Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra David Neel, Buddhism, Buddhist women, Elise Wortley, explorers, female explorers, poetry, Silver Birch Press, Woman with altitude
A little time back, Elise contacted me and asked if she could post my poem on her blog – naturally I was delighted! Elise is an explorer who is hoping to recreate the journeys taken by Alexandra David-Néel. You can read all about it on Elise’s blog (the link is below).
https://www.womanwithaltitude.com/single-post/A-Poem-about-Alexandra
I first came across Alexandra many years back when browsing the shelves of the Buddhist Centre bookshop. I was taken with her fascinating life and decided to read about this remarkable person.
There were similarities that struck me, and since reading the book I have felt an affinity towards this unique Buddhist. Alexandra seemed to be a woman beyond her time. She was a socialite and a famous opera singer, who became an explorer in the pursuit of learning about Buddhism. She managed to gain entry into countries where outsiders were not permitted, let alone women. She disguised herself in order to gain access to Tibet.
I originally wrote this poem for a series run by Silver Birch Press called ‘Same Name’.
You can see the original posting by clicking on the link below.
Many thanks to Silver Birch Press for publishing my original poem, and thank you to Elise for also featuring it on her blog Woman with Altitude.
