mentally equating those impressions with the reality, standing so seemingly innocent in front of me.

‘Mary’ must have thought me so rude… I remember wishing her luck with her dream but wish I’d asked her name so I could look out for the book.

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ReUnion

Posted in Africa, Love, Poetry, Writing, tagged Frances Macaulay Forde, poetry, Rediscovering Love, Returned Love, Zambian Bands on December 27, 2013| 5 Comments »

The love of my life playing keyboards when we first met. (“Paper Lace” 1973 Kitwe, Zambia.)

1974Kitwe Club - PaperLaceMovers Group LS

Saying goodbye before taking my broken heart to Australia. (Kitwe Club, Zambia 1974)

My man found my name on the net, flew from Ireland to Australia and hugged me in Perth, West Australia, 2002.

Our Wedding Day wiped 30 years away. (Hillarys Yacht Club, Perth, Western Australia 27 th Dec 2003)

ReUnion

–

stepping softly

you trod the path

to my front door

–

never rang the bell

played favorite songs

over and over until

–

senses on overload

surrounded by romance

you kissed me quick

–

my heart pumped electric

zinging over barriers

erected years ago

–

breaths of pain

barely contained

welcomed as veins

–

formed highways

joined the chorus

to wash with heat

–

a thrumming melody

echoes of words

rhymed with roses

–

thorns ignored love

posies fresh and blood

red for us young again

–

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Red Umbrella

Posted in Art, Poetry, Writing, tagged Art as the Spark, Frances Macaulay Forde, Jessica McCallum, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, Raincheck Exhibition, words on December 22, 2013| 2 Comments »

“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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Art as the Spark

Posted in Art, Art as the Spark, Poetry, Theatre, Writing, tagged Art as the Spark, Frances Macaulay Forde, His Majesty's Theatre, Jessica McCallum, JM Exhibition, Paintings, poetry, West Austalian Writing, words on December 20, 2013| 2 Comments »

‘Mute’ by Jessica McCallum 2009

My mouth is a gun with a silencer, stopped

mid-sentence from telling you how I feel –

actions speak louder especially when they hurt!

You see, you say but I can’t speak. You speak,

I hear but no words are offered because I can’t reply.

I see, I hear so please, throw your words my way

so I can at least aim in silence.

–

_____________________________________________

The ‘JM Exhibition’ was the first (very successful) exhibition of art by my daughter Jessica McCallum held at His Majesty’s Theatre in 2009, on which we collaborated. All but one painting sold on the night.

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“All The Pretty Ones Are…”

Posted in Art, Art as the Spark, Poetry, Writing, tagged 'All the Pretty Ones Are...", Art as the Spark, Artist, Frances Macaulay Forde, Jessica McCallum, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, Roll Up! Roll Up!, words, writer on December 18, 2013| 3 Comments »

Roll up! Roll up! Crack

the whip! Circle the horses.

Let the monkeys laugh

–

and play with careless

disarray around this heart;

broken, wounded, fallen

–

from the high wire,

grip gone, hands open

in mute surrender.

–

Your forced false smile

Painted in a permanent

Good-vibe leer… I tip

–

my hat to all who stride

into the ring, willingly –

take a chance on love.

–

All the pretty ones

are gathered for love’s

circus performance.

–

Watch out for the Ringmaster!

He can reach a hand inside

your chest and squeeze…

–

Written for “All The Pretty Ones Are…”

Studio Underground Foyer

State Theatre Centre of WA

(Friday 11 to Sunday 20 November 2011)

Funny folk, fear & fascination… complete with feathers…

All The Pretty One’s Are, is an exhibition of mixed media paintings by local Perth artist Jessica McCallum and will be on show for one week only in the Studio Underground Foyer at The State Theatre Centre of WA. Jessica’s style incorporates traditional watercolours & inks with a dark twist, and large-scale pop art, mixed media pieces. Her influences are murals, street art & old-skool comic book culture. Ever wanted to run away to the Circus?

For further information please visit http://jessicamccallum.blogspot.com/

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Irish Midsummer

Posted in Ireland, Poetry, Sketching In Ireland, tagged Co Cork, Frances Macaulay Forde, Ireland, poems, poetry on November 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Co. Cork

Midsummer

The young hare

on country roads,

blurred speed,

dance with danger.

–

Ears flat back along,

legs pumping, stretched out

in thumping rhythm.

–

Teenagers ‘vogue’

among foxgloves,

buttercups, daisies…

–

Identify fatal perfumes

inviting the innocent,

unwary sniff-er

to twitch

inquisitive noses

roadside.

–

Sudden glare

of spotlights

freeze-framed,

seconds

star struck

– THWACK!

–

My body

flies up,

stops.

Legs loosely

flap – fold.

–

Here lies…

with body stilled,

knees crossed

like a lady…

Text & Photos are Copyrighted: You are welcome to share what’s written here so long as the appropriate credit (my full name) is applied. Also ( as a courtesy) it would be good to know where and when my content is shared. Thanks. Frances.

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Road Repairs

Posted in Ireland, Poetry, Sketching In Ireland, tagged Ballyhooly, Co Cork, Frances Macaulay Forde, Ireland, Lyre, Mallow, poetry on November 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Lyre, Co. Cork

As I mentioned before, my gorgeous man took me to live in Midleton, Co Cork for 14 glorious months.

Every couple of days we’d get in the car and head out somewhere new.

Obsessed with trees and castles there were certainly plenty to keep me interested, meandering along byways bordered by stone walls built centuries ago, I loved tracing the steps of paternal ancestors.

Even got used to suddenly being confronted by huge tractors or hay balers taking up the whole (narrow) road. Luckily small dents in the stone walls just big enough to fit a car are provided for just such surprises!

We’d wandered between Mallow and Ballyhooly in North Co. Cork, to visit a family grave…

Road Repairs

On a hill, Celtic crosses and angels wings
gather. We approve the view, weed and go.
Suddenly, unattended in a quiet Irish lane,

–

temporary traffic lights blink red.
Surrounded by green fields, we’re forced
to queue like country others, and reflect.