Whispers Closing for Submissions--Thank You for Your Poetic Hearts--Karen O'Leary

Dear Whispers’ Friends,

It has been such a joy working with you for over four years.  I can no longer keep up with submissions for a journal that publishes several poems each week.  Our season will always be a special part of my own journey.  I hope it was a treasured time for you too. 

Although our journal is no longer able to accept submissions, I hope you will stop by from time to time to read a wide array poems by many talented people that have graced the pages of Whispers with their words.  I want to thank you for your encouragement and support.  Wishing you the best always!

Blessings,

Karen

Your Whispers’ Editor

***********

Poetic Hearts

Gentle voices, inspiring lights,

pour through words ever bright.

Uplifting strains and tender songs

help others sing along.

Faith flows out of kind, caring souls

into verse where love glows.

Poems blossom from life’s insight.

Gentle voices ever bright, burning beacons shine with light.

By Karen O’Leary

***********

From the Archives--Yancy Dalton's Triodyne Challenge--Revisitied

Gaining Wisdom (Triodyne)

Darkness brightens the light
Experiencing bad brings out the good
Knowing the difference is wisdom

Yancy’s Challenge--Try a Triodyne

(note--you can submit your poems
in the comment section below)

Yancy's new style of poetry
Title--One word or phrase
Three lines to define title
Rhyme--A-b-b or free style
Syllable count--with or with out, your choice
Meter--With or with out, your choice

Original Challenge 6-4-2014--With more Triodyne poem examples

Gaining Wisdom--By Yancy Lee Dalton--United States

Between...Hope You Enjoy Life--From Your Editor

About Me—Community Activity

Dear Whisper's Friends,

In developing the art of sharing thoughts in a few words, I would like to challenge you, my friends, to share something about yourself in five words or less. I hope to keep our poetry community living despite my health. (Post Responses below.)

Here is my response--

in light…living love

This exercise is in keeping with the model of Pope Francis’—love without judgment.  In this chaotic world where life is often defined by how much people can get, there are leaders that stand up for truth. We have another couple that we have committed to praying together.  We support each other in challenging times for the four of us.  We have become the four-candle journey.  They have enriched the lives of my husband, Gayle and me.

Wishing all of you the best!  My love goes with you.

Blessings,

Karen

Festival of Ribbons--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Dear Whispers' Family,

I hope you enjoy another dimension of me.

Thank you for all the support and encouragement.

Many blessings,

Karen

Transformation--By Hifsa Ashraf--Pakistan

Transformation

opens the door of a deep valley of time

radiant colours of flowers reveal spring

grasps my attention to conceive a rhyme

imagine the colourful rainbow and swing.

subsumes my emotions into hues of sight  

scribbles a melody of dawn with soft twigs

plays with a symphonic tune of subtle light

awake creative dreams to spark and sing.

morning breeze unties the knotty thought

discloses the enthralling secrets and briefs

cleans the canvas of my heart from spots

and paints my feelings with inspiring beliefs.

spring to summer, time passes in a blink

‘tis shades of petals bathed in a subtle ink.

Hifsa Ashraf is from Pakistan. She is a lecturer and HR consultant by profession. She writes short stories, columns, and poetry in different languages (Urdu, English, and Punjabi). Her short stories have been published in a UK based English magazine. She regularly shares her poetry on G+ with different poetry communities. 

Papa--By Lois Greene Stone--United States

Papa

In freshman beenie,

white buck shoes,

page-boy hair bouncing, I

skipped from vacation train

to his arms.  Parenthood's

pride reflected in his face.

In black gown and cap,

thin tassel hanging;  bachelor's

degree at hand and master's

anticipation, I fled from

my seat seeking approval.

Behind a quiet, fatherly,

exterior, there would have

been an exhilarated man.

If only

he had lived

to see it.

(Previously published in Green's Educational Publication, 1994)

Lois Greene Stone, writer and poet, has been syndicated worldwide. Poetry and personal essays have been included in hard & softcover book anthologies. Collections of her personal items/ photos/ memorabilia are in major museums including twelve different divisions of The Smithsonian.

That Day on Calvary--By Helen Dowd--Canada

That Day on Calvary

Oh Jesus, I was with You, with You on that day.
I was among the women who walked along the way.
I winced at seeing soldiers poking You with spears.
My heart was filled with sorrow; my eyes were filled with tears.

I gasped that time You stumbled. I saw Your weary face.
The memories of that cruelty, I just cannot erase.

The sun was rising higher, higher in the sky.
I saw the women weeping. I heard their desperate cry.

And then I saw You turning, turning toward the crowd.
Your eyes searched for the women who are calling out to God.
I heard You tell them gently, “Oh, do not weep for Me.
Weep only for your children, that they will be set free.”

And then the vision vanished. I was no longer there,
Walking with the women, sharing their despair.
However, I am praying that the scene will stay with me,
Of being with the women on the walk to Calvary.

Helen Dowd enjoys spending time at her computer, along side her husband of 60 years, writing poetry, story poems, stories about pets and life in general, as well as inspirational and Bible stories. She has one book published. Her stories and poems have been published in several Anthologies. Helen hosts an inspirational online publication, www.occupytillicome.ca  She is presently a caregiver for her husband and sister, one dog, five cats and 6 gold fish.

Expanding--By Pam H. Murray--Canada

Expanding

Like whispers from a distant place

I feel you close.  You touch my face

And though the distance lies between

I feel you’re standing where I’ve been.

The years have flown and you and I

Shared all those years.  Now when I fly

Into my sunset years, I know

You still reach out and help me grow.

At night, I lie in solitude

And feel your presence.  You conclude

Each day.  You drift in memory

Expanding what is best in me.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Pam Murray has been writing poetry since the mid-1960’s.  She was married for over 41 years and has two daughters, a son-in-law, and a grandson.  Pam has been published in a variety of venues.  Her proudest writing accomplishment was a poem she wrote for a United Way fundraiser, which was later framed with a French translation and hung on the wall of the legislature in Ottawa, Canada.  To her, poetry is a transposition of a vision she sees in her mind. Writing and crocheting are her passions.

The Spirit of God--By John W. (Bill) Williams--United States

The Spirit of God

Courage walks

in the shadows

of loneliness;

it faces shouts

of self-willed

crowds.  But always

it looks ahead

with hope;

it flies

like the spirit

of an eagle,

trusting the wings

of faith; it moves

ever so steadily

toward higher

mountains, building

its nest in the safety

of God’s

watchful eyes.

John W. (Bill) Williams is a retired language arts and children’s literature educator.  He lives in Martin, GA, where he stays busy with his art and poetry.  He has been published in a variety of venues.

A River--By Aju Mukhopadhyay--India

A River

Like a brook sneaking through the rocks unseen

Like a stream flowing through the meadows green

Roaring like an Amazon furioso

Flooding like a Hwang-Ho

Meandering through innumerable towns and cities

Leaving on both the shores friends and enemies

I have been coursing through life

For thousands of years, with many a strife.

Nothing is hackneyed, nothing is old

Each experience is precious gold.

Each dawn, each sunset is a marvel

Though each day begins with a tantalizing tale.

Sorrow and joy, shame and fame

Each is a different game.

Bitter and sweet, passionate, ignorant

I have enjoyed every moment.

Forever afloat moving beyond the sea

Forever towards the glowing infinity.

Aju Mukhopadhyay, a bilingual award winning poet, author and critic, writes fictions and essays too. He has authored 32 books and received several poetry awards from India and USA besides other honours. Recently he has received Albert Camus Centenary Writing Award, 2013 from Canada / Cyprus. He is a regular contributor to various magazines and e-zines in India and abroad. He is in the editorial and advisory board of some important literary journals. His poems and short stories have been widely anthologised and translated. 

Spring--By Molly Moore--United States

Spring

As the sweet, balmy breezes stroke my face

And the budding green leaves shed winter's last trace

As the crocus emerges, and the birds start to sing

My heart comes alive to the dawning of spring.

The sun rises earlier to light the day

And I find myself walking a livelier way

Hope's peeking out the cloud it was under

The stirrings of new life have earth all awonder.

I'll perhaps climb a mountain, or bound a stream

Or ride the wild horses I saw in a dream

Cartwheel through the meadow in joyful fling

I can do anything - after all, it's spring!

Molly Moore returned to Hawaii after completing her nursing education in Seattle, Washington. Perhaps her previous career as an international flight attendant is what launched Molly’s "flights of fancy" into poetry. A love of rhythm and rhyme sparks her creative side, especially while outdoors in nature.

Seeds of Love--By Martha Magenta--England

Seeds of Love

I watch you stir from dreams this early morn,

just as the warming rays of sunshine dawn.

You spread your arms, eager to embrace.

I plant a kiss upon your lovely face.

Then, rising with the wind, our hearts aglow,

we plant seeds of love and watch them grow.

And we nurture our creation tenderly,

joined in passion, joy, and ecstasy.

When morning bursts upon this halcyon day,

bright tulips greet golden rays of May.

As nesting birds of spring begin to sing,

Our fledgling love is born and set to wing.

Martha Magenta lives in England, UK. Her poetry, haiku, senryu and tanka have appeared in a number of journals and magazines. She collects her published work on a blog: https://marthamagenta.com/              

Lilac May Basket--By Diane Webster--United States

Lilac May Basket

The lilac bush blooms
a tsunami of scent
inhaled, lungs full,
drowning…
drowning in memories
of each year of my life.

Knocking on the door
and sprinting around the corner
of my house as Mom
opens the door and retrieves
the lilac-filled May basket
I had made at school -- empty
until I got home and dashed
across the front lawn
and snapped and shoved lilacs
never realizing Mom watched
from the house and allowed me
time to run before she answered
the door to lilac scent.

Diane Webster grew up in Eastern Oregon before she moved to Colorado.  She enjoys drives in the mountains to view all the wildlife and scenery and takes amateur photographs.  Writing poetry provides a creative outlet exciting in images and phrases Diane thrives in.  Her work has appeared in The Hurricane Review, Eunoia Review, Illya's Honey, and other literary magazines.

Treasure--By Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend--The Netherlands

Treasure

You never complained

though life wasn't always easy on you

You went through

imminent moments, worries and anxiety

But still you smiled

because you didn't want

to be a burden

Introvert,

keeping your problems to yourself

Sometimes, when I wallow

in unreasonable self-pity

I remember your words

'every new day is a little present

  I unwrap it

  and make it special'

So blessed, I still have you

The sweetest, most courageous

woman

and mother on earth

(I have written this poem for my mother and called it 'Treasure.'  I consider my mom as the biggest treasure on earth, and I treasure every day I still have her here with us.")

Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend) is a Dutch poetess.  She likes hard rock music, photography and fantasy books. Inge is a vegetarian and spends a lot of time with her animals. She started to write English poetry four years ago and posted some of her poems on her Facebook page and on her website.

Hollyhocks--By Peggy Dugan French--United States

Hollyhocks

ancient garden giants

soldier straight

yet delicate

face open to the sun

Peggy Dugan French is a California girl with Minnesota roots. She has enjoyed being the editor of Shemom since 1997. She has worn many hats over the years, but being a Mom has been one of her greatest adventures; she’s had the pleasure of sharing that journey with her best friend.

His Voice--By Yancy Lee Dalton--United States

His Voice

(A true story)

The two friends were driving beef cattle
When clouds gathered and thunder did rattle
So they turned their horses toward shelter
One friend’s dad was in a pickup back there

They were galloping fast when lighting struck
Only one of the two friends reached the truck
The rain had come, now the weather was norm
It took about twenty minutes, total time of storm
"Where is your friend?" asked the father of his son
As they were looking hard for the missing one
Talented dad began backtracking rain thin tracks
Son another way, yearning for his friend’s callbacks
To his astonishment, he heard Bob’s calm voice
So far away, detecting direction was no choice
The voice told him to tell his folks not to worry
That he had a mission elsewhere and wasn't sorry
"Please give my dad and mom my love," said he.
I didn’t understand how this could be
Then walked the direction of the voice of my Dad
On the ground, lay dead horse and friend, so sad

Yancy Lee Dalton is a published writer from Colorado.

Reality Slumbers--By Emile Pinet--Canada

Reality Slumbers

Saffron rays glitter like chiffon

ribbons, entangled in the clouds.

And purple lilacs brush the air,

painting delicious aromas.

Orange tints the rim of the earth,  

as charcoal skies reveal their stars.

And as twilight shifts into dusk,

ravenous grays devour color.

Cotton candy pinks shield the sun,

behind a bright magenta glow.

And a dumpling moon’s silver hues, 

entice lengthy shadows to grow.

Night dons a cloak of tattered black,

enlisting the screech of an owl.

And soon reality slumbers,

dreaming in muted shades of blue.

Far horizons of ebony,

ink shrubs and trees in silhouette.

And Venus summons tomorrow,

anticipating today’s death.

Emile Pinet was born in a small city, (Bathurst) New Brunswick, Canada, the third eldest of thirteen children, ten girls and three boys. He is the product of a semi-dysfunctional family, brought up by a physically abusive and controlling father, versus a loving, nurturing mother. Many of his poems reflect the uniqueness of nature, which he loves, and his poetic observations of life in general. Emile is 66 years old and has been writing poems since he was about 35. The ideas started to come to him rapidly one day at work-- he decided to write them down and express himself through his poetry. 

Wisdom--By Suzanne Clement--United States

Wisdom

Ethiopia’s topaz,

Rubies, gold, silver, too

Can’t compare with the wisdom

O, Lord, that comes from you.

So, teach me how I may live

A life that’s good and wise

By doing what is correct

And righteous in your eyes.

Suzanne Clement is a writer from Dover, New Hampshire.