03 Wednesday Apr 2013
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddha, Dharma, meditation, poetry, rupa, teaching, UK poet, Yorkshire poet
I have the Buddha on my back,
he’s quite an affable chap,
with a candle and a cloth,
and a purpose,
I set off…
© Backpack Buddha 03.04.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
29 Friday Mar 2013
Posted in Poetry, Publications
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, anthology, poetry, Tipping Sheep, Tipping Sheep (the right way), UK poet, Yorkshire poet
It is finally here!!
Here is your opportunity to buy my first anthology – Tipping Sheep (the right way)
It is as ‘cheap as chips’ – well… as cheap as an Easter Egg – Go on treat yourself!!
(The Kindle version is still in progress – I will paste the links for the e-book version soon.)
‘Tipping Sheep (the right way)’ is the first anthology from new author Alexandra Carr-Malcolm. This is an intriguing compilation of poems, spanning over a ten year period of collected works. ‘Tipping Sheep’ will take you on a journey of highs and lows, exploring life, death, and many aspects of the human predicament. From the depths of ‘Bittersweet’ despair, to the humour of ‘Tipping Sheep’ and the musing of ‘Knitting Couplets’. Alex has a unique style of word play and cadence within the lines woven with wit and wisdom.
Click on the links below to take you to the page where you can purchase a copy 🙂
27 Wednesday Mar 2013
Posted in Death, Heartbreak, Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, anger, bruises, death, domestic abuse, domestic violence, dreams, heartbreak, loss, marriage, poetry, UK poet, violets, Yorkshire poet
His pint glass half empty,
he’s nursing the blues;
always bitter, never mild,
flat cap and scuffed shoes.
She hoovers the house,
with stars in her hair,
sings to her muse,
thanks god he’s not there.
As he sits in the pub,
nursing his woes,
the footy is lost,
as the last whistle blows.
In her Primarni dress,
she scrubs hard the floor,
heart in her mouth,
dreads the key in the door.
He shuffles on home,
with her heart in his boots,
a belly of beer,
and a loin full of fruit.
She accepts his gift,
with the grace of a Queen,
a necklace of violets,
blacks, blues, and greens.
He broods and he dreams,
cultivating his grudge;
she’s stolen his youth,
this old, plain, drudge.
She lies stock-still
as the stars in the air.
He can no longer hurt,
what is no longer there.
© Violets 27.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
English: Violets by the coast path This year seems to have been particularly good for violets. This is part of a bank also scattered with lesser celandine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
23 Saturday Mar 2013
Posted in Poetry, Publications
New publication coming soon….
Watch this space for further details and links…
22 Friday Mar 2013
Posted in Death, Deep Stuff!, Grief, Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Chanel, death, dreams, haunted, memories, Mother, nightime, poetry, UK poet, Yorkshire poet
This is the final piece from the poetry workshop. The final piece was inspired by Maitreyabandhu’s ‘The Bond’
The idea was to give a feel of anticipation of an impending visit, and use Maitreyabandhu’s closing phrase of, ‘Just the air’, within the poem.
Just the Air
All is still…
and I am present,
caught between two worlds,
just the air as our witness,
and a pillow of dreams
as darkest night unfurls.
I smell your sickly lily scent,
of cigarettes and light Chanel.
Why do you come?
What do you want?
Forgiveness or
remembrance,
from your little girl?
You left in anger
not once, but twice.
So why return
in darkest night,
when you’ve been gone,
these eight years long?
© Just the Air 22.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
English: Moon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
19 Tuesday Mar 2013
Posted in Buddhism, Death, Deep Stuff!, Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Archaic Torso of Apollo, breath, Buddhism, death, Don Paterson, poetry, Rilke, spiritual death, UK poet, Vajrasattva, Yorkshire poet
The second piece was based on, ‘Archaic Torso of Apollo’ after Rilke, translated by Don Paterson.
The idea was to include the line, ‘Now change your life’ either at the end or somewhere in the body of the poem.
Here was my attempt.
Now Change Your Life
I smell you in my dreams.
Elusive, exclusive,
to all realms,
but what of it?
Stoic indifference,
tantric magnificence,
eyes tantalise,
and plead,
“Now change your life”
before death slams the door
on opportunities scorned,
and breath is spent,
like a match.
© Now Change Your Life 19.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Rainer Maria Rilke (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
18 Monday Mar 2013
Posted in Buddhism, Daily life, Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddhist retreat, Dharma, Kindle, packing, poetry, reading, retreat, Uk poetry, writing, Yorkshire poet
The next few poems were written on a poetry day. The first poem is inspired from R.S.V.P. by Beverley Nadin. The task was to write a list of items that we packed to take on our last retreat, and then include some of them in a poem. This was my attempt 🙂
Three books,
one red, one blue, one black,
Poetry, Dharma and Drama.
A pencil and pen,
backed up with a spare,
(thank God for my Kindle!)
and a brush for my hair.
My potions and pills,
(no nightie with frills)
Just good solid thermals!
Pyjamas and socks
squashed in a bag,
and no need for locks,
as I’m escaping to freedom;
leave humdrum at home.
I’m longing for space,
and a room of one’s own.
©Three Books 10.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Bell, Virginia Woolf (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
15 Friday Mar 2013
Posted in Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, death, depression, dying, fatigue, poetry, stress, UK poet, Yorkshire poet
I’m hurting and aching
but who do I tell,
my heart’s fit for bursting,
my head feels like hell.
I’m lost and I’m lonely,
I’m feeling so blue;
life’s lost its sparkle,
and nothing feels true.
I’m tired and lethargic,
my mind is a mess;
please leave me alone,
as my nerves are on edge.
I yearn for some space,
and some time to reflect,
to get lost in some books,
and this world to neglect.
Alas it’s a whirlwind,
and life still goes on,
I’ll grin and I’ll bear it,
until this is gone.
© Grin and Bear it 15.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Steel engraving (993 x 71mm) for frontispiece to the revised edition of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, published by Colburn and Bentley, London 1831. The novel was first published in 1818. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
13 Wednesday Mar 2013
Posted in Daily life, Poetry
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, poetry, portrait, reflection, self image, UK poet, Vivien Leigh, Yorkshire poet
She was a terrier of a woman,
sharp and quick;
just a bit shabby around the edges.
Always practical,
not fashionable,
but more than capable.
She wanted to be Vivien Leigh,
and in her head,
she was…
the mirror says different,
but her eyes are kind.
Make do and mend,
scuffed shoes,
and split ends,
overlooked,
a drab wall-
flower
but her eyes,
are kind…
© Being Vivien 13.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Hollywood Gallery ~ Vivien Leigh, 1913-1967 (Photo credit: erjkprunczýk)
11 Monday Mar 2013
Tags
Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, frost, love, months, poetry, seasons, snow, summer, UK poet, Weather, Yorkshire poet
Where did January go?
Bleak stormed nights
shrouded in snow
February breezed in
without a hello
wearing cloak of frost
and refused to go
until marched out
by the April fools
who cast a clout
breaking all the rules
then come what may
June soon came
and played her part
to warm the heart
of birds and bees
and summer
trees
© Where Did January Go? 11.03.2013
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm
Sunrise over Stonehenge on the summer solstice, 21 June 2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Worldly Winds 