sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: Magic Days

by

It’s Poetry Friday and it’s my mum’s birthday, so I thought I’d write a little poem for her. When I was a child I remember being pretty excited about her birthday and the feeling of wanting to give her a gift that would make her feel the way I felt on my own birthday.

Magic Days

I bet

when you were little

your birthday was magic.

filled with gifts and cakes

and love and squeals.

 

I know

when I  was little

your birthday was almost

as exciting as my own

and I loved to show you that.

 

I hope

though we are neither little

that your day

still has the gentle thrill

of knowing you are loved.

 

(Sally Murphy, 2015)

 

Happy birthday Mum, and happy Poetry Friday everyone else.

poetry-friday-logo

The Poetry Friday roundup this week will be at Space City Scribes

Poetry Friday: A Personal Poem

by

It’s Poetry Friday and, here in Australia, tomorrow is ANZAC Day. I have just returned home after speaking about two of my ANZAC-related books, Do Not Forget Australia and 1915, to schools in Victoria and Perth, s  I thought it might be appropriate today to share a poem from 1915.

Stanley, the main character in my book, is a soldier serving in Gallipoli,and he finds writing poetry comforting during some very hard times. Although the book is written in prose, two of his poems are included. The one I am sharing today is quite sad, but also I hope shows the impact of war on those who fought.1915

Men Don’t Cry

Men don’t cry, or so I’ve heard

But here I sit and do

Because, dear friend this damned war

Has done its worst to you.

 

When we first met you made me laugh

You made me smile and more.

We became friends, we became mates

And together we marched to war.

 

Side by side we fought for months

And still you made me grin.

You were brave and tough, your mother’s son

Determined we would win.

 

When I was hurt you lifted me

And helped me toward aid.

That brave decision, sad to say

Was the last one that you made.

 

A shell blast took us both to ground

And you died a hero’s death.

Your only concern your mother dear

Her name on your last breath.

 

Men don’t cry, but if that’s so

Then no more man am I

As on your final resting place

I can only sit and cry.

 

(Sally Murphy, 2015)

 

A little girl in one of my sessions this week asked a heartbreaking question: Why do we have to have wars?  I gave her an answer that I’m not sure fully satisfied her, because the truth is – I don’t know.  I do hope that if we pause on days like ANZAC Day to remember those wars, and all that they mean, that it makes us aware of the need to strive for peace so that war will be a thing of the past.

Poetry Friday today is being hosted by Renee at No Water River.

 

Poetry Friday: Roses Are Blue

by

It’s Poetry Friday, which is always good news, but this week I have some additional good news to share, because my verse novel Roses are Blue was named a Notable Book by the Children’s Book Council of Australia book of the year judges. Hooray!

Roses are Blue

To celebrate the notable listing  and Poetry Friday, in the one go, I thought I would share a short extract from the book. It is a little moment where my character, Amber, who is having a really hard time, finds solace in doing something she loves.

Have a wonderful Poetry Friday. I know I will. For the rest of the fun, head over to Life on the Deckle Edge where Robyn is hosting the round up.

 

Poetry Friday: Last Supper

by

poetry-friday-logo

It’s Poetry Friday and, after a brief hiatus where life got in the way of my regular Friday posts, I’m back!

But I’m cheating little bit this week, and sharing a poem I have already shared – because it’s Good Friday, and I’m busy, and I’d rather repeat myself than miss another Friday posting.  So, here is my poem about the last supper, which I wrote in response to a prompt at Poetry Tag earlier this year.

Last Supper

At that last supper
the men ate and drank
and hung on your every word,
little knowing it would be
their last meal together –
even when you, my heart,
told them one would soon betray you,
one deny.
Centuries later,
artists recreated that moment
showing your quiet virtue
their various states of adoration,
disbelief,
confusion.
What they forgot, those masters of the arts,
(or perhaps it was their priestly chiefs)
was that we women were there,
and children, too
not hangers-on
not underlings
but equals.

