A Monday Quote

March 13, 2017 by Sally

Poetry Friday: The Ray’s Reply

March 10, 2017 by Sally

Last Friday I shared this poem, written to the stingray I met on my morning walk:

I had some comments wondering what the ray might say back to me, so, of course, I had to sit down and figure out what it is Ray might say to me. And here it is:

Have a great Friday. Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is hosted by Michelle at Today’s Little Ditty. Head over there to see what other poetry goodness is on offer – and to read Michelle’s amazing account of the work of Lily Yeh.

Poetry Friday: Good Morning, Ray

March 3, 2017 by Sally

Last Friday, I posted about walking the dolphins. This week, I had planned to post on a completely different topic. But, this morning as i walked along the beach, I had an encounter with a different marine animal – a stingray, that swam into the shallows very close to me feet and which I then followed along for a while, chatting away to it about the beautiful day. So, of course, by the time I’d finished my walk, there was a poem in my head.

And, if you’d like to see more of Mr Ray, here’s a little video I took.

https://www.facebook.com/125397660050/videos/10158341635330051/

Today’s Poetry Friday round up is at My Juicy little Universe. Expect lots of Billy Collins goodness when you visit there.

What I Read in February

March 1, 2017 by Sally

Another update on my reading for the year. February was a busy busy month – my first speaking engagements for the year, working on a PhD, which is getting closer to completion, and some academic work, as well as my first ever big swim and more. So I finished less books this month, though I probably read more journal articles and individual poems. Anyway, here’s the ten I’m counting for the month. As in January, where I have reviewed them, I have linked to the review. Where I haven’t, I’ve linked them to where they an be found online.

Picture Books

Small Things, by Mel Tregonning

Crusts, by Danny Parker & Matt Ottley

Radio Rescue, by Jane Jolly & Robert Ingpen

What Do they Do With All The Poo, by Anh Do & Laura Wood

Poetry Collections

Poetry for Kids: Emily Dickinson, edited by Susan Snively, illustrated by Christine Davenier

Young Adult

Goldenhand, by Garth Nix

Before You Forget, by Julia Lawrinson

Adult Fiction

Sapphire Falls, by Fiona McDonald

On the Blue Train, by Kristel Thornell

Non Fiction

The Pleasure of the Text, by Roland Barthes (translated by Richard Miller)

How Writing Works, by Roslyn Petelin

Poetry Friday: Walking the Dolphins

February 24, 2017 by Sally

Every Friday I have to drop my son at work very early. this is a good excuse for me to have an early morning beach walk – usually at my favourite dolphin-spotting beach. The dolphins dictate how far I walk, because if there are no dolphins (which is rare) I just walk the length of the beach and turn around again. But if they’re there, I tend to walk further, but will change my direction regularly so I can keep them in sight and find it hard to leave the beach while there are dolphins in sight. After these walks I often tell my family I’ve been ‘walking the dolphins’ and, of course, this has lead to a poem.

Look closely – there are two dolphins INSIDE the wave, having a ride.

Walking the Dolphins

Some people like to walk their dogs

I see them in the park

From early in the morning

Until late, long after dark.

Some dogs on leads; others romp

Or fetch a stick or ball

Some owners watch their dogs from seats

Not walking much at all.

Me? I walk the dolphins

The pooches of the sea

Up and down the beach I go

And dolphins follow me

I’m on the sand, they’re further out

But I watch them swim and play

Some times they jump and flap about

And sometimes gently sway

I hardly note how far I’ve walked

Up and down the shore

Watching cetaceous friends cavort

Just leaves me wanting more

And later on it comes to me

As I turn back from the sea

It’s not me that’s been walking them

But they that have walked me.

In case you you haven’t seen it before, here’s my favourite bit of video of one of ‘my’ dolphins coming closer to say hello.

Have a great Friday. Today’s Poetry Friday Round Up is hosted by Karen Edmisten. SO, to read lots more poetry goodness, head over there.

Poetry Friday: I Did It

February 17, 2017 by Sally

Last Friday I posted about the Busselton Jetty and my plan to swim around it. It’s been such a hectic week that I haven’t come back to share how I went. So, given that it’s Poetry Friday, I thought I might tell you in verse:

The weather was grey

The ocean was choppy

It rolled and it swayed

But I’d planned for so long

For this one special day

When the starter said ‘go’

I was off and away.

AND
I did it I did it

I swam all the way

I did it I did it

So hip hip hooray!

So yes, I managed the 3.6km swim, in a time of 77 minutes and, as you might guess from the photo, I was left elated but also a wee bit exhausted. the water was rougher than expected – a storm front had come through in the days leading up to the swim, and apparently these were the worst conditions there’d been in the race’s history. But my training paid off and I stuck to my rhythm – the same rhythm I’ve tried to use in the poem. So, although I swallowed about half the ocean, I felt pretty good doing it. Good enough that I’ll be going back for another go next year.

Have a great Poetry Friday. The roundup today will be hosted by Check It Out, so if you want lots more poetry goodness, head over there to see what everyone else is posting.