Dear
Contributors,
I
would like to devote this column to you.
I am so proud of all of you. We
are a community built of individuals, each one like a piece of a mosaic—unique in
style and voice—which no one else can replace.
You are touching the lives of others in ways you probably wouldn’t even
imagine.
The
level of poetry I’ve been receiving often has me sitting back in my chair in
awe. It is an honor and a joy to share
your gifts with our international readers, some so inspired by your words that
they become a part of journey by sharing their own poetry. That is a tribute to you!
When
I opened Whispers in 2013, I wanted
to create an online journal that connected writers from different circles in a positive
environment, one that offered the same opportunities to beginners and award
winners. I never dreamed that our circle
would widen to the scope of today. Thank
you for the encouragement and support you give me and other contributors.
We share joys, challenges, hardships and dreams. You have lifted up our readers with
inspiration and hope. Sometimes, you
make them laugh which brightens their days.
Sometimes, the difficulties you share comforts them as they realize that
they are not alone in what they are facing, and that they can move beyond the
hardship and pain to a season of new beginnings.
As
we lift up others, we are lifted up, too. I hope you continue to let your words
shine, not only at Whispers but
wherever you go. I’m a bit at a loss for
words to convey how grateful I am.
Please accept my heartfelt THANK YOU!
With
that I will leave you with this poem—
Magic
Dances On
Words
whisper
in
the misty
forest
of ideas.
Future
poems flit
like
butterflies,
often
tumbling
without
reason.
These
wildflowers
are
gladly gathered
by
the artist
to
map a trail.
Starlight
brightens
the
journey.
In
a serene den
by
the fireplace,
her
pen flows freely.
An
increasing resume
gives
the poet courage
to
share her song.
Blessings
and best wishes,
Karen
O’Leary
Whispers’ Editor
I have a blast here. The people are wonderful. The writing is fantastic. There is not a comparable community to be found.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Carry on...
"... gladly gathered
Deleteby the artist
to map a trail."
More like... a perfect road map. :)
Dear Michael,
DeleteWhat a joy you are! You are a ray of fresh light--sharing your beautiful sonnets and other wonderful pieces. Your writing is an inspiration for others. Thank you so much for being a part of the Whispers' journey.
Blessings,
Karen
Thanks for the wide imagination of the editor in his nice poem.
DeleteDear Aju,
DeleteThank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. It is good to have you a part of our Whispers' community.
Blessings,
Karen
Karen, so glad I discovered Whispers and have had the pleasure of working with you again and again…a true joy!! Congrats on all you have accomplished in a few short years 😀
ReplyDeleteDear Peggy,
DeleteThank you for your kind words. I am glad you discovered Whispers too. The pleasure of working together is mutual
Blessings and best wishes.
Karen
A very neat group...good to hear so many voices.
ReplyDeleteDear Joan,
DeleteI agree. And that those voices sharing wonderful poetry to keep readers coming back. Thank you, my friend. May your pen be busy sharing your talent.
Blessings and best wishes,
Karen
Thank you, Isha, for the following--
ReplyDeleteDear Karen:
My goodness, Karen. Your letter of gratitude to all poets is something wonderful. You excel yourself. And your poem: Magic Dances On, beautifully composed. I especially like the line "Starlight brightens the Journey" as we gaze into the night skies aware of this planet as the "pale blue dot" (Sagan) and now also aware of the immensity of the universe, something that only a few decades ago would have been unimaginable and a topic that would not have entered our consciousness. It is, as you say, a journey.
Thank you, Karen.
Yours sincerely
Isha Wagner
Dear Isha,
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy to get your kind and insightful words today. It is talented people that encourage others that are the backbone of our Online Journal/Poetry Community. It is such a pleasure to work with you. May your words always shine.
Blessings,
Karen
Karen, what an inspiring poem, and a magical letter to all of us. As Isha says so aptly, "your letter of gratitude to all poets is something wonderful. You excel yourself."Thank you for the words I was thinking, Isha. There are so many voices here, all unique, and definitely a community. We look out for each other, honor each voice. Everyone adds something only they can add. You have provided a safe place where poets are not afraid to try. Thank you. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteDear Mary Jo,
DeleteWhat a blessing you are to our writing community. It's so nice when people become friends. What a joy to have you here, sharing your wonderful poetry.
Love and blessings,
Karen O'Leary
Karen,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a blessing working with you all these years.
Your friend,
David Fox
Dear David,
DeleteIn those years, we have met many people we can now call friends. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors. Thank you for all you do for our Whispers community.
