From the Archives—The Gift of Hope—Featuring Gert W. Knop, David Austin, Patricia Ann Farnsworth-Simpson and Ndongolera C. Mwangupili

Dear Whispers' Readers,

With the terrorist attacks, increase in youth violence, and brutality that surround us, writers are challenged as part of humanity to lift up those that have been shaken by events that they couldn’t even imagine a couple of decades ago.  Where we explore problems; we can also share solutions.  When people are weeping, we can offer encouragement.  And where people feel disenchanted or disengaged, let us wrap them in kindness without judgment.

As a former emergency department nurse, I am grounded in the reality that there are no pretty bows to wrap this all up.  Some use that as an excuse to do nothing.  In those corners of doing nothing, we can make a difference.  I know personally how words at the right time can impact a life. I ask you not to let those moments slip away.

Today, I chose poems from our archives that encouraging, hopeful, uplifting or sharing the gift of life.  Thank you Gert W. Knop, David Austin, Patricia Ann Farnsworth-Simpson and Ndongolera C. Mwangupili for your creative views, all capturing the gift of life—where one can always find hope.

                                                Blessings, Karen O’Leary—Whispers’ Editor

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Spread out your wings,

fly high,

further, further yet

and far beyond the sky,

without a fear

into the light,

where future lives

and life is bright

By Gert W. Knop--Germany                                            

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Domestic Scene

by the alley

paint bare and splintered

this leaning    green fence

inside    safe in their garden

two old women chattering

By David Austin—United States

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Live with Hope and Love

It is far better to live

Believing in hope and love
That there is a heaven for us above
That it is death
that takes us on our way
If full of love to join
Angels at play.
Living life believing
Full of hope
Gives you good reason
To love and cope
With all the ailments
Found from war and pain
To make you want
To live again
Like an Angel up in heaven above
In a climate created purely from love....

By Patricia Ann Farnsworth-Simpson—Canary Islands

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Gaze and Rain

          1
Eyes gaze
north… up north
I ponder and wonder
… then I sigh.

          2
… Then it rained
and heavily,
though briefly.

          3
The gaze and the rain
bite the skin,
the skin of the poor,
yet still hope glows in them.

By Ndongolera C. Mwangupili--Malawi

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