Tuesday, December 20, 2016

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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18 comments:

  1. AMAZING! I am really impressed with the talent shown in this Whispers activity. I loved them all. Sorry I was not well enough to participate this time. i could use some extra prayers. Thank you.
    Charlene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Charlene,
      Glad you took time with the activity. What a blessing and what fun this has been.
      I'm praying for you!
      Michael

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    2. I hope you feel better soon Charlene, my best wishes to you.

      Delete
    3. Dear Charlene,

      I continue to pray for you, my friend. I see others wishing you the best.

      Many blessings,
      Karen

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    4. Charlene...sending a prayer to all my Celtic Ancestors in Heaven to shine a light upon you this Christmas Season, God Bless you! james marshall goff

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  2. Michael,
    Thanks for sharing these wonderful naani poems. I had hear of the form from another website -- but never attempted to write one until this challenge. Thanks for giving me that incentive to write some.
    Yours truly,
    David Fox
    P.S. Thanks to Karen for posting them all as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear David,
      I enjoyed your naani offerings along with so many others. I think of this exercise as a fruit tree that simply keeps on producing!
      Blessings,
      Michael

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    2. Dear David,

      Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational poems for this activity. Michael deserves the kudos for this wonderful column. Wishing you the best always.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  3. What a beautiful assortment of naani poems!! It is amazing how much can be said and how many emotions can be spilt in just 4 lines! Well done to all who contributed to this activity. Regards // paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Paul,
      So pleased this month's activity went over so well.
      Thanks to all the wonderful Whispers' contributors!
      Michael

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  4. Well done everybody, what a wonderful collection of little stories, thought provoking lines and humorous images scattered throughout. Thank you to Michael and Karen for the ideas and effort. I wish you all plenty of opportunity for good cheer and creative ideas in the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Annie,

      Thank you for your kind words. Michael gets all the credit for this column but we are a good team. With a staff of two we have the opportunity to offer activities and other opportunities.

      Merry Christmas and Blessings,
      Karen

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  5. Dear Michael and contributors,

    What a wonderful collection of naani poems! There are so many creative perspectives. Michael, your are blossoming in your Activity Editor role. It's so good to have you as a colleague. Thank you everyone form making Whispers a joy.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  6. Kudos for everyone. I enjoyed reading your poems, seeing the diversity,, it really shows what can be done with this form.
    Happy Holidays to you and thank you for sharing your poems.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Mary Jo,

      Thank you so much my friend. Michael is doing a great job as Activity Editor. I appreciate all the encouragement you give me and others.

      Many blessings,
      Karen

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  7. Karen, was struck with such deep emotion reading all the magical & inspirational tributes & glad tidings your contributors shared...thank you Michael for sponsoring this beautiful form! james marshall goff

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    Replies
    1. Dear Jim,

      Michael, you and the other contributors deserve the credit. Michael chose the form and the put this column together. Thank you for participating. I agree that the poems Michael chose for publication are such wonderful variety.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  8. Dear Jim,
    What a fun activity this has been--I've appreciated each contributor all of whom showcased their special skills.
    Blessings,
    Michael

    ReplyDelete