tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86294367720733968332024-03-12T17:22:38.594-07:00Whispers... Painting pictures with words.
Opening a part of the soul.
Emotion flowing with the lines.
Tapestry skillfully woven.
Reflecting thoughts artfully.
Yearning to make a difference.
--Karen O'Leary--Whispers' Editor
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.comBlogger3326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-66089139257142503042019-01-17T23:00:00.000-08:002019-01-17T23:00:43.451-08:00Tribute to Inge Wesdijk--Our Beloved Friend and Talented Writer/Editor--From The Netherlands--We Miss You<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>From Karen O’Leary--<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is with sadness I share with you that Inge Wesdijk (Daginne
Aignend) passed away in December. She was our Poetry Editor at <i>Whispers. </i>Together
with Jack Horne and I, we were your editorial team until our journal
closed in June 2018. We worked well together, and our journal was better
for the partnership we shared. It seemed fitting that Jack and I do this
tribute here where she was cared about and respected for her knowledge and
kindness. She was easy to work with and share with. Our friendship
developed quickly; Inge and I were soul-sisters, a blessing that I treasured
and still do. I would like to extend my sympathy to her good friend James
and to all her family and friends that mourn her loss. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>From Jack Horne--<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When Inge worked with Karen and me at <i>Whispers</i>, it really was a pure joy.
She was always positive and encouraging, and never failed to come up with great
suggestions for my monthly challenges - in truth, her ideas were always far better
than mine, and, even when she became ill, she was always willing to help. We
remained friends after <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whispers</i>
closed to submissions, and her messages were always positive. As her illness
progressed, she still took an interest in others - and always wanted to know
how my mother and I were, rather than focusing on herself. She was a talented
poet, a true friend and a wonderful human being. My condolences to all Inge's
family and friends. May she rest in peace. I'll never forget her.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In Inge’s words, a poem published at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whispers—</i>Published June 2018<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I will overcome</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes ...<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I only want to lay down,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>close my eyes, and sleep.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn reality into oblivion.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A fading spirit,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>my inner strength falters.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Please, let me linger<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in pleasant dreams,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and never return.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Your hand in mine, our tears<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>mingle in an unvoiced understanding.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The pain in your eyes<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>reflects your silent suffering.<br />
For you, I will fight until<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I raze all barriers.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>With you, I will overcome.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thank you for stopping by and sharing in this tribute to our
talented and caring friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope you
consider sharing a few thoughts too.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Karen O’Leary<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jack Horne</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-14677634002911213922018-07-07T01:27:00.000-07:002018-07-07T01:27:09.450-07:00Your Whispers’ Editor—Gratitude and Best Wishes—By Karen O’Leary<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dear <i>Whispers’</i>
Friends,</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It has been a special gift sharing our words, friendships
and accomplishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, in an<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>effort to share some thoughts, my final poem ended up in the
stratosphere…all the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whispers’<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>blessings and joy that you shared with it, my friends.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We have been an encouraging family…my dreams surpassed anything
a gal from North Dakota could hope for. Yet, it is time to let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve enjoyed the creative community we
shared. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Though it is time, it is hard to let go. Special thanks to Jack
and Inge for giving me more time to spend with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will leave you with a poem that many of you
have probably read but it seems fitting.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Love and blessings,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>--Karen O’Leary<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Carry On<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some days are long;<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the road gets tough.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We give it our all<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and that is enough.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Friends share our toils<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and carry us through.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We learn about love<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and generosity too.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We sing of the gift<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of a warm embrace.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It lifts our burden<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>from a weary place.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We learn to look<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>for others in need.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>With grateful hearts,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>we spread love’s seed.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some days are long;<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the road is tough.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We give our best<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and that is enough.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-86765324447992322682018-07-01T20:32:00.000-07:002018-07-01T20:32:55.109-07:00 Tribute to My Colleagues—Inge Wesdijk—The Netherlands and Jack Horne—England<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What to joy to share <i>Whispers
</i>with my talented colleagues. Jack
and Inge enhanced our online journal’s experience and allowed us more time to share
the gift of writing with others. Both, experienced writers, provided a
diversity and crossed borders to expand our journal’s horizons. Their willingness
to share their light has been a blessing in my life.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I chose a poem from each of them below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please stop by and thank them for the hours
and hours they put into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whispers</i>. Thank
you so much Inge and Jack for the experience of working with you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Blessings and best wishes,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Karen<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Delicate Dreams<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Inge
Wesdijk</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the upper drawer <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of my small cabinet <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I stored them, safely <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Afraid otherwise<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>they might get lost<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When times are tough, <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>my secret cache opens<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and I cherish myself<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>by the warm compassion<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of my delicate dreams<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hospital Cafe:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By Jack Horne<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sorrow sat at this table;<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>tears dripped down onto it<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>from eyes too blurred to see,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>as trembling fingers fumbled <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>with a bereavement booklet,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and pale lips sipped tea<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>that tasted only of loneliness.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Those at other tables turned away<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>fearing sorrow should sit with them...<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>...next.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-70328362048094404332018-06-30T22:39:00.000-07:002018-06-30T22:39:18.412-07:00Celebrating Our Blessings--By Karen O'Leary--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dear <i>Whispers’ </i>Family,</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It has been a joy to share <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whispers </i>with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite it
is the season for our online journal to close tomorrow, new opportunities await
our talented contributors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking of
the last 5 ½ of sharing the gift of poetry, has me smiling. It’s time to spread
your wings, my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope some of
you will stay in touch.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I will be sending you closing thoughts tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you allow me some extra emails as we
celebrate the gift of words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please congratulate
our new writers for June! (below)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wishing you the best always!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Happy Writing!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Blessings,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Karen, your editor<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NEW WRITERS FOR JUNE—<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Miranda Lloyd-Gregg,
England <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eliza Segiet, Poland<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>Artur
Komoter, United Kingdom--Translator<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>Kelly
Sauvage Angel, United States <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>deb y felio, United
States <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lucy Wight Farmer—United States</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-38128019722046160822018-06-30T22:01:00.000-07:002018-07-07T00:07:20.290-07:00Angelee Deodhar (In Memory—June 2018)--India<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Double
Helix</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>(Originally
published, Poet of the Month honor at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Whispers</u>,
</i>December 2015)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>By <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk518166245"><span style="color: black;">Angelee Deodhar </span></a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Now
a housewife, once a surgeon<br />
a template for the DNA chain<br />
like the double helix of her being<br />
she’s reduced to wearing latex gloves<br />
only while housecleaning every week<br />
meticulously she dons cap, mask, apron <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>on
a trolley arranged with surgical precision<br />
lie her gloves, brushes, dusters, solutions<br />
she drapes furniture with sheets of cotton<br />
then pulls on her gloves tightens them<br />
her size a neat seven <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>she
prepares the area to be cleaned<br />
with a weak Savlon solution<br />
swabs it as she would an abdomen<br />
in précis deft strokes<br />
from above below left to right<br />
never using an extra movement <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>and
just as she had once done in the OR<br />
she keeps soft music on – Strauss, Vivaldi<br />
she wonders if now her DNA double helix<br />
carries two genes<br />
one for housewife one for surgeon <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>squeeze-drying
the mop each time<br />
she scrubs the floor surgically clean<br />
removes the trolley<br />
absently counting her instruments<br />
removes gloves, cap, mask, apron<br />
the overshoes <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>washes
off the excess powder<br />
from her hands and creams them<br />
looking at them critically thrombosed<br />
blue-veined yet soft supple<br />
she warms them with her mug of coffee<br />
and then takes up her pen<br />
to write a poem.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dr.
Ms Angelee Deodhar, an eye surgeon by profession as well as a haiku poet,
translator, and artist, who lived in Chandigarh, India. Her haiku, haibun
and haiga have been published internationally in various books, magazines and journals. An
award winning poet, Angelee has also edited several translation books and
encouraged others at our online journal, an uplifting beacon of light in the
writing community.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Editor’s note—I was informed that Angelee Deodhar has died. Angelee has referred
writers to <u>Whispers,</u> allowed readers to share in her expertise with Asian
poetry and supported many in our writing community. She will be missed by me and
others. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.</b></span></i></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-41224132965817831872018-06-30T00:25:00.001-07:002018-06-30T00:25:55.727-07:00Frozen In Time--By Michael Todd--United States<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Frozen In Time (for Donna)</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Nostalgic thoughts and
remembrances, frozen in time... <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A large get together,
neighborhood gathers for croquet, <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Or, for one or two, find that
special tree to climb. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cares of the world, a world
away, was a time to play. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Late of the day, we would
listen for the bell to toll. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Eskimo Pies, Bullets,
Shivers, one or more if you please. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Frozen treats awaited, as the
Merry Mobile would roll. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Push Ups, Dreamsicles, Twin
Pops, provide the freeze. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>No cares in the world,
nothing could rain on our parade. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We held the Buried Treasure
in our hands, on a stick. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>One dime at a time, and we
were off to find out shade. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lest you want it to melt,
better off to eat it quick. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I am grateful for what
brought this back to my recall. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>It allows me to reflect on
times past, in subtle mime. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I hope this allows the same
for others, time to stall, <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And gather in your youthful
memories, frozen in time.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Michael Todd aka Myke Todd
has been writing and posting stories and poetry on social networking sites
since 2006. He can currently be found at his dedicated poetry site... <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://myketodd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://myketodd.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></span> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-61973938375702033492018-06-29T21:37:00.000-07:002018-06-29T21:37:11.631-07:00Special Feature Collaborative Poem—By ayaz daryl nielsen and Peggy Dugan French—United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>among the roses</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>
<div>
<br /></div>
By ayaz daryl nielsen and Peggy Dugan French</b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
the ecstasy of butterflies<br />
as they dance between the flowers<br />
warm summer sun across their wings<br />
so gracefully they waltz among the roses<br />
aflutter with the grace of the infinite<br />
touching our souls with their elegant charm</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-74695712075280455872018-06-29T21:16:00.000-07:002018-06-29T21:16:50.125-07:00Shaded-Tree Memories--By Maurice J. Reynolds--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shaded-Tree
Memories</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>On hot summer days<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>you provided shade<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and a whole lot more.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Memories of relaxing in a
lawn chair,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>clear blue skies,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>gladly enjoying lots of fresh
air.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mama bird finishing the nest,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>papa bird searching the soil
for food,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>baby birds sorting out the
rest.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Serene, not wanting this time
to pass,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>work still to be done,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the smell of fresh-cut grass.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Soft breezes offer a hug,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>preparing to quench my
thirst,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>with a frosty root beer mug.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The good ole days I can still
see,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>times that will never leave
my mind,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>memories under that old
shaded tree.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Maurice J. Reynolds (MJ) is
an educator living in the great state of Michigan. He loves spending time
with family, working with children and youth, as well as writing. He is
the owner and editor of the email publication, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Creative Inspirations</i>. Submission and subscription
information can be found at: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.creativeinspirationspp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.creativeinspirationspp.blogspot.com</span></a></span></span>. </b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-32525266653534361342018-06-28T20:40:00.001-07:002018-06-28T20:40:48.032-07:00Thank You for Being My Son--By James Keane--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thank You for Being
My Son (Excerpt)</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>
<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barely a child,<br />
you had nothing to say about it<br />
all those years ago. It was never<br />
your decision to make. But where<br />
there was no family, you made one.<br />
<br />
Thank you for being my son.<br />
<br />
The first word we heard from you,<br />
hanging by your fingers outside<br />
the crib you couldn’t sleep in (<i>and</i><br />
<i>never did</i>) was “Mama!” And later<br />
the second word, and the third, I<br />
heard when I came upon you, peddling<br />
with furious joy in the driveway,<br />
were one and the same when you<br />
saw me, coming home to my family:<br />
“Daddy! Daddy!”<br />
<br />
Thank you for being my son.<br />
<br />
James Keane's previous <i>Whispers’ </i>published
poem, "Apology" (March, 2018), was awarded Third Place at the 2018
St. Catherine of Bologna Photography, Art and Poetry Exhibition, held annually
in Ringwood, New Jersey USA.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-84213755159378657142018-06-28T20:23:00.000-07:002018-06-28T20:28:34.078-07:00The Skylark--By Connie Marcum Wong--United States<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Skylark – Alouette</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Watch the birds in
flight<br />
As they soar from sight<br />
Over verdant canopies,<br />
With their nests below<br />
Tiny feathers grow<br />
On their fledglings in the trees.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hungry mouths to feed<br />
With the gathered seed<br />
Found upon the dewy sod<br />
Which the skylark brings.<br />
Afterward she sings<br />
Her sweet gift of song to God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Connie Marcum Wong has been
the Web Mistress of a private poetry forum <i>Poetry for Thought</i> since
October 1999. She published her first poetry chapbook, <i>Island Creations</i>
in 2005. In 2007, <i>Heart Blossoms </i>was published. In January 2010, an
anthology, <i>A Poetry Bridge to All Nations, </i>was published by Lulu
Enterprises, Inc. Connie created the 'Constanza' poetry form in 2007 and Con-Verse form in 2010.
She has resided with her husband in Hawaii since 1980.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-48814280372044556412018-06-27T21:50:00.000-07:002018-06-27T21:50:29.292-07:00Misbehaving Letters--By Annie Jenkin--England<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Misbehaving Letters</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What's<br />
happened?<br />
Lines appear<br />
playing zig-zag<br />
on the page - picking<br />
words to distort and those<br />
highlighted - soon fade away.<br />
Letters start misbehaving like<br />
a roof slate, caught by the wind, falling<br />
out of place, letters sliding down the page <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>landing on a different
row. A verse,<br />
sentence or paragraph all sound so<br />
wrong to my ears. I try tracing<br />
lines, but fine finger tremors<br />
don't stop the jumbled words<br />
tumbling from my lips.<br />
Perhaps the wind<br />
will bring change<br />
some day<br />
soon. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk501577093"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk506064835"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501577093;">Annie Jenkin </span></a>lives in
Plymouth, England. Having not written poetry for many years, Annie has returned
to poetry writing with enthusiasm. Her writing explores several subject areas
that are insightful, humorous but can also be sensitive.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-55412989258799925612018-06-27T21:16:00.000-07:002018-06-27T21:16:01.698-07:00Petals in the Park--By Barbara Siekierski--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Petals in the Park</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Petals fall to the ground…<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>smelling the fragrance<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as I walk on soft grass<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Looking at the sky…<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seeing the birds fly<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as I soak up the sun<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Morning dew…<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the day begins<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barbara Siekierski is a
64-year-old widow with a son that has autism. He goes to a day program for
disabled adults 5 days a week. He lives with her the rest of the time.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-65089206285881665492018-06-26T22:23:00.001-07:002018-06-26T22:23:19.514-07:00What Is Poetry?--By Jim Teeters--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What
Is Poetry?</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>In
the beginning was the Word</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> -John
1:1<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It’s
only words<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>words
only<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>but
wait<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>an
arrangement of words<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> offers
meaning<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> paints
pictures of<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>how
a pond can be your life<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a
branch of the elm<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>can
tell a story<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>about
being cut off from love<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>lopped
and fallen<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> now
just a lonely stick<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> that
only<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jim
Teeters has published poetry in several anthologies. He conducts poetry
workshops for children and adults and is active in poetry readings in the
Seattle area through the Striped Water Poets. He is the author of six poetry
collections and the book, <i>Teach with Style,</i> (ASTD Press July 2013). Jim
is a retired social worker living in Kent, Washington.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-5830642777156857372018-06-26T22:14:00.000-07:002018-06-26T22:14:04.259-07:00Sunset in the Smokies--Tom Davis--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sunset
in the Smokies</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
Pink, beige, and grey<br />
Clouds<br />
<br />
Backdrop<br />
<br />
Green sprinkled<br />
Smokies<br />
<br />
Soon<br />
<br />
Night will come<br />
and chase away<br />
the day<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tom Davis lives in Webster,
NC and his work has been published in numerous venues. He authored several
books which can be found at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.oldmp.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.oldmp.com</span></a></span></span>
Tom has recently completed his memoir, <i>The Most Fun I Ever Had With My
Clothes On: A March from Private to Colonel. </i>Tom<i> </i>is the
publisher for Old Mountain Press since 1992.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-47476102618919330632018-06-25T19:50:00.001-07:002018-06-25T19:50:25.442-07:00a bench in the woods--By James Marshall Goff--United States<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a bench in the woods</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a fine mist quiets the forest floor,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>an acorn drops from above,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> with a thud<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a crisp oak leaf spirals,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> gently to the ground<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a burbling brook,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> feeds it's trout<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in a while, my heart joins in<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> .... and worries drift away<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>James Marshall Goff brings a fresh voice from Minnesota, from the crashing waves of Lake Superior, to the drumbeat in his heart for social justice. His wish is for the reader to feel free to float above his poems, joining him in a dance of possibilities, celebrating the joy of love.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-32262396230860838432018-06-25T19:38:00.000-07:002018-06-25T19:38:27.249-07:00Special Feature Translation Poem--By Eliza Segiet--Poland and Translated by Artur Komoter--United Kingdom<i><span lang="PL"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chmurność</b></span></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eliza Segiet <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chowam się<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>w ciszy<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>niepewności
jutra,<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>cieszę się,<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>że dzisiaj nade
mną jest<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>niebo.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Opowiadam bajkę z
chmur,<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>choć nie wiem<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>jak się skończy.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wiatr daje
zakończenie,<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>póki niebo się
nie otworzy<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>– patrzę,<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>bo w niebie widzę
kształty z ziemi.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Piękne są chmurne
podróże<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>i chmurność nieba<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>jest piękna.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cloudiness<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Translated by Artur
Komoter<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I hid<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;">e<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in the silence<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of<span style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"> </span>uncertainty of
tomorrow<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;">,<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am glad<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;">,<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>that today the sky is<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;">above</span><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT;"> me.</span><span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I tell a tale from the clouds,<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>although I do not know<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>how it ends.<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The wind gives an ending,<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>until the sky does not open<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;">– </span>I look,<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>because I see shapes in the sky from <span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;">down below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Beautiful are cloudy travels<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and cloudiness of the sky<span lang="PL" style="mso-ansi-language: PL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>is beautiful.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-63891461732200072992018-06-25T19:27:00.000-07:002018-06-25T20:18:04.933-07:00Sonnet 108, Healing Rose and Thistle--By Ken Allan Dronsfield--United States<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sonnet
108, Healing Rose and Thistle</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The
pious guidelines of a life are said<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>to
be born of rose and thistle at dawn<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>evil
briers or brambles grasping tightly<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>a
long read of the sacraments to calm.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Left
upon a box of reddish apples<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>or
resting on a bed of fresh thistle<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>our
working knives are sharpest at sunrise<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>grievously pray on a horned head.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>raw
sand and salt of ravaged ocean rock<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>the
truth seamless or strewn in a tempest<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>albeit
whispers speak shallow of plot<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>cherished
as the woman's footsteps shuffle.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>do
quickly scuff along hither and yon<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>whilst
gathering the red rose on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ken
Allan Dronsfield is a disabled veteran and poet residing in Oklahoma. Ken
enjoys music, writing and spending time with his cats Willa, Hemi and Turbo. He
has one poetry collection, <i>The
Cellaring</i> and is Co-Editor for 2 poetry anthologies. His work can be
viewed in numerous (online) magazines and anthologies worldwide. Ken loves
life!</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-8066351674101967062018-06-24T21:38:00.000-07:002018-06-24T21:38:22.779-07:00When the Night Comes--By Sandra Stefanowich--Canada<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When the Night
Comes</b></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">it's once more</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in a wind<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I’ll hear<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>your voice<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">in a song</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>with sleepy eyes<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I’ll see you<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>appear<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">among
the stars</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>inside
the lunar lounge<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>half the way -<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>for that cup of
coffee<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">where we meet</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>for when <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the night<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>comes<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">by the grace
of God</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a precious heart<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>always seems<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to stay that way<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Born in Toronto,
Ontario, Sandra Stefanowich<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk517646569"> </a>is a self-taught
writer. She has been writing off and on since an early age. Most of her writing
revolves around what she sees in everyday life, nature and her concerns about
mankind. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, animals and photography.</b></span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-81189716955486844312018-06-24T21:28:00.001-07:002018-06-24T21:28:32.362-07:00In a Hidden Garden--By Andrea Dietrich--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In a Hidden Garden</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In a hidden garden where<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>roses red perfume the air,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>we can meet beneath moon’s
glow.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There with you I long to go.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We shall sit where May’s soft
breeze<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>wafts through leaves of
Hawthorn trees.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Love and loveliness dwell
there -<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>things with you I wish to
share.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Andrea Dietrich grew up in
Iowa and now resides in Utah with a spouse and two cats. Having graduated BYU
with a Spanish major/ESL minor, she has spent most of her adult life teaching.
In 2000, she began writing in earnest and discovering her "niche" as
a writer of lyrical poetry. She has spent nearly a decade now participating in
poetry clubs, acting as a judge of poetry contests for various magazines and
for the website <i>Shadow Poetry.</i></b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-49474040927152454332018-06-24T21:11:00.002-07:002018-06-24T21:11:35.740-07:00Weaving Words and Nets--By Mary Bone--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Weaving Words and Nets</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
Weaving words into the fishermen's nets,<br />
a lady sat by the river, weaving diligently<br />
before the sun went down.<br />
Her work was second to none.<br />
Her livelihood and the fishermen's<br />
all depended on how well she weaved.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mary Bone has had recent poems accepted at <i>Whispers,
The Poet’s Gig, Literary Yard</i> and <i>Magazine Record Blogspot</i> among
others. Mary has been writing since the age of twelve.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-61686120419751367652018-06-23T21:42:00.001-07:002018-06-23T21:42:52.146-07:00Gray Dawn--By Barbara Tate--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gray
Dawn</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>From this hill of old age
pain<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I grip the air for balance,
nights<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>no longer friendly, sleep
turns me away.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Did the sun ever rise
at midnight?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Locked away in a night of
loneliness<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I wonder what
yesterday's tomorrow will bring<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and tonight will
the Big Dipper pour out its stars?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Names and words cried into a
nighttime pillow<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>dry with the dawn, shadows
get lost in sunshine<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and spring snowflakes dance
on sparrow wings.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>
Alone with myself--<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>
it's a good place to be.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barbara Tate is an award
winning artist and writer. She's a member of the Haiku Society of America.
Her work has been published in <i>Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Santa Fe
Literary Review, The Heron's Nest </i>&<i> Failed Haiku</i> among
many others.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-28378397545443298952018-06-23T21:29:00.001-07:002018-06-23T21:29:27.667-07:00Poems--By Patricia Geyer--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>sun dogs</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>
mock the morning...<br />
they laugh<br />
in rainbow<br />
colors<br />
---<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>noisy din<br />
in a pile of leaves<br />
squirrel searches<br />
for what might have been...<br />
his long lost treasure<br />
---<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>walking<br />
down the forest path...<br />
a trace<br />
of tree roots<br />
yet to grow<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
Patricia Geyer lives in East Brunswick, NJ, USA. An amateur photographer and
poet, her home is surrounded by many parks and lakes. She walks every day to
find her inspiration in nature. She has been published in <i>Bright Stars 1, Moonbathing, Kokako 21, The Bamboo Hut, Undertow Tanka
Review</i> and<i> Akitsu Quarterly.</i> </b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-918763063584645962018-06-23T19:36:00.001-07:002018-06-23T19:36:51.773-07:00June Activity Feature--The Tetractys--Hosted By Jack Horne--Whispers’ Activity Feature Editor<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some moving, some beautiful, some humorous, I loved your
tetractys poetry! For many of you, this was probably a new form and you all did
a great job. If you wrote a single (5 lines) or double (10 lines) tetractys
poem, my thanks to each and every one of you.</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jack<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Sentinel<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Soldier<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Who stands guard<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>At the fortress <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Is the true sentinel of the city<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Vincent Van Ross, New Delhi, India<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Discrete Quantities<br />
<br />
string<br />
theory<br />
vibrations<br />
with everything ~<br />
these quantum effects cannot be ignored<br />
<br />
Pat Geyer, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many Happy Returns<br />
<br />
Joy <br />
came by<br />
happily<br />
serving others,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>with no other motive than "His pure love".<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Charlene McCutcheon, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Relief<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>stone<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>falling<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to the sea<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a long way down<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>She recovers her equilibrium<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Isha Wagner, New Zealand<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fog<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fog<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>rolls back<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to reveal<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>all the colors,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>gauze-like mist dropping from in front of eyes.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Linda Imbler, United States.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Meditation Garden<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>June<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Grandma's<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>flowers bloom<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in the garden<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>her gifts to me, letting me know she's close.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Enduring love with her arms around me,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>security<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of days past,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I love<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barbara Tate, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Losing Vision<br />
<br />
My<br />
eyes go<br />
dark as my<br />
heart grows cold as<br />
my mind goes to pieces over my fate.<br />
I can blame others, I can blame myself,<br />
I can blame God<br />
but all this<br />
blame is<br />
blind.<br />
<br />
Michael A. Griffith, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I Object<br />
<br />
verse<br />
is not<br />
just about<br />
a certain style<br />
it is all about writing from the heart.<br />
<br />
Caryl Calsyn, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Unfeeling<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Trim<br />
Your long<br />
Nail and hair<br />
Love growing fast<br />
Towards me, restrain and feel no more pain.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Partha Chatterjee, India<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br />
</i>Flying High<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Son<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>my child<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>spread your wings<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and leave the nest<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>then fly as high as an eagle in flight.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You have the opportunity to soar,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to make your mark<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in the world...<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>go for<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>it!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jan Allison, Isle of Man<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sour Grapes<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>do know<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>that writing<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a tetractys<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>is really no more than just showing off.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nick Spargo, United Kingdom<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fairy Tale Tetractys<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> “Once<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>upon<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a time” is,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>by tradition,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a great way to begin a fairy tale.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And they lived
happily ever after”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>is the way all<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>good fairy<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>tales should<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>end.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
Carl ‘Papa’ Palmer, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>love to<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>pick flowers<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>from her garden<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the camellia blooms are like snowfall<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Anne Curran, New Zealand<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Rhythmic Sea<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>blue<br />
swelling <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>waves that quench<br />
the sun’s dry lips;<br />
they wait for night to dance beneath the stars.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Paul Callus, Malta<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Time Traveler<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>each step floats above the earth as time stops<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to give us hope<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>gravity<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>seeks to<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>crush<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>James Marshall Goff, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Popsicles with Friends<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Things<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That bring<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many smiles<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Are popsicles<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Eaten with friends around the swimming pool<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mary Bone, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bare<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and lost<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the fir tree<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>without candles<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>some parcels still awaiting collection<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gert Knop, Germany<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Homecoming</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Screams<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of joy<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>spotting Dad<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>on the tarmac<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>safely returning from tour of duty.