Wednesday, May 20, 2015

WHISPERS' SPECIAL ACTIVITY--FORM--9-1-1

Dear Friends,

It is a pleasure to share with you the 9-1-1 poems selected by our talented Joan McNerney, Activity Editor for May. Evie Ivy developed this wonderful form which was fun to work with.

9-1-1 Form Criteria

It is basically a poetic sentence with a bit of urgency to it. It can be titled or untitled. It can be lyrical, funny or both.

First line is 9 syllables (this is not so strict, can be 8 or 10)
Next line is 1
And last line is 1.

Thank you to all the contributors and especially, Joan, for sharing these enjoyable poems for us to read.  Please take time to comment and thank Joan for her hard work on this.  If you missed the deadline, feel free to share 9-1-1 poems in the comments section.

Happy writing!

Karen O’Leary
Whispers’ Editor
_____________________________

How do you keep from reaching for what’s
not
there?

By Evie Ivy
_____________________________

Interfaith Council

A priest, a rabbi, and an imam
                share
                                   jokes.

By Robert P. Hansen
_____________________________

The fragrance of a new-born poem…
it
breathes

By Ralph Stott
_____________________________

True love: riding each threatening wave
with
trust

By Paul Callus
_____________________________

Queuing round the block for a concert
sell
out

By Jack Horne
_____________________________

Writing a note with disappearing ink
dear
john

By Barbara Tate
_____________________________

I feel the warmth of her outstretched arms
my
Mum

By Anne Curran
_____________________________

We’ve found the owls’ nest—mother owl asks:
Who?
Who?

By Kelley J. White
_____________________________

All the greens of spring are opening
our
eyes

By Joan McNerney
_____________________________

And so you said you “loved me” . . . and so
you
said . . .

By Evie Ivy
_____________________________

Tragedy, floods and earthquakes!
sad
news

By Beth Winchcombe
_____________________________

Stories surround us, daily begging
tell
me

By Charlene McCutcheon
_____________________________

Arachne

She weaves spider-web plots--shimmery
death
traps.

By Elizabeth Howard
_____________________________

Weather prediction tornado watch
black
clouds

By Sara Kendrick
_____________________________

His mate checked twice before yelling out,
"Check-
mate!'

By Karen O’Leary
_____________________________

Hooting at midnight, shadow silent
wing
wind

By Kelley J. White
_____________________________

Spring brings lots of flowers, blossoms and
green
grass.

By David Fox
_____________________________

It was finally  music  that  set
the
steps

By Evie Ivy
_____________________________

A playful autumn breeze lifts girls' skirts
up
high

By Anne Curran
_____________________________

Distressed, yet visibly popular
blue
jeans

By Paul Callus
_____________________________

Someday…

politicians will make promises
they’ll
keep.

By Robert P. Hansen
_____________________________

When I am worried and all alone
I
pray

By Charlene McCutcheon
_____________________________

Fairies, floating, towards earth
through
clouds

By Beth Winchcombe
_____________________________

Like clothing that has been washed—you hang
it
up

By Evie Ivy
_____________________________

High winds, giant rain drops and hail fall
dark
dark

By Sara Kendrick
_____________________________

Rustling of leaves tell the story
fall's
here

By Barbara Tate
_____________________________

Pigeons take flight up on the rooftops
grey
skies

By Ralph Stott
_____________________________
Posted by at

22 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 20, 2015 at 4:51 AM

    These are all wonderful, thank you for sharing these glorious poems!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 20, 2015 at 5:19 AM

      Wow! You're quick Russell. I was just printing out the article and realized you already had a comment posted. Thank you for your kind words. Have a good day!

      Best wishes,
      Karen

      Delete
  2. UnknownMay 20, 2015 at 5:26 AM

    Karen,
    Thanks for printing my 9-1-1 attempt. Also welcome to Evie as I don't believe she has posted here before -- though I do know her from a few other magazines.
    Your friend,
    David Fox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 20, 2015 at 8:34 AM

      Dear David,

      Evie has not been a contributor here before but she asked that some of her poems be published since she developed the form. People don't have to current contributors to participate in these activities. Thank you for sharing your poem for this collection. I appreciate the support.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 20, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    These 9-1-1 are so much fun. I enjoy each and every one of them. Thank you to all for sharing your work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 20, 2015 at 8:36 AM

      Dear Barbara,

      Thank you so much for participating in this activity by share your talent. I was impressed with the different approaches and different topics. I enjoyed them too. Thank you for your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. pdfrenchMay 20, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    Nice collection of work, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 20, 2015 at 8:37 AM

      Dear Peggy,

      I agree. Maybe you'll come up with one to add here in the comments section. I appreciate your encouraging words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. paul callusMay 20, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Thank you for the opportunity to try out a new form. Well done to all who took part.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 20, 2015 at 10:06 AM

      Dear Paul,

      Thank you for participating in this fun activity. Joan did a great job selecting the poems for publication. I appreciate your ongoing support.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMay 20, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    Thank you, Joan McNerney, for curating such a wonderful selection of work. I've enjoyed reading these. - Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 20, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      Glad you enjoyed these Laura. Joan did such a good job with this activity. Thank you, both, Laura and Joan for being a part of Whispers!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  7. Karen O'LearyMay 21, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Thank you, Victoria Anderson-Throop, for the following--

    Two Monks at the Temple Gate

    Amidst saffron robes blessed hand reveals
    cell
    phone

    Laughing-robed companion brandishes
    ice
    cream

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 21, 2015 at 9:21 AM

      Dear Victoria,

      I really enjoyed the humor in your poem. Such a creative use of the 9-1-1 form. Thank you for sharing your words with us.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. Marianne SzlykMay 25, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    The 9-1-1 form really allows for much creativity and many moods. Thank you for inventing the form, Evie, and thank you, Joan, for running the contest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 25, 2015 at 4:47 PM

      Dear Marianne,

      Joan deserves a lot of thanks for bringing this opportunity to Whispers. Thank you for your kind words. Hope you try this form some time.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. Marianne SzlykMay 27, 2015 at 9:27 AM

      Yes, it might be a good way to get back into poetry again after my semester, Karen.

      Delete
    3. Karen O'LearyJune 17, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      Dear Marianne,

      Will be glad to have you participating in activities over the summer. Thank you for all you do for Whispers.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  9. AnonymousMay 26, 2015 at 1:58 PM

    Congratulations everyone. I really can't get into naming specific pieces because I honestly love all the entries. Thank you all for sharing your talents. Continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 26, 2015 at 3:17 PM

      Dear Maurice,

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Joan and the contributors really did a wonderful job bringing this form to Whispers. Hope you have time to try it.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  10. UnknownSeptember 19, 2015 at 10:30 AM

    Enjoyed the above writes, Good to see the style you have developed Evie..'
    and good of Joan to put them on..'

    ReplyDelete
  11. Karen O'LearySeptember 19, 2015 at 4:21 PM

    Dear Joe,

    Thank you for your kind words. Joan did a wonderful job putting this activity together for us to enjoy.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

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