Thursday, July 24, 2014

As Leaves Turn…--By Karen O'Leary--United States

As Leaves Turn…

…the turns I make

define my moments
define my journey
define my inner core

…and when the final
leaf turns, I hope it
         matters


Karen O'Leary is a freelance writer/editor from West Fargo, ND.  Her poetry, short stories, and articles have been published in a variety of venues.  She released her first book of poetry in 2011 called Whispers... published by A.P.F. Publisher.  Their second project, Snippets...an anthology of short verse, contains poetry from 73 talented writers from across the world and was released in 2012.  Karen is a member of The Writers and Poetry Alliance and the Haiku Society of America.

43 comments:

  1. Karen, this is a beautiful and intimate thought and although it is something about which we all think and hope that we are living our lives in a positive way to leave positive thoughts and results, each thought we all have personally thought becomes very intimate and intimately defines each of us........ your poems are always powerfully brief leaving this reader with strong thoughts that touch my heart and soul. To me the brevity of your poem adds to the power! A fabulous poem, my friend with a powerful message! Sheri www/poetryandbeyond.net

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    1. Dear Sheri,

      This is my first attempt at anaphora. Thank you for your encouraging words. Glad you felt the poem has a good message. You are so kind my friend. Thank you for all your support. You matter!

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  2. Dear Karen,

    So much said in so few words, my friend, a lovely thought and metaphor of your life turning as leaves do and all the events in your life big or small that made you the person you are today. A touching write, Karen and it does matter.

    Love Sandra

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    1. Dear Sandra,

      That our words matter is truly a gift. Thank you for your insightful and lovely comment. I really appreciate all the support and encouragement you give me my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  3. A joy to read you tonight Karen - a bit of a turn for you, to my liking. Your words give one something to think upon. I love the depth, the power and this side of you on paper! Way to go my poetry friend...Hugs from Rhoda

    Expressions Poetry Journal
    chesakat1.blogspot.com

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  4. Dear Rhoda,

    I really debated whether to publish this at Whispers. It's something new for me and wasn't quite sure how it would be received. Thank you so much for your lovely words and ongoing support my friend. Your encouragement means a lot to me.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  5. Hi Karen. Very nice poem. I also hope the "leaves" that are turning in my life are ones that matter to others as well as to me. Very powerful message. Thank you for sharing and continued blessings! -MJ

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    1. Dear Maurice,

      Leaves are definitely turning in your life, and it is a good thing that is making a difference. Thank you so much for your kind words and ongoing encouragement. Blessings to you too my friend.

      Best wishes,
      Karen

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  6. Wonderful Karen. I love leaves in the fall. simply beautiful. Enjoyed your poem very much. hope your ok. best wishes. Pete.

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    1. Dear Peter,

      Thank you so much for your lovely words--such a pleasure to read today. I really appreciate your ongoing encouragement and support. Best wishes to you too my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  7. Excellent Karen,

    As a leaf unfolds through the spectrum of life, so do we unfold through the phases of our being... a beautiful thought...

    Terry

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    1. Dear Terry,

      You have me smiling with your lovely words. Thank you for all the encouragement you give me. So good to have you a part of Whispers.

      Best wishes,
      Karen

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  8. Our lives are made up of countless leaves; may the last leaf that we turn be gold edged. Thank you for sharing, Karen. // paul

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  9. Dear Paul,

    What a lovely thought. May that gold edge shine to light up the lives of others. Thank you for your insightful comment and your ongoing support. I greatly appreciate it.

    Best wishes,
    Karen

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  10. Dear Karen,

    You have been "turning leaves" and touching people's hearts for many years. Your legacy will be a precious one and those of us who know you are blessed, my friend.

    This is a very moving, introspective poem. Well penned!

