Fran’s Poetry

An Ode to an Adventurous Life

“T ell me what you think, and be honest,” insisted Fran Parsons as I sat down for a one-to-one performance of her poetry, with a cup of tea and a slice of carrot cake.

She’s the kind of person that immediately grabs the attention of those around her. Not because of her shock of pink hair, but because of the wit and insight offered by her verse. It’s her performance that brings the text to life, lifting the words off the pages, allowing them to fly through the ether, and to entertain.

Fran’s book, Rhymes For Our Times was produced in conjunction with her What do you do when you reach your mid 80’s and feel a little restless? Start writing poetry and get yourself published, of course. We sent Robert Veitch for a private audience with Fran Parsons

friend, Judy Sharp, and the illustrator, Amy Bright. The project was entirely selffinanced and every penny from sales helps one charity or another. “Distribution is the hardest thing,” she acknowledged.

Fran met Judy Sharp when they both lived on the Algarve. They came back to England at different times and lost touch until a chance encounter at a Haywards

Heath hypnotherapist reignited their friendship.

Fran sent a box containing 40 copies of the book to her son in Melbourne, Australia; to raise funds for bush fire related charities. Several copies were also sent to Folkestone in Kent, to help raise funds for students. Locally, St Peter & St James Hospice has been the greatest beneficiary, with a sizeable chunk of the 500 copy print run available for purchase in their shops.

“Although I retired from paid work many years ago, I don’t feel like I’ve actually retired. Writing poetry seems to have become another string to my bow,” Fran observed. She told me her first poem about a nearby shop was submitted

to the local paper – but never published because it was deemed ‘too rude’ for readers. Fran believes there may be enough material soon for another book.

“I am inspired by what’s around me, but I have visions as well, which I also interpret into my poetry. A lot goes on in my head and I have to bring myself back to ‘this life’ eventually,” she opined. “I do like watching Judge Judy with a gin and tonic at 5pm.”

Fran has lived in Haywards Heath for more than two decades and is looking forward to a 90th birthday in September. When I suggested she undertake some fund raising poetry performances to celebrate, she smiled and pondered…

“I’ve had quite an adventurous life,” beamed Fran… and long may her retirement continue! l Rhymes For Our Times by Fran Parsons; published by The Choir Press and priced at £5, is available via St Peter & St James Hospice shops

A New Hobby

Silver surfers, it seems to me have nothing at all to do with the sea So instead of getting all cold and wet they surf something called the – Internet! So, I asked my son how I could join “you can’t Mum” he said, “it’s only online which means you have to get a computer!” “No, my dear. I simply will not do you think I’ve completely lost the plot?” A dinosaur may be what I am But lose my savings in a scam? No thanks!

A Six O’Clock Dilemma

When drinking gin and diet tonic results for me are purely platonic There’s nothing there my heart to vex thinking of long-forgotten sex What it needs, oh how ironic is another gin – and full fat tonic!

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