24 Friday Jun 2022
Posted in Publications
I now have an Etsy shop!
Bear with me as it is all new and I am only just starting to add my books.
You can find me on Etsy as Worldlywinds
Also…. I am now on tiktok, and will be starting to promote some of my books!
Exciting times ahead – if I can master the technology!
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMN6BMTd3/
Above is the link to tiktok!!
Have a great weekend!
Alex 😊
05 Monday Apr 2021
Posted in Poetry
Inspired by Ian McMillan’s line,
‘As though a fat cat can be used as a flotation device’
I thought I would have a go at my own version.
As Though…
As though the stars were musical notes
As though a hamster could play a sax
As though her tears are the subtlest perfume
As though a Nun pole dances on a Sunday
As though a fly could open windows
As though a wasp carried a tickling stick
As though gold ingots had a soft centre
As though hands could work unsupervised
As though, at night, I could put my brain in a mug of Steradent
By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
As Though April 2020
Inspired by Ian McMillan
11 Sunday Nov 2018
Posted in Buddhism, Death, Deep Stuff!, Grief, Heartbreak, Love, Poetry
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Bhante, poetry, Sangharakshita, Slan Abhaile, Worldly Winds poetry, Yorkshire poet
Yesterday I attended the funeral of my Buddhist teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita along with over 1200 other Buddhists. It was a beautiful, poignant, moving ceremony. I have never experienced anything as immense in my lifetime. Despite the heavy downpour of rain, the birds still sang, and the wind played in the autumn trees. By the time the procession to the burial ground took place, the sun came out and lifted the heavy skies.
I cannot adequately put into words my gratitude to Bhante. I met him twice, once at a shared meal at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre, and later in Birmingham (2011). He guided and inspired my Buddhist practice, and encouraged me to take my writing seriously. Without his guidance and teachings I doubt I would be where I am today.
How do I say thank you, and how do I say goodbye? I started to write this poem on the way down to the funeral and finished it on the way back. This poem relates to the loss of significant people in my life – Safe Home Bhante Urgyen Sangharaksita, go well.
Slán Abhaile
How do I say goodbye?
When I am living at the speed of life,
the eggshells I am walking on
pricking at my soul.
Remote and inaccessible,
with drawbridge raised to love,
how do I say goodbye?
The Trinity and Trilogy
conjoined in parse asymmetry,
seem so insignificant.
How do I say goodbye?
Slán Abhaile by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
10.11.18
25 Thursday Oct 2018
Posted in Poetry
I came home from work to find this gargantuan balloon! I’ve never had a birthday balloon before, this has made me smile 😀 I’ve also had a fab present of a new techy gadget, hopefully this will help me keep this blog updated on a more regular basis!!!
17 Sunday Jun 2018
Posted in Deep Stuff!, Poetry
Tags
abuse, Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poetry, Child Within, poetry, Worldly Winds poetry
I see the child within you,
with your boyish short fair hair.
I hold my arms out to you
I want to show I care.
They may have left you
broken, bewildered and abused,
but I will never leave you
feeling neglected, sad and used.
You stand there like a ghost child,
one sock up and one half down.
too sad, too shy, too quiet,
Your face a pale, sad, frown.
Your little dress is crass and short,
your shoes are scuffed and worn,
your toys are few and far between,
your bear, one eyed and torn.
I see you quietly playing.
keep out the grown-ups way,
don’t let them know of what you think,
they cannot make you say.
Come child, sit here upon my knee,
Let me soothe away the pain;
cry out your little heart to me
they can’t hurt you again.
Hush child, no need to cry,
I will wipe away your tears.
just hold my hand and follow me,
I can soothe away your fears.
Hold strong, my love, rest in my arms;
be still and do not weep.
Listen to my lullaby
I’ll guard you whilst you sleep.
Be brave and bide your time Karen,
your future may be bright.
Hold the pain, the memories
take up your pen and write
© Child Within 2012
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
07 Saturday Apr 2018
Posted in Poetry, Publications
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm Parris, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poetry, Parris, Philip Lynott, Philip Parris Lynott, poetry, Worldly Winds poetry
If you would like to order a copy – please leave a message below.
