Eppie Caredda drawn by artist and poet Heather Spears
at the 2010 International Womens Day Dance,
Dick Collins Hall    4 p.m. 06.03.2010

         I  was born in The Philippines in San Carlos City in the province of Pangasinan. I came to England in June 1972 , aged 39, and worked as a nanny in a private family in Slough, Buckinghamshire, with three boys (aged 10, 8 and a 3 month old baby).

          My contract ran out after two years and I applied to work at The Middlesex Hospital, London, in the catering department. Then I was offered a choice of a job as either a cashier or a secretary in the office. I chose to be a cashier. I was married and when my child Maria was born, I felt I had to resign to look after my child for two years. Then, so I could still look after her, I took part-time jobs at University College London and University College Hospital.

          I retired at 60. I had arthritis and high blood pressure, so my GP doctor recommended that I do exercises with the West Euston Third Age Group. I took Gym classes and Tai Chi classes and I joined the West Euston Third Age Project (and also the Time Bank when it was created).

           My doctor now says I am alright and I have improved my physical health. Over the years, I have taken part in many activities. After joining Gym and Tai Chi, I joined Belly-Dancing (first taught by Kristina, and now taught by Anne) and also the Traditional Country Dance (first taught by Chris, and now by Mary). Then I joined Drama (taught by Alicia, now taught by Gary) and Poetry (taught by Kim). I also take part in Jewellery (first taught by Melanie, now taught by Beverley) and Sewing classes (first taught by Christine).

          I was amazed to find that I am one of the International Purple Poets. I feel wonderful. I never expected that I would still have these commitments and this community in my life.

As well as being a Purple Poet, Eppie is also a talented member of the TADs (The Third Age Project Drama Group); she combined her love of drama and poetry by recited her poem 'The Greatest Love' as part of the TADs 2009 Spring Talent Show.

THAI NEW YEAR:
MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
by Eppie Caredda
05.02.2009


My New Year’s resolution
Is always the same as usual –

Oh yes, I am the typical woman
The so called ‘Spanish
Mañana Habit Woman’ O’la-la

You are a devil woman!
When are you going to change
Before it’s too late?

Never.

THE GREATEST LOVE
by Eppie Caredda
written 29.05.2008


The greatest love of all
I've ever found
Is here in this cosy place
Called 'The Third Age Project.'

Meeting so many different people
-- Different nationalities,
Cultures and religions
And sharing different activities.

We do so many exciting things:
Country Dancing, Belly Dancing,
Tai Chi, Drama, Jewellery and Gym
And most especially The Purple Poets.

Coming together with great pleasure
Writing poems through all the seasons
With our lovely teacher Kim
And all my colleagues -

And working together with respect.
With love as always

This is the greatest love of all.

DEAR MAMA
by Eppie Caredda
06.11.2008



Dear Mama


You are one in a million
I am sure that you will agree.
I wouldn’t say you are perfect
But you’re the best one for me!

Sometimes you can get grumpy,
Sometimes you can get upset,
But still I know that you love me
And that I’ll never forget!

Mama, you are ever so clever,
You may not have a degree.
But you help me with my homework
And that’s what matters to me!




Eppie performed this poem at a reading with Purple Poets Bithi Das,  Islam Molla and Patsy Futatsugi, launching the Purple Poets' Book Exchange Box at the Camden Town Hall Members' Room on 19.01.2009. 

EPPIE CAREDDA
I LIKE CHRISTMAS
06.12.2007



Christmas is like a Mince Pie
Crunchy and buttery and messy
I can’t help it, I have to bite
And I can’t stop at just one!


Christmas is like Chocolates,
tempting, melting on your tongue
So amazingly gorgeously  sweet
and yummily yummily yum!


My friends, we can’t stop
Till we finish my box
So Cheers!
Merry Christmas To Everyone!

I LIKE CHRISTMAS
Eppie's first draft: 06.12.2007

Christmas is like an Orange

Juicy, cuddly

And when you peel it,

You smell the Spirit of Christmas.

Christmas is like a Mince Pie

Crunchy and buttery and messy

I can’t help it, I have to bite

And I can’t stop at just one.


Christmas is like Chocolate, sweet,

It’s so tempting, melting on your tongue

So amazingly gorgeously

and yummily, yummy.


Can’t stop

Till we finish the box

So Cheers!

Merry Christmas To Everyone.





THE NEW YEAR
Eppie Caredda
First draft 20.03.2008



New Year! New Life!

New Calendar -- again.

What’s it all about? How could I start to celebrate it?



Remembering my grandparents, my mother,

on the first midnight hour, the big church bells are ringing

All people are singing, dancing



And kissing ‘Happy New Year!’

All wide-awake all night on every street

Of our cities and towns and in every house.



Each of us, as little children,

Has to jump out of bed

And jump three times as high as we can

JUMP!

