Sally Murphy's Blog, page 21

Lockdown Seal

Yesterday I posted about an amazing dolphin encounter.  Today the water was a little choppier, and I knew it was unlikely I would see such action again, as the dolphins are harder to spot on choppy days.  And I was right, I did not see a single dolphin this morning. But what I did see took my breath away. I had heard of  a lone seal visiting my beach, or a little south of it, but had never been lucky enough to spot it.

 

Today was my lucky day! Just before my turnaround point, the seal was there, fishing, very very close to shore.  You can see it throwing its fish around. And, about 3 minutes 40 in, you can see its reaction when a dog barks.

What a way to start day 3 of lockdown. Yet again I’m counting my blessings that my one hour of exercise is at my local beach.

 

Lockdown Dolphins

Greetings from lockdown.  In Western Australia we are on day 2 of a five day snap  Covid 19 lockdown.

I am lucky enough to  have the best beach in the world (imho) at the end of my street and, with one hour of exercise outside the home allowed each day, you might guess where I would exercise. And, this morning, I was extra lucky to have an amazing dolphin encounter while I walked.  A pod of dolphins just a few metres off shore, flipping and splashing and even some leaps. There was at least one baby dolphin  (calf) in the group, and I suspect some teaching was happening. Amazing!

Back home, I shared some snippets on my personal Facebook and Instagram accounts, but later, I decided to splice them together into one video. Here then, if you need some beach peace – or some dolphin excitement – is what I saw:

I’m still smiling when  I think of my morning.  Wherever you are in the world, and especially if you, too, are in lockdown, I hope this dolphin magic makes you smile, too.

January Reading

For a long time I shared the majority of my reading in the form of book reviews on my review site, Aussiereviews.  In recent years, busy with study, then work, as well as my writing life, I’ve posted there less and less, but I always love hearing what others have read, and sharing my own recommendations, so I am starting 2021 with the plan of sharing brief thoughts on what I read this year.  So, here’s what I read in January:

For Children (and adults too – adults can and should read kids’ books too – they’re the best)

Zoe, Max and the Bicycle Bus, by Steven Herrick (UQP, 2020). Steven Herrick is one of the verse novelists who inspired me to want to write verse novels of my own, so it always exciting to pick up his latest offering.  As well as loving poetry, Herrick also loves cycling, so perhaps it is no surprise to see bikes feature strongly here. this multi-voice story features the kids (and teacher) of class 5D, as they find a new way of getting to school – and around the obstacles in their way. Hating Alison Ashley , by Robin Klein (Penguin, 1984).  This book came out when I was in high school and, though I have heard it spoken of, and read about it many times, I must confess that I hadn’t read it myself. Given that I love the work of Robin Klein, I’m not sure why I hadn’t, but anyway, I have now filled this gap in my reading, and am glad I did. It’s certainly a story that stands the test of time. Erica, the protagonists, is not at all impressed by the new girl – Alison Ashley. She has it all, including everything Erica wants for herself – she’s smart, pretty and, worst of all, rich.  But somehow they seem to spend more and more time together and when the year six camp sees them rooming together Erica thinks things can’t get any worse. Erica’s voice is wonderful, and her flaws – and strengths – make her both endearing and funny. Around the Globe with Gramps, by Carolyn Eldridge-Alfonzetti, illustrated by Teresa Lawrence (Celapene Press, 2018). Yes, another verse novel.  This one is quite short (50 pages), and explores the bond between Lucy, about to start high school, and her grandfather. Lucy is worried that their game of ‘travelling’ together without leaving home is too babyish, but when Gramps falls ill, she reassesses. Incidentally, the illustrator of this also illustrated by very first trade book, Doggy Duo.Eddy Popcorn’s Guide to Parent Training , by Dee White, illustrated by Benjamin Johnston (Scholastic, 2020).  Eddy Popcorn isn’t just grounded – he’s grounded on the school holidays, and when his birthday is coming up. He’s disgusted. So he channels that disgust in a creative way – by writing a guide to parent training. A humours read for primary aged readers.Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People, by Monica Brown, illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Henry Holt, 2011).  This picture book biography of the people’s poet surprised me. It was sitting in my to be read pile, and had been for a while, and I’d forgotten why I bought it. But when I read it, I remembered – one of my Poetry Friday friends (I’m sorry I don’t remember who) had reviewed the book so enthusiastically that I had to have it. But then the book arrived and was shelved because, as so often happens, the gap between wanting a book and owning the book can make one forgetful of why it was important.  Anyway, I have read it now, and I adore it – the text is beautifully woven, as befits writing about a poet, and the sumptuous illustrations are woven with words from Neruda’s poems.

 

 

For Young Adults

Love, Ghosts and Nose Hair , by Steven Herrick (UQP, 1996).  My second verse novel for the year, and also the second by Herrick. What a treat. I’ve read this one before – several times – but it continues to please. With topics including first love, teen hormones and the grief of an absent parent, it’s no surprise that this book is both poignant and funny. Hard to believe it was first published 15 years ago, but not hard to believe it is still in print. Another Night in Mullet Town , by Steven Herrick (UQP, 2016). My third Herrick book of the year, and another reread, for a database project I’m working on with the Australian Centre for Children’s Literature (more on this soon).  Joan is navigating high school, first love, and the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. His best mate Manx is there at his side, though he has problems of his own. As with most of Herrick’s work, this is humorous as well as touching.Fighting Ruben Wolfe, by Markus Zusak (Omnibus Books, 2000). Zusak is one of Australia’s finest authors and this, one of his earliest books, is a demonstration of his talent for crafting gritty, real characters who you want to follow. Ruben Wolfe (and his brother Cam, who is the first person narrator) are part of a loving, but troubled family, and get drawn into a fight club as a chance to earn some money and prove themselves.  20 years after it was first published, this is still a really readable, contemporary read.

Poetry  

And Yet…, by Dennis Haskell (WA Poets Publishing, 2020). Dennis taught me in my first year of University and the main thing I remember is being amazed by his insight into the literature we were studying.  Down the track, I discovered Dennis’ poetry, and, for Christmas, treated myself with this collection. I’m so glad I did. I especially connected to the poems exploring grief and loss, amazing me anew with his insights – making the grief relatable whilst simultaneously personal. I also had a wry smile at Writers Festival and was warmed by tributes to his new love, Annamaria.  If you love poetry, you’ll love this, and if you think you don’t like poetry, then this collection, at once accessible and masterful, may surprise you. Blood and Old Belief , by Paul Hetherington (Pandanus Press, 2009). A verse novel for adults, and older teens, exploring the lives of a farmer (Jack), his Italian-born wife, Cecilia and their teenage daughter Katherine, as they struggle with drought, displacement and the gradual fracturing of their family bond. I read this, in ebook form, in a single sitting, and, though it is sad, enjoyed seeing how the three voices of the characters were interwoven with third person narrative, less common in my previous verse novel reading. Fish Song, by Caitlin Maling (Fremantle Press, 2019). I read this excellent collection when I first bought it last year, but somehow it ended up in my to-be-read pile, and I am glad it did, as good poetry deserves to be read and reread. Maling is  a West Australian poet and I especially like her ability  to build a sense of place through a blend of description, action and speech.Somebody Give This Heart a Pen, by Sophia Thakur (Walker [image error]UK, 2019). This debut written collection by a UK spoken-word poet is suitable for teens and adults, and explores complex topics. I  especially connected with poems about writing, and being willing to write, as well as those about grief.

For Adults

Clean Slate , by Zoe Foster Blake (Audible, 2020). This one was a free download from Audible, and not what I’d normally choose for myself – which is why I listened to it. It’s good to try new things, and at less than three hours listening time, this was a quick read, telling the story of a marriage in trouble after the narrator, Cam, realises his wife has been having an affair. Contemporary fiction, with enough twists and turns to keep it moving, and an interesting look at marriage and family.Their Lost Daughters, by Joy Ellis (Joffe Books, 2017 and also on Audible). Another free title from Audible (they offer a free title each month, and I have found this a good way to read different genres). This is the second in a detective series, featuring  detectives Jackman & Evans, but, as with other similar series, stands alone. The case they are working , ostensibly searching for two missing girls, becomes really unsettling, but is well woven. I mainly listen to audio books when driving, but this one absorbed me enough that I had to keep listening when at home.The Slap. Christos Tsiolkas (Allen & Unwin, 2008). I really like Tsiolkas’ work, but hadn’t read this before. This is one of the rare times when I allowed myself to watch the screen version (in this case, a TV mini series) without having read the book it was based on. I loved the series, but then didn’t get around to reading the book, until now. i picked up a copy in an opshop last year, and it has been on my TBR pile since then.  The premise – the repercussions of of a man slapping a child who is not his own – is seemingly simple, but the ripples and the history behind the slap and the relationships of those present, make this a complex story across different age groups and families. At 483  pages it’s longish but I got through in just a few days, because I wanted to keep reading.Second Skin, by Christian White (Audible Original, 2020). This novella filled a drive to and from the city, and, as another free download, was not my usual type of read, but I enjoyed it. The story of a family tragedy, and possible reincarnation, with twists and turns.

