London Court Cafe

what are you thinking

where are you looking

not at me

why?

 

the times

insecure

scared

private

secrets held

hands grasp bags

pats wallet

life blood exists

reassurance

 

woman in track-pants

yakka green

hunt food

nylon jackets

eat and walk

forget manners

quickly – no time

lighter

hidden puffs

blurred singing

sadness

plastic rustles

stumble

life wins the battle

shame bottle

 

executive black

cash freedom

uniform success

yellow jewelry

sustained work

blood money

 

comfortable shoes

mushy cardies

link arms

coats in sunshine

meander

disregard fashion

first eye contact

traditional warmth

traveling through life

together

relaxed touch

 

look into my eyes

I exist

I breathe

friendship

I’m secure

the day is shining

I give

look at me

I’m whole

I’m here

where are you going?

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2000 

* Published in ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey’ Ireland 2003.

 

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Coming home… 2003

When I first returned to Perth in Early December 2003 after living in Ireland for 14 months, the Jacaranda outside my kitchen window was in full bloom!

Hubby and I took a ride into the city via the Sunset Coast Tourist Drive, along the coast from just north of my suburb to Fremantle, back along the Swan River (home to our black swans) and into Perth City.

My Jacaranda

Views on our 5 min drive from our house, along Ocean Reef Road,  to the sea.

West Coast drive and our many white beaches…

Whitfords Avenue has multi-million dollar beach side homes on it and a huge shopping centre. About 7 mins drive from my house.

West Coast Highway part of the Sunset Coast Tourist Drive to Fremantle and South.

Swan River meets Leach Highway from Fremantle and Kwinana Freeway to the city skyscrapers in the distance.

Now we’re on the Kwinana Freeway, almost into Perth City, still driving next to the Swan River.

Sailing on our beautiful Swan River at sunset.

Freeway in South Perth just about to cross the Narrows Bridge and into the city with iconic Kings Park on the left.

Kings Park Memorial where the Anzac Ceremonies take place every year, overlooking the Swan River.

About to turn down, into the city… must take some more photos and this time, show you how our beautiful city sits next to the Swan, sparkling in the sunshine.

In the city now and looking up.

Hay Street Mall in December sunshine with its very modest Christmas Decorations, 2003.

It was good to see skyscrapers again…   Cork didn’t have any really tall buildings in 2003 – part of it’s great charm.    Although 11 years later, the Perth skyline has changed and I should do an update…  If you enjoy this post, I will.

The multi-million dollar houses on Whitfords Avenue are the opposite of my little 3 x 1.  A different postcode 5 mins away, off the same Ocean Reef Road, means they have sea views and beaches at their feet.  I keep saying to hubby, if we just put another storey on our house, we’d see over the sandhill to the sea. too!   Ha-Ha.

 

#francesmacaulayforde  #PerthCity  #FremantleWA  #WestCoastHighway  #SunsetCoast  #KwinanaFreeway  #SwanRiver

 

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My first KINDLE!

KINDLE edition #francesmacaulayforde

 

Well, that’s it – I’ve just published my first KINDLE book on Amazon of a previously printed  “Rail Tales ~ notes from the Currumbine Line”  and naturally, had to buy the first copy.

“Poetry and stories written while travelling on the Currumbine Line between the City of Perth and the Northern Suburbs in Western Australia.”    

It’s live and available right now so I’m pretty pleased.  (It certainly wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be but I managed.)

Here’s another of my favorite short poems from the book:

 

Rail Trail

parallel bars ride the sand

silver bullet steered by hand

expressed in kilometre-d speed

human flotsam to concrete greed

 

 

…and a (very, very) short story I hope you’ll smile at, remembering I was riding the rails when I wrote it.

 

The Great Escape.

Head back, eyes closed. I savor the cool, quiet efficiency of train travel.

I’m alone on this journey.  It is obviously not a popular time to commute.

Silence.  Then a scuffle, a soft knock below me and to the left, makes me

open my eyes. There it is again.  Are there mice on this train?  

It sounds like old crackle-y paper. Rounded, moving haphazardly

in all directions.

I hope the security video can’t see me climb onto the seat. 

Where is it? More importantly – what is it?

Feeling foolish, I gingerly step down. Then cautiously kneel and bend over,

eyes level to the carpet, bum up. 

Oh, it’s O.K. Panic over. Breathe again.

It’s only an onion, enjoying the freedom of riding on the train. 

Do you think it’s got a ticket?

 

 Frances Macaulay Forde © 2003

#BOOKRailTales   #FrancesMacaulayForde

#McAlpineBellPublishing

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‘The Heart’s Journey’

Do you believe in Karma?

