March Activity Feature--Word Bank--Hosted By--Jack Horne--Whispers’ Activity Feature Editor

Our editorial team was excited to see where the Word Bank activity would take you all. I enjoyed each and every single one! Thanks to everyone who took part. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did!

CHALLENGE—

To use the following words (variations of the words like streamed, streaming, etc. are acceptable)—

flowers

dog

stream

sun

laughter

to present a poem that is relevant for a global community.

                                      --Jack Horne—Whispers’ Activity Feature Editor

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Family Outing in Spring

Bright flowers line the banks they walk

As their shaggy dog splashes in the stream.

Jumping out he runs back and shakes himself,

Water droplets fly, glinting in the sun,

To children’s laughter.

Nick Spargo, United Kingdom

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A Child's Play

Streaming through the large living room window
the bright sunshine lit up her laughter.
She mischievously tantalized
the dog; tickling his nose
with a picked red flower.
One eye awakened;
mouth snapped at flies
disturbing
his peace.
Joy!

Charlene McCutcheon, United States

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A Moment in Time

Walking my dog by the river

where water flows spritely, teasing

the beaming sun and wild flowers.

A contagious mood; my heart skips.

I listen to nature's laughter.

Paul Callus, Malta

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Growing Awareness

walking
past the stream
a little dog
stopped
to smell the flowers...
in the light
of the sun
he could hear
the children's laughter.

Pat Geyer, United States

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Any Day

It's on any day

my heart pumping

my breath a stream of life

sunshine peaks through

trees on newborn flower petals

it’s the dogs in Cusco, Peru

no leash laws just freedom

makes me laugh, and cry

for some are near starving

new day, new visions

Jim Teeters, United States

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Serving (DoubleTriodyne)

Under earth's sun serving man or dogs or both

Can be in loving laughter or heart felt love oath

Serving's a flowing stream to masterful growth

Every human being's a blooming paper flower

Using free growth to blossom hour after hour

Serving fellow mankind, growing in love power 

Yancy Lee Dalton, United States

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Chasing the Winter Wind

Streams of laughter

dog the trail of the north wind,

sunny laughter chasing winter

into hibernation.  Southern breezes

lay claim to the earth--

          waiting the birds’ song,

          the tender grasses,

          newborn flowers.

Sunny laughter chases the winter wind.

Barbara Tate, United States

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Laughter is Good Medicine

Sun awakens the new day
amber waves stream thru
trees dancing in the breeze
breathe in those earthy scents
do not bend to daily pressures
do not live in a dog eat dog world
laughter is good medicine
take time to smell flowers
feel the sun upon your face
greet the arrival of each new day.

Phyllis Babcock, Canada

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Thoughts Out on the Porch Interrupted

As a yellow sun rises, casting

Gold upon pear’s white flowers

And the dog whines at the door a lasting

Sad refrain, one with magical powers

Spring birds’ call can entertain for hours

Sounds and beauty of this season tower

The stream’s laughter bubbles and dances fast

After rain's cold waters feed springs

Somehow joys of the season can’t last

Though right now doves' voices sing

Sara Kendrick, United States

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Sunrays lighten the water

spring flowers colour the grass

childrens' laughter from near,

playing hide-and-seek

and a dog chases wild ducks resting

at the river banks

Gert Knop, Germany

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Awakening world

A faint Spring sun tries to cheer

some shy flowers, a few primroses

and daffodils growing by the stream,

to expose their colorful beauty.

Our dog's encouragement exists

by sticking his nose into the early buds

with a wholehearted sneeze as a result.

Being together, cheerful laughter

while enjoying each other's company

in an awakening world

Inge Wesdijk, The Netherlands

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Falling

Tears streaming down her face

Placing flowers on her daughter's grave

Recalling vividly a day of bright sunlight

When Suzanne put a chain of daisies

Around her little dog's neck

Laughing to her mother as she called out

Mummy, aren't I a clever girl.

Isha Wagner, New Zealand

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90 ° and Rising…

No air conditioning,

in ’65: running through

our sprinkler, laughing

with neighborhood kids

on sunny afternoons.

Years later, Mom and I

sit, sharing the beauty

of her flowers and dogwoods,

immersed in memories,

streaming from our hearts.

Karen O'Leary, United States

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Walking with Petunia

I take my dog for a walk.

Her name is Petunia.

We veer off the path

to smell the flowers.

We cross the stream,

stopping to watch  

sunrays puddle and flow. 

When Petunia chases a butterfly,  

she tumbles head over tail,

and I burst into laughter.   

Elizabeth Howard, United States 

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Dog in Spring

We plait flowers, pussy willow and primrose, in the dog's collar.

He shakes his head in disgust but then relents, accepting

his shame is our offering to the gods of spring.

we baptise him in our laughter. The weak spring sun

strokes his ears, scratches him in that joyful place under his chin.

Sharply cold with snow melt, the shallow stream clatters over rocks

The dog sees his opportunity to rid himself of indignity

and plunges into the sunlit water. The current rips away

the unwelcome adornment. His soundless laughter joins our own.

Flowers, sun, dog, stream, laughter. A prayer to lead us from darkness.

Sarah Tindall, United Kingdom

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I have a dear friend who is a wheelchair gardener,

she has a variety of beautiful and colourful flowers,

which she tends to herself. It was a warm sunny day

when I called to take her dog Tobias out for his walk

to the park. He will head straight for the stream and

jump in to chase the ducks, on getting out he will

shake himself vigorously getting me wet in the process.

My friend will be waiting for our return with tea and cakes,

and we will share much laughter, when I relate the

story of his antics chasing the ducks.

Jan Stalker, United Kingdom

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Memories

Alongside the serene river stream;

I lie calm as my little dog hops by.

As morning Sun shines bright;

flowers bloom in most vibrant colours.

Giggling to the tune of soothing wind;

joyous butterflies subtly flutter.

While I recall those rosy days of youth,

and cherish echoes of once irresistible laughter.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma, India