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Where I Live

In a stone cottage surrounded by trees, I live here listening to birds and bees. The cock crows each morn, wakens me at dawn. I curse the beast, then rise to face the morn. I love my work in the Maternity. Just three days a week, then I am set free. I live in Ireland, that beautiful isle. I am spoiled for choice where to spend a while. The beach, the forest, the National Park? All are within range, if my car will start. Hardly a sonnet but you get my drift. If SO's not fussy, I'll give him a lift. My kids have been blessed to grow without fear. All want to return to have their wanes here.

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Agnes Krampe

Date: 1/7/2017 6:35:00 PM

Congrats on your win, Jean. Lovely picture!

Jean Murray
Date: 1/7/2017 7:13:00 PM

Thank you Agnes.

Robert Lindley

Date: 1/7/2017 5:03:00 PM

BEAUTIFUL PICTURE AND GREAT SONNET. BIG CONGRATS ON YOUR GREAT WIN!

Jean Murray
Date: 1/7/2017 5:20:00 PM

I'm still nor sure it qualifies as a sonnet Robert, but if SO's happy, then SO am I. Thank you.

Eve Roper

Date: 1/7/2017 4:46:00 PM

Beautiful glimpse of where you live and i love the photograph just stunning . Congratulations, Jean, on your win. Hugs Eve

Jean Murray
Date: 1/7/2017 5:18:00 PM

Truly, I am blessed with this old house Eve. It is close to town yet also private, like often old houses are. Strangely, my mother started gardening after she and my father separated, when she was 50. Just as I have done here, when I was 50.

Darren White

Date: 1/7/2017 11:29:00 AM

Coming back with congratulations! (By the way, I am very small, if you knit a sweater for a skinny 12 year old, I think it will fit perfectly ;) )

Darren White
Date: 1/8/2017 11:42:00 AM

Yes, I will look you up there :)

Jean Murray
Date: 1/7/2017 5:14:00 PM

Well, I am half way up the first sleeve tonight. I have posted a photo to her on Facebook also. Will you be my Facebook friend??

Darren White
Date: 1/7/2017 12:31:00 PM

Awww, unfortunately I am not authorized to see it, shame... But it sounds wonderful, just about right :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/2/2017 6:33:00 PM

Came back to say how much I really like this one. I had ancestors in that beautiful country. Sure hope I can see it one day.

Jean Murray
Date: 1/3/2017 1:21:00 AM

Thank you Andrea. Jan and I are hiring a bus at Shannon airport. It will transport our foreign friends from far off lands to Carrick-on-Shannon. We will then offload all onto a big bright barge for a charming cruise back down to Shannon.Jump on!!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/1/2017 4:44:00 PM

This is cute, Jean. A non traditional sonnet but very fun to read. I really like this! I have one too. Gotta post it by tomorrow!!

Jean Murray
Date: 1/1/2017 4:47:00 PM

Non traditional for sure Andrea. Sometimes it's obvious to me when I have taken a wrong turn. This was such a time.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 1/1/2017 6:31:00 AM

We do have a lot in common Jean: I also lived on the Gold Coast in 2003 and had a Poetry Circle going that met a Cafe in Nobby's Beach. We lived on Albatross Ave directly across from the Knobby's Beach Surf Club. Years ago I did my training in Townsville and we often got transfers from Palm Is. How nearly our paths have been but never crossed. SuZ

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/1/2017 3:22:00 PM

SOUPMAIL

Jean Murray
Date: 1/1/2017 7:01:00 AM

That's amazing Suz. Only it was 20 years apart. I was there in 1983. Once, a local on the island was shot in the leg. I was the only one on duty in Casualty that night. I took the X ray and developed it in the dark room. I will never forget seeing on screen, the spray, like talcum powder, behind his femur.

Darren White

Date: 12/31/2016 7:13:00 AM

That washing powder tip took me off-guard, I almost forgot to read your poem ;) But... is that your house? If so...sigh... so beautiful. And I adore your poem. If I hadn't a safe home now, I'd be homesick for yours!

Darren White
Date: 12/31/2016 2:40:00 PM

Ahaha. You remember that jumper. How lovely <3

Jean Murray
Date: 12/31/2016 10:31:00 AM

I think we would hit it off well Darren. You could have a try at teaching me to pirouette in my porch, and I could measure you up for your jumper.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 12/30/2016 7:01:00 AM

Will take you up on that cuppa next time I visit Ireland. Cheers SuZ

Jean Murray
Date: 12/30/2016 7:45:00 AM

I see from your biography we should have much in common to chat about over that cuppa Suzanne. Both nursing backgrounds and both turned to poetry in a time of stress. I worked for 3 months on The Gold Coast in Queensland and 5 months on Palm Island, an aboriginal reserve, off Townsville.

Jannie Breedt

Date: 12/29/2016 4:11:00 AM

Very homily poem . Beautiful pic. So wheres the busted car? Ireland? I want to go there and sing in a pub while inebriated. Thanks for the visit to mine.

Jean Murray
Date: 12/30/2016 7:47:00 AM

Na habair.

Just James

Date: 12/29/2016 12:19:00 AM

Its on my bucket list Jean...the Emerald Isle Sounds wonderful..

Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2016 1:26:00 AM

A far cry from deepest darkest Africa James. I have traveled myself to far flung places, yet always felt the pull of home.

Lyon Brave

Date: 12/29/2016 12:15:00 AM

This is a very charming poem. It is good to see someone so happy with their life.

Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2016 1:23:00 AM

In this abode I often feel blessed Lyon. I especially love the garden when the trees are in leaf. It is so private then.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 12/28/2016 9:06:00 PM

I love the whimsical feel of this, Jean: Such a charming stone cottage and the bright blue door and greenery are so inviting. Cheers SuZ

Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2016 1:20:00 AM

Thank you Suzanne. I keep the kettle on the stove for fellow poets who might wish to drop by.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 12/28/2016 7:41:00 PM

is that really your home, jean? it's so charming! it looks absolutely perfect and you describe it so well...

Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2016 1:17:00 AM

Yes Ilene. Built in 1939. My little piece of heaven. With a little garden front and back.

Tim Smith

Date: 12/28/2016 4:45:00 PM

I didn't catch the address : ).... a beautiful home

Jean Murray
Date: 12/28/2016 4:52:00 PM

It's written in stone there Tim. Murray's Cottage. A happy coincidence as the previous owners were Murray....and I paid the mortgage.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/28/2016 4:33:00 PM

Yes, I am sure Jean. You described it so well and I love the stone cottage and everything you wrote. Very much enjoyed it.

Jean Murray
Date: 12/28/2016 4:50:00 PM

I am such a pretender to the throne when I read the works of others here Heidi. Thank you again.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/28/2016 3:46:00 PM

Nice one Jean! :)

Jean Murray
Date: 12/28/2016 3:48:00 PM

Are you sure Heidi? I was just about to delete it.