For good health,

To grow taller

So quickly – all mothers say



Then go to church to give praise

To our God, to be together

With our Family and Friends



All I remember is to follow

The most important commandments:

To love God with all your mind, heart and soul



And to love our neighbours as ourselves

That’s what the New Year Great Festival

Means to me.

from DIWALI LIGHTS
by Eppie caredda
08.11.2007


Star lights, star bright!
How I wish I could reach them out!
Like this candlelight
That I could touch
And feel the warmth
Of the flame in my hands
And the feeling of joy
In our hearts!




from DIWALI LIGHTS: A POEM PERFORMANCE
performed for Councillor Nural Islam, The Worshipful Mayor Of Camden, West Euston Time Bank Eid and Diwali Celebration at the H-Pod, Cumberland Market at 2:30 p.m. on 30.10.2008

This poem is part of a poem-sequence, composed and performed by Kim Morrissey, Eppie Caredda, Shelagh Beale, and Islam Molla at the Diwali Celebrations and T.A.P. Tenth Anniversary Tea-Dance of the West Euston Third Age Project on 09.11.2007 at the Dick Collins Hall.  It was also performed by Kim Morrissey, Eppie Caredda, Ferdous Rahman (reading for Shelagh Beale), and Islam Molla for the  Worshipful Mayor of Camden, Nural Islam, on 30.11.2009 as part of the West Euston Time Bank Eid and Diwali celebrations at the H-Pod, Cumberland Market.

Advice to Tony
(for Tony Bloor, on his 60th Birthday)
by Eppie Caredda
13.10.2008

What is a Freedom Pass?

It’s the most amazing
Sixtieth Birthday Card!

At last, you are
one of the lucky ones.

Travelling around sas you like
from 9 to 4 in the morning.

And 24 hours on weekends
And Bank Holidays too!

Oh what a lovely present!
For you to have this fantastic gift.


This great card called the ‘Freedom Pass.’

Eppie performed this poem for Tony at the West Euston Third Age Project Tea Dance 14.10.2008

TWO WOMEN TALKING:   A GOOD MAN
By Nurunnahar Islam and Eppie Caredda
02.10.2008


A good man is he who cares,
Who brings bread home to share,
He listens and understands
His lover is safe in his hands.
He is respectful and kind
He protects and doesn't talk behind.

A bad man is he who shouts!
Always in command.
He never listens to anyone
Except himself.
A bad man dominates
And controls everyone.
Rude, cunning, violent
And vile ….


I married
The bad man
But I wish
I had chosen
The good.


I left the man who was good.
I married the man whom I loved

EPPIE CAREDDA
Dancing
Performed with the Purple Poets
Spring Health Festival Community
H-Pod Cumberland Market
15.03.2008


I love dancing, yes I do -
It keeps me alive and kicking
Like the swans on the lake
The skylarks up above the sky
Swaying so gracefully
So heavenly

Non-stop dancing, with the rhythm
Of music playing air
Like a whirling wind
Blowing around the world
And above the blue sky!!

I love dancing, yes I do -
With enormous feeling of joy
To share with everyone.
So content, so endlessly

That's the wonderous art
Of dancing for me!

Little Day Dream
by Eppie Caredda
15.03.2008



As I walked along on my way home
A rather ugly and wet street.
I felt a bit weary -
So I stopped to watch an autumn leaf
It lay quite still on a pavement.

Then suddenly took flight
Like a baby bird
All floppy and wobbly
Jumping up and down
Like a music note on a piece of paper

Then I thought - no better still -
The whispering corn in the fields-
The swaying of popular trees -
The busy people rushing down the streets
And oh! Thank God, for that moment
Found myself a day dream
About a little leaf, blowing
In the wind and
Along the little street of London Borough of Camden



T. A.P. English Country Dancing
Health Community Project Spring Fair
March 15th 2008

Ang Bayan Ko
15.02.2007

Ang bayan Kong Philipinas
Lupain ng gintot bulaklak
Pag-ibig ng sa kanyang palad
Nag=alay ng gandat dilag
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak ka sa dusa ...

Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulangin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di nag-nasang makaalpas

O! Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad, ka ng luha at dalita
Aking aghika -- ang ...
Makita kang-sakdal laya.


My Country
[translation of "Ang Bayan Ko"]
by Eppie Caredda 15.02.2007


My country the Philippines
Land of Honey, Tropical Flowers and Gold
Love permeates its heart.

Which brings panoramic beauty
And amazing grace.

These niceties captivate many strangers
That may be why they had to stay so long.
Even more than a hundred years.

Oh my beloved country, the Philippines
Was held hostage and enslaved in hardships for so long.

Like the chirping bird that craves to fly
Without limit. Cage it
And it will surely cry.

