Saturday, February 15, 2014

Poet of the Month--Rhoda Galgiani

Tainted Eyes ~

By Rhoda Galgiani

Tainted eyes have seen the pollution,
dumping stained memories on our earth floor
a land given to us by our creator to grow in,
establishing for future generations, calling it home

Seeing the growth of towering sky scrapers
reaching the clouds, reaching for clean air to inhale,
scorched by hot fumes from jet streams crossing the sky,
concrete floors hot, melting heat from the hurried traveler

The magnitude of our ancestor’s vision has
grown tenfold, their vision of growth for us to share
decade after decade with each other for centuries to come,
my eyes have seen continued growth of their beginnings

Purity from yesteryear spread across the land,
gradually turning to ugliness appeasing the greed
of corporate managers living in buildings to the sky,
towering, dwarfing small creature choking below in filth

Our future generations are being crushed by the
weight of the unkempt, drug user, thief and rapist
taking what they may whipping the old and less
fortunate human into a dark corner with fear

Crying to be heard the knocked around, taken
advantage of God fearing human beings,
whether a surviving man, woman or child
shouts - this is enough for all of us to bear,
this is our land, our world to love and respect…

Protect it for our babies being born for tomorrow -
before my tainted eyes go blind from the filth of today
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From the editor--It is my pleasure to announce that Rhoda Galgiani is February’s Poet of the Month.  A gifted writer and website manager of Expressions Poetry Journal--people appreciate her talent.  She helped me in the early days of Whispers, always willing to answer my website questions.  Readers at Whispers enjoy her poetry.  Rhoda has promoted our online journal, encouraging others to become contributors.  She regularly posts encouraging comments to writers.  Rhoda has earned this honor!
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Thoughts on “Tainted Eyes”--I discovered “Tainted Eyes” at Expressions Poetry Journal and was immediately drawn by its intensity.  The poem feels like it comes from Rhoda’s soul, pouring out through a wonderful use of imagery.  The universal message is profound and timeless.  “Tainted Eyes” just begs one to take breath and read it again.
______________

Congratulations and thank you Rhoda!  I appreciate all you do and have done for Whispers.

Sincerely,

Karen O’Leary, Editor

39 comments:

  1. Congratulations Rhoda, You deserve the honour. It is a thought provoking poem.

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  2. Thank you Ranu for the supportive comment. Yes, this is an honor that I will cherish...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  3. Rhoda,
    A well-written and thought-out poem. I visited your site (Expressions Journal). You have some great poems on there, too!
    ~David Fox

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  4. Dear Rhoda,
    We have destroyed the Earth and generations to come are in jeopardy of dealing with a dying planet. I share your fears and greatly admire this extraordinary poem. Congratulations on being named Poet of the Month! It is a well-deserved honor, my friend, and I'm thrilled for you. Love, Carolyn

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  5. Rhoda, you write of my pet peeves, littering, the vanity of mankind in the destructive of natural habitat for wildlife and destruction of our plant for all of life. God gave us the simple task of caring for our precious earth and we have managed to bungle that! Thank you for airing this and for your expressing your heart in a way unique to writers. And, congrats on Poet of The Month award - well deserved! Such an award as awarded by Karen, another fabulous heart, as she recognizes the depth of soul and heart within you! Congratulations! Sheri

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  6. Thank you, Linda Hurdwell, for the following comment--

    well done to Rhoda Galgiani, yes amazing.

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  7. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following comment--

    Please send my congrats to Rhoda: a very good choice for Poet of the Month : )

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  8. Congratulations Rhoda on the well deserved honor of Poet of the Month. You are a blessing not only to the poetry community but to others in general including myself. You are a caring and helpful individual and I for one am not only appreciative of your talent but your kind and caring heart.

    As for your poem it so well expresses the dilemma this world is in and our need to preserve this earth for future generations. The physical and spiritual pollution in our very midst can cause us much distress. It is important to change our focus to what we can do and not on what we cannot do. Thank you for a great poem well expressed..
    Love, Charlene

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  9. Thank you, Beth Winchcombe, for the following comment--

    Rhoda deserves to be poet of the month, a beautiful sincere poem.

    Beth

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  10. David - thank you for the supportive comment and a big thank you for your visit to 'Expressions'. I have over 600 entries, celebrating 5 years come June, so there is a lot one can look at. It is people like you that fills my heart with joy - my heart thanks you...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  11. I know by just talking to you Carolyn you would feel the same way about Mother Earth as I - your sensitivity is so much like mine. Thank you my friend for your comment and congratulations. Your words are endearing to me...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  12. Sheri - your words are comforting to me - so now I will tell you a little story from long ago. I was in my mid 30's, going to the grocery store, while driving eating a candy bar. As I parked and got out of my car, I finished my candy bar and then threw the wrapper on the ground and kept walking. I heard a voice behind me - as I turned around I saw a man about 90 years old - he said, "I will throw this garbage away for you"...to my horror I continued into the store. To this day almost 35 years later, I never throw anything on the ground - ever! What a lesson that way. Even now, I feel embarrassed telling you about my disgusting habit at that time. No more, for sure. Thank you for caring...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  13. Linda - thank you so much for your support on Karen's wonderful Whispers...website...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  14. Thank you Jack for your Congratulations - I am very honored indeed. Karen is a wonderful friend and editor of this fabulous website...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  15. Charlene - you always bring a smile to my lips. What a wonderful 'Sister' you are to me with your words and your faith. Since I have met you, your caring is most high. Thank you from my heart to yours for being there for me...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  16. Thank you Beth for taking a moment to read me here on Whispers...Your comment and support will not be forgotten...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  17. I waited almost to the last to send a comment to my sweet friend Karen who is full of heart. I have know Karen about 5 years and from the beginning we clicked - she is my Spell Checker! She is so supportive of me, she is a person who cares for so many and we care for her. I can't thank you enough Karen for picking me to be your 'Poet of the Month for February'. Such joy you bring to my heart as my confidence grows. I am very sensitive and that shows in my writing - I can shed a tear in an instant - and you know my love for animals is forever and ever. So my dear Karen, my heart thanks you. My heart also thanks again, those who took the time to read me and leave a comment. I am most sincere when I say to you all - I love you...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  18. Dear Rhoda,

