Poet of the Month-- Marianne Szlyk

Travels with the White Ghosts

By Marianne Szlyk

As the two of them left the city,
flurries drifted onto the white car
like the ashes of a dozen term papers,
a hundred used books,
and a thousand letters from friends
burnt in a bonfire.

From the passenger’s seat,
she looked back.

He grinned and kept going.
This was another good-bye,
another sack or two
of mail returned to sender,
another adventure
in a half-lifetime of them.
Only this time he
was in the driver’s seat.

Together, the two of them inched
down the coast on back roads,
on dirt roads
through places where one could die.
They were escaping from a fire
down knotted sheets,
each one shorter than the last.

North of San Francisco,

they finally fell short,
landing hard in a small town.

Without him,
she rode the bus east,
leaving the white ghosts behind.
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From the editor--It is a pleasure to announce that Marianne Szlyk is October’s Poet of the Month.  She is a talented, published writer and the editor of The song is...  Marianne is an encouraging voice at Whispers, posting thoughtful comments which others appreciate.  She participates in our community activities and has collaborated on a poem that was featured at our online journal last month. She encourages others to share in our Whispers community.  It is a joy to honor Marianne this month!
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Thoughts on “Travels with the White Ghosts”--The intriguing title captured my attention right away, an asset for any poem.  The pace and the mystery of Marianne’s verse kept me wondering what was next.  Her skillful use of imagery provides a unique view.  It is a gift to share Marianne’s words with you!
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Congratulations and thank you Marianne!  I appreciate all you do and have done for Whispers.
 
Sincerely,

Karen O’Leary, Editor