What more will this beautiful land endure.
Will it not also aim for a boundless Liberty?

Philippines my beloved
Lair of struggles and tears
My only dream for you

Is to see you again
Completely Free.



Eppie Caredda first performed this poem with the Purple Poets at the H-pod Cumberland Market Square on International Language Day  February 22, 2007.

Ever Dearest, Dear Mum
Autumn 2007

Dear Mum, you mean the world to me.
You lifted me when I couldn't stand.
Your eyes sparkled when I was happy
You were beside me when I was afraid.
You comforted me when I was sad.
You brought me strength when I was weak
You gave me your wisdom when I was lost.
Yes, Mum, you loved me
     No matter what I am.
     Oh, I love you, My Ever Dearest Mum!


Eppie Caredda first performed this poem with the Purple Poets for the Mayor of Camden, Jill Fraser, at the Diorama Art Gallery on  National Poetry Day October 5th, 2006.

MyFirst Visit To
My Parish Church
In Ogle Street
by Eppie Caredda
20.07.2006


Here in this parish church
There came comforting thought
Someone is here whose love
                    My spirit sought.


Here in this parish church,
Love-filled I did rejoice;
And listen
                    To his tender voice

Here in this parish church
He said when will you start -
When will you give me -
                    All your heart?



Eppie Caredda first performed this poem with the Purple Poets at The 2006 Cumberland Market Festival, Cumberland Market, at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage on July 29, 2006.

Let's Work Together
To Fight the Drought
by Eppie Caredda
04.06.2006

Summertime is here again
The mighty sun starts shining

Over me and London Town
Oh, what a lovely feeling -

I love the sudden change
From wind and rain to sunny days

But this time we have to watch out
To prevent the drought.

Let us tighten our taps all around
The house and in our gardens

Love plants, but choose them well
Knowing that everything needs water for life

So Let's Work Together
To fight the Drought.


Eppie Caredda first performed this poem with the Purple Poets at the 2006 Camden Green Fair, Regent's Park, June 4, 2006

Lucky Joy
2004


My pet cat's name is Lucky Joy.
Whenever I come home from any appointment
He is always there to welcome me with his Usual greeting
'MEOW, MEOW, MEOW!'
Oh how I felt so relieved
So happy to get a hug, cuddle,
Stroke his silky hair
No matter how tired I am
Or how exhausted I am
No more pain nor sorrow within me
But joy, love, care
That's the best time of my life, with my cat
LUCKY JOY!

Eppie Caredda first published this poem in London Time: Poetry from
London's Time Banks ( nef: London, 2004)

DIWALI LIGHTS
08.11.2007
30.10.2008


(KIM, LIGHTING DIWALI PURPLE TEA-LIGHT)


One tiny light lights other lights
Like stars, rejoicing
We share India's joy.



(EPPIE, LIGHTING DIWALI PURPLE TEA-LIGHT)


DIWALI LIGHTS


Star lights, star bright!
How I wish I could reach them out!
Like this candlelight
That I could touch
And feel the warmth
Of the flame in my hands
And the feeling of joy
In our hearts!


(SHELAGH, LIGHTING DIWALI PURPLE TEA-LIGHT):

DIWALI


Candlelight, starlight

Like the first dawn

The beginning

Everything new, fresh, bright



(NAHARLIGHTING DIWALI PURPLE TEA-LIGHT):

DIWALI LIGHT


Oh, God, give me enough light :

I want to see happy people with a lot of laughter.
I want to see all people as brother and sister.

Give me heartful of love like the great waterfall,
Create in my heart, a loving Taj Mahal.


(ISLAM):  

 DIWALI LIGHTS

I am holding my God in my hand.

I can feel His Warmth
In my body and soul,

God is Light to me.

God is everything
From Cradle

from DIWALI LIGHTS: A POEM PERFORMANCE
performed for Councillor Nural Islam, The Worshipful Mayor Of Camden, West Euston Time Bank Eid and Diwali Celebration at the H-Pod, Cumberland Market at 2:30 p.m. on 30.10.2008

This poem is part of a poem-sequence, composed and performed by Kim Morrissey, Eppie Caredda, Shelagh Beale, and Islam Molla at the Diwali Celebrations and T.A.P. Tenth Anniversary Tea-Dance of the West Euston Third Age Project on 09.11.2007 at the Dick Collins Hall.  It was also performed by Kim Morrissey, Eppie Caredda, Ferdous Rahman (reading for Shelagh Beale), and Islam Molla for the  Worshipful Mayor of Camden, Nural Islam, on 30.11.2009 as part of the West Euston Time Bank Eid and Diwali celebrations at the H-Pod, Cumberland Market.

(In 2008, as Shelagh had to leave the celebrations early; she opened the celebration with her poem 'How To Read a Poem' Shelagh's Diwali poem was read by Ferdous Rahman.)