Thursday, June 30, 2016

Celebrating Contributors--Their Views with My Gratitude--Karen O'Leary, Whispers' Editor

Dear Whispers’ Friends,

We passed the 200,000 milestone, a celebration of each person that has been a part of our online journal/poetry community. Thank you so much to the countless wonderful people that have shared in this journey.

True Color

Encouragement is a white
tulip in spring.
It does not pretend
to boast vivid, rich hues.
In its simple beauty,
it displays what it is.

Contributors were asked to share some thoughts about Whispers or about poetry in general.  Here are their thoughts and poetry for you to enjoy.

Many blessings and best wishes,

Karen O’Leary
Whispers’ Editor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ayaz daryl nielsen, United States--

lotsa love, Karen, as always. . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary Jo Balistreri, United States--

Oh Karen, the poem says so much. Love to you always.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael Todd, United States--

I love your poem and all it implies.
I adore this place as a second home.
I could not say it better in a dozen tries;
To those on the sidelines, come and get you some.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pam Murray, Canada--

Well put Michael; short but so to the point!

Pam
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charlene McCutcheon, United States—

Whispers is a home away from home indeed
Other's hungry souls we want to feed.
A big deal, but it's only half the fun
Being fed a "full deal" is rarely done.

Love coming here and being fed!

Thank you Karen for all you do to make this a great place to be. It does feel like home.

Love, Charlene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Connie Marcum Wong, United States--

Beautifully said Karen. It is always a pleasure to visit Whispers.

Love and Aloha,
Connie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Molly Moore, United States--

I love the image of the pure white tulip. Since white contains all colors of the visible spectrum, it whispers to us that we here are all one. Warmest mahalo to you, Karen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jim Teeters, United States—

Yes, simplicity - fits my Quaker self!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David Fox, United States—

Whispers is a great place to display
Our spiritual writings or fun wordplay
Karen the editor takes what we write
And shares it with others -- what a great site!

Thanks for all you do, Karen!

Your friend,
David Fox
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peggy French, United States--

Great piece, Karen, best to you! Peggy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suzanne Delaney, United States--

Dear Karen:

The simple beauty of your poem highlights the welcoming feeling of Whispers.
Such a joy to read and share thoughtful poetry with like- minded writers.
Like coming into a quiet room and closing the door to be refreshed by beautiful thoughts.

Hugs,
SuZ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ralph Stott, England—

Being true is a wonderful foundation. Long may Whispers stand! A wonderful poem Karen, for this thread.

Over
another hill
the sound of the sea

crescent moon
a poet fills
a void

keep going Karen! Your dedication is an inspiration.

Ralph
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pam Murray, Canada—

I agree Ralph, Beautiful words that touched my soul too.

Pam
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Paul Callus, Malta--

Hi Karen, I want to thank you for all the encouragement you have given me from the day I joined Whispers. You made me welcome and treated me as a friend. Poetry brings us closer to each other. May you keep up your hard work! God bless.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunil Sharma, India--

Tulips.
On the steel table
Of a hospital room
Lend hope to the ill.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sandra Stefanowich, Canada--

Dear Karen,

Your poem is simply beautiful as you are. As I took a walk through your tulips they led me to an

Unknown Destination

the train whistle blew
awakened
I rode the rails

back to you, my friend. Thank you for all that you do.

Love, Sandra
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ken Allan Dronsfield and Blanca Alicia Garza—United States

Wonderful poem Karen, and with the end of your poem, I\we hear ......

Whispers

Whisper softly in my ear
share your dreams of a
beautiful coolish spring
where worms run in fear
of Robins upon the lawn.

Come to me in the scent
of lovely lilacs and roses,
musty leaves, renewed
earth and blue skies with
pink marshmallow clouds.

Ride a lovely unicorn into
the glorious sunset upon
reddish twilight shadows.
Whisper softly in my ear;
I am yours, forevermore.

Ken Allan Dronsfield
Blanca Alicia Garza
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pam Murray, Canada--

Ken and Blanca, this poem is absolutely breath taking and so perfect for the intent of this Thread.

Pam
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Constance Escobar, United States—

Whispers is a wonderful resource for great poetry and a great venue where poets can share their work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brian Strand, England—

Karen

Whisper it short..
whisper it long..v
whisper forever..here..
....in little songs

May each 'Whisperer' continue to be a 'poiema' (Ephesians 2:10 ) to each other... it is a natural necessity so to do.

rgds Brian
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Connie Marcum Wong, United States--

This is my offering to help celebrate your upcoming milestone of 200,000 views Karen. Your Whispers is a joy to visit and you are truly appreciated for all you do to help poetry prosper. Aloha and Congratulations my friend. Connie

Seasons

With a chill still in the wind, spring arrives
Clutching her white coat that slowly melts
In Sun's warmth, coaxing blossom's birth.

Humidity heavy with the scent of Jasmine
Announces summer's steamy footsteps
As ripe strawberries share sweet savors.

A harvest moon greets lovely autumn, smiling,
When her frosty breath changes verdant leaves
To glorious hues, drifting down, dancing to death.

When winter white fleeces her snowy shawl,
Maple trees share syrup from their vitreous veins.
Hearth's smoke rises above naked trees at rest.

Connie Marcum Wong
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jack Horne, England—

Some tulips here for everyone,
plus friendship, smiles and lots of fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary and Alice Couch, United States--

within the whispers
musical notes bring delight
inner mind transcends

Alice & Mary Couch
We are glad to be part of this great group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marlene Million, United States--

"Whispers" inspires many souls.
On soft breezes, words drift
above cloud-cushioned sky,
mingling, and gracious music endures.

Wonderful to be a part of this group,
Marlene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pam Murray, Canada--

Encouragement Is

A light touch given with love
A rainbow in a stormy day
A simple word, a miracle
That helps us look beyond the grey.

A smile that tells us we're worthwhile
A calm acceptance of our fears
As simply part of who we are;
Encouragement lasts all through our years.

Pam H. Murray
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maurice Reynolds, United States--

Thanks for sharing, Karen. Your poem is a reminder, to me, of the beauty within us that has the potential to become amazingly beautiful. Continued blessings to you and Whispers, and its contributors and readers.

-MJ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raamesh Gowri Raghavan, India--

Thank you for this thread, Karen. It is truly a reminder to celebrate what we have while we have it.

Sharing a poem that has been the lynchpin of my creative outlook:-

The message is supreme;
Born in the heart,
and lilting itself
from tongue to tongue,
throwing its scent
over wind and wave;
travelling on dots
or fingers
when blindness
or silence bar its way.

It hews itself into stone
or burns itself onto magnetic discs;
it is the message that lives
and I exist
solely to pass it on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barbara Tate, United States--

What a delight this journey has been with Whispers. So many familiar names and old friends!! Thank you Karen for all the hard work you put in for each and every one of us--and thank you for telling me "how it is" when I need it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christine Tate, United States--

Thank you Karen for the invitation
in an ongoing thread of celebration.
Across the globe words take flight
as poets share what they write.
I hope others are blessed indeed
by the wonderful poems they read.

Love to you Karen,
Chris~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gerald Heyder, United States--

Just a few lines to say how wonderful Whispers truly is. This venue is a blessing for everyone involved from contributor to reader. Whispers expands the horizon of literature to an ever shrinking world in which we live. May this publication be in existence for a long time to come so that it may grow by leaps and bounds for the benefit regarding the realm of poetry!

Sincerely,
Gerald Heyder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ndongolera Mwanguplili, Malawi--

Whispers is a family. Global family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John Polselli, United States--

Congratulations on the growing success of Whispers. I'm sure you'll reach the 200,000 views landmark soon. It's truly a pleasure to be a part of this important and valuable labor of love and dedication. Poetry is a deep inner-calling of the soul, and, as such, as long as human beings exist, it shall never perish. Whispers is proof positive of this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John W. Williams, United States--

Whispers is the voice of poets! It speaks heart to heart... I am grateful to be a part of its voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gerald Heyder, United States--

Whispering Winds

A cool whispering breeze
teases and pleases
the senses of our hearts
and souls to show
nature croons poetry
in a blithe spiritual way.
The whispering winds
of words emblazon a fruitful
meaning upon the screen
of our subconscious mind
for us to find kind
feelings in our dealings
with committing grace
and beauty upon paper.
Long may whispers
flourish to nourish
our hunger of the written
word for the true posterity
May God bless the vessel
christened "Whispers"!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eleanor Michael, United States--

Poetry. . .

written work
distilled
into short forms.
These threads
bind us together
in understanding
common experiences
of now living
in an ever-trying
world; sided, yes
by those who hope,
who help us all
travel on -
meet each new day
each new challenge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David Palmer, United States--

Congratulations, Karen on the achievement of this tremendous milestone. Poetry is one of our most significant forces for good in this world. Through the words of the Poet, not only is life in all of its triumphs, tragedies, absurdities and humor presented as it is; the opportunity also exists to present to our world a vision of what life could be like, what more me might expect, and perhaps what steps we could begin to take now toward that better world. Congratulations Whispers! May the vision continue for another 200,000 views, and many more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Neena Singh, India--

Congratulations dear Karen! May Whispers grow from strength to strength...numbers are good but what is more inspiring is that you are connecting sensitive souls who express their thoughts and emotions in poetry! Motivating some to write, some to inspire others, all yearning to make a difference.....God Bless you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Langley Shazor, United States--

Karen I am so humbled to be a part of such a wonderful community of poets. I am encouraged daily by the words of everyone who contributes. Thank you for all you do to continue to grow Whispers!!!

Whispering Haiku

A community
Here we are all uplifted
Together we speak
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sanjeev Sethi, India--

Karen

In your environs
I can inhale
purity of Whispers.

God Bless!

Sanjeev Sethi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joan McNerney, United States—

Many congratulations to you and your lovely white tulip called "Whispers.

Luncheon by the lake...
how lucky we are to have
such a large finger bowl!

Joan McNerney
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edilson Afonso Ferreira, Brazil--

Be sure your white tulip radiates so many warm feelings through our particular world what it would never be expected from simply whispers. And this is because they are reunited and leaded by the kindness and love of you, dear Karen. We wish you all happiness and joy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arthur Turfa, United States--

Thanks, Karen! It is great to be part of this community!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maralee Gerke, United States--

Each time I read poems on this site it makes me realize how many wonderful poets there are scattered over the world. We can't take over the world but we can make it a more beautiful and peaceful place. Grateful to be part of it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sanjeev Sethi, India--

An edited version of the one sent earlier in the day/night.

Karen

In your environ
I inhale
purity of Whispers.

God Bless!
Sanjeev Sethi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sheikha A., Pakistan and U.A.E.--

this space is an opening
like the closures of dawns,
we write to end a beginning
to mend what's torn. This is
the full circle of hazes
where we wade through fogs,
the peaks of our spirits
find paths of dreams to trod.

- Sheikha A.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nila Webster, United States--

Thank you, Nila Webster, for the following--

We are all part of the fabric of God's universal love, and part of the fabric of each other's lives. Whispers is a living manifestation of this fabric and spirals around the world, radiating hope and giving inspiration. To be part of this is to make a difference, and this venue to share is gift and a way to shine our light.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David Kelly, Ireland--

Congratulations Karen, for the milestone and for gathering such a wonderful community.

Here's a haiku in celebration of the site ...

lost in its beauty
a song of many voices
whispers in the wind

David
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
jani johe webster--Thank you, Nila Webster for sharing her Mom's words for this thread—United States

it is a gift / this day

By jani johe webster
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maricris Cabrera, Philippines--

Rushing water rolling down to the sea makes music to my ears.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And so we end this thread that is woven with countless others that have graced this journal with their poetry and for readers kind enough to share their encouraging words.  It is up to each of us to chart our own journeys and in those journeys, and here at Whispers, I hope we make a difference.                                                               Blessings always, Karen 

Haiku--By Martha Magenta--England

among car horns
the music of 
bellflowers
_______________ 

New Year's Eve
a blackbird turns over
old leaves
_______________ 

spring departing
a butterfly shadow
on my hand
_______________ 

a slight dusting of snow
a courting robin whispers
in the leaves
_______________ 

spring sunrise
birdsong cuts across 
our conversation
_______________

Martha Magenta lives in England, UK. Her poems focus on a wide variety of topics including: love, loss, spirituality and meditation, environment abuse, and violence against women. Recently, she has begun to write haiku. A number of her poems and haiku have been published in online journals. Her other activities include: organic gardening, herbalism, and aromatherapy. She is co-owner of POETS, the second largest poetry community on Google Plus.

Corvinus--By Arthur Turfa--United States

Corvinus

History books generally ignored
Eastern Europe’s ethnic kaleidoscope,
But briefly there shone a Renaissance prince
In a place ill-suited for the event.
Contending between Sultan and Kaiser
And an array of secondary foes
You continued what your father began;
For once fortune smiled on Pannonia.
Transient glory your sad legacy.
Library scattered to oblivion,
Tomb desecrated, royal remains lost
Subjects reduced to drinking “black soup”.
But once the raven spread powerful wings,
Soaring over river, mountains, and plains.

Arthur Turfa is a transplanted Pennsylvanian who enjoys living in the Midlands of South Carolina. These places and others are reflected in his book, Places and Times, eLectio Publishing, 2015. His bivocationl career path has given him a wealth of experience which makes for a rich blend of poetry. Currently a moderator in three Google+ poetry communities, he is working on a second book.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

In Honor--By Nila J. Webster--United States

In Honor

Let us be grateful for so many things
Let us be grateful that time in not linear
Like a straight line from the first point to the second point
But instead is spherical like the notes of music

Let us be grateful the journey recommences at a place on the continuum
Before, and not after, the moment of origin

Let us be grateful that though our hearts were violated and our souls plundered:
Let us be grateful for this moment, and for the twelve colors of blue
On a summer morning
At dawn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor’s thoughts—It is not often that I recommend something at our online journal, but Nila’s videos are so inspirational that I know they can help others. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4 minute YouTube video on the power of creative writing: 


Link to Ways of Healing with Cancer site:  


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nila J. Webster has been writing since a young age, thanks to the encouragement and support of her beloved mother, poet jani johe webster. Nila has donated over 120,000 picture books in her mother's honor, with more to come. If anyone knows of schools or hospitals that would like to receive a picture book donation, please let her know at nila.webster@comcast.net.

Clerihew--By Alan McAlpine Douglas--United Kingdom

Clerihew

Edmund Clerihew, Mister Bentley,
a man who refused to write too pun-gently,
invented instead the sweet clerihew;
and exclaimed for posterity, "This'll do!"

Alan McAlpine Douglas, father to 5 and grandfather to 3, has been writing poetry since 1993. His idiosyncratic voice has produced thousands of poems in this time, and he finds it quite hard to stay serious, even when he means to. He also enjoys writing spoofs, using well-known poems or songs like Clementine or In the Ghetto as his models.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

along the path...By jani johe webster--(In Memory-May 2013)--United States

along the path

if you are quiet
long enough
you can see
the buds open
and hear the pulse
of the earth

if you are quiet
long enough
you can see
your death
coming along the path

to meet you

Thoughts from Nila Webster--This poem was written by my mother over thirty years ago, and reflects a timelessness.  She captures a longing so many of us experience:  the longing for special signs that confirm an eternal connection. 

Haiku--By Robert Epstein--United States

the neighbor’s kid
leaning in
the gnome’s advice
______________

winter crows
they can’t mean
what they say
______________

early spring day
my niece wants to know
what carpenter ants build
______________

worry stone
I add a pinch
of paprika
______________

Robert Epstein is a licensed psychologist who lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has edited several anthologies: The Breath of Surrender: A Collection of Recovery-Oriented Haiku; Dreams Wander On: Contemporary Poems of Death Awareness; and The Temple Bell Stops: Contemporary Poems of Grief, Loss and Change; as well as two books of haiku: Checkout Time is Noon: Death Awareness Haiku; and A Walk Around Spring Lake: Haiku.  His most current anthology, The Sacred in Contemporary Haiku, was released in 2014.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Haiku--By Marietta McGregor--Australia

linen crackle 
of an icy lake 
summer dream

Previously published. Asahi Haikuist Network, 7 August 2015
______________

old uncle— 
his nose pushing words 
around the newspaper

Previously published Prune Juice, July 2015
______________

autumn dawn        mist reshaping        into horses

Previously published Blithe Spirit, 25:3
______________

promising to write— a bigger pile of peanut shells 

Previously published Sonic Boom, Issue 3, August 2015
______________

marshy pool— 
coot tails sharpen 
the shallows

Previously published British Haiku Society 2015 Anthology, The Edge
______________

Marietta McGregor is a retired Canberra-based botanist and journalist who has pursued varied careers in research and science communication. Having spent much of her life trying to explain things, Marietta now tries to let them explain themselves through an early love, haiku. 

Three Monkeys, A Tree, A Baboon and the Moon--By Robert Hewett Sr.--United States

Three Monkeys, A Tree, A Baboon and the Moon

Three monkeys and a Baboon were in the same tree
You monkeys GET OUT GET OUT, I want only me.
This is not your tree only, cried the Monkeys three,
God put it here for all of us to use for free.
This tree is plenty big enough for all of us.
So sing your song Baboon and quit making a fuss.

Go away monkeys, you don’t belong in my tree,
I will hunt and chase you from now to eternity.
You sound wrong to us Mr. Baboon, just like a Loon.
We can climb the rainbow to the top of the moon.

Come with us and talk to the man sitting up there.
You don’t look and sound the same as us, we don’t care.

A joyful noise will then echo through the forest.
Friendship and goodwill is what we all will harvest.

So the Baboon joined the monkeys in that tall tree,
Side by side on a big limb, happy as can be.
The good man, in the full moon, shines bright all season.
No one is excluded by him for any reason.

Even the rainbow shows no preference at all.
Please listen and hear the Baboon and monkeys call.

Robert Hewett Sr. was born in 1933 on a Texas cotton farm. He moved to Oklahoma City at Age 14 and entered the U. S. Army from there in 1953. Robert has been writing poetry and short stories for his family and himself since his teen years, but is just now publishing his collection of works. His hobbies include writing poetry and stories; clock and watch collections; gardening and growing flowers and shrubs from cuttings. Most of his poetry tells a story, a gift from his father who was a master story teller. He has received numerous awards for his work in his professional life and for his writing. You can find some of his writings at "roberthewettsr.hubpages.com"

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Special Feature Collaborative Tan Renga—Robert Epstein and Carolyne Rohrig—United States and Karen O’Leary and Mary Jo Balistreri—United States

tan renga

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

empty church
flies fly figure eights
around the fount

an angel on the curb
holds a drunk in his arms

Robert Epstein—United States
Carolyne Rohrig—United States

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

homemade card
from mother...
her last

a soft rain
of leaves

Karen O'Leary—United States
Mary Jo Balistreri—United States

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

The Politics of Power--By Shloka Shankar--India

The Politics of Power

I am a series of nebulous beginnings.
I make pain sound like a virtue.
I am a vortex of possibilities.
I make innumerable heads turn my way.
I am the only visible needle in a haystack.
I make history.
I am my own master.
I make words dance on the page.
I am an infinite being.
I make darkness look pale.
I am my own antithesis.
I make my own destiny.
I am your worst nemesis.
I make peace with my karma.

Shloka Shankar is a freelance writer from Bangalore, India. She loves experimenting with all forms of the written word, and has found her niche in Japanese short-forms such as haiku, tanka, and haibun, as well as found/remixed poetry. She is also the founding editor of the literary & arts journal, Sonic Boom. You can read more of her work here

Grandpa’s Chocolate--By Alice Couch--United States

Grandpa’s Chocolate

When I think of chocolate,
I’m reminded of 1937 when Grandpa
would buy me fifty cents worth of candy.
Big chunks of Hershey’s like a bag full of boulders!

Every visit Mom would tell him,
“Dad I wish you wouldn’t do that,
you can’t afford it, and it only spoils her!”
Grandpa became conveniently deaf!

I always managed to eat enough to
coat lips and teeth... run rivulets down
my arms dusty from play, and soil my clothes.

