Thursday, October 15, 2015

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

26 comments:

  1. Marianne,
    A great poem rich with vivid imagery! Congratulations on your honor!
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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  2. three (and more) cheers for poetic heroine Marianne!

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    1. Thank you, ayaz daryl...and thank you for sending your poems to my blog-zine!

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    1. Thank you, Jim :) Leaving Eugene, OR was a real turning point.

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  4. Great piece, congrtatulations Marianne!

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  5. Few poets can describe so well ghosts (mainly the white ones) like Marianne Szlyk! Congratulations on being the Poetry of the Month!

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    1. Thank you, Edilson :) Have you been to Sandy Benitez' Black Poppy Review? That blog-zine is full of ghosts!

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  6. What a fabulous and intriguing write. I really enjoyed reading this tremendous poem this evening. You have entranced me by your fascinating words within this awesome piece here. Great work! Congratulations on your honor!!

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  7. Interesting love gone bad story..Creative way to go with the topic..Sara

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  8. Congratulations Marianne on being selected Poet of the Month! Thanks for sharing your talent here on Whispers! Good wishes, Chris~

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  9. Lovely imagery and tangible emotion; well deserving of Poet of the Month. Congratulations, Marianne.

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  10. Love and breakups...getting rid of white ghosts...mail returned to sender. Excellent poem, Marianne, and congrats on being honoured with Poet of the Month. ~ Regards // paul

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    1. Thank you very much, Paul. I just saw your note. October has flown by, and now November is, too. :)

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  11. This poem is simply outstanding! Congratulations on being honored with Poet of the Month. Very deserving! Blessings, Connie

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    1. Thank you very much, Connie. :) I'm glad that you liked my poem so much.

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  12. Hi Linda. Congratulations for being named "Poet of the Month." Thank you as well for the wonderful poem you shared. Continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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    1. Thank you, MJ. I hope that your fall is going well.

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