sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Happy Toes and Happy Days

by

This morning I have happy toes! Why? Because I have done something I’ve been meaning to do for ages – and it really did not take me long at all.

What did I do? Created a playlist over on Youtube of the various poetry videos I have shared over the years. Inspired by the release this week of Right Way Down, I’ve been spending even more time than usual sharing poetry, poetry ideas and more with the world, including LOTS of posts on my Instagram account. And this, in turn, inspired me to head over to my YouTube channel and create a playlist just of poetry videos. You can see it here. There’s a blend of original poems by me, classic poems, and extracts from my first four verse novels. Now that I’ve put it together as a playlist, I am feeling inspired to create some new videos, so watch this space.

And the happy toes? That’s because one of my favourite video poems is this one, the very first video poem I made, back in 2016:

I hope you enjoy these offerings, and would love to hear if you enjoy them or if you you use them in your classroom.

 

Poetry Friday: My Beach is a Poem

by

It’s Poetry Friday and, if you’ve read my last few posts, you’ll know I’ve been thinking a lot about what poetry is – with some surprising results, including last week’s comparison of poetry to chicken cacciatore.

Yesterday, as I took my morning walk on ‘my’ beach (I do share it with other locals, but sometimes it really does feel like it is there just for meeeeee). I thought for perhaps the millionth time how very beautiful it is, in all it’s different faces. The line ‘My beach is a poem’ came to me and, at home, this is what came out:

My beach is a poem:

laying out her

glories each morning;

welcoming me

to her sand.

 

My beach is a poem:

her  salty air

medicine

to soothe

my troubled mind.

 

My beach is a poem:

water like sparking jewels

spilling from

a sandy treasure chest.

 

My beach is a poem:

whispering waves

singing and crooning

their morning tune.

 

My beach is a poem.

(Sally Murphy, 2024)

As a first draft, I like it, and could see it being a useful mentor text, with each verse using a different poetic technique. and the repeated line ‘My ______ is a poem.’

Speaking of beaches, I am lucky enough to be heading off for the next week to visit the beautiful Rottnest Island (also known by its traditional name, Wadjemup) , for some snorkelling, some beach walking and, importantly some research and writing time. Feel sorry for me? You shouldn’t! I’d take you with me if I could.

Before I head off, I’m off to checkout the other Poetry Friday goodness. Margaret is hosting the weekly roundup.

Poetry Friday: What do poetry and chicken cacciatore have in common?

by

Last week I posted about trying to define poetry. With Right Way Down coming out at the end of the month, I am putting lots of time into pondering how to spread the poetry word.

So when it came time to post today, I thought I’d continue the theme, and perhaps look at how else I could write about poetry. I thought I would write a found poem, or back out poem, and headed to dictonary.com to see what the definition of poetry might offer.

What  it offered was a surprising twist.  There were three possible definitions. The first two were fairly straightforward. But the third reminded me that we sometimes call things poetry when they have  ‘ qualities that are suggestive of or likened to those of poetry’.  And there, in italics, was an example: Marcel, that chicken cacciatore was an absolute poem.

Hmm. Not only did I instantly want to eat chicken cacciatore (it’s been a loooong time) but also, my brain wanted to make that cacciatore into an actual poem.  So, instead of a poem about poetry, I ended up sitting down and writing a poem about cacciatore.

Chicken Cacciatore

Rich aroma

fills my nose

my mouth

my heart.

Onions

and herbs

chicken

and tomatoes

and all that rich rich goodness

simmering

on the stove.

Mamma has a recipe

but

when I looked

it was missing

the one key ingredient

I know she uses every time:

Love.

(Sally Murphy, 2024)

So what do cacciatore and poetry have in common? Everything! Carefully put together, with love, to fill up the senses – and, if  they’re well made, leaving you wanting more, whether it’s right now, or tomorrow, or next week.

Me? I want more poetry right now, so I am off to check out the love-filled Poetry Friday roundup, which is hosted by the wonderful Carol. Afterwards, I just might be digging out my recipe book!

Poetry Friday: An Illuminating Gift

by

One of the lovely quirks of participating in a holiday gift swap with people on the other side of the world is that things can show up just as you think the holidays are over. In this year’s swap, I paired with two people, so Tabatha’s gift (which I’ve already posted on) appeared before Christmas, but this week my second gift, from Margaret Simon, appeared in my letter box. How lovely!

