Counting Sleep

By Frances Macaulay Forde

Mon, 19 May 2025
  • 109 reads
4 comments
 

I have so many Pinterest boards,

they overwhelm me...

but it’s necessary I check them

every night before sleep.

Gazing at the beautiful photos

calms me, prepares me for rest.

 

It’s a mystery - drives hubby mad

considering for hours...

glittering jewels, intricate designs,

glamourous clothes.

Royal fashion icons addictively

inspire imagination.

 

A girly thing, I know, which by now,

I should have outgrown...

Then last night’s epiphany! I don’t actually

want jewels, gorgeous gowns...

travel to exotic places, adoration.

It’s something else entirely.

 

Lingering over pictures of our Queen

examining her dress...

Remembering my mother similarly

draped, often in home made.

I need that royal smile or frown knowing

her royal age, limited time left

 

to vicariously exist… believe I’ve not

lost someone I love and still miss.

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2018

(Photo: Mum going to a wedding in 1965)

 

Certificate 18
Poem
Written in Australia
Biography
Love

Comments

Submitted by Jessiibear on

This really resonated with me. I’m absolutely obsessed with Pinterest too — scrolling through the pictures is so inspiring and soothing for me.

That middle stanza hit me hard. I’m still in my 20s, but I already feel like I’m “too old” for some of the girly things I still love… and yet, I’m still drawn to them.

And those lines — 

I don’t actually

want jewels, gorgeous gowns...

travel to exotic places, adoration.

It’s something else entirely.

It really made me stop and feel something deeper. I loved how you tied the pictures back to real people and memories in your life. That ending gave me chills — so unexpected and so touching.

 

Jess

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Good Morning Jess, thank you so much for your touching comments.  (My artist daughter is also called Jess.)

I'll be 75 in September.  My mum died in 1980 and Dad in 1983 - is still missed every day. 

I am also very much inspired by artworks and images for my writing, as in Ekphrastic Poetry so Pinterest is a natural fit. 

I need at least an hour on the computer quietening my mind and filling it with images I love before sleep because I find it hard to turn my worry button off. 

So pleased you enjoyed my words.  

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

This is such a wonderful acknowlegement to your mum. She looks about the same age as my mum in 1965, and I can understand how you feel, as woman now in her early 70s, I so miss my mum even though she died so long ago. 

I agree about Pinehurst, there are some wonderful photos that remind us of times gone by. It's nice to reminisce and not forget.

Thank you for sharing this poem, and I loved the photo, your mum looks so elegant.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thank you for the compliments - I love this photo.  It is typically mum but also reminiscent of the Queen. Mum had a similar hairstyle, wore similar outfits and loved hats.  As a business woman she always looked well put together, a lot to do with the era.  She experienced the Blitz as a Sergeant in the WAAF and those disciplines learnt during unbearable times, always stay with you. Even her Military photo reminded me of the Queen in the same uniform. 

Mum was also strong, in her ideals and beliefs, consistant and unwavering, typical of the times.  So the comparisons have always been there although not deliberate on mum's part - she was an individual but of the same era as Our Gracious Queen. 

When the Queen died, it was almost as if mum died again, for me. Knowing Her Majesty was around, was mentioned or photographed often was always a comfort for all the reasons above, so her loss was palpable.

I do appreciate your time and lovely words, Jenn.  Thanks again.

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF