I love January. As you might have guessed if you visit here regularly I am a beach person and a water person and January here is peak summer. It’s hot and fine and I can walk on my precious beach every day and swim swim swim, in beach or pool. If you haven’t seen my beach, here’s a reminder of just how gorgeous it is:
And yes, its often that deserted, though this morning I encountered perhaps 20 other walkers, fishers and swimmers. When we were in lockdown last year I was lucky to be able to keep up my walks, because this beach is a kilometre from my house, and I continue to share glimpses and videos through Instagram, in the hopes others who perhaps aren’t so lucky find some of the joy I feel.
The other thing I love about January is time. My day job, at a university, is less full-on in January and I have extra time to devote to my writing and research. And, this year, that means poetry – and lots of it! I am working on trying to get an annotated bibliography of Australian verse novels for children and young adults finalised. This project, with three other wonderful volunteers (including Kat Apel), will, when it’s done appear on the NCACL site as a resource for teachers, parents, researchers and anyone with a passion for verse novels. As part of this most of my reading so far this year has been verse novels – some new to me, some revisited. It’s felt luxurious to spend so much time reading poetry, and considering it work.
I’ve also been writing new poetry, and working on a new verse novel, as well as revisiting some of my unpublished poems with hopes of finding homes for them.
In short, I’ve been swimming in poems, and loving it. Which leads, of course, to my poem for this poetry Friday (you did know this was going somewhere, didn’t you?). I wanted to bring together the two things my January has been all about – the water, and poetry – and here’s where I ended up:
Drowning
I’m drowning in poetry
onomatopoeia
bubbles and burbles
through my lungs.
I’m drowning in poetry
rhythm
beats and sways
through my veins.
I’m drowning in poetry
rhyme
keeps time
with my heart.
I’m drowning in poetry
metaphor
is my life force
my every breath.
I’m drowning in poetry
alliteration
measures my movement
swimming saves me
I’m drowning in poetry
and that’s okay with me.
Pound me with poems
make me a victim of verse.
(Poem copyright Sally Murphy 2021)
I was pretty happy to see that this week’s Poetry Friday host is the amazing Sylvia Vardell and that she is sharing a sneak peak of poetry to be published in 2021. I can’t wait to swim though more of those titles. Head over to her post to also see what other poetry goodness is being shared this Friday.
The list of verse novels sounds amazing.
Nice!
Sally, the energy of your poetry and water play splashes right through your post and is utterly refreshing! I feel like I’ve just run through a sprinkler! What a delight! PS I also love “victim of verse”! PPS I just came back from the beach in Maine and I imagine yours is much warmer! lol
Thank you Molly. Glad you enjoyed it. And yes, I’m sure mine is warmer at the moment!
Sally, your life . . . could we trade for a few weeks. Just kidding, of course, but that beach looks so fabulous and to be able to swim seems like a miracle from where I am in New York right now. Enjoy. Your poem is filled with enthusiasm. I love “victim of verse.”
Janice, I am not sure I would have the strength to trade, but I am so very aware of the juxtaposition of my own fortunes and those of you and so many elsewhere in the world right now. It makes me determined to enjoy it as much as I can – and to share through photography and words, for those who that helps. Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for taking us away for a few moments to soak in the sun and waves on your marvelous beach–And for your fun poetry-ingredient-filled poem! Enjoy January, and I wish you a productive and fruitful writing month!
Thank you Michelle. Always happy to share my beach with fellow poetry lovers 🙂
Thanks for letting us swim along with you–on your beach and in all that wonderful poetry!
Thank you Kay!
Hi Sally! I think this is my first visit to your page. What a wonderful drowning experience you have written to share! Nature inspires much of my poetry too! I was reading and writing a lot of poetry before the holidays. I hope to work more on my own poems/verse this year….as well as continuing to read others. I look forward to browsing your page and checking out the list Sylvia posted! Happy New Year!
Thank you for visiting, Carol and I am glad we seem to have so much in common. I look forward to visiting your own blog and getting to know you through our mutual loves.
Hi, Sally, and thanks so much for sharing your words, photos, projects, and poems. I absolutely cannot wait to see your annotated bibliography of Australian verse novels. What a fantastic resource that will be! Meanwhile, thanks again for joining the Poetry Friday fun this week!
Thank you for visiting Sylvia and thank you once again for hosting this week.
I must reply that poetry this strange month in our country has saved me. I’m reading from various books & they help, a lot! I’m glad to drown with you, Sally, & envy you mightily on those beach walks! Love “rhyme/keeps time/with my heart.” Happy summer days to you!
I am so glad poetry is helping get you through Linda. I watch what is happening over there in utter disbelief – both the civil (uncivil!) stuff and the pandemic. Such a contrast to life here. I hope my summer vibes somehow get through the miles to you 🙂
Oh, what a wonderful post. I am one of your beach-photo fans. But, I’m not sure I have yet followed you on IG. I need to do that! Have you ever heard of the dessert, Death by Chocolate? It can be cake or pie or even ice cream. The idea is chocolate on chocolate. I love the idea of Death by Poetry. Just fill me up until I burst. What a fun poem you’ve been able to bring us from your lovely reading experiences. Thank you for a bit of sunshine!
Thank you Linda. Glad you have been enjoying my beach photos 🙂 And yes, I do know of death by Chocolate, and like the idea of Death by Poetry too 🙂 Glad to have you sharing my sunshine 🙂
January is usually my Month of Poetry, Sally – but somehow 2020 flew by and I just wasn’t even thinking of that this year! So glad you’ve been able to wallow in words and paddle in poetry. Especially after such a hectic 2020!
Thanks Kat – yes it’s such a nice way to start the year – reading or writing poetry.