I build my house...

I build my house

with colour and life!

light and love,

hope and grace.

Rain or shine,

whether my heart be heavy 

or light...

I shan't tear it down with fear 

or with selfish acts

with rigidity 

or complacency...

I build my house

with open arms

with little steps

with careful words

with ears to hear

with vivid colours

with open heart

I build my house,

from things that last.

Shell xx

For love's long awaited return upon the morrow...

Would it seem odd if I told you, that while he's away, in a way, so am I?
I'm not wholly myself-
I'm some here, some there - where ever his there may be...

I move from world to world, my focuses range from;
the boy
the babies
and the washing pile
To suitcases
and meetings
and foreign hotel rooms...

'Can you Skype today?'
'How has your day been?'
'What's the weather like there?'
'What did you have for dinner?'

So as you see,
I'm a bit of a collected mess.
I'm a bit of a stationary wanderer.
I'm on the highs of a success.
And on the lows of a blunder.

In truth I'm neither here,
nor there,
while he is where, ever his where may be...
I'm waiting in limbo with silent impatience,
For love's long awaited return upon the morrow,
Looking so, so forward to the wheeling in of his (my) suitcase inside-
For as you know, I have explained;
when he comes home -
So do I.

Shell xx

Winter Blue...

I am really feeling the winter blue.

Not, the blues as such.  But more that wintery blue which some days fills up your entire head and chills you down to your toes.  It's not sadness, but rather, it's reflection.  It's a little weary at times, but nothing a good book and a toasty fire cannot remedy...

I cannot express how sorry I am for being so quiet here of late.  I'm sort of here, but not really - reading blogs like a lurker - not commenting, just absorbing...  Not giving back to my faithful friends for their efforts and heartfelt accounts of life and living.  But I shall no more be this way.

I feel this winter has thrown me into a world of unknowns, some exciting, and some a little frightening.  Or all a little of both.

One thing I can assure myself and you of, is that I am growing.  I am challenging myself to be braver and bolder than ever.  I may feel a little cocooned at present, but I am nearly ready for blooming.

Like the wintery twigs,
which seem lifeless and still,
inside are growing,
and plotting pink blossoms
for the spring.

Shell xx

This Here Lady...

The most beautiful day in May is always Mother's Day for me.  And this year, the mother of our little clan celebrated her sixtieth birthday.

We sat in the sun and ate homemade delicacies, played The Beatles for our Scouser heroin, loved her and showered her with gifts and hugs; and I wrote, and read out a little poem...

This Here Lady.

by Mechelle Tully

I am indeed perhaps,

{as per usual!}

in too many words & ways

to tell you all, of things

in the air, 

the character, 

the manner,

& the many graces of  

this here, Lady-

Which, in her sixty years of life to date

you would well, already know...

But how better can we celebrate?

If not to acknowledge this 

woman?

This friend, mother,

prophet, Christian,

servant, leader, 

Scouser!

lover, dancer, singer

fighter...

and keeper - of all our consciences as diligently as the Lord Himself!

Though there may have been at least twelve

verses in this poem!  

If I’d written one for each of the virtues just listed, 

But I feel, (unusually!) drawn to silence in the matter of elaborating on such points,

For fear that words cannot duly Celebrate,

the absolute, 

Enormity of this life!

And how blessed we all are, to witness her 

Living it, so… impressively.

Few, have loved her more than those gathered here...

And fewer still, I believe, 

have made more of a study, 

and a range of sacrifices - for Love,

Than this, here, lady.

The very heart,

Of such a family as this- 

is you.

(and before mine renders me to tears!)

I wish to only else to say-

a Happy Birthday-

to this, here, Fine, lady.

I'd like to also acknowledge my own mother this day - bless her soul for giving me life.  
I'd also like to thank all of the tremendously wonderful people who thought of me this Mother's Day - thank you for your messages and thoughts.


I have four children, and being Mother to them is my pleasure and my privilege.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers and mother hearts...


Shell xx

Wish...

{photo by Anna Eliza Tully}

Like child, made of innocent hope 

I make my way through tussock spread fields,

I venture your mountains

and lie in the grasses

Paint, and ponder the trees...

Sometimes follow, and keep to the trails,

other times break away

to step along paths of the kangaroos and wallabies,

there, to find rock to sit upon

I make, in my solitude, 

a wish, which scatters dandelion,

 - and centers my hopes,

on what it is really I need...

and where I know I need to be

In order to ask, with thanksgiving and grace,

for what I want.

Shell xx

a Small Summer Harvest...

I keep you and tell you-

Plant you and ask you, to grow?

I'm wowed by your mystery,

and the miracle

of life, that keeps my life,

but for this time of harvest.

Though small and modest a-gathered-

I keep you and thank you,

I am so ever proud!

of my small Summer harvest.

Shell xx

Endymion...

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its lovliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

by John Keats

{...and perhaps a case for justifying above recent purchase?!}

Shell xx

In the Stillness...

I gave a day of post-Christmas stillness, and poetry to myself today.

I ate Eggplant Kasaundi and squishy white cheese with toast and put my feet up...

I reflected upon the beautiful film Bright Star - which I saw on Boxing Day evening. Directed by a woman and co-staring an Australian. One of the most wonderful films I've ever seen!

And to learn more about John Keats - whose short life yielded so much heart felt, romantic poetry. I rather found myself determined to, before my life ends, compile a book of my own poetry...

I will let it be just one. From early, innocent verses, through youth, and on towards wisdom, where grace truly comes into your life, and you're even happier than you were, when you were innocent - because now you understand the time and the journey and the pain and the peace.

Yes friends, I feel dreamy and inspired... Like I could conquer everything with just the right poetic verse... Or perhaps I have been inside my book of verses too long! Like the line from Persuasion - when Anne questions a friend if too much poetry "is quite safe!" That might be it..!

I am rambling! But I am enjoying exciting myself with the possibilities that new year will bring, and I need to list my hopes and creative plans for the next chapter to share with you - and for you to share with me the lists that will help shape your 2010.

Yours in verse -

Shell xx

Oh, tree of lights...

Oh tree of lights,

remind me as I decorate-

each star, and each shiny ball,

of the years before I put you there.

And hardly can it be believed-

that a year has passed us by in between?

But it has not passed us by,

We have given thanks for it everyday.

And so it's time to celebrate our Lord's birth,

{and this year, also the newlyweds baby's birth}

And give thanks in a bigger way!

With our tree of lights,

each star and each shiny ball,

A symbol of love, for you.

Shell xx

My little piece...

It's been an amazing time -

in and around my little piece of Earth,

I have been amazed by the people

I am privileged to share this life with,

and I've wept for this life,

Shuddered at the realness of it's death

I've put my heart and my patience to the test

I've talked, at length about real things - with myself...

And thus I see a new chapter is dawning -

in and around my little piece of Earth

Time to put to rest some,

And time to awaken some others...

I know you're there

and will wish me,

all the good that there is to wish,

As I too,

Wish it for you.

Shell xx

Power my lamp...

Aside from you -

{for coming} Here...

These are some of the small things

that power my lamp

out from darkness,

and through the day-to-days, the todays, and the everyday-ness of this uncertain Earth,

Where life is so good,

I want to cry.

{Photos by Emma}

The soundtrack of this particular day

is this...

Sing with me.

Songsmith xx

The Sonnet...

Late night poetry

is the sound of my own whispering voice

reading by lamp light...

to peaceful, passionate, or even tragic images

I will mull over

while falling asleep

It is the feeling,

of hearing the Holy Spirit beside me-

I can almost tell what creative endeavor is coming next...

It is Sunday breakfast!

Lemons and sugar, rasp- and strawberries in the morn!

Over a pot of Earl Grey,

-a buttermilk pancake

-four babies playing

-smiles from my best friend

-gentle rain out of doors

-sweet thoughts of a blessed week gone by...

and always

the poetry

the sonnet

the spring

the songs

the friends

and Spirit

to my heart

to my mind.

Shell xx

Today I am...

It is clear I need to do a little posting...

Today I am putting together some musical gooddies for some beautiful women...

I am getting {perhaps a little too} excited by how quickly and beautifully my clothes dry on the line in Spring weather as wonderful as this...

I am not going to be able to get over that blue sky...

...perhaps for some time!

Today I am a being somewhere between laughter and tears;

The more I see of the world the more I am in awe-

Of the beauty, the happiness and the magic,

And also of the darkness, sometimes hatred and cruelty you can see and feel.

I hope just to be a part of the goodness.

To hold out my hand to another.

To listen to the small still voice.

To not miss the calling of my gifts.

To jump out of bed!

And be all that today asks of me!

What are you today?

Shell xx

Every new day, is new...

...and random projects in my domesticity inspire me in both what I eventually produce, and the internal, spiritual trail I take while getting there...

Songsmith xx

This place...

This place is meant for walking...

Was seen by the starry-eyed,

Is home to poets, philosophers & gentle spirits.

Waits patiently to see us,

Lays quietly beneath us,

The very life within us.

The centre of it all.

The gathering place.

For holding days with joy,

And un-handing days of loss, and pain.

We're all in this place,

it was made for walking...

Mostly with heads held high,

we can point to the sky and say;

'I was here when...'

and 'they were there, then...'

It's this place that keeps us here,

Makes us near,

This place is the Gathering, the Happening,

The Home, the Mother,

the Round Hill,

The Orchid, and the Memory.

The Harmony, and the Tragedy.

This place is all my people.

And all of us are,

This Place.

Shell xx

Should I stay, or should I go?

Ever do you feel out of place?

Like you've stayed too long?

Like the moon in the morning sky...

Who says I should have to go?!

With a day to look down on

as well as this...

Shell xx

Morning Skies...

...awaken me from weariness,

call me from my rest,

cause me to reflect underneath them;

Showing me orange 'slices' of sunshine-

amidst a fading grey night;

Oh I am a bird for the morning!

my spirit sits up in those trees...

And sings of the wonders and the woes,

Of this world below.

Songsmith xx

Where to begin?

I feel ambitious,

Full of plans, ideas;

And a little bit scared of them too...

I suppose such anxiety is the fuel for action,

{Or should be}

And I know that now is the time to take the step,

In faith, that this is my gift and I want to give it.

With, or without you.

I am ready

To begin.

Shell xx

How well it is...

...to be walking once more

with my friend.

We walk-

 & talk about the silly & the serious,

about our children,

about ourselves {also children}

Ever aware of the passage of time,

The colour of days

the sound of our songs

the fragility of life

the holding of hands

the sharing of loves-

that is - when one is so & such in love

One has such & much, 

more love to give!

In Love

Songsmith xx

In My Living Room...

Up late.

Finished watching Carole King's In My Living Room concert.

Put the {go on have one more} kettle on,

Settle in to write some poetry -

turns of phrase, deeper than {everyday} thoughts,

already were swirling around my head,

But now such clarity-

In the {all four children asleep}

section of my day {night}

I come wholly alive.

As a creative spirit.

Handmade songs spun here.

Songsmith xx