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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: Of Failures, Bikes and Islands

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This week I’ve been thinking of failure. It’s one of my biggest fears – that I will start something and not finish, or, finish but not finish well.  Which I know is silly – because it’s more of a failure to not have a go than it is to start and learn from the experience. History shows lots and lots of failures that lead to learning and, ultimately, success.

Still, I can tell you about a lot of failures going right back to my childhood that I sometimes still carry with me. And it’s one of those that I’ve especially been thinking about.

When I was 7 my Mum very patiently taught me to ride a bike. I was a little young and uncoordinated to go from not being able to ride anything more than a tricycle to independently riding sans training wheels, but there was a reason – we were off to Rottnest Island for a family holiday. And, on Rottnest, the chief way to get around is by bike.

So Mum  taught me to ride up and down the laneway at home, and, when we got to Rottnest, a bike was hired for me, along with every other member of the family. I was still a novice rider – and had yet to experience the joy of hill climbing – or descents – and was not too  good at using the foot brakes which most bikes had back in the 1970s.

You might see where this is heading. All went well the first day or so, but then we rode to the top of the tallest hill on the island, probably to see the lighthouse which is there.  My memory is hazy on what we did on the hill, and I have no memory of riding up the hill. But what I do recall, very vividly, is riding down. A steep descent, picking up speed and  going from feeling excited to realising I was losing control. Time to apply the brakes. Nothing happened.  My family, behind me, calling out ‘brake, Sally, brake!’ But the brakes weren’t working and I was panicking.  It didn’t end well. Very soon I was in a bush at the side of the road, and my bike was on the ground.

I wasn’t terribly injured, but I was rapidly surrounded by my siblings and parents, who, once they realised I was okay alternated between laughter and asking ‘why didn’t you use the brakes?’

‘They wouldn’t work’ I sobbed.

It was fairly quickly established that the brakes were fine – but, in my panic I was pushing the pedals forward instead of back.

This failure might have been quickly forgotten but for two things – for the rest of the holiday I was banned from riding any distance, and had, instead, to ride in the baby seat on the back of  Mum’s bike. The humiliation! I was seven!  And then, not just for the rest of the holiday but the rest of my life, every time that holiday was mentioned, the story of me careening out of control down the hill to the cries of ‘brake, Sally, brake’ was told. And retold. With everyone laughing except me. When you are the butt of a funny story you don’t always see the humour – especially when it reminds you of a failure. (As an aside, it amazes me that my fall has been immortalised on yellow signs on the island)

 

BUT this story has a postscript. I have been coming to Rottnest a lot over the last few years. And, at first, I was very reluctant to hire a bike. Too many memories. But gradually I realised I was missing out on a lot. In February, for the first time, I finally hired a bike, and loved it.  And yesterday, back on Rottnest, I rode to the lighthouse – and successfully rode down it! And then I rode to the top of the second highest hill and rode down that too.

The smile I had coming down was as big as it would have been if I was till 7 – maybe bigger.

And, of course, I realised that some failures are temporary. Sometimes the next  day, the next week, the next month, other times 40 plus years later, another try gets a better result.

I’m going to try to remember that the next time I feel I’ve failed.

In the meantime, since it’s Poetry Friday, here’s a poem I wrote some time ago in celebration of bikes (and hills).

 

Hills

 

Going uphill on a bike

Is tough.

Really tough.

Muscles strain

Legs burn

Each push of the pedals

Gains an inch –

If I’m lucky.

Up out of the seat

Pushing, urging, groaning.

Thighs tight

Eyes yearn

Searching for the peak

Will it ever end?

 

BUT

 

Going downhill on a bike

Is fun

Really fun

Pedals turn

Of their accord

Lean back

Arms off handlebars

Look at me!

The bottom comes too soon.

 

(Copyright Sally Murphy)

 

And, in case you think I came to Rottnest without snorkelling, here’s a little glimpse under the sea.

Poetry Friday today is hosted by  Carol. Pop over later and see what other poetry successes are being shared.

 

 

 

Under the Sea

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A busy week, and updates still to come on the bits that are writerly, but in the meantime, here is a glimpse under the sea. Look for the octopus in the first few seconds.

Lockdown Seal

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Yesterday I posted about an amazing dolphin encounter.  Today the water was a little choppier, and I knew it was unlikely I would see such action again, as the dolphins are harder to spot on choppy days.  And I was right, I did not see a single dolphin this morning. But what I did see took my breath away. I had heard of  a lone seal visiting my beach, or a little south of it, but had never been lucky enough to spot it.

 

Today was my lucky day! Just before my turnaround point, the seal was there, fishing, very very close to shore.  You can see it throwing its fish around. And, about 3 minutes 40 in, you can see its reaction when a dog barks.

What a way to start day 3 of lockdown. Yet again I’m counting my blessings that my one hour of exercise is at my local beach.

 

Lockdown Dolphins

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Greetings from lockdown.  In Western Australia we are on day 2 of a five day snap  Covid 19 lockdown.

I am lucky enough to  have the best beach in the world (imho) at the end of my street and, with one hour of exercise outside the home allowed each day, you might guess where I would exercise. And, this morning, I was extra lucky to have an amazing dolphin encounter while I walked.  A pod of dolphins just a few metres off shore, flipping and splashing and even some leaps. There was at least one baby dolphin  (calf) in the group, and I suspect some teaching was happening. Amazing!

Back home, I shared some snippets on my personal Facebook and Instagram accounts, but later, I decided to splice them together into one video. Here then, if you need some beach peace – or some dolphin excitement – is what I saw:

I’m still smiling when  I think of my morning.  Wherever you are in the world, and especially if you, too, are in lockdown, I hope this dolphin magic makes you smile, too.

A Quick Catch Up

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2020: the year of time simultaneously racing by and standing still. It is hard to believe it is late August already, and yet so much has happened this year, and looking back to February (when 2020 was just starting to look interesting) seems an age ago.

So what have I been doing since I last posted? Quite a lot – my day job (I teach future teachers at university) has been busier than ever this year, mainly because of the impact of the pandemic on my students’ studies. I’ve also been working on what I hope might be a new verse novel, and I was lucky enough to actually visit a real school last week.  Thanks to the staff and students of Yanchep Beach Primary School for welcoming me so warmly.

Although it hasn’t been the ideal time to launch a new book – no booklaunch  or other physical events during a pandemic – Worse Things has been read and shared and talked about lots online, which is really pleasing. Some highlights:

I have also been delighted by the people who have told me they’ve read and enjoyed it, and lots of posts on Instagram and other social media by readers spreading the word. Thank you!

Lastly, in between all this busyness, I have been walking lots. I am fortunate to live in Western Australia where, although we must remain cautious about Covid 19, our current situation means I can move around the state. My daily walks, mostly to my much-loved beach, are a form of meditation for me. If you are on Instagram, you can see the glimpses I share, hoping to spread the beauty to those who can’t wander far from home. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of a wintry beach.

Thanks for dropping by.

Poetry Friday: Everywhere Stairs

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It’s Poetry Friday, and I’ve been thinking about stairs. Why? Because I seem to keep stopping at the bottom of them of late. My recent treks have seen me pondering (and climbing) these stairs

on Rottnest Island, a place less known for its stairs than for its gorgeous beaches and, of course, quokkas. But the stairs form part of its military history and thus I climbed them as part of a tour.

Closer to home, I often climb these stairs

when I leave my beach – and often pause to snap them, even though I know it isn’t the first time, and won’t be the last. They are my favourite stairs because of their location, but I must confess to preferring going down than going up.

I also, recently, came across these stairs on my morning walk closer near the Swan River in Perth. From the bottom I called them rainbow stairs, but wondered whether someone had just spilled paint down them.

From the top, however,  I could see some deliberateness, including the yellow heart at the bottom.


Lastly, at my dayjob I work on the fourth floor, and must confess that I take the lift far too often, but this week have challenged myself to climb the stairs at least once per day. It’s hard work, but I’m hoping it will get easier. Maybe when I love the stairs more there will be a photo, but for now, you’ll just have to take my word.

So, with all these stairs featuring in my thoughts, it seemed logical to attempt a poem about them. Here it is.

Everywhere Stairs

Stairs
They’re everywhere
Beckoning me up
Calling me down
Obstacle
Challenge
Or invitation
Depending on mood
Or location.
I do like stairs
But sometimes
When I’m halfway up
I wish I’d stayed down
Or just taken the lift.

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy, 2020)

 

Rebecca at Sloth Reads is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday roundup. So step over there, or step right up, and check out what other poetry goodness there is to see this week.