Wednesday, March 15, 2017

From the Archives—Featuring Michael Escoubas

Dear Whispers’ Readers,

It is a joy to travel back into our Whispers’ archives and read poetry from past issues.  Today, it is my pleasure to honor our, Features Editor, Michael Escoubas. Congratulations Michael!  “Asphalt Petunia” reminds us we can rise above the realities of a harsh world.  That is what we do at Whispers, giving writers and readers a chance to hope.

Michael, it is such a pleasure to honor you, today. Thank you for all you do to offer contributors, a variety of ways to share the gift of words.  Best wishes always.

Blessings,

Karen O’Leary—Whispers’ Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Asphalt Petunia

The simplest things
seem most amazing.
In my morning rush
I almost missed you
rising up and out
of your black tar
prison, drinking sun
defiant of limitations
fighting for life
rooting through poison
finding in cracked earth
just enough support
to live, to thrive, sending
a soft message in
a hard world to
a heart in need.
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28 comments:

  1. CharleneMarch 15, 2017 at 7:17 PM

    Wonderful! I needed to read this tonight and remember no matter my black tar circumstances, I can with determination and the help of the "Son" not only survive but thrive.
    Thank you for sharing your talent.
    Charlene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 15, 2017 at 7:41 PM

      Dear Charlene,
      Your comment is quite moving.
      Thank you,
      Michael

      Delete
  2. Karen O'LearyMarch 15, 2017 at 7:27 PM

    Dear Charlene,

    Thank you for your kind words in celebrating, Michael and all he does to keep our writing community alive. His poem is a heartfelt way of looking at life that is so challenging at times.

    Again, Congratulations Michael!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:11 AM

      Thanks Karen,
      It's all a blessing to this apprentice who has so much to learn!
      You're my creative light.
      Michael

      Delete
  3. UnknownMarch 15, 2017 at 7:40 PM

    Thanks Archives for spring forth this written jewel.
    Thanks Michael for being Author springing from Archived theme
    Waiting there as "Asphalt Petunia" to gladden hearts of readers.
    Very wonderful flowing poem
    Yancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 15, 2017 at 7:44 PM

      Thank you Yancy,
      I was moved last summer when on my daily walk this brave petunia burst forth thru the black blood of the pavement. I took a picture, thus the poem.
      Blessings,
      Michael

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 15, 2017 at 10:57 PM

      What an experience Michael. You are an eye of beholder
      that sees beauty where most people wouldn't think twice.
      What an observant and kind person you must be.
      Yancy

      Delete
  4. Jo BalistreriMarch 15, 2017 at 7:56 PM

    Thank you Michael for this beautiful and meaningful poem. It is full of possibility of hope--that no matter what the circumstances, there is life to be had.

    Blessings. What a wonderful job you are doing at Whispers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:12 AM

      Dear Jo,
      A word from you is a day-maker!
      Blessings,
      Michael

      Delete
  5. angeleeMarch 15, 2017 at 8:01 PM

    Dear Karen thanks for sharing Michael's fine poem from your archives,love and light,angelee

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marianne SzlykMarch 15, 2017 at 10:00 PM

    Please let me add my thanks to you, Michael and Karen. I particularly like Michael's turns of phrase..."black tar prison," "cracked earth," and "hard world."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marianne SzlykMarch 15, 2017 at 10:01 PM

      And, thank you, Michael, for helping Karen out!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:14 AM

      Dear Marianne,
      Comments from Whispers' wonderful family is the air I breathe!
      Thank you,
      Michael

      Delete
  7. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 1:13 AM

    Hello Michael, you have captured a wonderful image with your words, 'I almost missed you'is for me significant. It reminds me to pause in case I step passed or over something that could bring a moment of respite in our busy lives. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:16 AM

      Dear Annie,
      Noticing stuff is what we poets do! So pleased the poem played a note for you.
      Blessings,
      Michael

      Delete
  8. JoanMarch 16, 2017 at 5:29 AM

    Thank you for this word of hope! Circumstances can seem daunting, but with hope we can survive and thrive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:17 AM

      Dear Joan,
      So pleased for your sensitive word.
      Blessings,
      Michael

      Delete
  9. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 5:36 AM

    Dear Michael, it is a joy to re-read again this wonderful poem that says much to a world needing love and courage. Your poem starts my day out right!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 6:19 AM

      Hi Barbara,
      Blessings for a great day, and you have encouraged my day going forward.
      Blessings to dear friend,
      Michael

      Delete
  10. paul callusMarch 16, 2017 at 8:02 AM

    You are one of the lucky ones who sees beauty where others see none, Michael! Most of all you see hope even in hopeless situations. Very inspiring. On a different note, I must applaud the work you have been doing on Whispers, including the encouraging comments which you post; they have not gone unnoticed! Regards // paul

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMarch 16, 2017 at 10:58 AM

    Dear Paul,
    Your words mean so much to me! It is a joy serving the Whispers community and -- such gracious comments nourish my soul.
    Thank you,
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  12. Archana Kapoor NagpalMarch 17, 2017 at 12:42 AM

    I enjoyed reading your poem. Such a lovely piece of writing. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Karen O'LearyMarch 17, 2017 at 8:30 PM

    Thank you for all your kind words, celebrating the gift Michael is in our poetry community. His friendship and support allow us to expand our journal. He is truly a light! Thank you, Michael!!

    Blessings always,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  14. OzymandiasMarch 18, 2017 at 10:28 AM

    I read this poem just now as I was going to sleep after a turbulent day. This is the kind of poem to read to erase the day and begin afresh in the morning. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. pdfrenchMarch 18, 2017 at 3:06 PM

    Loved your poem, thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Daginne AignendMarch 19, 2017 at 9:48 AM

    Your poem gives me the 'Carpe Diem' feeling. We're so busy with our fully scheduled, stressy lives that we forget to enjoy the little miracles of beauty all aroud us.
    Great write Michael

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownMarch 20, 2017 at 6:52 PM

    Michael Your poem is a celebration of simple things and a reminder to look for these hidden images they all have a story to tell. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  18. NdabaMarch 23, 2017 at 9:12 AM

    I liked the spirit of hope, bravery and perseverance depicted here. I particularly liked the following words ,"defiant of limitations
    fighting for life".

    fighting for life".

    ReplyDelete

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