(Sally Murphy, 2015. All rights reserved)

 

Have a wonderful Easter weekend, whatever your beliefs. And if you’d like more poetry goodness, the Poetry Friday roundup is at the Poem Farm.

Poetry Friday: Perth Writers Festival and Some Observations About Poetry

by

poetry-friday-logoIt’s Poetry Friday. I love Poetry and I love Fridays, so Poetry Friday is my favourite day of the week. BUT last week, I missed posting on Poetry Friday. Awwww.

The good news is, the reason I missed Poetry Friday is because I was at the Perth Writers Festival – talking about poetry (and other bookish things).

The Festival is an annual event, and always has a wonderful programme, but the thing that made my heart sing this year was the way poetry featured so prominently across the programme – on Schools Day, on Family Day and in the general (adult) programming too. I was fortunate enough to introduce UK verse novelist Sarah Crossan to an enthusiastic audience on Schools Day, and then do an ‘in conversation’ session with her on Family Day. I also read some of my poetry in the Arts Courtyard at a lunchtime event with other poets. On the Friday, where I was a spectator for the day, I went to a well-attended session titled Poetic Sensibilities where Sarah was on a panel with Caitlin Maling, Samuel Wagan Watson and Tineke Van der Eecken.

What delighted me was the way poetry was being spoken about not just during these sessions, but also around the festival – in the green room, at social events, even in lines for the bathrooms.

So, some observations from these conversations and from listening to these awesome poets:

  1. Poetry is important. It’s important for lots of reasons, not the least because it makes us feel.
  2. Poetry should not make you feel dumb. If it does, that’s not your fault. It isn’t a test.
  3. If you don’t believe me about numbers 1 and 2, think back to your childhood and how you loved to listen to Dr Seuss, or AA Milne, or nursery rhymes. They made you feel good – laughing, or joining in. They may have even made you feel like you could read before you learnt to do so, because you could both predict text and also memorise it. Then think about a time when you were asked to answer comprehension questions or write an essay about a poem you didn’t ‘get’. Not necessarily the poet’s fault, but as soon as poetry becomes a test, we lose some (most/all) of the magic.
  4. If you find poem or a poet too obscure, don’t give up on poetry altogether. Just try a different poet. Not every poem will suit every readers, just as not every novel does.
  5. Poetry is not something you have to write/read/discuss in a darkened room or dusty attic. There are other poetry lovers out there – and, if you love poetry, talk about and share it. Spread the love!

I’m off to celebrate Poetry Friday by writing poetry. How about you?

(Poetry Friday is a weekly round up of poetry related  blogposts by those who love children’s poetry. This week it is hosted at My Juicy Universe. )

Poetry Friday: Post It Note Poetry

by

poetry-friday-logo

Welcome to Poetry Friday. I’m really enjoying being part of this poetry celebration, connecting with poets and poetry lovers from around the world. I hope you’re enjoying it, too!

February is looking to be a busy month for me. Who am I kidding?  With six kids, doctoral studies and a writing career, every month is a busy month. But February marks the release of my newest novel, 1915, and the busyness of celebrating and promoting means an extra level of busy. (By the way, if you’d like to join in the celebrations, you can leave a comment on the virtual launch below, and go in the draw to win a copy of the book.)

Another thing keeping me busy this month is a poetry challenge. I’ve blogged before about how participating in a writing challenge can be both fun and productive. When I heard about the Post it note Poetry Challenge, I had to give it a go.

The rules of the challenge are simple. Every day in February – or on as many days as you are able – you write a poem on a Post It Note (any size, any colour), take a photo and tweet it with the hashtag #postitnotepoetry. The poem can be any form and on any subject, the only limitation is in keeping it short enough to fit on the post it note.

Here’s one of my efforts: Embedded image permalink

And here’s another:

Embedded image permalink

It’s not too late to join in with your own poems. The confines of space but can be a good way of condensing your thoughts, and the temporary nature of a post it note means you can use the exercise to draft something that you might rework later.

Poetry Friday today is being hosted by Elizabeth.  You can see a round up of all the wonder that is Poetry Friday at her blog.

See you next week!

sallymurphy.com.au