Dear Whispers’ Friends,
It is with mixed emotion that I write this November editor’s column. While I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, I know many of you are dealing with difficult challenges. I hope you can find peace and some joy in the midst of your struggles.
I am sad to report that Erich Goller passed away on November 14. We also said good-by to Beth Winchcombe last month. I hope to do a tribute to Erich, but am waiting for family consent. I respect the need for people’s privacy especially in the time of deep loss. Like Beth, Erich was a friend that I will miss. Please keep both of these writers and their families in your prayers.
It’s hard sometimes to find “Peace on Earth and Good Will to Man” in the wake of violence like the France terrorist attacks, the beheadings and murders in the Mideast and elsewhere in the world, and the stunning wave of teen violence. Yet there are births and other celebrations of life Pope Francis reminded us of in his visits to various countries. His message of love was a vision of hope for the future.
For those that have been rocked and devastated by violence--
Prayer for France and the World
I pray you know peace--
to walk safe streets
to make choices without fear
to truly know freedom
I wish you the gift of hope--
to share a child’s smile
to reach beyond survival
to dream new dreams
I hope you have faith--
to seek understanding
to share a new vision
to know in God all is possible
Please join me in prayer and hope as we walk into the next year. May our leaders find ways to settle their differences in peace instead of bloodshed. May we extend our own hands to those around us instead of judging others with different ideas than our own. May our words resound around the world as a Whispers’ community spreading light and hope.
Please add your own thoughts and prayers as my words are just a humble beginning. Thank you to each and every one of you that make our online journal/poetry community possible.
Blessings,
Karen O’Leary
I pray with you for peace, and share with you the gift of hope, seeking as you do, understanding, and a knowledge that all is possible with God.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about the ache so many of us feel, the fear. " Make us an instrument of your peace, Lord." Substitute whatever name you feel comfortable with in place of Lord. Best wishes to all of you.
Dear Mary Jo,
ReplyDeleteWhat bright light you are! Yes, we don't have to share the same faith to pray for a vision that reaches beyond all barriers in peace. Thank you for being a part of this journey toward understanding and healing.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Karen, your sincere prayer and thoughts are a reflection of what most of us believe in. Love, peace and good health is what I pray for. May those struggling with personal problems find solutions and peace of mind. God bless. // paul
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
DeleteThank you for adding your prayers to our outreach to those who are struggling. The candles in our writing community really make a difference. You are one of those candles, my friend. Keep your light shining.
Blessings,
Karen
My prayers are for everyone. In France, and Beth and Erich's family. We live in desperate times, as the Bible foretold. Keep strong in fairh, and know God will soon put an end to pain and suffering. In my prayers. Best wishes. Pete.
ReplyDeleteDear Peter,
DeleteThank you for your prayers. I know your faith comes from God, my friend. I appreciate you joining in this international outreach to others.
Many blessings,
Karen
This poem for peace radiates positive energy around the world, and is a beacon of light for all of us. Now more than ever we need to keep hope, faith and peace alive, a shimmering energy that flows into the world. This beautiul poem is a reminder of our light and a validation of our longing to make a difference. Thank you for publishing this source of inspiration. As with reading any great poem, I am changed.
ReplyDeleteDear Nila,
DeleteAs always, you are such a bright light wherever you go with your words of encouragement that have been so uplifting to me and others. It means a lot to me to have you a part of this outreach to others, my friend. We can't lose our hope despite our struggles. Thank you for your kind words.
Love and blessings,
Karen
May peace astound us
ReplyDeleteas love surrounds us.
I wrote this a long time ago hopeful of a wonderful change of heart. Now I am not so sure this will ever come to pass. I was born in Brooklyn and actually worked at the World Trade Center for a few years. Glad I was not there then but am sick of the carnage and weary of human inhumanity. We can always pray and lift our spirits up to God.
Dear Joan,
DeleteAmen! Your two lines say it all! In the end, it will be the way God intended it and all the evil will be destroyed. I keep hope alive in my heart as without it, we would lose our ability to care. Can't understand people that get joy out of killing others. Thank you so much for adding your thoughts to this outreach. Together, we can make a difference.
Blessings,
Karen
These atrocities won't cease until men acknowledge the Prince of Peace, Jesus...Praying for Paris, America & the world to see that the light has dimmed because of the condition of the hearts of men. Thanks Karen for your words of hope, & for permitting us to express our own thoughts. Blessings to you & all the poets on Whispers...
ReplyDeleteDear Chris,
DeleteThank you for sharing your prayers and thoughts for our Whispers outreach. Through our words we can show the way of love and peace. Sometimes, people need to hear a better way and joining together we make a powerful appeal for a better way. Keep your light shining!
Blessings,
Karen
An Act Of War
ReplyDeleteParis is a city of neon lights, color and myth,
where people go out on a Friday night with
enthusiastic faces.
Eagles of Death Metal band, were rocking it
at Bataclan Hall play the oldies and latest hit,
covering all bases.
Happy voices and music mingle mid air,
for the city of light doesn’t have a care,
life moves merrily on.
And yet all of that is soon about to change,
their world will become bazar and strange,
their dreams all gone.
A human bomb tears into flesh and bone,
but that suicide bomber did not die alone,
the carnage’s begun.
At multiple locations near and in the city,
people are brutally murdered without pity,
madmen with a gun.
Men of fanatical faith, filled with hate,
using religion to kill, choose their fate,
martyrs for a cause.
Innocence slaughtered in Allah's name,
bought ISIS scorn and infamous shame,
and fickle applause.
We commiserate with the people of France,
this was more than a depraved act of chance,
this was an act of war!
To prevent such atrocities the world must unite,
and eradicate ISIS bases with a military might,
like never seen before!
By: Emile Pinet
Dear Emile,
DeleteThere has been no united effort to foster peace and not let groups like ISIS gain control in the first place. I am embarrassed at how weak our president has been, deserting the Iraq people when they were just beginning to find hope in a more peaceful country. I can remember how proud the people were with their purple fingers voting in their first free election. We can find that hope again with a more united and loving world. Thank you for joining in this outreach. Words have the power to make a difference.
Best wishes
Karen
For France
ReplyDeleteA Time To
A time to
grieve,
a time to forgive.
A time to
say prayers,
a time to
be with loved ones.
Shirley Smothers
Dear Shirley,
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts for this outreach to the world that is being devastated by violence. Prayer and love are powerful. Keep your light shining.
Blessings,
Karen
We surely know that what is lacking in our world is that mutual accomplishment among persons, nations and religions, making secure a greatness of our race of humans, be whites, blacks, yellows or browns. Our hope must be for the improvement of our efforts, using the better we can of our mind, heart, intellect and, above all, a lot of kindness. We poets can be a beacon of light on this vision of a new and better world. This is my desire at the end of the fifteenth year of our third millennium A.D.
ReplyDeleteDear Edilson,
ReplyDeleteWell said!! Yes, we can advance toward peace with love and a common purpose. Your thoughtful reflection is powerful. Thank you for sharing your words for this Whispers' outreach. Together, we can make a difference.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you dear Karen for your heartfelt thoughts. Even in the midst of adversity, God is here for each of us.
ReplyDeleteI have a dear friend from France who lives in Virginia and has many family members living in Paris. She was frantic when she heard the news and tried to get hold of her family. Finally Saturday night all were accounted for to her great relief. In fact they were blessed. One of the families live very near the Café that was bombed and they were not home at the time. Another family member t had planned on attending the concert, but the last minute was sent out of town with his work..
My prayers are certainly with those families who are suffering the loss of their loved ones as well as praying for peace and comfort to all those effected by terrorists attacks.
Love, Charlene
Dear Charlene,
DeleteThank you for sharing this personal experience from your friend from France. How frightening not knowing if her relatives were alive or dead. I'm glad that her family was accounted for and none lost their lives. So many families didn't have that news. I hope our outreach and prayers will give those that last loved ones some comfort as they grieve.
Thank you for sharing in this outreach, my friend. It is in times like these we have the ability to make a difference.
Love and blessings,
Karen
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this dedication to such sad and disheartening things that are going on in our world today. I was sad when Beth passed away and I am equally sad to know that Erich has passed away. They are in my prayers as well as their families.
My heart and prayers go out to the situations and circumstances that we face in our world today. It is truly a tragedy some of the things that go on today like what happened in France. So many wicked and evil people in this world who have no saving relationship with Christ. It's hard not to cry sometimes when we read and hear about the hurt and suffering that people go through. My prayer is that God's hand of justice will fall upon the evildoer that continues to hurt others and remain unrepentant, as well as His hand of protection covering the innocent, saved, and those who can't defend themselves. In Jesus name I pray this and all things. Amen.