Nonfiction

Indestractible, by Nir Eyal (Audible, 2019). Another free download from Audible and a fairly quick listen. This offers insight into why we allow ourselves to be distracted – by social media, by non urgent task, and by the increasing range of tech at our disposable – and offers strategies for overcoming distraction habits.  There was lots of useful insights here, and I liked that there was research behind it – even (ironically) being distracted by the urge to follow up some of the cited research. Am I less distractable on completion? Perhaps. It has certainly made my conscious of my habits.Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness, by Bill Bailey (Quercus, 2020). This one was a Christmas gift from my wise big sister, Mary, who felt it was just the kind of book we needed in these times. And she was right. Bill Bailey is a comedian and a clever person, and the book is not a ‘how to be happy’ books, but perhaps a reminder that happiness is never permanent, and can be found  in moments. It also led to me writing a poem about happiness, which I posted here on my blog on Poetry Friday.  And any book that inspires me to write is a keeper.Love is Not Enough, by Mark Manson (Audible Original, 2020). Yet another free download, only on audio in fact, and the work of the author of  widely acclaimed The Subtle Art. When I started listening and realised the focus here was on people with relationship problems – dating, commitment and so on – I nearly stopped listening, as I thought it might no be for me.  But  I like Mike Manson’s work, and the format of this book, based around edited audio interviews with five diverse and open people,  made it quite an interesting listen.

 

So there you have it – 19 books read in January, a total aided by the amount of time I spent in my car, listening to Audiobooks. February has started with a snap lockdown which will mean less time in the car, at least for the next five days, but more time at home, so perhaps I can keep up lots of reading.

 

Poetry Friday: How to be Happy

Happy Poetry Friday. This week I have been reading Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness. A gift from my big sister, this is just the right kind of book to read in January, especially in a January in the midst of a global pandemic.  As you might guess, the book is about happiness, but if you don’t know Bill Bailey’s other work,  you might not know what to expect.  Through a series of vignettes and reflections, Bailey gives his take on moments of happiness in his own life, exploring both what he feels happiness and contentment actually are, and how we might find them. It is funny, but it is also clever, and, more than once, I found myself heading off to follow up on research he mentions.

As I finished the book yesterday, I looked back at the contents page and was struck that it was a list of things he does that make him happy:

Crazy Golf

A Clear-out

Wild Swimming

and so on. Which led me to feel inspired to write a list of my won which led, as you might imagine if you know me, to a list poem.

So, with thanks to Bill Bailey, here is my list:

 

How To Be Happy

Breathe

 

Eat

Laugh

Love

Sleep

(soundly)

 

Walk on the beach

or through the trees

or swim

 

and swim some more.

Read a good book

(or a bad one

then discard it

half way through

and read another good one).

Write a book

or a poem

or even just a sentence

Be brave

Be bold

Be still

or just BE.

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy, 2021)

Another thing that makes me happy is reading the poetry posts of the Poetry Friday community. Laura Shovan is hosting the roundup this week. Head to her blog to find links to lost more poetry goodness.

Happy Days!

Upcoming Event

If you are in or around South West WA, or fancy a day trip, I will be holding my first live author event for a veeerrry long time, hosted by the wonderful Collins Booksellers in Victoria Street Bunbury. Here’s the details:

I would love to see YOU there (and YOU and YOU too!)

Poetry Friday: Drowning in Poetry

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.

 

 

Poetry Friday: Halfway Down

It’s Poetry Friday and I am thinking, not for the first time, about stairs. This time, I’m celebrating that MY stairs  – the stairs that take me down to the beach – are reopen, after being closed for months and months because of storm damage. Although I could still walk on the beach by driving about ten minutes down the road and accessing the beach from a different point, I have missed my spot, and have never been more happy to climb a set of stairs than that first time last week.

Thinking about stairs almost always leads to me this childhood favourite, from A. A. Milne:

Halfway Down

Halfway down the stairs

Is a stair

Where I sit.

There isn’t any

Other stair

Quite like

It.

