Saturday, December 19, 2015

Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By Barbara Tate with Karen O'Leary--United States

Tan Renga--

Barbara Tate, Winchester TN
Karen O'Leary, West Fargo, ND

dementia
pointing the finger
at phantom pain

her eyes sparkle
as she calls my name

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

Barbara Tate, Winchester, TN
Karen O'Leary, West Fargo, ND

thunderbird
the distant growl
of a coming storm

dad's slurred voice roars
outside the door

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

Editor’s note—It was such a joy
to work with Barbara on these
Tan Renga.  Thank you, Barbara,
for all you do for our Whispers
community.
Posted by at

41 comments:

  1. Michael ToddDecember 19, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    What are the odds, I was listening to Glen Campbell when I happened upon this collaboration...

    A perfect measure of simpatico, Barbara & Karen, both enlightening and engaging.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 19, 2015 at 2:04 PM

      Dear Michael,

      Thank you so much, my friend. What a joy to have you back at Whispers. Barbara was the inspiration for these poems. I enjoyed the endeavor.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:35 PM

      Thank you. This has truly made my day. It is an honor to work with Karen and hope for an inspirational and creative '16.

      Delete
  2. Jack HorneDecember 19, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    love this heartfelt write - great work, both of you xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 19, 2015 at 2:05 PM

      Dear Jack,

      Thank you so much, my friend. I'm glad you enjoyed our poems. I appreciate all you do for our writing community.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:37 PM

      I feel honored. Thank you

      Delete
  3. UnknownDecember 19, 2015 at 3:45 PM

    Barbara and Karen,
    These are quite good. Did Barbara write the first 3 lines and you came up with the other two, in these Karen? Great poems.
    Your friend,
    David Fox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 19, 2015 at 4:02 PM

      Dear David,

      You are correct. Thank you so much for your kind words. It was fun working on these with Barbara.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. Ken Allan DronsfieldDecember 19, 2015 at 4:07 PM

      Love the collaborative ties that bind on this piece...nice job to both!

      Delete
    3. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 9:29 AM

      Dear Ken,

      What an encouraging voice your are here at Whispers. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    4. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:41 PM

      I am so blessed to have found Whispers. Everyone's friendship means more than I can say.

      Delete
    5. Karen O'LearyDecember 21, 2015 at 5:41 PM

      Thank you so much for your kind words, Barbara. I'm so glad you found Whispers, too.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. CharleneDecember 19, 2015 at 5:45 PM

    Quite an interesting collaboration. I really liked the picturesque way the two were tied together. Great job Barbara and Karen.
    Love, Charlene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 9:32 AM

      Dear Charlene,

      Thank you so much for your lovely comments, my friend. What a joy to have you at Whispers, sharing the gift of words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:43 PM

      Thank you. Am looking forward to '16.

      Delete
  5. angeleeDecember 19, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    Dear Barbara and dear Karen,
    liked what you wrote,best always,angelee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 9:33 AM

      Dear Angelee,

      Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend. I appreciate the light that you are here at Whispers and in the writing community at large.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:44 PM

      Thank you

      Delete
  6. Jo BalistreriDecember 19, 2015 at 6:10 PM

    I don't know who said heartfelt, but it is what I felt. Let me scroll up--thanks Jack--it is exactly that. Collaborations are wonderful ways to work with others and inspire each other.
    Way to go Barbara and Karen. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 9:36 AM

      Dear Mary Jo,

      Heartfelt means a lot to me as it is always a joy to know that one's writing enables others to feel some connection. Thank you for your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:47 PM

      Thank you. I feel the same way as Karen. "Heartfelt" means so much.

      Delete
  7. Marianne SzlykDecember 19, 2015 at 9:54 PM

    Yes, this is a wonderful, inspired collaboration. I think that you work well together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 9:37 AM

      Dear Marianne,

      Thank you so much. I hope we can collaborate on more pieces in the new year as Barbara is talented and fun to work with. I appreciate your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:50 PM

      Thank you. I'll hold Karen to that. She writes some good strong lines. I'll be looking forward to it.

      Delete
  8. sheikha !December 20, 2015 at 1:53 AM

    Oh, these are brilliant! Love the anomalies!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Dear Sheika,

    Wow! I thank you so much for your zealous review. Your words sure brought a smile to my face. It was a pleasure working with Barbara on these poems.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousDecember 20, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    These are truly lovely. - Laura M Kaminski

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 3:50 PM

      Thank you so much, Laura! Barbara was the inspiration for these poems. It was a joy working with her.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  11. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    Thank you, Andrea Dietrich, for the following--

    very nice. I enjoyed your work in that form.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 20, 2015 at 4:06 PM

      Thank you, Andrea, for you kind words. Barbara was the inspiration--I kind of tagged along. It was fun working on these with her. Glad you enjoyed them.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 20, 2015 at 4:55 PM

      Thank you but Karen wrote the truly strong lines and brought the whole thing together.

      Delete
    3. Karen O'LearyDecember 21, 2015 at 5:43 PM

      Thank you so much for your kind words, Barbara. What a treat to work with you.

      Karen

      Delete
  12. Goddess Of Small ThingsDecember 20, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    Loved these two Renga. Thank you for this inspiring writing.
    Nalini Priyadarshni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 21, 2015 at 5:45 PM

      Dear Nalini,

      Thank you for your kind words. It is such a pleasure to have you a part of the Whispers community.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  13. OzymandiasDecember 24, 2015 at 6:15 AM

    I simply loved both of them, they touched a raw nerve.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 24, 2015 at 2:13 PM

      Dear Raamesh,

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. It was fun working on these with Barbara. I appreciate your ongoing support.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  14. AnonymousDecember 24, 2015 at 12:35 PM

    wel done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 24, 2015 at 2:14 PM

      Thanks ayaz! What a gift you are to the writing community. I really appreciate your encouragement and support.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. Sara KendrickDecember 27, 2015 at 10:58 AM

      I could feel the heart break of dementia in these..Sara

      Delete
    3. Karen O'LearyDecember 28, 2015 at 1:57 PM

      Dear Sara,

      It is important that the poetry conveys meaning so your comment is greatly appreciated by me. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete

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