-MJ
Dear Maurice,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for this international outreach. We have a chance to be beacons through our words. I share your concern for those that are being harmed. I hope 2016 is a more peaceful time than these last few years has been.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, James Marshall Goff, for the following--
ReplyDeleteMemories like clouds
Drifting past sunshine and storms
Seed catalog arrives!
Dear Jim,
DeleteThank you so much for your poem for our outreach to those devastated by terrorism. May the seeds planted yield the gift of hope. Best wishes to you, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Joe Maverick, for the following--
ReplyDeleteAt Christmas-Tide
I see events.' Life existing versus the life possible.
I see a record.' Life given to death, to defeat destruction.
I see life freed, observe exploitation..' consumers eating.'
I see Abdication, recognise infiltration, realise application
I see The season, deceit deceiving the father of soot in tinged lies.'
I see substitution red, an unholy covering that's so unrevealing
I see the answer, Abba Alpha Omega your Kingdom come one true Father above!
Dear Joe,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your thought-provoking poem. In this season, hopefully, people see love instead of hate.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Angelee Deodhar,for the following--
ReplyDeletemoonglow-
the same on refugee tents
palace guards
Dear Angelee,
DeleteThank you so much for this amazing haiku. You writing has a depth that amazes me. I appreciate having you join in this outreach. I know our words show we care. That means a lot.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Ali Znaidi, for the following--
ReplyDeleteTerrorism is an idea. Although it has no faith, the most brutal terrorist acts are performed by those who misunderstand religious beliefs and creeds. That’s why there is an urge today to disseminate counter-ideas, especially those of life, love, beauty, tolerance, and peace.
Dear Ali,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this powerful message for our ongoing outreach. I agree with you--only with love, reaching out, can we truly be at peace.
Blessings,
Karen
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI feel for the people in France and those hurt by terrorism, wherever they are. Terrorism is a terrible thing and it shows no one country is immune!
?Your friend,
David Fox
Dear David,
DeleteThank you for these words of concern for all those devastated by terrorism. Let's keep them in our prayers.
Blessings,
Karen
We will continue to pray, to reach out with love, the kind of love that loves our brother as ourselves. Let us hold hands across borders.
ReplyDeleteDear Mary Jo,
DeleteI love the idea of holding hands across borders. Thank you for your encouraging and uplifting words.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Ken Allan Dronsfield, for the following--
ReplyDeleteAngel Feathers Over Paris
Walking the busy lane searching for a meal;
suddenly explosions, screams and shouts;
we run and hide, the scene totally surreal;
Keeping heads down, bullets striking about.
Sirens wail and the police finally prevail;
the night lights up with burning embers.
death all over, the horrid treachery unveiled
On an Autumn night in mid-November.
Country living or near the Eiffel Tower,
our faith, hope and strength are one together.
For the treachery and fright, we place flowers;
Blessings that Night of Fallen Angel Feathers.
By Ken Allan Dronsfield
Dear Ken,
DeleteThis is an amazing poem. Love the line "our faith, hope and strength are one together" as this is how this world moves forward through devastating times. Thank you so much for being a part of this ongoing outreach.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you so much Karen...just trying to display a bit of solidarity with those now have to fight terrorism.....
DeleteBlessings,
Ken
Dear Ken,
DeleteWith hands and hearts, joined in prayer, we can make a difference.
Many blessings,
Karen
nice!
ReplyDeleteDear ayaz,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. I glad you found merit in this endeavor.
Blessings,
Karen
Lovely message, my friend. So sad about the recent happenings in Paris and also to hear of Erich's passing. I only knew him a little through Pat's site, but he was always very gracious & generous with his comments. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteDear Jack,
DeleteThank you for your comforting words. It is a challenging time for our world. May our words and prayers bring some reason to hope.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Karen,
ReplyDeleteThis was my poem for France after that terrible massacre:
Die Tränen verlieren sich nicht
Die Blumen sind gestorben
und die Straßen bleiben leer.
Die Zunkunft
ist vergangen wie ein Traum.
Die Nacht zerriss
ihre Stille in Ahnungslosigkeit.
