WHISPERS’ DECEMBER ACTIVITY—LEARNING THE NAANI

Dear Whispers’ Friends,

December’s writing activity has been, Learning the Naani form. The response was excellent. Thank you to all the talented poets who sent in poems. Please spend some time unwrapping and savoring these Naani treasures.

Michael Escoubas, Whispers’ Activity Editor.

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Apple Canning

Red Delicious,

Braeburns, Honey Crisps,

slow cooking in cinnamon,

spiced with nutmeg—ah! Bliss.

Michael Escoubas, United States

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Ornament

You pirouette

in a dazzle of sun

and rainbow mist,

Painted Bunting, arcing in the sky.

Michael Escoubas, United States

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Winter's Touch 

Tempest of white raging

horizontal snow drifting

winds howl and scream

my bones chilled on ice.

Ken Allan Dronsfield, United States

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Intangible

Irrevocably irresistible

vague and abstract,

love, hope and faith,

ride the winds of destiny.

Emile Pinet, Canada

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Incontrovertible

Both undefinable

and undeniable,

hope resides in the realm

of possibilities.

Emile Pinet, Canada

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Speak Softly

Raise your words higher;
not your booming voice.
it's rain that grows flowers,
not a thunderous tempest.

Ken Allan Dronsfield, United States

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Gap Year

increasing self-awareness
learning about
different perspectives
a year of experiments

Pat Geyer, United States

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Altered States

there are the ups the downs

then there are the back agains

i grow big then small

ch ch ch ch changes

Pat Geyer, United States

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rustling 

bushes rat on spirits 

hiding from my steps as

I walk these sunset hills

whistling at new starlight

r soos, United States 

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firelight

music snaps as dry twigs

vanish in the rhythm

of flames entertaining

marshmallows on a stick

r soos, United States

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Redemption

Where does Beauty dwell?
In the Raja’s palace?
Behold the lotus
Blooming in fetid fecundity

David Palmer, United States
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Nesting

Moments I cherish
Are but stepping stones
Foundation layers
Building our chambers of love.

David Palmer, United States

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Embodiment

The eyes are the window

The soul, the foundation

Covered by a heart

A house of love

Langley Shazor, United States

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Ascension

Sunflowers bloom

Large yellow-brown petals

Reach for the sky

To drink in more sunlight.

David Fox, United States

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Glory

Basking in God's glory

I take all His splendor

I bathe in His wisdom

Re-born once again.

David Fox, United States

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Sacred Bumblebee

Sunlight wakens the damp
Wings of my faerie friends
Journey to my beanpole
Blossoms...magic of birth

James Marshall Goff, United States

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Butterfly

A butterfly caught
By my camera
Flutters to his mate
His progeny flies

Sara Kendrick, USA
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Scientist

A butterfly caught
By the scientist’s net
Penned, genus named
Progeny extinct

Sara Kendrick, USA

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The Joy of Innocence

The baby foxes play,

Rolling tumbly wumbly,

So innocent and happy

They must be angels' pets.

Kathleen Murphy, United States

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Christmas Time

Christmas is the time of year

To wish your fellow man good cheer

To wish peace and love

To all of mankind

George L. Ellison, England

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Christmas Cheer

Many hearts stir 

With Christmas cheer smiles we wear

Lights, wreaths are hung on each door

Merry Christmas one and all

George L. Ellison, England

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Raw

As a true vegetarian
I dislike meat
Cruelty makes my soul
feel raw

Inge Wesdijk, the Netherlands

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Between the Poles

Magnets on two levels pull

And tear at me—

One draws me down to deep despair

On up to ecstasy.

Mary Monical, United States

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Jolly Cheer

Cedar scent my roommate

I embrace a lovely dream

Chickadees wreathing my bed

Singing dee dee dee

Elizabeth Howard, United States

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Tinkling bell

Do you hear the bell?

Not Rudolph and sleigh

Nor an elf on a shelf

But Mary's little lamb

Elizabeth Howard, United States

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Sleeping Spring

As winter beckons in the garden
love nestles down,
waiting to be woken
by sun blessed days.

Annie Jenkin, England
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Cherished

Curling around my heart
slipping through the seams
your smile greets me in the morning
fulfilling all my dreams.

Annie Jenkin, England

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The Breeze Whispers

Ash leaves rustle~~Mom’s chimes

tinkle~~Dad’s rocker creaks…

Home~~humming our song

with rain~~miss them…

Karen O'Leary, United States

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Tundra Toast

Memories, locked in a

golden summer. Winter grapple:

the stiffness of

the honey jar.

Ralph Stott, England

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Tales from Paraphernalia

Amongst my many

souvenirs, I overlook this

ornamental parrot,

perched on a wall.

Ralph Stott, England

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Reboot

In our hands linked
with shimmering beings
are the hands that free us
to dream again and again.

Jean Colonomos, United States
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Tears

When brother mocked
my poem, I cried. The words
ran together as if to escape,
so I let them. 

Jean Colonomos, United States
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Yule

The world turns full cycle,
dark-half gives way to light.
Giver of Life is born anew,
and warms frozen earth.

Mary A. Couch, United States
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First Thoughts

Reading my email

in the early hours...

I start composing poems

instead of going to sleep

Mary Gunn, Ireland

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New Beginnings

Like spring bulbs

preparing to bloom

I make New Year plans, then wait

until it's time to push forth

Mary Gunn, Ireland

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At Christmas

Secrets in the cupboard

Laughter 'round the corner

Recipes remembered

Memories cherished. Smiles.

Candace Armstrong, United States

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Bedtime Epiphany 

Close your eyes and rest

upon the notion:

Love will claim us all.

How, then, can you be sad?

Candace Armstrong, United States

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After Cana

Old waitress

fills jugs with water again

then gives a cup to the head waiter

who tastes wine of patience.

Barbara Robinette, United States

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Washing the Clothes

Pour soap into washing machine. 

Load worn clothes. Adjust settings. 

Close the lid.  Turn it on. 

Go read a book.

Barbara Robinette, United States

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