Friday, July 15, 2016

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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19 comments:

  1. Wonderfully inspiring post, Karen;
    a balm for what ails.

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  2. Thank you for sharing these poems Karen, all capturing the gift of life—where one can always find hope.love and light,angelee

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  3. Thanks for sharing dear Karen....such poems lift up the heart and fill it with renewed hope for a brighter future. Congratulations to the poets featured here!

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  4. Thanks for these encouraging poems, pals. Don't kill the comforting breeze of inspiring words.

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  5. Thank you for your post Karen, and sharing these wonderful poems.

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  6. Karen,
    Thanks for sharing these very touching, moving poems!
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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  7. Karen these poems are so gratifying in these days of uncertainty, unrest and fear. So I could not help but add one more for you with my poem called HOPE!

    When your tears can't see through the rain
    and your world has gone insane
    and it's drumming through your brain
    then He speaks to you so plain;
    then once again you see that there is Hope!

    When your body gets so sick
    that you are feeling worse than 'ick'
    and your 'candle' has lost its wick
    then He whispers, 'I've taken care of it;'
    then once again you see that there is Hope!

    When your smile is up-side-down
    and you are feeling lower than the ground
    and they are singing, 'Send in the clowns'
    and He turns it all around;
    then once again you see that there is Hope!

    When life seems too hard to cope
    and it's got you by the throat
    and it makes you weep and mope
    and He smiles removing that noose's rope;
    then once again YOU see that HE is HOPE!

    ©Jane Richer

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  8. What an inspiring post, Karen, and to read again the poets many of us find so encouraging. And then Jane, your response poem too. There is real hope here. Thank you one and all.

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  9. Thank you all for the four inspiring and hopeful poems. Hope is something we all need.

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  10. Thank you Karen and each of the poets who penned these wonderful poems of Hope. Robert

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    1. Dear Robert,

      Thank you for your kind words. Congratulations to talented writers featured!

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  11. Thank you, Andrea Dietrich, for the following--

    Wonderful poems by good people that you showed us with your Archives column.

    Editors' Response--Thank you, Andrea for your kind words.

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  12. Nice. Each and every one of them. I enjoyed them all. Thanks to all the authors. Continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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  13. Thank you so much Karen for honoring me in this way ... Pat xxx

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    1. Dear Pat,

      You always do so much for others so this was as special blessing to me to include your wonderful poem for this feature. Wishing you the best always!

      Love,
      Karen

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  14. How wonderful to all that were Honored!
    A beautiful way....to give all...hope!
    Congratulations Pat!
    Everyone's words...brings out different emotions...
    Thank you and congratulations to the chosen participants!
    All these words...combined....raise the hopes...for all!!

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  15. beautiful words by beautiful people

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