Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Poet of the Month--Sandra Stefanowich

Lookout Mountain

By Sandra Stefanowich

Midnight blue were my eyes
as the ebony seeped into
my tired, weakened bones
helpless against the winds
haunting this clouded mind

you were nowhere in sight
the silence shook my soul
and no stars shone tonight
as I travelled this empty road
to another passageway in time

but the sun somehow had risen
pastel hues of daylight emerged
as I gazed upon the mountain
tears running down its stony face
shedding the ones I couldn't cry

echoing across the distance
came the sound of your name
I was there looking for you
roaming in the vast woodlands
lamenting in a wish to go back

when you look upon high
a part of me I've left there
and if these words reach you
will you meet me again someday
on top of Lookout Mountain
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From the editor--It is an honor to announce that Sandra Stefanowich is July’s Poet of the Month.  She is a talented writer and photographer who has been published in a variety of venues.  Readers at Whispers relate to the depth of her heartfelt poetry.  Sandra has been an encouraging voice at our online journal since its onset in 2013.  She regularly leaves thoughtful comments which others appreciate.  Sandra has collaborated with other writers on several poems that have been featured at Whispers.  It is a pleasure to present Sandra with this honor!
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Thoughts on “Lookout Mountain”--Right from the onset, Sandra grabbed my attention with vivid imagery.  The emotion flows through her words in a powerful and heartfelt way, a hallmark of many of Sandra’s poems.  She allows the reader to experience the loneliness and loss as she shares this journey.  At the end, all I can say is Wow!  “Lookout Mountain” is one of those pieces that will be remembered by many.
_______________

Congratulations and thank you Sandra!  I appreciate all you do and have done for Whispers.

Sincerely,

Karen O’Leary, Editor

37 comments:

  1. This is a very beautiful, heartfelt and touching poem; I love the imagery and the several phrases that catch the eye; love the tears running down the mountain face making up for yours. Well done! // paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Paul,

      Thank you for your kind thoughts on my poem they are very much appreciated.

      Sandra

      Delete
  2. Congratulations Sandra - Great July choice for poet of the month. Your words always touches one who is searching...well done!!!

    Rhoda Galgiani
    Expressions Poetry Journal
    chesakat1.blogspot

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rhoda,

      Thank you for congrats and your kind thoughts I appreciate it very much. It is nice to see you here and hope you are doing well.

      Love Sandra

      Delete
  3. Whoo-Hoo! And congrats! on the Poetess of the month! Of course, it is the perfect selection and I am proud to read your poem which is very heartfelt, expressing a moment, which can sometimes be an eternal moment of missing someone or of loneliness. You write beautifully and with your soul, my friend. I am proud to have featured you, too, on www.poetryandbeyond.net. What a joy and what a blessing you are to this old world! You bring a softness of pure soul and love that is irresistible! congrats once again! Karen has made the perfect choice! Sheri

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sheri,

      Thank you very much for your kind thoughts and words I appreciate it very much, Sheri and I am grateful to you the wonderful person that you are for supporting the poetry and photography I have posted on your wonderful site.

      Love Sandra

      Delete
  4. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following--

    Well done, my friend. Awesome write. So pleased to see you as Poet of the Month. Love always xx

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    Replies
    1. Dear Jack,

      Thank you, my friend, for the congrats it means a lot to me and I appreciate it very much.

      Love you too,
      Sandra

      Delete
  5. Sandra,
    A very moving poem. I enjoy your work very much.
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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    Replies
    1. Dear David,

      Thank you for your kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed the poem it is appreciated.

      Sandra

      Delete
  6. Thank you, Isha Wagner, for the following--

    This poem has a mystique about it : it's almost surreal : and the yearning for the other shows so well the human condition, wanting that which is out of reach. It is a beautiful poem full of metaphor. This is how I read it and others will differ. Congratulations to Sandra.

    Yours sincerely
    Isha Wagner

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    Replies
    1. Dear Isha,

      Thank you for the congrats and for your very thoughtful and kind comments on this poem I appreciate very much.

      Sandra

      Delete
  7. Congratulations, Sandra, on being the Poet of the Month. A beautiful and intense poem. I can identify with the emotions expressed and enjoy reading it.

    Asni

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    Replies
    1. Dear Asni,

      Thank you for the congratulations and for taking the time to read and comment on this poem. I appreciate it very much and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Sandra

      Delete
  8. Dear Karen,

    Thank you very much for this honor and I am humbled by your very kind words and thoughts it is very much appreciated as is your ongoing support in what I do. You have created a wonderful community that is good to be a part of and I thank you for all that you do too.

    Love Sandra

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  9. Dear Sandra,

    What a pleasure to honor you! Not only are you talented, you are kind and supportive to others too. It is people like you that make the writing community a pleasure to be a part of. In reaching beyond ourselves we find the true meaning of the writing experience.

    Love,
    Karen

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  10. Congratulations, Sandra :) :) This poem definitely did strike a chord in me and I loved the way it flows like good poetry should, with no sore thumbs sticking out! A job well-done :)

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    Replies
    1. Dear Shloks,

      Thank you for stopping by to congratulate me and offer your kind comments I appreciate it very much.

      Sandra

      Delete
  11. Congratulations on being selected poet of the month Sandra. Your poem is wonderful, & I especially love the third stanza. ~Chris

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    Replies
    1. Hi Christine,

      Thank you very much I really appreciate your kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

      Sandra

      Delete
  12. Congratulations, Sandra. You have received a well deserved honor here on whispers. I have made note of all the times you have been so supportive of everyone including myself, with such kind words of appreciation for our talents.

    As for your poem today, the emotions it evoked, as I read it, were poignant. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents in so many ways here on Whispers.
    Love, Charlene

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    Replies
    1. Dear Charlene,

      Thank you, Charlene, I am grateful for this honor Karen has given me and I appreciate your kind words about me that is very nice of you. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem and I want to thank you for your support as well you've always taken the time to leave very nice comments for myself and others too on Whisper's.

      Love Sandra

      Delete
  13. Thank you, David Austin, for the following--

    Congrats to Sandra Stefanowich for her lovely poem. I wonder if she drew inspiration from the Lookout Mountain in Colorado. I've been there many times. There is a statue of Buffalo Bill there. They say he is buried there. Love, Dave Austin

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    Replies
    1. Dear David,

      Thank you, David, I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and offer your congratulations and I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. The Lookout Mountain I was inspired by was in Tennessee it was beautiful going through that area. I had not known there was also one in Colorado nor did I know about Buffalo Bill thanks for letting me know about that.

      Love Sandra

      Delete
  14. Thank you, Beth Winchcombe, for the following,

    WOW, such a wonderful description of a lonely, maybe sad person, and a mountain. Reading it, takes you right into the soul of the poet. Look into the eyes, search and find the soul...often hidden behind a facade we erect!

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    Replies
    1. Dear Beth,

      Thank you for taking the time to come by and leave your kind thoughts about this poem, I appreciate it very much.

      Sandra

      Delete
  15. Hi Sandra. Congratulations on being named Whispers' "Poet of the Month" for July. A well-deserved honor. We are blessed to read and meditate upon your gifted poetry. God's blessings for continued success in all your writing endeavors!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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    Replies
    1. Dear Maurice,

      Thank you very much for offering your congratulations, your ever kind words and blessings I appreciate it very much.

      Love Sandra

      Delete
  16. This is a delightful read. I know the mountain and climbed it again with you. congratulations on you new status on the site. blessings zona editor jazopublications.com

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    Replies
    1. Dear Zona,

      Thank you for taking the time to read my work and offer your congratulations to me. I'm so glad you enjoyed the poem and got to climb up the mountain again.

      Sandra

      Delete
  17. A Special Thank You;

    I would like to take this time to show my appreciation to one other person and that is Carolyn Devonshire. From the very beginning she has always given her time to support, encourage and help me improve my writing and she has done this for many others as well in the writing community. Without her kindness of heart to help people like myself I wouldn't be where I am today - Thank you, Carolyn.

    Love Sandra

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  18. Dear Sandra, Your poem touched my heart. Our journeys through life can seem very lonely at times and when you find someone special, it is regrettable to lose them. Congratulations on being chosen "Poet of the Month." It's an honor you definitely deserve, my friend.

    Love,
    Carolyn

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  19. I really am happy to see you as poet of the month, Sandra! This poem is definitely very intriguing and I can't help but feel like I am experiencing it as well, on that mountain and hoping.... you take your readers with you, and feel with you about that loss-- I think that we all experience loss at certain points in our lives, but you put it on pen so eloquently.

    Thank you for always passing by my poems-- it's always a pleasure to hear from you and I hope all is well with you... God bless <3

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    Replies
    1. Dear Nikko,

      Thank you for stopping by to offer your congratulations and your kind words on the poem. It is so nice to hear from you, Nikko, and it is always a pleasure for me to read your poetry.

      Love Sandra

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