Fragile as Sea Foam

fleeting expressions in poetry and painting

By: Wendy Manzo

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

'Fragile as Sea Foam' is a marker of time. Exploring themes of love, loss, and the ungraspable pain of betrayal, Wendy Manzo's life reflections are anchored in raw honesty and playful nonsense. Illustrated with paintings from her early years as an emerging abstract expressionist artist, her poetry poses questions that take you on a journey, from aching hunger for connection to stories of redemptive courage.

This second edition is an expanded collection of works written 1980-1994 and painted 2003-2009, with a smattering of later paintings. Wendy writes with intense observation, weaving cynical irony and ridiculous humour together. She'll make you think, laugh and probably cry, well, yes, cry. The poetry of these shifting days reflects her search for meaning. It’s personal. What happens when you throw a paper cup against a windowpane?

"Life is as fragile as sea foam, words as fleeting as ocean waves. Often my sole escape was the enchanting sound made by a string of words, like a thousand waves on repeat, each morning chasing new light. My aspiration for sharing this work is that you'll find hope in the diamonds on the water and solace in every wave that rushes between your toes."



I'm a crushed paper cup.
Empty, lost and crumbled
Lingering lame at crossroads,
You call my name
I hear the echo through my chain.
I'm stained glass, useless without light,
no peace of mind til you're far behind.
What happens when you throw a paper cup against a windowpane?


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"These words are food for your soul. Thank you for making me laugh. Happy writing!" (1984)
Margaret Fulton, Australian Woman's Day food journalist and cooking author.


"I love these, full of heartache, drama, trouble and triumph, great for song lyrics." (1991)
Keith Urban, singer songwriter.