Das Leben hat Risse,
die Bäume in Asche.
Die Tränen verlieren sich nicht
mit den Tagen.
Es brennt, Brüder, es brennt!
(Nos pensés sont avec le victimes de Paris!)
Tears Will Not Be lost
The flowers have died
and the streets remain empty.
The future
has passed like a dream.
The night
tore apart its silence
in ignorance.
Life has cracks,
the trees in the ashes.
The tears will not be lost
with the days.
It burns, brothers, It burns!
(Our thoughts are with the victims of Paris)
Blessings,
Gert
Dear Gert,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this powerful poem for our ongoing outreach to the people of France and others that are dealing with the devastation of terrorism. I hope in pray that 2016 will be a gentler time where people can link hands in peace.
Blessings,
Karen
The light of the world enters with prayer. I join you'll in your prayer for peace and harmony. Thanks
ReplyDeleteDear JT,
DeleteThank you for joining us in thoughts and prayers. It is how the healing begins. Your closing line captures the essence of this ongoing this ongoing outreach.
Blessings,
Karen
Such shock and pain, and yet hatred so often brings new hatred. I too pray for peace, for understanding, for kindness as we enter the time of increasing light.
DeleteDear Kelley,
ReplyDeleteIf more people shared your vision the world would definitely be a better place. I like the idea of a "time of increasing light." Thank you so much for sharing in this international outreach.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Peter Dome, for the following--
ReplyDeleteNew World
Pray God's people
For love and peace
Promise will be true
Suffering be gone
And make a world anew.
Dear Peter,
DeleteThank you for this prayer/poem. Your vision for the world is so uplifting. I will keep praying with you.
Blessings,
Karen
Terror Rains Down
ReplyDeleteTwelve
lie
murdered
in the street
as masked gunmen flee.
What have the olive branches done?
___________________
I pray for a more peaceful world in 2016.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Connie, for this wonderful poem--
ReplyDeleteParis in Turmoil (Etheree)
I
held the
hand of a
stranger lying
face down with flying
bullets spraying the room,
killing, striking so many
innocents frozen in terror.
As I fled I realized she was
dead from terrorist's merciless melee.
© Connie Marcum Wong
Note: I wrote this about a recent story on the news that
touched me deeply. I am praying for all those who are suffering.
Dear Connie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a moving and powerful poem. It is heartbreaking to see all those that have been devastated by the reign of terrorism. Thank you for praying. I am too.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Ann Marie, for the following--
ReplyDelete"through winds and light"
I see the land in harmony
a mystery of growth
replenished are seeds
through winds and light
--ann marie mazzarella--
Dear Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteYour vision gives one hope despite the destruction. I pray we find more harmony in the world this year. Thank you for sharing in this outreach.
Blessings,
Karen
Good Evening Karen
ReplyDeleteIt is I who thank you. Truly. There are no words for what is happening all around the world today. There doesn't seem to be peace. May there be harmony once again through winds and light. Sincerely, Ann Marie Mazzarella
Dear Ann Marie,
DeleteIt's all of us together, sharing words of truth and hope that make a difference. Thank you for sharing your words of peach and light.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Blanca, for the following--
ReplyDelete~Raining Tears Over Paris~
The sound of evil pulling the trigger of hate...
shook the calm of that day in Paris,
Angel feathers spreading across the ground...
shattering the dreams of innocent souls.
Tears and prayers in silence...
to save their precious lives, the fear in the eyes...
their hearts bleeding inside. Friday the 13th of November...
the day that it rained tears over Paris.
By Blanca Alicia Garza
Dear Blanca,
ReplyDeleteThis is a moving and heartfelt poem. Thank you for sending this for out outreach to France and other countries that are dealing with terrorism.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you so much Karen for allowing me to contribute to the Whisper's Family and express a few words to the people of France.
DeleteBlessings,
Blanca
Dear Blanca,
DeleteThank you so much for taking part of encouraging those who have lost so much.
Blessings,
Karen
Blanca,
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute of solidarity with the people of France!
Thank you very much for your kind words Ken.
DeleteBlessings,
Blanca
Thank you, Ken and Blanca, for being a part of this ongoing thread for the support of those that have lost so much. It is when writers reach beyond ourselves and join together in efforts like this that give us a chance to make a difference.
DeleteBlessings,
Karen