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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: A Gift in the Mail and the Gift of Time

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Happy Poetry Friday. Today is a  happy day for me because it is my last day at my university job for the year AND after I have taken my annual leave, I have been gifted six months of time to write courtesy of academic study leave.  In some places this is called a sabbatical, but whatever you call it, I feel very very blessed that for the first six months of 2024 I will be focussed on researching and writing a historical novel, as well as new poetry and a chapter for an academic book. Apparently this is work, but to me it feels like a precious gift of time to do the thing that I am best at – and I intend to treasure the experience.

Another happy thing this week was a gift in the mail, courtesy of the annual Poetry Friday holiday swap, where Poetry Fridayers from around the world swap poems and other small gifts.  My gift came from Tabatha Yeatts, who moved me to tears with her thoughtful poems – yes, that’s right, not just one poem, but four. Each poem was a six word poem, (or hya(na)ku) which  was a lovely thing as I have shared this form a few times here on my blog . Even lovelier though was the thoughtfulness of the topics, from dogs to beaches and more.

Of course George loved this one best:

humdrum

triumphs, disasters

pup celebrates everything

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

with the beach poem a close second:

sea

water knows

most fathomless self

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

This one made me feel that Tabatha was connecting with my propensity to write about tough topics, and I love the idea of adversity providing rich compost for future growth:

 

adversity

buried in

imagination’s compost heap

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

But, although it’s hard to have a favourite, this one took my breath away:

big

bang – story

explodes from core

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

Why this one? Because Tabatha didn’t know it, but I am currently working on a story where an explosion is a central plot point. I had to browse my blog to double check whether or not I had shared this fact – but it would seem one of those lovely moments of serendipity.

So thank you Tabatha for the gift of poetry, and for also connecting Poetry Fridayers through this annual exchange. And for the unplanned inspiration to keep working on that story!

And speaking of inspiration, I am off to browse the other Poetry Friday posts. Today’s Roundup is hosted by Janice.

 

Comments

  2. Cheers to serendipity! And, congrats on the gift of time…I am jealous. I’d love time to research and write. I can’t wait to see what you produce!

  3. What beautiful gifts of poetry! And I’m so, so excited for your 6 months of writing time. What a wonderful gift. I hope it’s full of creative inspiration.

  4. What a wonderful gift of writing time! I wish you much success , and thanks for sharing Tabatha’s poems. The hya(na)ku is new to me.

  5. Thank you for sharing Tabatha’s wonderful gift! Congratulations on your leave and I wish you a fruitful writing time!

  6. What fun to embark on a six-month writing adventure! I wish you a wonderful writing experience. I love the serendipity of Tabetha’s poem, and all of her poems. Wonderful timing!

  9. I love “Apparently this is work”! That’s the best way to feel. So glad my poems were George-approved. Wishing you a happy holiday and inspired new year!

  10. It seems you’ve already received the best Christmas gifts, poems from Tabatha & time just for you this first half of 2024, I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute, and wish you a very Happy Holiday starting now, Sally!

  11. I love that you have six months to write and it sounds like you’re ready to use it! What gorgeous poem from Tabatha. Thanks for sharing them and enjoy the holidays!

  12. Wow, Sally, 6 months to write! That’s so great, and I will be sending writerly pixie dust your way! I, too, love Tab’s big bang…how perfect for your project! I love when that happens. xo

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