    It is a special pleasure to have featured you this month. You have been instrumental helping make Whispers a success. I know others appreciate you too as evidenced by all the comments you are getting on your honor. Wishing you ongoing success with your writing my friend and in life too.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  19. A beautifully written poem Rhoda, and now I know of Expressions Journal I will surely be passing by to read... A deserved place you have here being featured both from your writing and the help you have given in bringing forth this community. Karen's gratitude is echoed in our own - thank you for sharing your talents!

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  20. Congratulations Rhoda. Well deserved. The site would not be the same without your words and support. Ralph.

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  21. anaisnais - thank you for your supportive and lovely comment. I am overjoyed with this honor by Karen. It is people like yourself who make it all worth while when one is wondering if what they are saying will be accepted. Thank you again...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  22. Thank you Ralph for your delightful comment. You made my day for sure!!! I always enjoy reading you and your support is very important to me - my heart thanks you again...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  23. Congratulations Rhoda, I have enjoyed your comments on my submissions and hope to get to know you and your poetry better. Whispers was fortunate to have a friend like you in its beginning. You and Whispers are a great match. Robert

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  24. Awww, thank you Robert. I enjoy reading you and certainly recognize your name when I see it. I hope you take a moment or two and visit 'Exprssions'. Your comment here on Whispers... is endearing - my heart thanks you...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  25. Personal emails received...rg

    Congratulations...

    from, Elsie

    Dear Rhoda,

    I cannot think of anyone more deserving than yourself. I am so happy for you to receive this accolade...

    Love, Yvonne

    CONGRATS!!!!

    I am sooooo very happy for you!!!

    Dena

    Thank you all for the well wishes - hope you are enjoying this wonderful poetry website created by Karen O'Leary...

    Rhoda Galgiani


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  26. Now a personal note: I received a call from my daughter Patti Pace who lives in NJ. She sent me her Congratulations for being chosen February's 'Poet of the Month' by Karen. The reason this is so important to me is...this is a first from my family! They are not really into poetry and they know it is my thing. But, upon voicing how I felt about the lack of knowledgement a few months back - my sweet daughter responded to my announcement email and called...my heart thanks my sweet daughter for caring about 'Mom'...rg

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  27. Congratulations on your honour and well done for a beautiful poem well crafted and presented

    I like it alot

    Regards

    George

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  28. Thank you George for the really nice comment. Yes, it seems our world is a real mess - here's hoping our younger generation will clean her up - my heart thanks you...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  29. Dear Rhoda -

    What a happy day. To see you and your thought provoking poem to be chosen as our first poet of the month. I look forward to poems when I peek inside Whispers and thank you for all your lovely comments. Congratulations.

    love,
    Kathy

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  30. Thank you Kathryn for your visit and supportive comment. Actually, Carolyn Devonshire was the first - 'January's Poet of the Month'. I am the 2nd 'February Poet of the Month'. So, I don't want you to miss reading Carolyn. It is a joy for all of us visiting Whispers...to share our poetry with each other - Karen is some good Editor I would say!!! Thank you again for your comment and I look forward to reading more of you in the future...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  31. Email comment received...rg

    Always excellence in your poetry Rhoda. I finally had enough quiet time to read your poem a few times and really enjoy it. Thanks for sharing it with me.

    Friend, Caryl

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  32. This is very powerful, Rhoda. I absolutely love it! It's the truth with some very nice poetic flavor. Thank you for sharing this and congratulations on being named the "Poet of the Month." That is an awesome honor and you are certainly deserving. Blessings and continued success! -MJ

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  33. Maurice - the support in your comment is an uplifting moment in time for me - my heart thanks you. Please know that your warm congratulations will stay in my memory bank forever. Thank you for the blessings - I am sending blessings right back to you with a big hug...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  34. Thank you, Christine Tate, for the following comment--


    First of all, "Congratulations" Rhoda for being selected Poet of the Month! Your poem is powerful! An inspiring piece in these dismal times! God Bless you.

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  35. Thank you Christine for taking the time to send Karen a congratulatory email. Your recognition is important to me and fills my heart with joy. I believe many feel as you - the words are powerful about a subject that touches us all. Thank you for sending God's Blessings my way - sending God's Blessings right back to you also...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  36. A warning call that too few hear... a wonderful (though disturbing) work!!! Terry

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  37. If everyone would pick up one piece of trash each day , just think how much cleaner our world would be! But, people are too busy littering, If people would stop the litter think of all the beauty they would see. It is a shame, isn't it? Thank you so much for the visit Terry...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  38. Dear Rhoda,

    Congratulations on poet of the month! As a lover of nature's beauty I could really relate to your poem as I see everyday what is going on and it's shame that some don't care what happens to world around us. A well written reminder to us all. I wish you continued success with your writing.

    Love Sandra

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  39. Thank you Sandra - your comment is important to me, especially because we are in agreement of the given subject. Sending blessings to you with continued success with your writing also...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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