It’s Poetry Friday and I am glad to be here, after missing a couple of weeks because of being SUPER busy. While I wasn’t here, I was chiefly busy on poetry-business, speaking at schools across the South West as part of the Between the Lines Literature Festival, sharing my love of poetry and, hopefully, inspiring students to read and write more.
Then last week I had not one, but two opportunities to celebrate the release of Right Way Down, speaking with my co-editor at the Children’s Book Council of WA’s annual
Night With Our Stars and then, the next day, a big launch for the book at the State Library. I blogged about this yesterday., sharing a highlights reel.
By the time this week dawned I was happy, but also fairly weary, and I knew that this week I needed to pause and stay close to home. Lots of beautiful beach walking was required to refill my reserves, as well as chances to get some writing done, sleep in my own bed, and spend time with my beautiful pets, who I know miss me when I am off wandering.
It was on the beach that a line of poetry came to me and kept repeating itself. Not surprising really – the beach is definitely my happy place. So I came home and wrote this:
Busy week
I’m almost beat
Time for a dose
Of sand beneath my feet.
Friday morning
Smells so sweet
Thanks to feeling
The sand beneath my feet
Weekend looming
What a treat
To pause and savour
The sand beneath my feet
Smiling broadly
At the people I meet
Also loving
The sand beneath their feet
Leave with a feeling
That’s pretty neat
Knowing I’ve had
The sand beneath my feet
Already planning
a prompt repeat
Of an hour with lovely
Sand beneath my feet.
(Sally Murphy, 2024)
By the time you read this, I’ll have had my Friday morning walk, with George frolicking along with his own very happy feet. But when I return, I’ll be checking out the other Poetry Friday goodness, courtesy of the roundup hosted this week by Rose.
Here’s to beautiful beach walking. 🙂
Right Way Down looks absolutely gorgeous. 🙂
We were just at the beach late afternoon yesterday for some quick vitamin-sea. However, it started raining immediately after we have set up our chairs and table and snacks – hence, we never even had sand in our toes, sadly! I am living vicariously through this photo.
Have a great week ahead!
Sally, what a joy to have sand beneath my feet at the beach. Your poem brings out that longing in those who have done that (and love it–I have heard of people who don’t like to touch sand, weird, huh?) Enjoy your trip, as well as the rest and refreshment you are getting.
Other than family, the only thing I miss about Florida is the beach. So…refilling. Congratulations on your launch events! You’re a poetry light!
This poem is delightful Sally– thank you for sharing!
Appreciating simple pleassures in our lives leads to writing ideas, Sally. The refrain to close out each stanza reminds the reader of the importance of the act. Here’s to simple pleasures!
Sally, your visits sound wonderful and energizing for students! Your poem got me itching for some sand beneath my feet! : )
Enjoy that beach for those of us who are stuck in a Spring that doesn’t want to say goodbye to Winter just yet!
When I think of you I always think of the ocean and the joy it brings. Thanks for sharing your poem and conjuring the feel of sand beneath my feet.
Fun one, Sally. I know just what you mean about the beach! Even though it’s still cold here, I stopped by a local beach to see what birds might be around, and my spirits immediately lifted as soon as I got out of the car.
Tickled by your delight, Sally – and such a happy refrain! Enjoy your rest!
This is one to read aloud, Sally, a pause for you among all the celebrations for your new book, happy walking ‘with the sand beneath your feet’. Your poem made me happy for you!
Thank you Linda.
Such a deliciously inviting poem, you can feel that easing off feeling from the sand’s anaphoric refrain, lovely. And congrats on all your activity with “Right Way Down” love the cover too, thanks for all Sally!
Thanks so much Michelle.
Sally, as a sharer of your OLW, I am always happy to travel to your side of the world. As I read your poem, I paused to soak in the luscious goodness of gritty sand in a warm bed of heat. Congratulations on your book and I enjoyed your video peek. Have a happy feet in the sand weekend.
Thank you Carol. My feet are indeed happy!
Yay for all these wondrous things: poetry business, your new book, and sand beneath your feet! xo
Thanks Irene.
I love that repeated line, Sally. I’d love to be feeling “the sand beneath my feet” now. It will be a few more months before I actually do, but your poem helped me be in that moment. Thank you!
I’m glad Rose. Thanks for dropping by and for hosting today.