Blessings,
Karen
Dearest Karen, what a lovely tribute you pay to us. You must have been looking in a mirror with all your compliments. Back to ya, sweetie. I love this community of wonderful poets that inspire, bring a smile and courage to add my piece that makes up such a lovely "mosaic". I feel such a loving presence here on Whispers. That is why I enjoy coming here as often as possible, just to feel the love for not only writing poetry but also for each other. Love you dearly for all you do to make this such an enjoyable place to be.
ReplyDeleteCharlene
Dear Charlene,
DeleteThank you so much, my friend, for these beautiful words. It is a gift working with you and sharing our thoughts. This community wouldn't be complete without you. I am so grateful that you and others believe we are a caring community as that was part of my dream for Whispers. May you continue to be a light in the lives of others.
Blessings,
Karen
what a lovely poem! and post! thank you for always including my work and letting me be a part of Whispers. best wishes.
ReplyDeleteDear Sheikha,
DeleteYou are an important part of our Whispers community. It is a joy working with you.
Blessings,
Karen
My Dear Friend Karen,
ReplyDeleteYou have made Whispers such a success because you have given
it your heart filled with love and tender care. Your Poetry is a delight and as Charlene said back at you too with your lovely words to us the contributors. It is a Blessing to call you Friend.
Lots of love,
Yvonne
Good Morning Karen
DeleteYou have touched upon the magic we call writing creating and poetry. The words are calming and true. You leave the reader with marvelous imagery of this process. Thank you for sharing your talent and heart. May this day find you well. With blessings to you and to Whispers, Ann Marie Mazzarella
Dear Yvonne,
DeleteThank you for these lovely thoughts, my friend. You are an inspiration for others. I appreciate all your encouragement over the years. Your friendship is a gift in my life.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Ann Marie,
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely words. It is so good to have you a part of the Whispers journey. You are a light in the writing community. Keep shining!
Blessings,
Karen
It is a beautiful poem Karen. Like little arrows straight from the heart touching each of us. You give all of us such support and inspiration. Take great care today and always.
ReplyDeleteDear Annie,
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely thoughts and for all you do for our Whispers community. I am so proud of you and all our contributors. Keep on writing and sharing your gift of words.
Blessings,
Karen
So many nice thoughts, Karen. I am especially struck by the thought that each person is like a piece of mosaic that cannot be replaced by another. We truly don't realize how much we each contribute to the "magic that dances on." Warmest mahalo, dear poet.
ReplyDeleteDear Molly,
DeleteIt is our diversity and the gifts you and other share that make our writing journal special. What I'm most proud of is that we care about others here. You are so talented. I look forward to reading more of your poetry.
Blessings,
Karen
Lovely poem & words Karen. Like an intricate tapestry in the making, poets come together on Whispers to add a another vibrant thread of creativity to the work you started! Thanks for inspiring so many around the globe to contribute. God bless you...Love, Chris~
ReplyDeleteDear Chris,
ReplyDeleteGod bless you too! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement you give me and others. It is a joy to have your mosaic piece a part of our story.
Blessings my friend,
Karen
Dear Karen,
ReplyDeleteFuture poems flit / like butterflies / often tumbling / without reason... AND ...gives the poet courage / to share her song.
These lines sing to me, and I would like to offer a response:
Later in the spring, tiny yellow butterflies appear,
hover in seeming aimlessness over the local cousins
of the clover, the small trefoil leaves of yellow
wood sorrel. They settle on the tender stems, which
bend ever so slightly under a weight so light. They
wait, opening and closing their butter-yellow wings.
What are they doing? Their motions are sign-language,
they are chanting, coaxing. Within three days of their
arrival, the wood sorrel puts forth tiny golden buds
which open up their own delicate butter-yellow petals.
As the sun move across the sky, as clouds intersect its
path and create shade, these little flowers open, drink
in light, close beneath each cloud in contemplation. And
beside them, on the self-same stems, the butterfly-heralds
move in reflection. They are living examples, servants of the One we do not see.
-Laura M Kaminski (Halima Ayuba), for Karen O'Leary, 03-March-2016
Dear Laura,
DeleteThank you so much!! That your lines were born from mine is an honor and a gift. You words give me that pause to sit back in my chair and take it in. Thanks, again, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
Whispers has long been a refuge to escape into during tough times, and I hope it stays that way for years to come. Thanks for having me as a part of this group.
ReplyDeleteDear Raamesh,
DeleteIt is such a joy to have you a part of our poetry family. Thank you for these kind words. It's the talented people like you that are encouraging to others that make Whispers possible.
Best wishes and blessings,
Karen