sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: Too Many Sleeps

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It’s Poetry Friday and verrrrrry close to Christmas – but sometimes it seems Christmas will never come. This week I’m sharing a poem that I wrote for the Poetry Tag blog, in response to the two words Rebecca gave me, which were ‘envy’ and ‘run’.

Too Many Sleeps

Run, days, run!

Stop dragging leaden feet

And scurry, hurry, flurry

To Christmas Day.

 

Hop, days, hop!

From one to next to next

Quicker, slicker, ticker

To Christmas Day.

 

Skip, days, skip!

With speed Santa would envy

Racing, pacing, chasing

To Christmas Day.

 

Glide, days, glide

Like runners on a sleigh

Dash, slash, smash

To Christmas Day.

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy 2015)

reindeer

This week’s Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Diane at Random Noodling. Enjoy all the poetry goodness, and Merry Christmas to you.

Poetry Friday: An Aussie Christmas

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It’s Poetry Friday and it’s only 2 weeks till Christmas, so to celebrate I thought I’d share an Australian Christmas poem I wrote several years ago.

When I was growing up, all the Christmas stories, songs and television shows focussed on cold, and snow. and hot meals. And every Christmas where I was it would be hot and sunny, and we would try to keep cool with cool drinks and swimming exepditions. It seems a huge contraditicon.  Luckily, in recent years Australian publishers and creators have worked to produce more Australian Christmas content, but still there’s lots of talk of snowmen and icicles and such.

So here’s my Aussie Christmas song:

Aussie Christmas

We sing of jingle bells and snow,

of warm red suits and ho ho ho;

but none of this is quite the way

when it is Christmas here below.

Downunder in good old Aussieland

it’s time for sun and surf and sand.

It’s hot, not cold, it’s summertime

and summer treats are in demand.

Hard work for reindeer in this heat.

Hot roofs would burn their tender feet

and racing through the summer skies

would soon leave them feeling beat.

And as for Santa in fur and such:

he’d soon feel overdressed a touch.

Being snug and warm in blistering heat

isn’t likely to impress him much.

He also needs roos for the job

of sleigh-pulling – an Aussie mob

to get him moving all around

from Sydney town to Iron Knob.

His suit, too, needs an overthrow:

a new outfit, from head to toe.

Some boardies, a singlet and some thongs

would seem to be the way to go.

So let’s not sing of snow and ice,

instead I’ll give you this advice:

roos, utes and summer are the go

for Christmas songs that sound real nice.

So ripper, bonza, beudy, strewth!

Though you might think my song uncouth

it’s true blue and it’s ridgy didge

to sing a song that tells the truth.

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy)

Enjoy the countdown to Christmas – and enjoy more Poetry Friday goodness by visiting  A Teaching Life, where all the posts will be rounded up later today.

Christmas Sale

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Christmas is coming! To celebrate, I am having a little sale of three of my books which you probably won’t find in any bookstores. What better gift for a child than a book – and a book signed by the author is extra special.

You can order by emailing me through my contact page, and I will get it in the mail straight away.

Books on Special

Snowy's Christmas

Snowy’s Christmas
Click for more info

Snowy’s Christmas

An Australian Christmas story.

$16

signed and posted anywhere in Australia

Doggie Duo

Doggie Duo
Click for more info

Doggy Duo

(My first ever trade book)

$5

signed and posted anywhere in Australia

Head Hog

Head Hog
Click for more info

Head Hog

A fun picture book.

$16

signed and posted anywhere in Australia

Postage: These prices include postage within Australia. If you are overseas, I can give you a quote on postage.

Payment: I accept Paypal or direct bank deposit (Australia only).

Other Books: Yes, I do have stock of most of my other books. Contact me.

Merry Christmas: A Poem from Down Under

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We sing of jingle bells and snow
Of warm red suits and ho ho ho
But none of this is quite the way
When it is Christmas here below.

Downunder in good old Aussieland
It’s time for sun and surf and sand.
It’s hot, not cold, it’s summertime
And summer treats are in demand.

Hard work for reindeer in this heat
Hot roofs would burn their tender feet
And racing through the summer skies
Would leave the poor things feeling beat.

And as for Santa in fur and such
He’d soon feel overdressed a touch.
Being snug and warm in blistering heat
Is not likely to impress him much.

Santa needs roos for the job
Of sleigh-pulling – an Aussie mob
To get him moving all around
From Sydney town to Iron Knob.

His suit, too, needs an overthrow
A new outfit, from head to toe.
Some boardies, a singlet and some thongs
Would seem to be the way to go.

So let’s not sing of snow and ice
Instead I’ll give you this advice
Roos, utes and summer are the go
For Christmas songs that sound real nice.

So ripper, bonza, beudy, strewth
Though you might think my song uncouth
It’s true blue and its ridgy didge
To sing a song that tells the truth.

(Copyright Sally Murphy, 2014)

Aussie Christmas

My Letter to Santa

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Dear Santa

It’s Christmas Eve and this children’s author is reflecting on the year that was, and, of course, thinking about what she’d like to find in her writerly stocking tomorrow morning.

I have had the best year of my writing life and for that I am really grateful. The release of Pearl Verses the World in May was the beginning of a wonderful merry go round of nice reviews, excellent feedback and even some awards. Being named Best Children’s Book in the Indie Book Awards, and shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards were real highlights, and having those certificates framed above my desk has been the source of many smiles.

And, in October, my first ever Christmas book was released. Sharing Snowy’s Christmas with the world has made this Christmas extra special and seeing it prominently displayed in lots of shops has gladdened my heart. But the best part of all has been the experience of sharing a book with my much loved brother in law, David, who did such an excellent job of bringing Snowy to life.

As well there has been the acceptance of Toppling, which is ready to go to print, and two new picture books which are moving closer to release, along with some nice bookings to talk about my book-babies in 2010 at events including the CBCA NSW State conference and the All Saints Festival.

So thanks Santa, for a great year. But, of course, there are always a few wants on every writer’s list, so, if you feel so inclined, here’s what I’d like to find in my stocking in the morning.
1. A dictionary with the word ‘rejection’ permanently deleted. Could you please arrange one of these for every publisher on my submissions list, too? You would make not just this author, but lots of others, very happy. Very very happy. Deliriously happy.

2. A spell (do you do those? Or know someone who does?) that makes booksellers know the names of my books, and the best place to display them, so that I may never again have, as happened to me just two days ago, a bookseller look at me frostily and say “We only stock books we’ve heard of”.

3. A spellchecker that sounds a loud alarm every time I make a typo in an email, blog post, Tweet or Facebook update – before I press send (or post). It irks me that, as a stickler for good spelling, I continue to make terrible typos in public postings, and would love your help to eliminate that little problem in 2010.

4. Replies to the many submissions I have out there on editors’ desks. And remember, the word rejection has been deleted, so it would be lovely if those replies could be acceptances. Pretty please.

5. Okay, this last one is not writing related, but even writers have to think of other things from time to time. What I’d really really like for Christmas is to know that my children, my family and all of my wonderfully supportive writer friends are all safe and happy tomorrow and every day.

Thanks Santa. I hope that you and Mrs Claus have a wonderful Christmas, and that Snowy, the other white roos and the reindeer, get to cool off and relax tomorrow. Merry Christmas.
Love, Sally

sallymurphy.com.au