30 Friday Mar 2018
Posted in Poetry, Publications
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm Parris, Irish mythology, Parris, Philip Lynott, poetry, Yorkshire poet
Hello!
After a few delays, it is finally here!
Parris – This is my third anthology. This collection of poems is based on mythology, and inspired by the life of Philip Parris Lynott. His music and poetry have inspired me from my teenage years. Some of the proceeds will be donated to the RoisÃn Dubh Trust
Copies are available directly from me, please message me if you would like details. Alternatively you can purchase a copy from Amazon
10 Tuesday Oct 2017
Posted in Poetry
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Chesterfield, loss, memories, Sisterhood, St Helena Chesterfield, St Helena Girls school, Worldly Winds poetry
In memory of a good friend – 1 year today –
For all those that have gone too soon.
Six sisters sailed into the world,
wide eyed and Brodie primed,
each on a quest and unprepared,
Pioneers before their time.
Some went in search of a rare red rose,
and others, too soon, gone;
they failed to find their mustard seed,
that would take them safely home.
Watched over by St Helena,
throughout their autumn years,
past lives and loves, and trials above,
spring cherry blossom tears.
Procrustean lives, we onward strive,
to be the crème de la crème,
through all the tears and ebbing years,
we’d do it all again.
Decades gone as life moves on,
has it been for the greater good?
The Cardinal flight, with the Spire in sight,
where we seal our sisterhood.
© Sisterhood 13.05.2015
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
22 Friday Sep 2017
Posted in childhood, Childhood Memories, Children's poetry, Poetry
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poetry, childhood, childhood pets, goldfish, poetry, Rainbow Fin, Worldly Winds, Worldly Winds poetry
I had a fish called Rainbow,
the ugliest you’ve seen,
he was almost transparent,
showing heart, and spine, and spleen.
He seemed to live forever,
a hoopla prize, most fair,
he grew quite big and chunky,
and swam without a care.
He wasn’t a rare beauty,
neither rainbow, nor a jewel,
but my little girl’s heart loved him,
he was strange, and bold, and cool!
He swam around in circles,
gliding through his castle scene,
and he didn’t seem to mind much,
when neglect turned his bowl green.
Then, one day, to my distraught cries,
and my childhood at an end,
I found him quite lopsided,
my poorly rainbow friend.
He’d lasted ‘til his teen years,
it was a sad old day,
when I said a few old holy words,
and flushed him clean away.
Goodbye! my quirky rainbow friend,
I loved you ‘til the last,
‘tis fondly I remember thee,
you remind me of my past.
© Rainbow Fin 10.01.2012
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
fish bowl (Photo credit: Dean McCoy Photography)
15 Saturday Jul 2017
Posted in Childhood Memories, Death, Poetry
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poetry, cancer, Chesterfield, death, Hasland, poetry, St Paul's Church Hasland, Worldly Winds poetry, writing
I remember you…
Your tiny frame full of fearlessness,
teaching the universe,
the ways of the warrior.
We met in the church choir;
I was eight and you were six.
I am white and you were black,
already born to fight life’s prejudice.
Even then I was frightened;
cancer had claimed so many,
but they were old,
and you were six.
Do you remember the wedding?
Suited and booted, in cassock and gown,
you lifted your wig,
and the horror it caused.
I was only eight,
but I prayed for days and nights,
that God would give me your cancer,
and let you live…
He never did.
I heard your story, at the end,
it hurt for you to be held,
your mummy and daddy wept
whilst you comforted them.
You asked them not to cry,
and you said you’d be alright.
You never came back to choir.
Not long after, you died.
It was at this very time,
I stopped believing in God,
he never answered my prayer,
your prayer, or theirs.
I still remember you…
your tiny frame full of fearlessness,
and how we giggled as girls,
when you doffed your wig to the world.
© I am doing this for you 16.06.2014
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Photo Credit: Dave Bevishttp://www.drbevis.demon.co.uk/CILAAA01.htm
Worldly Winds 