Saturday, November 15, 2014

Poet of the Month--Sara Kendrick

Strength

By Sara Kendrick

The trip to church on Sunday wasn't long
Down dry dusty country roads closer roamed
Hearts did rejoice when singing love's sweet song
Precious memories now deeply intoned

A home filled to the brim with kith and kin
No evidence of the grief she suffered
When in her youth tales of such loss did spin
By age of twenty-five her life crumbled

Joys of a young bride with husband beside
Darling daughters three in tow~gone~from life
Oh, life’s issues such hard brazen blows inside
No longer was she a mother and wife

Her faith in a loving God never failed
She had strength of character which prevailed 

I have been doing some research about my biological family
I found that my father's mother was married in her youth
and had three daughters which all died as did her husband..
She married my grandfather and then had four sons which
all lived. She never gave up her faith through it all. What strength.

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From the editor--It is a privilege to announce that Sara Kendrick is November’s Poet of the Month.  She is a talented writer that has been published in a variety of venues.  Readers at Whispers relate to her heartfelt poetry.  Sara regularly leaves thoughtful comments which others appreciate.  She has collaborated with other writers on poems that have been featured at Whispers and has brought new writers to our online journal.  It is a pleasure to present Sara with this honor!
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Thoughts on “Strength”--Sara sets the tone of the poem in the first two lines which are rich in imagery.  Based on a true story, this poem has a powerful impact.  We all have losses and challenges.  It’s what we do with them that counts in life.  Sara portrays a woman of amazing courage--“No evidence of the grief she suffered.”  This poem conveys a real hero, one that was a light despite all she suffered.  This is a wonderful piece with a timeless message.
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Congratulations and thank you Sara!  I appreciate all you do and have done for Whispers.

Sincerely,

Karen O’Leary, Editor

36 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Tom,

      I am about to get to old to go, go, girl..Thanks for the visit to my poem and taking time to comment..

      Sara

      Delete
  2. Sara,
    This is terrific as well as inspiring. Nice job!
    Yours truly,
    David Fox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David,
      Thanks for the visit to my page..I appreciate the time spent here..

      Sara

      Delete
  3. Dear Sara, this is a fitting tribute to a strong lady who overcame strong currents in life and managed to reach fulfillment. faith can do wonders! Very inspiring! // paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul,

      Thanks for taking time to comment..I appreciate you reading..If only people today would change their course of life and put their faith in the One Living God..

      Sara

      Delete
  4. Paul,

    Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment..You presence at my work is uplifting..

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  5. David,

    I appreciate you stopping by and taking time to leave a comment.

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations Sara:
    Joy and endurance such as hers is rare in any era. You have told a great story of inspirations.
    God Bless,
    SuZ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suz, thanks for the kind review of my work..I appreciate you reading and taking time to comment..Sara

      Delete
  7. Thank you, Isha Wagner, for the following--

    This beautifully written poem describes to me the wonderment of the human spirit, with its tragic inexplicable happenings, together with the sheer courage of not surrendering to the dark side of life. Sara's words express this so well.

    Yours sincerely
    Isha Wagner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isha, Yes, it did take some courage for previous generations to make it for times were hard in every way..Thanks for dropping by.Sara

      Delete
  8. Thank you, Robert Hinshaw, for the following--

    "Sara, congratulations for your well-deserved selection as Whispers Poet of the Month! I personally want to thank you for your support and encouragement over the years." Bob Hinshaw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert, I am so glad to have met you for I have so enjoyed reading your wonderful poems and stories in poetic form over the past few years..Thanks for dropping by..Sara

      Delete
  9. CONGRATS! Sara, on being chosen for this awesome honor on this exceptional on-line journal! Karen has the grand joy of selecting talent and beyond as seen in their writings as posted on this site! Again, congratulations on being chosen! After reading this, I can surely see why! Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sheri, Thanks for the visit to my page and taking time to read and comment..I have truly been honored in being chosen..Sara

      Delete
  10. It is amazing what our family members went through. Thank you, Sara, for this beautiful tribute to your grandmother.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marianne, Yes, our ancestors were some very strong people.Thanks for your encouragement..Sara

      Delete
  11. cool mom and touching...people had hard times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doris, Thanks for dropping by and reading this one and taking time to comment..Mom

      Delete
  12. Thank you, Ndongolera C. Mwangupili, for the following--

    I have read this poem and find it to be a powerful poem. I like the musical flow in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ndongolera, Thanks so much for dropping by..I appreciate you saying that it had a musical flow for I have a hard time getting the rhythm that I would like..Sara

      Delete
  13. Sara, congratulations on being chosen Poet of the Month, a well deserved honor. I loved your wonderful poem, a great reminder to hang in there with whatever one's troubles may be and like Job of the Old Testament, and your grandmother who kept the faith, their faithfulness was rewarded.. Thank you for all you do for Whispers.
    Love, Charlene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charlene, Thanks for the visit to my page..Your comments are so uplifting..Some of the previous generations were so strong..I don't know how they did it..Sara

      Delete
  14. big congrats to you, my friend. very much enjoyed this inspiring write

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jack, Thanks for the visit to my work and taking time to comment..Sara

      Delete
  15. Thank you, Phyllis Babcock, for the following--

    A sad tale from family history of how she survived the loss of her
    husband and daughters . Just shows the strength and faith she had. A
    wonderful poem Sara. Congratulations on poet of the month my friend.

    Love and Blessings Phyl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phyllis, Thanks for stopping by, reading and taking time to comment..Sara

      Delete
  16. Dear Sara,

    My congratulations to you for being Poet of the Month. This is a remarkable poem on strength. The strength your Grandmother had as she endured her own tragic circumstances is wonderfully woven into a story of inspiration that you can go on and have a fulfilling life. Thank you, Sara, for sharing a part of your history with us all.

    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra,

      Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read my work..
      I hope that all people will start sharing part of their life in poetic form so we can all learn from each other..

      Sara

      Delete
    2. Sandra,

      Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read my work..
      I hope that all people will start sharing part of their life in poetic form so we can all learn from each other..

      Sara

      Delete
  17. Hi Sara. Thank you for providing me with some encouraging strength with your poem "Strength." I really needed a pick-me-up. Also, congratulations on being named the "Poet of the Month" here at Whispers. What a well-deserved honor. Continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maurice,

      Thanks for the visit to my page..I appreciate you stopping by..We all need strength each day but some people just don't know that they need it..

      Sara

      Delete
    2. Maurice,

      Thanks for the visit to my page..I appreciate you stopping by..We all need strength each day but some people just don't know that they need it..

      Sara

      Delete
  18. Hi Sara, Congratulations on being selected Poet of the Month. I loved your heartfelt poem, it touched a chord in my spirit! I can't imagine losing my three sons, but I was suddenly widowed in 2007 & the gracious Lord brought a widower into my life in 2010, & the most wonderful part was that neither of us EVER intended to marry again, yet here we are married 4 years already! Faith in God was my hope & strength thru the darkness. Your grandmother left a lasting imprint because of her steadfast faith. There is a powerful message here to absorb! Thank you for sharing! God bless, Chris~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine, Sometimes we say that we won't do something but God changes our plan..I did not know my grandmother because I was adopted and I only saw her twice or three times in my life therefore, not enough time to get to know her..

      Sara

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