Saturday, April 1, 2017

Whispers 300,000 Milestone Celebration

Dear Whispers’ Family,

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Whispers’ celebration of 300,000 page views.
Your responses remind me of the way my mother used her loom to skillfully weave multi-colored threads into a garment of uncommon beauty and usefulness. I’ve read with profound pleasure your prose and poetic creations that honor the prompt How has Whispers influenced your life-journey? Please take a few moments to “wear” this beautiful garment.

Michael Escoubas, Features Editor
_________

There is a lot more to "Whispers" than a place to get your poems published, and finding out how others in far countries write. The success of this "Blog" in such a short time is credited (by me) to its editor, who works through debilitating pain & illness, always responding with love and building you up when you feel down. 3 cheers for Karen!

Jean Calkins, United States
_________

my life touches
unexpected hurdles and
challenges along the way . . .
all along there are whispers
telling me to celebrate
each touchstone as a milestone

Pat Geyer, United States
_________

Acrostic: Whispers

Whispers
has
inspired
so much
poetic
enthusiasm –
reaping
splendid poems.

Mary Gunn, Ireland.
_________

Looking for the Word                                                                                                

Did you ever look at a cardinal eye to eye
imagine the crunchy taste of the azalea seed
he’s eating outside the window
as you sit at your desk
looking to the marbled skies
to the winter shrubbery
to the bronze cupid on the shelf
to the pesky fly whose calendar is topsy-turvy
for the exact word to fill the blank space
in the heart of your poem? 

Elizabeth Howard, United States
_________

Whispers

bent me to sniff the rose
and carried bird song
to the ear I pierced.
Comes as the crow
with a soft kruk landing
on the streetlight
to remind me
to feed him.
Wind messages.

Tricia Knoll, United States 
_________

A Whisper

Walking down the doubt lane,
afraid I couldn't fulfill
the 'calling' of my inner voice
You guided me, encouraged me
Gave me self-confidence
You handed me a compass
to conduct my gift of writing
'No need to call out!
Just start with a whisper

Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend) the Netherlands
_________

Wind Beneath My Wings

My
Whispers
a loving
community
of understanding
compassionate poets
who humbly receive and give
compliments and encouragement.
Acceptance, the wind beneath my wings,
helps me rise to new heights in writing poems.

Charlene McCutcheon, United States
_________

Hooked

Whispers hooked me good
Gotta write poems for'em
Just can't help myself

Jim Teeters, United States
_________

Ocean of Friends

Caught by a sea of words
pulled towards verse
in rip-currents of forced rhyme.
Then sonnets turned the tide
learning about rhythm,
soothed my furrowed brow
my pen learnt to flow.
When I heard of Whispers
an ocean of friends arrived
now I swim by their side.

Annie Jenkin, England
_________

300k Journey

With each mile
We collect 
And discard
Stones
Building staircases
Removing obstacles
Placing some in pockets
Leaving some for others
Achieving greatness
To help others be great

Langley Shazor, United States
_________

Whispers is a place where any poet can send in a poem and be considered for publication. I have had a wonderful warm welcome from Karen, and from many poets on Whispers who have welcomed and encouraged me, and others with whom I have corresponded and whose poems I have illustrated. I have learnt so much from, Whispers, which is a global family. May our words sing and unite us in a shared language of love and light.

Angelee Deodhar, India
_________

a pen 
transforms my visions
into friendship

Marilyn Ward, United States
_________

Whispers has always been a sort of healing through a variety of different voices.  I love the interaction from several of the poets, whether I know them or not.  Everyone is caring and kind about what they say and post.  Michael and Karen have always been patient and helpful, as well.  In closing, it is a blessing to be a part of Whispers.

David Fox, United States
_________

Whispers

Wind songs of dreams
Horizons of harmony
Inspiring & heartfelt
Sharing stanzas of verse
Pouring from souls
Embracing each other
Resonance…rubato
Symphony of hope

Karen O’Leary, United States
_________

tribute

in a world that hurls
words sharp as spears

Whispers spreads
poetry’s soothing salve—

grace and truth
love and light

luminaries
that mark my path

Michael Escoubas, United States

30 comments:

  1. Karen O'Leary has a beautiful heart and soul, and I thank her for the kindness she has shown toward me and so many others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Numa,
      Yes, Karen has been and IS the light of Whispers.
      So appreciate your comment.
      Michael

      Delete
    2. Dear Poetry Friend,

      Your kind words are a blessing. Michael is a gift, who has helped us branch out with Whispers but it is people like you that make our online journal/poetry community possible.

      Blessings always,
      Karen

      Delete
  2. A collection of poems of praise with a melodic sound.
    Three hundred thousand in celebration. One can hear music between the lines from beautiful poets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Isha,
      Poetry's music plays on here at Whispers.
      Thank you for being such a blessing to the Whispers community.
      Michael

      Delete
    2. Dear Isha,

      What a wonderful voice you are here at, Whispers! Your ability to weave culture and a universal message make your poetry live. Thank you for your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  3. Hello Everyone,
    This collective celebration is in itself rewarding to read. The talent, variety of presentations does indeed reflect this amazing milestone of Whispers. I look forward to working with you all again soon.
    Take care
    Annie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Annie,
      Your tribute poem references an "ocean of friends" with who you swim side-by-side. Good summation of what Whispers is about!
      Thank you,
      Michael

      Delete
    2. Dear Annie,

      You express the gift of Whispers. People gathered together for a common good, cherishing and supporting each other. Thank you for your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. fitting tributes to a wonderful writing community

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jack,
      I couldn't agree more.
      Thank you,
      Michael

      Delete
    2. Dear Jack,

      Thank you for your support and all you have done over the years to make this milestone possible. Wishing you and your Mum the best always.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. Whispers is a place of friendship and encouragement, guided by two wonderful editors. Thanks for all your work, Karen and Michael!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Inge,
      Your tribute poem references a "compass." I really like that as a metaphor for the support Whispers desires to be for all of our fine contributors.
      Blessings,
      Michael

      Delete
    2. Dear Inge,

      What a joy to have you a part of Whispers. Michael and I are trying share a journal that is both of quality and caring. Thank you for being a part of our community. Wishing you the best always.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. I heartily congratulate Editor Karen and Michael and all participants: Let us all be happy on this occasion inviting more readers to enter into the heart of our creations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Aju,
      I love the happiness that poetry brings to life as you so aptly share.
      Thank you,
      Michael

      Delete
    2. Dear Aju,

      Thank so much for your kindness and encouragement. I appreciate all you have done to make this milestone possible. Wishing you the best always.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  7. What wonderful poetic tributes to Whispers, Karen and Michael. Such heart felt words brings a feeling of loving comradery to my soul. I'm so glad to be a part of this community. Thank you Michael for this activity.
    Love, Charlene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Charlene,

      Thank you for sharing your beautiful etheree for this celebration. It is beacons like you that make our poetry family possible.

      Blessings always,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. Hi Charlene,
    I really like your Etheree. It is a favorite form of mine. The "wind beneath my wings" line speaks volumes not only about Whispers but about the role of art in life.
    Thank you,
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations Karen for weaving such a wonderful community of writers together under one loving roof…best to you always. Peggy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Peggy,

      What a joy you are at Whispers and in the writing community at large. Thank you for all the encouragement and support you give me and others.

      Blessings always, my friend,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. Dear Peggy,
      I, too, appreciate your loving support of Whispers and your excellence at the craft of poetry. Our readers and contributors are certainly the richer because of you.
      Michael

      Delete
    3. Thank you Karen and Michael for your very kind comments, it is an honor to be a part of the Whispers community, keep up the great work!
      Very best wishes, Peggy

      Delete
    4. Dear Peggy,

      It is such a joy to have you here at Whispers. Thank you for your kind words. You're such an encouraging voice in the poetry community. Keep you light shining.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  10. Kicking of Whispers Three hundred thousand milestone
    was Micheal Escoubas of the US Whispers features
    editor reading all with profound pleasure. Jean Calkins
    also of the united states pays tribute to its fine editor who
    works through pain 7 illness, always giving love & kindness.
    Pat Geyer of the U.S. Celebrates each whispers touchstone
    as a mile--Stone. Mary Gunn from Ireland adds Acrostic
    enthusiasm of splendid poetry, while Elizabeth Howard, of
    the United States is searching the topsy-turvy calendar
    because of pesky fly, for exact words to fill space. Mean
    while Tricia Knoll of the U.S. smelled the whispers rose. As
    Inge Wesdijk of the Netherlands found that he was guided &
    encouraged unto fulfillment. Then Charlene McCutcheon
    of the United States spots an uplifting Wind Beneath her
    Wings rising her to new heights in poetry. Jim Teeters from
    the U.S. found himself hooked good in Whispers. Not able
    to help from writing poems. Annie Jenkins from England
    found an "Ocean of friends" trapped in a sea of words.
    Langley Shazor, from the United States took the 300K
    Journey as well building staircases a part of removing
    obstacles & building staircases a greatness to help others
    become great. Angelee Deodhar, from India pens Whispers
    is a place where any poet can send in a poem and be
    considered for publication. Marilyn Ward, from the United
    States writes "pen transforms my visions into friendship.
    David Fox of the U.S. finds Whispers has always been a
    sort of healing through a variety of different voices. Editor
    Karen O’Leary from the United States, tabulates Whispers
    wind songs of dreams every members symphony of hope.
    Michael makes a tribute spoken of by Karen O'Leary, in a
    world that hurl swords sharp as spears Whispers spreads
    poetry’s soothing salve--grace and truth love & light luminaries
    that mark my path. All these tributes are milestone great.
    Thank you all.


    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Yancy,
    Such energy, insight, and caring about and for the Whispers' family!
    Thank you,
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michael. I hope to show how important each one of
      these good writers are. Whispers is a loving privilege we
      all share.
      Yancy

      Delete
    2. Dear Yancy,

      What a wonderful and caring writer you are, my friend. It is people like you that make things possible. Keep on being the beacon you are.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete