Thursday, April 19, 2018

Editor's Thoughts/Friendship--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Dear Whispers’ Friends,

Thank you for all your support and encouragement.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about our poetry family. As gather to share our poetry, we knit a fabric in which each person that graces our journal adds strands to. The fabric grows and becomes stronger.

After five years of publishing, I feel blessed to have met many wonderful people along the way.  Some have crossed our borders for a season, some staying since the onset, yet each voice has a purpose.  I set out to share an online journal that allowed beginning poets and accomplished writers to rest side by side—each sharing an equal space.

The relationships are the greatest gift of the writing experience for me. Caring about each other matters.  I treasure my co-editors Jack Horne and Inge Wesdijk for allowing Whispers to grow with more opportunities to share the gift of words.  Inge accepted “Friendship” for publication this month which I am grateful. 

Friendship

From heart to heart
Respect & caring
In love it grows
Enriching gift
Nestled in warmth
Demanding nothing
Sharing souls
Helping with kindness
Inspiring words
Perpetual light

Before this turns into a book, I would like to close with thank you, again.  Best wishes with your writing journeys.

Blessings,

Karen—your humble editor

36 comments:

  1. This is written from your heart, and just like a pulse you have reflected the never ending strength of friendship. Thank you Karen
    Annie x

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    Replies
    1. Dear Annie,

      Thank you so much for this interesting reflection. Yes, true friends stick with us no matter what. I appreciate your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  2. I love this kind of thinking editor Karen
    Knight Writer

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    Replies
    1. Dear Yancy,

      Your gift is a reflection that I am so grateful to read. Thank you for all you are and all the encouragement you give me and others here at Whispers.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. Dear Karen,
      It is me that benefits when getting to know all of whispers great writers. Thanks for providing this opportunity.
      Knight Writer

      Delete
    3. Dear Yancy,

      It's people like you that share in the writing experience in an encouraging way. I really appreciate all the encouraging comments you share for other writers and the support you give our editor team. Many thanks, my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  3. Dear Karen,

    What a very special person you are to care so much, truly you are a treasure.

    Nick

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    Replies
    1. Dear Nick,

      I am awed by your kind words. Thank you so much. It's so good to have contributions and from your Waterfront Writers' group. It is a gift to be able to present things not in the eyes of most today. It is in sharing the past, present, and time yet to come that keeps the art of poetry alive. I appreciate all you did to make this article last month possible.

      I look for more gems from you and your comrades. Wishing you the best!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. Thank you Karen for sharing your thoughts, dreams and inspiration. You are, as Nick said, a treasure.

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    1. Dear Barbara,

      Coming from your talented pen, I appreciate your kind words. It is the support of others that allows poetry to live.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. You are a gift to the Whispers writers. I still lift you up in prayer each day.
    Caryl

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    Replies
    1. Dear Caryl,

      You are a light! Caring for others with your prayers and support. I am so grateful for you!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. Enchanting gift... Your words' yield is as magic, in content, upon contact.

    Wonderful to hear from you today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Michael,

      You are such a kind person reaching our to others with support and encouragement. Thank you for your kind words.

      Blessings always,
      Karen

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Dear Sara,

      Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate all you do for our Whispers community. Blessings always!

      Grateful,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. Lovely piece Karen, thank you for your heart felt words and all you have done for the writing community and Whispers. Best to you...

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    1. Dear Peggy,

      You gifts to the writing community are many, my friend. We walk in a vision of encouragement, hoping that readers find something in what we have to share. Best wishes!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  9. We are blessed to have this place, Karen.
    Thank you for inviting us.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Carl,

      Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. You are such a joy to the writing community. Best wishes always!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  10. Dear Karen,

    True emotions shine in your poem. Friendship is more than appreciation, though appreciation is a part of it. Friendship is a unity of kindred spirits connecting. I don't have to add more, your poem says it all.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

    Love,
    Inge

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    Replies
    1. Dear Inge,

      You are the embodiment of friendship is about. You put others first and care about the people whose poems you accept for Whispers. Thank you for all that you are!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  11. what a beautiful poem & what lovely thoughts, my dear friend xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Jack. Without the help of you and Inge, Whispers would not be possible. Wishing you the best always, my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Thank you so much Linda. I hope you will consider submitting more poetry for Whispers. Best wishing with your writing.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  13. Good write-up and acrostic poem on Friendship, Karen.
    🕊️♥️😇

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    Replies
    1. Dear James,

      Thank you for your kind words. I hope you continue to be a part of Whispers. I appreciate your support.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  14. Karen,
    I hope this is not an ending for us, as I would still like to enjoy the benefits of this website, even though I hadn't submitted a poem in a while! (I'll try to not let too much time pass before submitting another one!)
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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    Replies
    1. Dear David,

      What a pleasure to have your words to share at Whispers this month. You encouragement and support are greatly appreciated.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  15. You truly deserve support and encouragement, Karen. It's in giving that we receive, and you have already given a lot! Your poem is a reflection of your heart...kind and inspiring. Best regards & blessings ~ paul

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  16. Dear Paul,

    Wow! I am so grateful for your reflection. You give so much to the friends that we share Whispers with. May you enjoy your gifts of words here and for other publications. Thank you so much!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  17. Karen,

    Year by year Whispers continues growing stronger. It is a wonderful community that I have been blessed to be a part of. Thank you for all you do for our writing community. I've met some really amazing and wonderful people through Whispers. May God continue blessing you and your family, as well as each of here at Whispers!

    -MJ
    (www.creativeinspirationspp.blogspot.com)

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    Replies
    1. Dear Maurice,

      What a joy to read your words today. It is through the many we have become one community. Thank you so much for being a part of the fabric of Whispers.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  18. Dear Karen,
    It has been a great pleasure to read beautiful poems posted in the blog. Your poem on 'Friendship' is poignant and beautiful.I feel humbled to share some of my poetic expressions on 'Friendship':

    A play of love
    For entire mankind
    I plant in dream, a world of garden,
    Full of flowers and friendship.

    *****
    Let our voyage be destined
    By the vessel of peace,
    And reach the shore
    Of love and friendship.

    ( From Poetry book, "Ripples of Resonance")

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  19. Dear P K,

    Thank you so much for your lovely words. It is the friendships I've made through the writing experience that mean the most to me. Best wishes with your book.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete