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Alex Carr-Malcolm Sisterhood, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poetry, Northern poet, poetry, St Helena Chesterfield, St Helena Girls school, Worldly Winds poetry
Sisterhood
19 Sunday Apr 2020
Posted in Poetry
Tag Archives: Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Hands
22 Sunday Mar 2020
Posted in Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm Counting Magpies, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm counting magpies limited edition, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm Hands, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poet, Worldly Winds poetry
As so much emphasis is being placed on staying safe by frequent and thorough hand washing, I thought I’d share this poem acknowledging how important they are to us.
Stay safe people, and keep up the hand washing.
Hands
Hands that unpick stitches
Hands that hit or hurt
Hands that cradle babies
Hands that shovel dirt
Hands of holy worship
Hands that take a life
Hands that make a masterpiece
Or paint one with a knife
Hands that create harmony
Hands that cook a meal
Hands that speak a language
Or read on as they feel
Hands that work the fields
Hands that heal wounds
Hands that pluck upon a string
Or conduct symphonic sound
Hands that hold a champagne glass
Hands that serve up trifle
Hands that hold a sweetheart’s hand
Or hands that hold a rifle
Hands that tuck a child in
Hands that make mud pies
Hands that bear a coffin
Or mop sad tears from eyes
Hands that hold a pencil
Hands that turn a page
Hands that write down poetry
Or create a play on stage
Hands can do so many things
They serve our whole life through
For good or bad, with joy or sad
The choice is up to you.
© Hands August 2015
By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
First Published in – Counting Magpies (Limited Edition) 2015
Surprise Sandwiches
19 Thursday Mar 2020
Posted in childhood, Childhood Memories, Children's poetry, Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poet, children's poems, poetry, Surprise Sandwich Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Worldly Winds poetry
Surprise Sandwiches
One of brown sauce, one of red
One of Bovril, jam, or spread
One of lard with salt and pepper
Cheese and pickle tastes much better
Condensed milk is such a treat
Sugar soldiers can’t be beat
Take your pick and do not peek
Surprise sarnies Granddad’s treat!
© Surprise Sandwiches 19.03.2020
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
Brave The Shave
02 Monday Sep 2019
Posted in Deep Stuff!, Poetry
Hi
On the 21st September I have committed to take part in ‘Brave the Shave’ to raise money for the Macmillan (cancer support) Charity.
I am raising money by shaving my hair very short! I thought I would share this journey here and try and raise as much money as I can. If you feel you would like to donate you can either click on the photo above or follow the link below to donate! Even if you can only donate a few pennies, every little will go to this amazing and dedicated charity.
https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/alexandra-carrmalcolm
I will keep you updated and entertained with (cringe) photos of me over the years!
You can also follow my adventure on facebook too!
Slán Abhaile
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
Another Year Older
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!!!
Mum
28 Thursday Jun 2018
For my Mum…
I looked through the window,
I thought I saw you;
just a hint of a memory
that I wanted to view.
A past life once lived;
a deep memory pain.
I had to control myself
from calling your name.
Her walk was all wrong
and her hair, not the same,
but she had the same clothes
as I saw in my dream.
I followed behind her
and hoped to see
that it really was you
as you used to be.
I knew it was futile
and couldn’t be true;
you’ve been gone these six years,
it couldn’t be you.
© Mum 2012
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm 2012
Parris
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 Roisín Dubh Trust
Copies are available directly from me, please message me if you would like details. Alternatively you can purchase a copy from Amazon
Tipping Sheep (The Right Way)
22 Sunday Oct 2017
Posted in Children's poetry, Poetry
Tags
Alex Carr-Malcolm Tipping Sheep (the right way), Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm poet, poetry, sheep, Sheffield poet, Tipping Sheep (the right way), upside down sheep, Worldly Winds poetry
I’ve not shared this one in a while – A poem inspired by my son whilst he was on his Duke of Edinburgh Expedition many years ago!
Copies of the book are still available from me – £5 plus postage. Please email me if you would like a copy.
worldlywinds@mail.com
With face of delight,
my son runs to me –
I’ve tipped up a sheep,
he shouted with glee.
My face drops with horror.
Well how could this be?
Am I the worst mother,
has he learned nothing from me?
“Calm down Mother!”
my son reassures.
“It’s not as you think,”
with derision he snorts.
“We walked in a field,
(in the group we were five,)
saw a sheep on its back,
with legs waving at sky.
It soon came apparent,
from what we could see,
that the sheep was so stuck,
‘twas a strange sight to see.
We tried hard to lift her,
but to no avail,
she was fat, wet, and smelly,
the weight of a whale.
Then out of the blue,
an idea did occur,
we spread out our groundsheet,
to roll her on there.
With one mighty tug,
we pulled the sheet up,
and the sheep it did tip,
(the right way up!)
So, off with a wobble,
and a, ‘baa,’ of delight,
the sheep she then trotted –
it was quite a sight!
So you see Mum, it’s true,
the things I did say,
we tipped up a sheep.”
(Thankfully – the right way!)
©Tipping Sheep (the right way) 2012
By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Sisterhood
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