I’m not at the bottom,

I’m not at the top;

So this is the stair

Where

I always

Stop.

Halfway up the stairs

Isn’t up

And isn’t down.

It isn’t in the nursery,

It isn’t in the  town.

And all sorts of funny thoughts

Run round my head:

“It isn’t really

Anywhere!

It’s somewhere else

Instead!”

(by A. A. Milne)

I had forgotten this, but when I searched for a link to A. A Milne this morning, I found Robin the Frog’s version of this poem, and had to share. I remember loving this as a child – although Robin sounds so sad, and I feel the poem is more joyful.

Looking at the picture of my stairs you might forgive me for stopping and sitting half way, but I don’t. Sometimes, though, on the way back up, I do stop and stand and take one last deep breath of that air and that view – there isn’t any other view quite like it.

The Poetry Friday Roundup will be at The Poetry Garden . Check in there a little later and see what other poetry goodness the net has to offer today.

Poetry Friday: Hot Concrete

Happy hoppy Friday. Why hoppy? Because today I’m going to share a poem with a little hopping involved.  Spring has well and truly arrived in my part of the world and this means that, whenever I can get away with it, my shoes are well and truly off. But there are times when one wishes, very much, that the shoes were on – and that’s what my poem is about.

The Hot Concrete Rap

My shoes are there

But I am here

They are too far

They are not near

 

I need those shoes

I need them now

I must fetch them

The problem’s how

 

To get from here

To over there

To fetch those shoes

I need to wear

 

Without the concrete

Hurting me

The hot concrete

That I can see

 

The sun is hot

The ground is too

There’s only one thing

I can do

 

I must hop

From here to there

To get the shoes

I need to wear

 

I hop on left foot

Then on right

I hop hop hop

With all my might

 

My shoes are here

And I am too

And now each foot

Is in its shoe.

(Poem copyright Sally Murphy)

Now,  hop on over to the Poetry Friday Roundup where, coincidentally, Susan has posted a poem about a different kind of hopper.

Looking Ahead: CBCA Bookweek 2021

2020 has been a quiet year for me, in terms of visiting schools, because Covid 19 led to most of my bookings being cancelled, and also to me being super busy at my day job.

However, I am determined that things will be different in 2021. I plan to get out and about and visit YOU (if you’ll have me) – in person or virtually. So, if you are keen to have me visit, drop me a line. And, if you get in quick, you might even get me for Bookweek – which, in 2021, will be August 21-27.

Speaking of Bookweek, the CBCA has announced next year’s theme. It’s a good one – drum roll please – ba da bad bad bad bad da ding:

Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds

So many possibilities in those six words.

If you’d like a little me in YOUR world during Bookweek, or any other time, hit me up. I can talk to any age group, on my latest book, Worse Things, or any of my other titles. I can run writing workshops, perform poetry, talk to parents, run teacher PD, tap dance (okay, maybe I’m making that up, but I will give almost anything a try).

Over to you! I look forward to seeing you soon.

Poetry Friday: Leaf it Alone

Earlier in the year, I was walking along a city street with my family when my eyes were drawn to a flash of gold in the otherwise bare branches of a tree ahead.  I knew instantly, when I realised it was a lone leaf, that I  had to record it. When I looked for the best angle I realised that the windows of the building behind amplified the bare tree, making that gold really pop out.  Snap, the photo was taken.

But later, when I tried to write a poem to match the photo, I drew a blank.  Writing has been slow for me this year, and I just could not find the words to match the image. So, the phot0 sat on my computer and my phone, waiting.

Then, last Friday, the wonderful Carol Varsalona, asked if I had anything to contribute to her Abundant Autumn Gallery and I remembered my photo. I knew it was time!  The photo came out and over the next few days, I started playing with ideas. I ended up with not one, but three possible poems for my image.

First this :

Rare treasure

Last leaf

Reflects, resplendent.

 

Then this:

Last leaf reflects

Saying to herself

‘I look grand in gold’.

But, the one I finally settled on was this:

Golden dancer

Pauses, anticipating

one final  pirouette.

 

I’m hoping it captures that image I have (though didn’t get to see) of that leaf finally letting go and spiraling down to the ground.

Sometimes, a poem doesn’t come until it’s ready . You can’t force it – you have to leave it   leaf it alone until it’s ready. Thanks for helping it along though, Carol.

For more Poetry Friday goodness, pop over to see the Roundup, hosted by Janice at Salt City Verse.