WHISPERS’ MAY ACTIVITY—THE ART OF PERSONIFICATION

Michael Escoubas, an accomplished writer, generously agreed to be the activity editor for May.  He selected personification, an element in which poets assign human characteristics to nonhuman subjects.  It adds a creative perspective to convey thoughts.

The Exercise--Write up to two poems from one to three lines that contain at least one example of personification.  Titles are welcome. Let the syllable count range from 7 to 10. Underscore your personification.

What a wonderful response! I would like to thank Michael for his efforts to bring so many writers together.  I am grateful to all the poets that contributed to this column.  If you missed the deadline, you can add poems in the comments section.

                                       --Karen O’Leary, Whispers’ Editor

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The Toast

Patiently awaiting warmth
Drinking in the sweet butter
While lying in the bright sun

By Sara Kendrick—United States

The Spring Leaves

Shuddering while being stroked
By the northwesterly winds
Dressed in spring's thin pale green

By Sara Kendrick—United States

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Mt. Fuji

Clouds drift by

Fuji-san peeks

through her veil.

By Thomas Canull—United States

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Sidewalk Rails

Guardians of momentum

holding back those who dare to rush

and protecting them from wayward steps.

By Langley Shazor—United States

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Portrait Gallery 1

Yes, admiration we do adore

silent hedonism can be a bore.

By Brian Strand—England

Portrait Gallery 2

Up close into my face they peer

often my expression can bring a tear.

By Brian Strand—England

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Katydids

Katydids sing from their own hymnal

in three part harmony.

By Barbara Tate—United States

Tattle Tale

Listening to what’s said,

Grandma’s myna bird

tells family secrets.

By Barbara Tate—United States

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When Lovers Meet

Two tiny birds flirt on the edge of a stone 

bird-bath - they dip and drink in unison

A flower floats - his love offering.

By Suzanne Delaney—United States

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Mother Bird

Her nest is traditional with modern twists,

Passion fruit tendrils- fluff from our car covers.

With Saint- like patience- her wings give shelter.

By Suzanne Delaney—United States

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Wind

The wind startled her

by kissing a rosy cheek

with the finesse of a lover.

By Sunil Sharma--India

Roses

roses dance softly, 

faces flushed, bent at waists

like the tiny ballerinas during the break.

By Sunil Sharma--India

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A Story

Under the old bridge

the boulders narrate

the abandoned journey.

By Pravat Kumar Padhy--India

Talking Time

Morning breeze

all the flowers start 

talking to each other.

By Pravat Kumar Padhy--India

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Butterflies

two butterflies are flying

dancing in a ballet

a perfect duet

By David Fox—United States

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On A Breezy Day

Flirty washing lines sashay up and down

and freely give away their clean clothes.

By Annie Jenkin--England

Noisy Neighbours

The gutters do nothing but mutter 

with the constant chatter by the French Windows

So the walls interrupt the discussion

By Annie Jenkin--England

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Deadline

Angry clock, busy red second hand,

Don't show your mocking face here!

Placid blank walls -- gifts of infinite time.

By David Leslie—United States

Long Check Out Line At Whole Foods

Organic Potato chips

smirk with clerk and pale kale chip patrons

but they crack wise when safely home.

By David Leslie—United States

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Love

Mountain hearts beat

For rising new lives.

By Michele Leslie—United States

Meekness

Trees peel off hats of leaves, toss

Them to the sky’s feet. Under

Ground’s leaves, tiny seeds cuddle, protected.

By Michele Leslie—United States

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Fresco

Stained glass window --

shadows on the temple floor

paint a fresco

By Raamesh Gowri Raghavan--India

Drops

As little drops tame

the blazing sun, the thirsting

earth spins wild with joy.

By Raamesh Gowri Raghavan--India

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Boiling

Your teakettle taunts, whistling

“Pour me out! Then you can relax.”

By Kelley Jean White—United States

  

Temptress

Long workday;

the bed beckons invitingly.

By Kelley Jean White—United States

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Maiden Flight…

a yellow rose opens

and launches a butterfly

By Karen O'Leary—United States

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Sunshine

As I opened the blinds

I sent a smile to the wind

then I see the sun smiling back at me.

By Maricris Cabrera—Philippines

Crabs in the Basket

Crabs racing up the basket

each pulling down to the base

biting both hands and feet.

By Maricris Cabrera—Philippines

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Snags

In sheer meanness the bramble reached

Out snagging my soft sheer silky shirt,

Precious present my pretty one made.

By David Palmer—United States

Comparison

Proud rhododendron stood tall

Lording it over the rose

Pity they both fade so soon.

By David Palmer—United States

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Pretty Cloud

She fluffs out her dappled skirt.

The crowd below admires her beauty,

snapping scrolls of pictures on their cell phones.

Elizabeth Howard—United States

 Weathervane

The cock is tired of turning with the wind.

He vows he'll neither whirl nor saunter

until the wind gives him a vacation. 

Elizabeth Howard—United States

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In Fashion

Wearing yellow sun hats

daffodils ransack

the back yard.

Mary Jo Balestreri—United States

After Hours Duet

A lone sax plays

while dust dances

on the wooden floor.

Mary Jo Balestreri—United States

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The Wood

Diminishing sun.

The dandelion heads,

Pointed our way home.

Ralph Stott—England

Scarecrow

We felt the

Eyeless scrutiny

Of a pumpkin head.

Ralph Stott—England

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First Light

Holding the first light

a monarch butterfly

smiles at me.

By Archana Kapoor Nagpal—India

Tears

Next to your grave

this first snow 

wipe off my tears.

By Archana Kapoor Nagpal—India  

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Cactus Flower

Rising up out of the grave

of dull colored rocks

comes a smiling cactus flower.

By Michael Escoubas

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