Author Archives: SallyJ

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About SallyJ

I am a writer and a poet.

End of Days

Think of the colour of dusk On a stormy February day- The bruised sky, pained, worn, drawn. That is the colour of your coma. Forget-me-never eyes Hidden beneath tissue thin Putty blue lids, quivering Shivering with who knows what dreams. … Continue reading

Posted in death, Family, miracles, poet, poetry, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Beginnings, middles and ends – not what you think…

Today I have been forced by events to think about births. And miracles. I am surrounded by friends celebrating imminent or new grandmother-ship. For most this has been as uneventful as such a wonderful event can be. Occasionally though, something … Continue reading

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Bodies in perspective – if only!

Not another diet diatribe, (though one is definitely required), but art… Tuesday is the day I go to a portrait class – not that I am an artist, I just dabble, and it helps me to observe, which in turn … Continue reading

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Up stumps – a lament for the Afghan women’s cricket team

My previous post,’ Corridor of Uncertainty’, was more apt than I like to think. I have just followed up on some research about the Afghanistan Women’s cricket team. I was hoping to find some good news about their participation in … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, inspiration, poet, poetry, war, writer, writing | Tagged | 2 Comments

Right place, wrong time.

Virginia Water on a sunny, though still chilly, Sunday morning is a sight to behold. The water shines like silver in the sun, dotted with water birds, busy and full of self importance as they bustle about. Dogs, invariably retriever/labrador … Continue reading

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Rabbit holes and wide hips

I have spent far too long following links and disappearing down poetic rabbit holes this morning. When I was researching Imagist poetry for the Ratties writing group , I noticed a link to jazz poetry in some blurb about Langston … Continue reading

Posted in imagism, inspiration, jazz poetry, performance poetry, poet, poetry, poetry slam, poets, research, Uncategorized, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Red wheelbarrows are a good starting point…

At last night’s writing group session we attempted to get to grips with the ideas of the Imagists – a movement that spanned 1912 – 17. No small order in a short two hour session. I have to take the … Continue reading

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Happy 24th February -because it feels like spring

It’s happened again and what’s more, I noticed. Like many other bloggers, diarists and commentators on life, I want to mark the day. Today is the day that I noticed that Spring is on its way. The sun is so … Continue reading

Posted in dogs, Family, inspiration, M.E., ME, CFS, natural world, Uncategorized, wildlife, writer | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Kill your darlings and don’t tell!

I’ve just received my copy of Andrew Motion’s ‘Laurels and Donkeys’ and reread the ‘Death of Harry Patch’. Once again I was struck by the strength of Motion’s image – just one – beautifully drawn and not overwritten. The poem … Continue reading

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Still life with sparrow hawks

I have just spent ten minutes watching a sparrow hawk perched like a statue on the terrace wall. I swear it did not move even the tiniest bit, but merely watched – and watched. It was a peculiarly spiritual communion, … Continue reading

Posted in bird of prey, CFS, dogs, inspiration, M.E., ME, CFS, natural world, Short stories, short story, Uncategorized, wildlife, writer, writing, writing competitions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments