Special Feature in Memory--jani johe webster--United States

Special Feature--jani johe webster--(In Memory-May 2013)

jani johe shared her unique style and insight which left readers in awe.  But more importantly, she was a bright light in the writing community, always ready to support others in their journeys.  I am glad to have been able to call her my friend.  She will be missed by many.                                                                                                                  Sincerely, Karen O’Leary--Editor


feeding pigeons

the sun went down
but nobody heard it

i wear old clothes
and sit on dirty park benches

a little kid
fell in the pond
and drowned
but everybody
kept on feeding pigeons

i did too

*******

sometimes

did you think sometimes
you were something else
like a mocking bird
or a weeping willow

did you walk sometimes
going backwards
or light candles
in the middle of the day

let's go then
where no ship has ever sailed
and spend our lives with falling stars
until we can spend
no more

*******

Thoughts from her daughter, Nila Webster--From her, I learned that in poetry, all things are possible: the moon "whispers silver secrets," tree roots gives us "wisdom," and, as she wrote in pure Zen-like fashion: "it is a gift / this day." She taught me to see poetry in every corner of the universe and my life, and even now that she is no longer physically present on this earth, I hear her whisperings of wonder.

(Note--since this is a special feature, I have opted to share two poems.  Guidelines for submission have not changed.)