Margaret sent me the most delightful card, with art by her father, John Gibson. Margaret couldn’t have known when she selected this card that my word for this year would be ‘Pause’, which is why I shivered when I read the verse inside the card: ‘Bring silence and stillness to this season of joy.’ A perfect reminder for me to pause.

Also in the package was a copy of Margaret’s poetry collection, Illuminate which she wrote in response to her father’s annual Christmas cards. John’s art uses pointillism – thousands of tiny dots make up each image. And Margaret has lovingly written a poem in response to each artwork. What a treasure to receive. I am digesting the poems, and the arts, slowly, savouring each as I pause to ponder their wonder.

Margaret also very kindly wrote a poem just for me:

For Sally

I found you under a book avalanche
Where you were happily absorbing
Word upon words
Story upon stories
Filling your cupboard
With timeless treasures.
(Margaret Simon, 2023)

I love that Margaret was inspired (I think) by this Instagram post:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sally Murphy (@sallymurphyauthor)

 

Thank you so much Margaret! And thank you for your illuminating gift. Thanks to to Susan, who is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup. I’m heading over there to see what other poetry goodness is on offer this week.

Teaching Poetry in 2024? Right Way Down has teaching notes

by

Exciting news for teachers – and for me! Fremantle Press has produced Teaching Notes for Right Way Down, now available for free on their website here.

In case you missed  my earlier posts about this book, Right Way Down  is an anthology of  contemporary poetry for primary aged readers, suitable for classroom use and for private reading. It is coedited by Rebecca M. Newman and myself, illustrated by Briony Stewart, published by Fremantle Press in collaboration with Alphabet Soup Books, and including poetry on all kinds of topics and in a range of forms, from some amazing poets.

So, if you are thinking about how to include more poetry in your classroom this year (and  why wouldn’t you?) check out the teaching notes now and mark February 27 in your diary for the relapse of the book (of course you can pre-order it now to ensure you get your copy!).

And, if you are looking for a complementary book, and even more poetry and poetry teaching ideas, my PETAA publication Teaching Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose is still available, and includes lesson ideas, resources and poems for every primary year group.

But wait – there’s more! Because if you are looking for someone to visit your school and inspire your students about the fun and magic of reading and writing poetry – I’m your girl. I can also run Professional Learning for you and your colleagues.  I love poetry so much I made it the topic of my doctoral studies which kind of sort of makes me a doctor of poetry and means I LOVE to talk about poetry.

 

Poetry Friday: Pause/Paws

by

It’s Poetry Friday.  In 2024 I aim to post more regularly –  poetry is so integral not just to who I am as a writer,  or as an educator, but as a person, and the Poetry Friday community is one I really love being part of.

I started the year, as I do most years, by choosing a word that will hopefully guide my actions this year. My Word for 2024 is PAUSE. 

As you can see, I considered lots of other words, taking a while to select a word that really covered what I’m aiming for, but pause feels a good fit.

I plan to pause more to enjoy the small wonders in my everyday life. But also to pause to be more present when I encounter people who matter to me – family and friends. And, in moments of potential overwhelm, I want to remember to pause to breathe and refocus on what is truly important, and to consider how I’m going to meet a goal, or overcome a challenge.

It’s fitting too that pause is a homophone for paws, because George and Narelle both make sure I pause each day – George making sure I enjoy the great outdoors even on days I think I don’t feel like it, and Narelle reminding me that it is absolutely to just take a moment or three to sit and stroke a cat.

In honour of these two, I took a moment to draft a poem about what they bring to my days.

Paws

Busy days

Long days

Tough days and rough days.

Tired days

Wired days

Happy days or sad days.

Meh days

Bleh days

Feeling-not-so-sure days.

Any day

Every day

Is better when you paws.

(Sally Murphy, 2024)

In addition to a word, I have also spent some time this week  setting some goals for my work year, and getting clear on what it is that really matters to me in 2024. And, although I will post about some of those goals in another post, I do keep coming back to wanting to slow down, take time, enjoy my furry friends and my human ones, and pause.

Speaking of friends, Poetry Friday is hosted today by Marcie, who is also sharing her one word for the year. Head to her post to see what other poetry goodness has been shared.

sallymurphy.com.au