    Love,
    Carolyn

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  11. Dear Carolyn,

    What a gift your lovely words are to me. Oh my gosh! This really touched me. Thank you so much for your encouragement and friendship. You are truly one special lady!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  12. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following--

    love this thoughtful write

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  13. Dear Jack,

    Thank you for your kind words. Your ongoing encouragement is greatly appreciated.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  14. Karen, what a great way to difine life.
    makes one hope that it will matter when that
    last leaf is turned. You have a beautiful soul!
    Gid Bless. Mary

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  15. Dear Mary,

    You have a beautiful soul too, Mary. You make a difference. Thank you for your lovely words today.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Hi Karen - Congratulations on turning 60,000 Pageviews!!! Beautiful website - just as beautiful as you!!! Hugs from Rhoda

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    1. Dear Rhoda,

      So kind of you do notice the new milestone for Whispers. It's people like you that make our online journal/poetry community possible. Thank you for being such a bright light in the writing community and for all the encouragement you give me. What a blessing you are!

      Karen

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  17. Very expressive work..Enjoyed reading this one today..Sara Kendrick

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    1. Dear Sara,

      Thank you for your lovely comment. It is so good to have you a part of the Whispers family. You are so talented my friend and have a kind heart too.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  18. Dear Karen:
    How lovely to find this special poem. Makes me realize how close to nature we really are.....if we were unaware of death we would accept it as gracefully as a leaf turning.
    Thanks for the grace today and for your wonderful site of Whispers.
    Love
    SuZ

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    1. Dear Suz,

      What a gift you have given me today. I appreciate your insightful comments. It is such a pleasure to have you a part of Whispers. Thank you so much for you kindness.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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    2. Hi Karen, I enjoyed your inspiring poem. The final leaf turned is the most important because it marks the beginning of eternity! God bless, Chris

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  19. Dear Chris,

    Right you are my friend! Thank you for your lovely words on my poem. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me. So good to have you a part of Whispers!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  20. Thank you, everyone, I am overwhelmed by the support and encouragement you give me. What a blessing each and everyone of you are. I am so grateful.

    Best wishes,
    Karen

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  21. Thank you, Richard Sponaugle, for the following--

    Short and sweet as usual. Powerful poem conveyed with a minimum of words that somehow has more memorable lines than most long poem.

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  22. Dear Rick,

    Thank you for your insightful and kind thoughts. This poem was one that took me a bit outside the box for me as I usually don't use that much repetition. Thanks to Connie Marcum Wong, I stretched a bit in this one. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement my friend.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  23. Thank you, John Polselli, for the following--

    Typical of you, Karen, to imply so much in so few words, and with such a familiar image--leaves. Your poem projects toward eternity, like the branches of a tree. Beautiful.

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  24. Dear John,

    Your words were a gift to receive today. Thank you for the kind observations. I appreciate your encouragement and all the wonderful comments you sent for other writers too.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  25. Thank you, Barbara Siekierski, for the following--

    A good way to look at life hoping when the final leaf turns I made the right decision.

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  26. Dear Barbara,

    Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  27. Thank you, Suzanne Clement, for the following--

    Yes, indeed, Karen. I, too, hope that the things I do and have done, will have made a difference. Thank you!

    Suzanne

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  28. Dear Suzanne,

    That we make a difference is the best testimony to our lives. I've always wanted to make lives better--even as a little girl. I hope I am doing that. Thank you for your thoughtful comments and your ongoing support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  29. Thank you, Gerald Heyder, for the following--

    Dear Karen--Thank you for your encouraging words! In your poem it says "and when the final leaf turns, I hope is matters" says it all for everyone! I believe everyone wonders about their final leaf in life. Great little piece of muse!

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  30. Dear Gerald,

    Thank you for your thoughtful comments and ongoing encouragement. I've always hoped I would make a difference even as a small child. That gives life meaning.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  31. Thank you, Eleanor Michael, for the following--

    There is a turn at every corner.

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  32. Dear Eleanor,

    There sure is. Thank you for your comment and your ongoing support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  33. Thank you, John Williams, for the following--

    "As Leaves Turn..." is a positive mood of energy and hope. Each of your wonderful creations, poetry, cards, etc. always matters and touches others with hope, too. You are such a wonderful and caring friend... The voice of your words is always inspiring and uplifting. God bless your continuing efforts.

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  34. Oh my gosh John. Your words are such a gift to get and your friendship a light in my life. I am humbled by your praise. Thank you so much.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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