Maureen Sexton

About me:

“Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self." -Cyril Connolly (Thank you Taalam Acey)

Born and raised in Perth Western Australia, I have lived here most of my life, except for three years in Adelaide and some time residing in rural WA, including: Kalgoorlie, Bridgetown and Peppermint Grove Beach. My interests are mainly in the arts, environmentalism and social justice. I am a freelance writer, poet, haijin, editor, amateur photographer, artist, website builder/designer, digital media artist and activist.



I have gained vast writer-in-the-community experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing, which I completed at Edith Cowan University (WA), with some of my studies undertaken at Murdoch University (WA) and Flinders University (SA).

Currently:
HaikuOz WA Regional Representative http://www.haikuoz.org.au
WA Poets Inc Secretary http://www.wapoets.net.au
Creative Connections Art and Poetry Exhibitions Poetry Co-ordinator http://www.creativeconnectionsaape.net.au

Believing in the importance of poetry, I have been actively involved in trying to raise community awareness of the relevance of poetry in our lives today. Poets throughout history have also been at the forefront of political and social challenges and changes, and, I believe, need to be more active at this time.

My poetry and haiku have been widely published internationally and nationally. I have also had success in national poetry competitions, and many of my short stories, articles and reviews have also been published.

Also, I have studied Photography, Web Design and Maintenance, and Secretarial Skills at TAFE in WA. I was a TAFE lecturer in Oral Communication at Challenger TAFE in Rockingham.

I am an advocate of Aboriginal rights and respectfully acknowledge that I live on Nyungar land.

Although I have serious concerns about the environment and political corruption, I also love to laugh, especially big belly laughs with my friends. I love animals and currently have a cat named Bushka. Obviously I live a fairly busy life, but like and need to take time out to be in nature and focus on the 'now'. I do this often.


Photography, digital media and poetry by Maureen Sexton



Days of Trees, Cheetahs And Mountains

In my maiden days
I laugh, sing
dance, play
dream my dreams
live my fantasies
climb trees
scale mountains
run like a cheetah.

In my mother days
I ache with pregnancy
scream in childbirth
feed with love
laugh, cry
plant trees
gaze longingly at mountains
fear cheetahs.

In my crone days
I tell stories
pass on wisdom
laugh, cry
love, live
marvel at cheetahs
hug trees
think like a mountain.

Maureen Sexton



Check out my website: http://www.maureensexton.com.au



Edgar Allan Poe "Annabel Lee" Poem Animation Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJhvKEMhn20