Writing groups

Our Writing For Our Grandchildren groups are well attended and stories and poems from the group are printed in Older & Bolder, our quarterly magazine. In the December issue of Older & Bolder which you can find on the News page we had contributions from three of our members.

Helen Walsh is a regular contributor and I have included another of her poems below. Helen went to Africa in the 1950s and lived with her husband George who was involved in forestry. She writes great poetry and is a talented water colour artist.

Rosemarie Carr was born in Karlstatd, Germany and went to Canada aged 2 with her brother aged 3 months and her parents. She was educated in Edmonton. Rosemarie went on her OE to Europe and met her future husband and eventually came to settle in New Zealand. She has lived in Rothesay Bay since 1969.

Helen and Rosemary belong to the Browns Bay Writing Group.

Fred Ruan was born in Wu Huan in China and went to University in Guand Zhou where she had to learn Cantoneses as she had previously only spoken Mandarin. She has lived in New Zealand since 2004 and recently completed her BA in English and New Media Studies.

Freda is a member of the Beachhaven Writing Group.

Crocuta Crocuta

by Helen Walsh

They prowl the plains on silent paw,

Impelled to live by nature’s law

Born to forage hunt and kill,

They find their prey with cunning skill.

With fetid breath and jaws of steel;

They search and scavenge for each meal.

Their manic mirth will chill the heart,

It warns the clan the chase will start.

They hunt the young the weak the old,

They hunt the strong the brave the bold,

They hunt in mobs with guts and nerve

Determination, speed and verve.

“Waste not, want not” is their creed,

What others leave, on that they’ll feed.

They crunch up feathers skin and bone,

All that remains… the skull alone.

Ferocious villains of the veldt,

That’s the hand which nature dealt.

It was ordained to be their fate.

Victims of loathing fear and hate.

The following poem was written by one of the Writing For Our Grandchildren group, one of the many OWN groups that meet regularly.

New Style Bra

After years of discomfort trying to keep up with fashion, 

Making sure my boobs are perky, is no longer my main passion.

Underwire cups, and bras with firm pads, 

Are things of the past now, said the lady in the ads !!!.

She says hers are comfy while giving good support,

So I rushed to the nearest shop, new comfy bra I bought

I got home with my purchase and couldn’t wait to try it on,

But oh!  where are my boobies? they seem to have simply gone.

Awww there they are they’re hiding, in my arm pits, 

But that’s not good nor comfortable, and not where they normally sits.

No longer facing front, and standing to attention, 

They’re now as flat as pancakes, and hardly rate a mention.

I may have lost four inches and for that I’m truly glad, 

But looking at my silhouette is making me feel sad.

So I’m going back to underwire cups, they really are uplifting

My boobs stay where I put them, instead of sideways shifting.

I’ll be staying with my old style Bra, 

I feel nice and comfortable in it, 

And as for my new ‘comfy’ Bra 

Well..... I’m simply going to bin it.

Marie Hindmarsh 

An important part of any OWN event is the shared lunch, where friends are made and ideas swapped. This photo was taken at the Writing For Our Grandchildren Open Day.