Standing in front of all those Alexander McCall Smith books, I was overawed – found it difficult to settle on just one (or two) to get signed, but   “Trains and Lovers”  called to me.

How could I resist when I had also written ‘Rail Tales – notes from the Currumbine line.’   like many who had found the enclosed capsule of a train carriage inspiring.

I’ve been waiting weeks since listening to him  talk at UWA , to find the time to read the book.  Not wanting to pick it up for a quick look, but time to read the whole thing because I know once I open those magical pages, I won’t be able to put it down.

Within the very first chapters Alexander had mentioned my home town Perth, Western Australia; introduced us to an Australian lady called ‘Kay’ in her 50’s; mid-twenties ‘Andrew’ with eyes the same color as my Mum’s;  asked another if he was Canadian  (my niece lives there) before letting ‘Andrew’ tell us about himself.

‘Andrew’ comes from the same place as my mother’s family, Oban, Mull, South Uist and Lewis.  Mum also spoke Gaelic when she was young and came from a long line of doctors.  In fact, my maternal grandfather was named after a famous doctor who helped found the Physiology school in Glasgow University,  John Grey McKendrick. ( I’ve tried, but cannot find any other family connection to the famous physiologist except the name.)

And I’d only read to page 17.

So I’ll be ‘gone’ for a while readers…  this book is obviously my Karma.

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March madness!

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 but have now identified them as native Hooded Robins, who also live in Australia.)

 

two 

 

little

birds paused

full-fronting the sea breeze

two wanderers grip fine wire

then gone

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2014

 

 

 

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“As Autumn Leaves”

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’.

 

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Jesamine, Equals and Rolling Stones.

‘Sleepy’ Perth has been awoken by the presence of the mighty Rolling Stones although sadly their first Australian concert for many years has to be postponed.

My heart goes out to Mick and all who loved and knew his best friend, L’Wren Scott.

While the band members deal with the change in plans, they’ve been forced to keep their tongue logo parked on the tarmac at Perth Airport.

Last night, drummer Charlie Watts found an outlet for his musical talents at one of our best known secrets; the Ellington Jazz Club.

I’ve very sure the capacity crowd of 135 will dine out on their impromptu concert for many years to come.

My niece Aimee has long been a fan of the club and although many of the family have enjoyed the Jazz, we’ve not got there yet.

Muther’s Convention playing in Zambia, 1971 – Hubby on the left.

So ex-musician hubby and I were discussing our misfortune in not choosing to go, when he told me about his two claims to fame; acting as local tour guides and helping ferry instruments etc when ‘The Casuals’ visited Zambia in about 1971 and his band ‘Muther’s Convention’ playing as support for ‘The Equals’ on their Zambian tour a year later.

I didn’t recognize the names immediately so good old Google came to the rescue and ‘Voila!’  I’m instantly transported with the sound of one of my all-time favorite songs “Jesamine”  by the Casuals.

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Need inspiration?

Andrew Burke hosting Poet’s Corner, May 2008.

I’m shocked!  Andrew Burke has always seemed particularly inspired but wrote on a FB message to me that his writing “has stalled and needs a push start downhill, in gear – like in them good old days” ending with a smiley face.

It shocked and saddened me; I honestly can’t imagine that quick, witty, incisive brain NOT being inspired.  He’s always been such a  prolific poet  dabbling in many genres (even documentary)  inspiring and supporting others with his blog.

But first I got to wondering why…  As John Lennon once said “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”  A totally appropriate quote to use for Andrew because he’s an accomplished  writer, but very much a musician in his soul.

He even has a Wiki page!  (How do you get a Wiki page?)

I also discovered an e-book ‘Blue Rose’ on Smashwords which I have just purchased for a measly $4.99 (!) and because Andrew has inspired me (once again) I’ve joined the site to explore the possibilities for my own words.  (Thanks, Andrew.)

Often as writers needing the head-space to write,  life overwhelms us with what we HAVE to do.

Be selfish sometimes and take a moment to do what you NEED to do, too… we’ll all be better for it.

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Valentine’s Day

 

Eros strikes again!                   (Hear the poem)

.

Valentine’s Day.  You

pierced me with the past,

.

forced me to recall

feelings suppressed…

.

and reminded me

of my ability to love…

.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2003

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Valentine Sounds

Well, I’ve done it!  I’ve learnt how to record my 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day and humbly offer them for your (hopeful) enjoyment:

No 1 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Sleep’

No 2 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Vacuuming’ 

No 3 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Water Bird’

No 4 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Committed Skin’

No 5 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Before You’

No 6 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Turning the Page’

No 7 of 7 Poems for Valentine’s Day:  ‘Loose Lettuce Leaf Factory Tour’

(Illustration: Frances Macaulay Forde © 2003)

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