Friday, January 30, 2015

Twilight Splendor/Milestone Thoughts--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Twilight Splendor

Autumn’s colorful hues
    have come and gone.

Silver strands replace
    youth’s golden tresses.
Gentle strength flows
    through her wrinkled hands.
Though bones ache,
    a smile lights her face.
Her fragile body encases
    a warm, generous heart.
When she eases into a room,
    others pause in awe.

In the middle of winter,
    her faith flows on.
_________________________

January 15 marked two years of Whispers!  Two days ago, we passed the 90,000 view milestone.  This is a tribute to all the talented contributors who share their words for our online journal.  It has been such a pleasure working not only with gifted writers but with kind, caring people too.  Thank you so much for making Whispers possible.  Wishing all of you the best wherever your writing journeys lead.  Thank you, also, to our readers and those that leave comments.  I appreciate your support and encouragement.
 
Blessings,

Karen O’Leary
Whispers’ Editor
_________________________

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.
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52 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 9:33 AM

    Thank you Karen, for writing this beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world and for all the beautiful poetry you have shared. Thank you for giving your poets such a beautiful venue. You are an inspiration to me -- and to so many!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    Dear Nila,

    Thank you, soul sister, for supporting me in all that I do, all that I am. What a gift to receive these words today. You are such a light in the world and a blessing too.

    Love,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Thank you, Lois Greene Stone, for the following--

    You painted a beautiful picture with words. I could both 'see' and 'feel' what you were depicting. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend. Best, Lois

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    Dear Lois,

    Thank you for your kind words. It is good to have you a part of Whispers. I appreciate all your encouragement and support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  5. pdfrenchJanuary 30, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Nice work and congratulations on your two years!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:21 AM

      Dear Peggy,

      Thank you. Whispers would not be possible without creative and encouraging people like you. Best wishes with Shemom and all your other writing endeavors.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. pdfrenchJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:45 AM

      Dear Karen,

      Thanks so much! Appreciate the support and kind words.

      Best,
      Peggy

      Delete
    3. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 1:53 PM

      Dear Peggy,

      I appreciate your support too. Thank you for being such a positive voice in the writing community.

      Best wishes,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:08 AM

    An excellent poem and congratulations....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:23 AM

      Dear David,

      Thank you for these lovely words. The milestones are a tribute to you and all the other talented people that share their words for Whispers.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  7. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    Hi Karen,
    I loved this poem. Congratulations for your wonderful Whispers, may it continue
    To grow and prosper.
    Love
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 1:55 PM

      Dear Yvonne,

      Thank you for your kind words and for being a part of Whispers. Without talented people like you my friend, our online journal would not be possible.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    Beautiful Karen and so pertinent to those of us in our twilight years. Robert

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 1:57 PM

      Dear Robert,

      Thank you for your kind words my friend and for being a part of Whispers. Wishing you the best!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  9. paul callusJanuary 30, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    This is such a lovely poem, Karen, and the final two lines turn cold into warmth. Congratulations for Whisper's milestone!! All the best and God bless. // paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 1:59 PM

      Dear Paul,

      Thank you for these lovely words today, for your support and your encouragement. It's talented people like you that make Whispers a creative community. God bless you too!

      Warm regards,
      Karen

      Delete
  10. CharleneJanuary 30, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    Dearest Karen, congratulations on two years of an amazing on line journal of poetry that uplifts and encourages so many. I am so thrilled to be a tiny part of it. I love your poem that has such vivid imagery. Winter of course comes and goes but Whispers will stay I my heart forever with it's warmth and sunshine.
    Love, Charlene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 2:02 PM

      Dear Charlene,

      Thank you for these heartwarming words today, my friend. You are so supportive and encouraging to me an others, a bright light in the world. Thank you for helping to make Whispers possible.

      Love,
      Karen

      Delete
  11. Joan MackJanuary 30, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    Thank you for this poem about the tenacity of winter, it is absolutely lovely and thank you for whispers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 2:04 PM

      Dear Joan,

      What lovely words to read today! Thank you so much. It is a joy to have you a part of the Whispers family.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  12. Jack HorneJanuary 30, 2015 at 1:36 PM

    beautiful write, my friend - and big congrats for your well deserved success xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 2:06 PM

      Dear Jack,

      Thank you for these kind words today, my friend, and for your ongoing encouragement. You have been with Whispers since the beginning. Without writers like you this online journal/poetry community would not be possible.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  13. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    Thank you, Beth Winchcombe, for the following--

    WOW Karen, what a wonderful way you've expressed the winter of life....the winter of life where I now dwell. So many memories to look back upon! I feel blessed that I've lived beyond the three score years and ten. Each year is a bonus. I would be so pleased if you could enter that comment for me!

    You're such a treasure,
    Bless you,
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  14. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 2:11 PM

    Dear Beth,

    What a gift to receive your words today. You are a treasure too, my friend. Thank you for being a part of the Whispers family and for your encouragement and support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Michael G. SmithJanuary 30, 2015 at 4:32 PM

    Congratulations, Karen! Beautiful poem, too. For me the metaphor of wonderful, optimistic and gently aging Earth is embedded in it too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    Dear Michael,

    Congratulations to you too! It's talented writers like you that make our online journal/poetry community possible. Thank you so much for your kind words on my poem.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  17. Michael ToddJanuary 30, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    I enjoyed this. I related to it, on many levels, all good.

    Thanks for sharing some of your writing here, Karen. Always a treat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 7:50 PM

      Dear Michael,

      Thank you so much for your kind words and for the uplifting voice you are in the writing community. It's so good to have you a part of Whispers!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  18. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 7:13 PM

    Very nice, Karen. And congratulations on two years of Whispers. And 90,000 hits!
    That proves that you are an inspiration to so many people. Thanks for all you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 30, 2015 at 7:51 PM

      Dear Pat,

      Thank you so much for your kind words. It's so good to have you back at Whispers. I appreciate all the encouragement you give me my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  19. ranu uniyalJanuary 30, 2015 at 11:23 PM

    A warm and gentle thought runs through this poem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 8:09 AM

      Dear Ranu,

      Thank you for your kind words. Good to see you back at Whispers. Wishing you the best.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  20. UnknownJanuary 31, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    Congratulations on two years with Whispers Karen. Your poem takes the chill out of winter by warming the heart ..I enjoyed reading it! Best wishes & God bless...Love, Chris~

    ReplyDelete
  21. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    Dear Christine,

    Congratulations to you too, my friend! It is encouraging people like you that make milestones at Whispers possible. Thank you for your lovely words on my poem. I appreciate your ongoing support more than I can express.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  22. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    Thank you, Robert Dufresne, for the following--

    KAREN ! What an extraordinarily beautiful, insightful, sensitive and powerful poem! One of my favorites. God bless you for that one! Just awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Dear Robert,

    Wow! You really made my day with your lovely words. Thank you so much. It is so good to have you a part of Whispers.

    Best wishes,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  24. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 9:03 AM

    Thank you, Jean Calkins, for the following--

    Loved the poem. Great success for only 2 years!

    Jean

    ReplyDelete
  25. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    Dear Jean,

    Thank you for your lovely words today. The success of Whispers is due to talented people like you being a part of it.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnielicaJanuary 31, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    Beautiful poem Karen, pondering thought, capture the heart and love within. Blessings sent with love, Leokadia

    ReplyDelete
  27. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 12:49 PM

    Dear Lee,

    Thank you for your lovely words and your ongoing encouragement. Your friendship is a gift in my life.

    Love,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2015 at 9:27 PM

    well done, Karen, as always. . .

    ReplyDelete
  29. Karen O'LearyJanuary 31, 2015 at 9:46 PM

    Thank you so much for your kind words and support ayaz. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors, including bear creek haiku.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lisa DFebruary 1, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    Just beautiful, Karen! Words to warm a chilly day. :) Thanks for Whispers and the opportunity to read and share our hearts with one another. God bless as you continue, with many more milestones to come!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Karen O'LearyFebruary 1, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    Dear Lisa,

    What a joy to read your lovely words today. It's people like you that are talented and encouraging that make Whispers possible. Thank you so much for all you do for our online journal.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownFebruary 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM

    Two years! So pleased to of joined in the early days of Whispers! Thanks for your hard work and dedication to make the journal possible. A marvellous poem to round off the years, best wishes Ralph.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyFebruary 2, 2015 at 9:08 AM

      Dear Ralph,

      It is so good to have you a part of Whispers! Thank you for your lovely words today. Your support and encouragement are greatly appreciated.

      Best wishes,
      Karen

      Delete
  33. Sara KendrickFebruary 2, 2015 at 2:58 AM

    Karen,

    Enjoyed reading your work honoring someone special in your life..It is a great sentimental work..

    Wonderful that the site is such a great success..It is a nice place to share wonderful poetry with others who are gifted with the guilded pen..

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyFebruary 2, 2015 at 9:10 AM

      Dear Sara,

      Thank you for your lovely comments today. It is people like you that make Whispers possible. I appreciate all your support and encouragement.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  34. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 6:59 AM

    Hi Karen. Thank you for the blessed poem and congratulations on Whispers' tremendous milestone, as well as the durability of seeing two great years. I appreciate you and everyone that I have met here at Whispers. I pray continued success for you and yours! -MJ

    ReplyDelete
  35. Karen O'LearyFebruary 2, 2015 at 9:07 AM

    Dear Maurice,

    Thank you for your kind words my friend. It is people like you that support and encourage others that make Whispers possible. Best wishes with Creative Inspirations and all your writing endeavors in 2015.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  36. Karen O'LearyMarch 5, 2015 at 4:40 PM

    Thank you, John Polselli, for the following--

    I love this one, Karen! Sad, yet the brightness of hope shines throughout. Very inspiring. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Karen O'LearyMarch 5, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    Dear John,

    Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement and support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

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