When we got back to the house,
Mom put the rest in the ice box.
Somehow chocolate, I buy myself today
doesn’t taste the same.
I guess nothing beats the taste of memory.

Alice Couch is a retired nurse’s aide who spends her days playing with her dogs, Nibby and Squeakie, while writing poetry for her three children, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and four great great-grandchildren.  One of her stories published in Living with Children. She studied yoga and Buddhism and has a gift for blending the rational approach of the Western mind with the deep spiritual wisdom of the east in her poetry. She was named Noblesville’s Senior Poet Laureate in 2012.

Friday, June 24, 2016

First Love--By Elaine George--Canada

First Love

Returning home again after many years away
I find our secret path along the Fundy Bay
That happy place where long ago we played
Where all our dreams and promises were made

Once again I lie down where daises grow
In fields above the banks where salt winds blow
Golden memories rush through my hungry soul
Returning pieces of my heart lost long ago

I close my eyes recalling all the things we did
Just the way they were when we were kids
And I know without a doubt that you are here
As your love for me falls from my eyes in tears

We lie like angels looking up at clouds of cream
As we watch them take the shape of all our dreams
We laugh so hard at all the things we do and say
To us life is just a stage a place to laugh and play

We find the trail that takes us down to meet the ocean
Where we swim in waves of jubilant emotions
Then we walk along the shore together hand-in-hand
And we write our love forever in the sand

Born in New Brunswick, Elaine George spent the early years of her life living in Lorneville (a small fishing village along the Bay of Funday) still inhabited by many of her family members.  Much of her writing is inspired by the memories of that place and those wonderful people.  She has published two volumes of poetry and is currently writing a novel entitled Out of the Darkness.  Many of her poems and short stories have appeared in magazines in both Canada and the United States. Currently she lives with her husband in Wainfleet, Ontario.

Puppycat--By Mary A. Couch--United States

Puppycat

Cat
sits, begs,
walks on leash,
and thinks it’s a
Dog

Mary A. Couch resides in Noblesville, Indiana, and works as an Admin Assistant for Taylored Systems, Inc. a local telecommunication company. She is the Premier Poet for the Indiana State Federation of Poetry Clubs, and she learned poetry from her mother and two grandmothers who were writers, artists and storytellers. She has been published in a variety of venues.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Frenzy--By Marlene Million--United States

Frenzy

Staring at white page, sparkle's lost from muse,
image wiped from mind, no brain waves to cruise.

I flip through magazines, scan vibrant stories,
listen to classics, jazz, inspirational glories.

I gazed outside with vision slipping,
thoughts down drain, white hot, missing.

Starbucks emptied, no friend, the clock.
I'm crazed with madness; It's writer's block.

Marlene Million is a retired insurance secretary from her husband's business and grandmother of four. She has published two chapbooks and belongs to several writers’ groups. She had a poem on display at Indianapolis Arts Garden the month of February, 2013 and has been published in a variety of venues.

A Pearl Within--(In Memory with Love)--Beth Winchcombe--October 2, 2015--England

A Pearl Within

Treading through sand, bare footed.
Rock pools glistening,
I search for a pearl.
Is it somewhere in the oyster?
NO, it's a treasured pearl of friendship!
Far more precious - than any pearl -
within the shell of an oyster!

Treading the same sand with bare feet -
in the darkness of the night -
the stars shining bright.
The oyster cannot be seen in the rock pools -
BUT, it's there in the precious
treasure of friendship.
The pearl may be hidden from view,
BUT, it's there in my friendship with you!
A cultured pearl -
my cultured friend!

The Atlantic ocean waves crash against the shore,
before descending to the ocean once more!
__________________ 

Dear Whispers Family,

It is a pleasure to share another poem in tribute to Beth. Sadly, we said good-bye to her in October 2015.  Beth embraced the Whispers community, supporting and caring about others with her kind heart.  She was a blessing in my life.  Beth shared her gift of words for monthly activities, collaborative poems, individual poems, and uplifting comments for other writers. She was our September 2015 Poet of the Month, an honor she richly deserved. She touched my heart. Thank you, to her husband, Geoff, and Jack Horne for allowing me the honor of publishing this poem.      –Karen O’Leary, Editor

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Toxic--By Mary Ricketson--United States

Toxic               

Caution.  Poison ivy crawls
up straight and steady,
usurps the life of that old poplar tree,
obscures leaves once clear.

Orange jewelweed grows over there,
antidote to poison ivy itch.
Bring me potion to cure my ills,
compress my wounds.

I bleed easy these days.
Words cut like glass.
Cold winds of hate    
knock me to my knees.

Mary Ricketson is inspired by nature.  Her poetry is published in Wild Good Poetry Review, Future Cycle Press, Journal of Kentucky Studies, Lights in the Mountains, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, and her books, I Hear the River Call My Name and Hanging Dog Creek.  She is a member of North Carolina Writers Network.

WHISPERS’ JUNE ACTIVITY—THE ART OF ALLITERATION

Langley Shazor, a talented writer, graciously offered to be the activity editor for June.  He selected—Alliteration--“the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly, threatening throngs)”--Definition courtesy of Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  It adds a rhythmic feel to poetic lines.

The Exercise—Langley invited readers to share in his challenge, an open themed four-line poem, with a singular subject or thought. Each line using a different letter or sound. No word count or syllable count restrictions. Writers were asked to title their poems.

What a wonderful response! I would like to thank Langley for his efforts to bring so many writers together.  I am grateful to all the poets that contributed to this column.  If you missed the deadline, you can add poems in the comments section.

                                       --Karen O’Leary, Whispers’ Editor
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Scintillating Snowflakes

Wintry white wisps wondrously whirl
Soft sparkling snowflakes silently swirl
Coolly carpeting countrysides carefully
Dazzling diamonds dancing delightfully

By Jan Allison
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Backyard Praise

Sun-facing spiderworts parade in purple.
Tulips tease teacup roses; petunias
planted in rainbow rows primp and pamper.
Lilies lift liquid lines aloft.

By Michael Escoubas
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A Special Girl

Bright bubbly boisterous
Peppy pretty young thing
Always alights a
Feeling of fury

By David Fox
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Fickle Friend

Changes cut connections:
a friendship forgotten
and lustful lover lost;
abandoned, avoided...angry!

By Jack Horne
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Transformation Awakening

Silence speaks softly, surely
Paralleling promises, provoking peace
As authenticity and autonomy awaken
Beginning, blossoming, beholding beauty.

By Rebekah Townsend
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Vernal Equinox

Birches broken by bright brittle ice
have fallen to the forest floor;
the wind whispers words of wise comfort
to me: green grows again, greet great spring.

By Kelley White
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Country Roads

Sandy, soft, sacred soil savored
Calm, cool, canopied, carefree place
Picturesque painting a panacea
Luminous, luculent road lumbering home

By Sara Kendrick
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Dog Days

Happy humble hummingbird
busy bumble bee
Summer sunshine sparkles
through the tulip tree.

By Barbara Tate
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A Wicked Winter

Suspended snow, sprinkled like salt
collects in craters and cradled
by frozen files of fir trees, far
too harsh for human habitation.

By Annie Jenkin
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Wagon Train

Wooden wagon wheels wobbling
Sometimes skidding side to side
Abruptly alerting an avalanche
Perching proudly, but precipitously

By Elizabeth Howard
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Om Mane Padme Hum

Opening over October's orations
My meditations merging into Mandalas -
Prayers persist in perpetual pleading
He in his heavens hears, He in his heavens hears

By Raamesh Gowri Raghavan
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Folk Music

Treasured tunes
gather generations ~~
singing soul songs,
making memories

By Karen O'Leary
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For the Forty-Nine

Gunned down and gay,
the pride of "Pulse".
Let there be love.
Together today

By Ralph Stott
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Moonlight

Mirrored madness, should we mourn?
Solemn, standing on a suspended sky
Pure and proud, perhaps we should praise?
Breathless, broken, and yet utterly beautiful.

By Anna Broyles
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The Big Day

Lily lined lace covers lashes
Ebony engulfed elegance
Sentinels stand stoic and still
The calm convergence of connectedness

By Langley Shazor
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