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Deb Felio, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barnyard Swallows<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Birds<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In flight<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Catch insects<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To feed their young<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Devoted parents, hover, feed, defend<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Distressed by our presence on the porch<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fly in, retreat<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then slip by<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feed young<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bugs<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sara Kendrick, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Faith</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dark<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>moments --<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I still do<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>believe the light<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>will guide me and chase the shadows away<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Inge Wesdijk, The Netherlands<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Quiet Light<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Soft<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>essence~~<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the twilight<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>waves' crests shimmer.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My spirit finds solace in swishing sounds.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By Karen O’Leary, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our Side of the
Street</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>this<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>terrace<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>bookended <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>by cherry trees –<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>it's a bloomin' gorgeous place to reside.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>autumn-flowering then spring-flowering,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>one at each end – <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>like bright stars<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>short lived<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>blooms.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mary Gunn, Ireland.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Try Tetractys<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Try<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As a<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Good writer<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I did not see<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The true value of style, the Tetractys<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yancy Lee Dalton, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Candle of Hope<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hope<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>is one<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>small candle<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>against darkness<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>held tight in many hands to light the world<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A flicker within nights inky chalkboard <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>that ripples streaks<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>of freedom <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>seen by<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>all<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mary A. Couch, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Holiday Cheer<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>turkey<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>is missing<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>this Thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I wonder if he’ll make it for Christmas.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Robert P. Hansen, United States<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chasing Rainbows<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Eyes<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>staring<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>constantly<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>at the closed door;<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For years waiting to see him return home.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dr. Upma A. Sharma, India<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sunset<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>red ball <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>spreading out,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>now fades and then <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a nice glissade over the rift valleys <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gopal Lahiri, Mumbai, India</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-79397620910715581142018-06-22T22:14:00.002-07:002018-06-22T22:14:42.227-07:00Erinnerungen/Memories--Bilingual Poem--By Gert W. Knop--Germany<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Erinnerungen
(German)</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Die Lichter längst gelöscht<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in träumenreicher Nacht.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jetzt am späten Nachmittag<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>flutet Licht von draußen den
Raum<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>mit länger nicht gehörten
Melodien,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>jedoch oft geträumt.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Erinnerungen bleiben,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>unvergessen.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Die Zukunft lebt von
Erinnerungen,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>eine Zukunft ohne Erinnerungen<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ist wie ein blind gewordener
Spiegel.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Aber die Hoffnung bleibt,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>lässt alte Bilder langsam
verblassen<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in neuen Träumen<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Memories
(English)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The lights have long been
cleared<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in dreamy night.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now in the late afternoon<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>light from outside floods the
room<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>with longer not heard
melodies,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>but often dreamed.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Memories stay,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>unforgotten.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The future lives on memories,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>a future without memories<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>is like a mirror that has
become blind.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But the hope remains,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>makes old pictures to fade
slowly<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>in new dreams<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gert W. Knop was born in
1943, studied arts and tropical agriculture and is now living in Zittau,
Germany. He writes poetry and short stories in German, English and Spanish.</b></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629436772073396833.post-53186256916358351622018-06-22T21:59:00.000-07:002018-06-22T21:59:33.427-07:00How?--By Yancy Dalton--United States<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How? (sonnet)</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Embryo creators wish on a
star<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dilemma of amnesia from
afar<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Children of God,
human mortals they are<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Adopt filth of man's
scientific jar 10<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Former existence hidden
from their view<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In a human
body which is brand new <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now able to enjoy, the taste
of stew<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Plus everything
else the top creators do<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is all a part of
mankind's progress <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So he advances
into being his best<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>God's setup for individual zest<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Those who are humble,
can & will be blest<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some kneel, pray in
faith to our God above<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To gain ways of being his
kind of love<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yancy Dalton grew up on a
cattle ranch riding, roping, and branding calves. He
started writing poetry after college, church mission, and
marriage. When he first started writing online, the name
"Yancy" was often taken for a girl's name. So,
he made up a pen name to progress as a poet
called "Knight Writer."</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Karen O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510849199110347270noreply@blogger.com7