OCTOBER WHISPERS’ UPDATES/EDITOR’S THOUGHTS—By Karen O’Leary—United States

Dear Whispers’ Friends,

It has been an exciting month with a total of 38 poems published.  Our journey together is made possible by those willing to share their gifts of words, leaving encouraging comments (greatly appreciated) and offering suggestions.

NEW CONTRIBUTORS THIS MONTH--

                       

     Zachary Dilks—United States 

     Rajnish Mishra—India

     Sushminder jeet Kaur—India

     Jake Aller—United States

     Leslie DeLuca—Canada

     Kelvin Shachile--Kenya    

     Dr. T. Ashok Chakravarthy--India  

     Denis Waswa Barasa—Kenya

     Karuna Sharma—India

     Kariuki wa Nyamu--Kenya

Please stop by and congratulate them.  Thank you.

I would like to thank Jack Horne--England and Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend)—The Netherlands for making it possible to share individual and collaborative opportunities at Whispers this Month. Please contact me if you have a new idea you would like to propose. It would be helpful if you would develop a brief plan on how it would work for our online journal as well as who you think should be heading the opportunity.

Best wishes to everyone in your writing journeys.  It’s good to see many of you published in other venues too. 

Blessings,

Karen O’Leary

Whispers’ Editor

karenoleary1956@gmail.com

Friendship--By Dr. Upma A. Sharma--India

Friendship 

Setting a hopeless day aglow,

Adding sparkles to a dark night.

Emotions and trust nurtured to grow,

As tranquil silvery pearls of moonlight;

Friendship sets the most dismal face bright.

Passion for poetry can enthuse anyone, Dr. Upma A. Sharma has proved this so well. A doctor by profession, she finds time from her busy schedule to satiate her appetite for words, words that rhyme with her heart. She feels that nothing in this world happens without a reason and so is poetry. A purposeful expression of emotions and thoughts and positive words certainly are a way to serenity.

The Marvels of Friendship--By Kariuki wa Nyamu--Kenya

The Marvels of Friendship

Fantastic friendship entails, listening to each other’s hearts,

enjoying each other’s company, being each other’s spring of joy,

shielding each other from shame, feeling each other’s ache,

accepting each other’s flaws,

believing in each other’s dreams, till Time’s End.

Kariuki wa Nyamu, a Kenyan poet, radio playwright, editor and educator, studied English, Literature and Education at Makerere University, Uganda. He is published widely both in print and online. He recently co-authored a Children’s poetry and short story anthology titled When Children Dare to Dream and won the Babishai Niwe 2017 Haiku Award.

Friendship... --By Karuna Sharma--India

Friendship... 

Someone knocked the door when I was crying.

Pulled me up and taught me flying.

I asked, who are you?

He said…I am your friend and…

Your sorrows are mine.

Karuna Sharma is an Assistant professor at G.G.N. Khalsa College in Ludhiana, Punjab India.

Friends--By Mary Ricketson--United States

Friends

A friend eats cookies with you in the dark,

walks with you to waterfalls when it’s hot,

sits with you in times too hard for words,

comes to play when you are home,

and does not laugh when you fall down.

Mary Ricketson lives in the woods, grows vegetables and blueberries, works as a mental health counselor, and writes poetry to put it all together.  She lives in Murphy, North Carolina.

Jewel--By Denis Waswa Barasa--Kenya

Jewel

Falling in and fading out

Finding fulfillment in flowery fellowship

Singing sweetness and scouring sourness

All in and with you, a pal, a jewel and a prize

What would I do without you, my friend!

Denis Waswa Barasa enjoys reading and writing poetry and literature. He is a teacher based in western Kenya.

The Gift--By Peggy Dugan French--United States

The Gift

Friendship
In good times & bad
The safe haven
That warms the heart always
Even on the darkest days

Peggy Dugan French is a California girl with Minnesota roots. She has been the editor of Shemom since 1997. She welcomes this opportunity to share her work with the Whispers readers and thanks Karen for starting such a wonderful shared space.

A Fascination--By Dr. Ashok T Chakravarthy--India

A Fascination

Friendship is an emotion

Drives away all dejection;

Like a shower on a hot day,

Like a glow on a dark way,

It enthralls us in every way.

Dr. Ashok T Chakravarthy is a poet and review writer hailing from India.  Composing poetry for the past 25 years, till date over 1600 poems have been published in various magazines, journals, anthologies, newspapers, e-zines etc., in nearly 100 countries.  He received wide acclaim for imparting themes on Universal Peace, Environmental Protection and Upholding of Children’s Rights through poetry.

The silent words--By Kelvin Shachile--Kenya

The silent words

I find it so fit, funny and fresh,

That the silent words speak much louder in our case.

Just a glance stirs up our joy and passion.

A smile freshens up our moods and fate.

I promise you the best in our friendship quest.

Kelvin Shachile is a 20 years old Kenyan born practicing poet, playwright, writer and actor. Currently a geography student at Maasai Mara University - Kenya.

Authenticity--By Leslie DeLuca--Canada

Authenticity

Ever flowing like a river hopefully yearning for peace continuously floats,

Transformative cascading waves of new found friendships soon to whirl

Cohesively, settling ever so gently into enormously deep, widening pools.

Hearts striving to merge within a sanctuary of exposure; Our vulnerability.

Bless a sea of humanity embracing each sacred, kindred spirits authenticity.

Leslie DeLuca thrives on a gratifying relationship with her longtime companions "books". Reading is her equilibrium restorer and writing has since become a renewed passion within past two years with poems published in 4 anthologies.

Best Friend in the Universe--By Jake Aller--United States

Best Friend in the Universe

I met my best friend, my soul mate, 

in a dream in high school

Eight years later she walked off a bus

and entered my life 35 years ago

Still, my best friend I ever had 

Jake Cosmos Aller grew up in Berkeley, California during the 70's.  He served in the Peace Corps in Korea then taught ESL, Government, and Asian studies before and after doing graduate work in Seattle.  He JOINED THE U.S. FOREIGN SERVICE, serving 27 years in ten countries.  He has been pursuing a career as a full-time writer since his retirement - over 100 poems and stories published.

The Ultimate Friend--By Sushminder jeet Kaur--India

The Ultimate Friend   

                                                                                                         

I feel Him the closest to me,

in all emotions, actions, and in every limb.

My bestower of peace, listener to my problems,

When all ignore, I feel engulfed with

His love: pure and serene.                                                                                                                       

An Associate Professor in the subject of English Literature, Sushminder jeet Kaur

is fond of writing poetry and short stories.

Lifetime Friends--By Sara Kendrick--United States

Lifetime Friends

Sunshine
Kisses good earth

Friends for life since their birth

Their friendship for all eternity

With mirth

Sara Kendrick is a wife, mother, grandmother who enjoys writing about nature, daily happenings, and life in general.

Friendship--By Eleanor Michael--United States

Friendship

A link forged

from shared memories

and shared interests

that time and distance

cannot erase.

Eleanor Michael has published poetry and short stories in a variety of venues.

Lux et Dulce--By Rajnish Mishra--India

Lux et Dulce

Full flowers five of friendship fill the nectar drops

in pitchers till, the drops that rise through

time's long tube to fill the bulging bellies of bees,

who then make from it some light, some sweet.

Ah, the flux, and how it works!

Rajnish Mishra is a poet, blogger, writer from Varanasi, India. He publishes PPP Ezine.

The Real McCoy--By Suzanne Delaney--United States

The Real McCoy

You give more meaning to each day

Mirrored in your eyes, my joy at seeing you. 

We care and share in thoughtful ways,

the feeling’s, mutual between us two.

Our friendship is - the real McCoy

Suzanne Delaney, Hawaii, is a Retired Registered Nurse certified in Med/Surg. Since retiring she has participated in (online) poetry groups. She is originally from Australia but lived in the Hawaiian Islands for most of her adult life. Her poetry is a mixture from living between both Australia and Hawaii. Her poems are included in an Anthology A Bridge to ALL Nations.

Love--By Barabara Siekierski--United States

Love

It can’t be bought or sold

More valuable than gold or silver

A friend is some who reaches

for your hand and touches your heart

There is no greater friend than Jesus

Barabara Siekierski is 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.

Heaven Sent--By Allan Ball--England

Heaven Sent

I never knew what love meant 

Until you came into my life 

Together now and forever

How wonderful the journey

From loneliness to paradise

Allan Ball has retired from a career in the banking & financial Industry. Writing is both peaceful & rewarding to him.  Fortunately, his poems have been published in various anthologies.

Across Time and Space--By Elizabeth Howard--United States

 Across Time and Space

When I move cross country, 

my college roommate,

friend for sixty years,

ships bulbs from her iris bed

to beautify my new ground.

Elizabeth Howard lives in Arlington, Tennessee.   Her work has appeared in Comstock Review, Big Muddy, Appalachian Heritage, Cold Mountain Review, Green Hills Literary Lantern, Still,Now & Then, Slant, and other journals. 

My Friends--By Zachary Dilks--United States

My Friends

My friends are distant faces

Like shadows on the moon

When comes the day

They go away

And always go too soon

Zachary Dilks is a poet and writer from Austin, TX. 

Kindred Spirits--By Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend)--The Netherlands

Kindred Spirits

Your words,

crystal sparkles

dissipating my mind's clouds,

as our thoughts meet in an

implicit understanding

Inge Wesdijk is a Dutch writer, poetess, and photographic artist who works under the pseudonym Daginne Aignend. She likes hard rock music and fantasy books. She is a vegetarian and spends a lot of time with her animals.

Goodwill Everywhere--By Gerald Heyder--United States

Goodwill Everywhere

What a challenge in this world

for goodness, peace and harmony

to share, yes goodwill everywhere.

The Almighty shows us how to care

and let Eden return forevermore.

Gerald Heyder loves to write as well as draw cartoons. He also enjoys vintage movies, TV shows and oldies music.  He once served a hitch in the military. His favorite subject is history. “That’s it!”

Love and Poetry...By Richard Sponaugle--United States

Love and Poetry...

are unique and beautiful.

Countries and cultures clash,

values and economic systems vary,

but love and poetry survive--

because both are timeless

A prolific poet and songwriter, Richard Sponaugle has been published (and rejected.)  He was born on April 20, 1960 in Maryland and raised in Northern Virginia.  He has a BA from George Mason University.

The Team Theme Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend)--The Netherlands and Karen O’Leary—United States

vivid colors

By Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend)—The Netherlands 

and Karen O’Leary—United States

scattered

by a fragile

aesthetic light

the emanation

of spiritual

strength

the strength

born of love

in rainbows,

softly caressed

without judgment

the seed grows

the inner beauty

of friendship

A Blessing--By Paul Callus--Malta

A Blessing

Willingly

we share

the same garden

of friendship

where flowers and weeds grow.

Paul Callus is a Maltese author who writes both in Maltese and English. He has contributed to several anthologies. Apart from poetry he writes lyrics for songs and has published two books, one a story book aimed at children (related to his experience as a teacher) and a historical book based on research.

A friend in need--By Richard Carl Subber--United States

A friend in need

My friend was bowed, burdened by vain struggle,

I lent my arm, offered understanding,

   we affirmed the lonely joy of striving.

I stood by him as he sought to rise

and take a firming step.

  

Richard Carl Subber is a poet, a freelance copy editor, a writing mentor, and a historian.  He writes free verse and haiku to indulge his love of the right words. Rick’s first collection of poems, Writing Rainbows: Poems for Grown-Ups, is for sale on Amazon and available free in Kindle Unlimited.

Eternal Order--By Stefanie Bennett--Australia

Eternal Order

... Because you once wore

my life in your eyes

I’ve learned the difference

between love

and hunger.

Stefanie Bennett has written several volumes of poetry, a novel and a libretto. She's born in Australia.

The Miracle of Friendship--By James Keane--United States

The Miracle of Friendship

unfolds when two souls,
without even trying, find
goodness, in each other’s
hearts, that never fails
to keep their spirits flying.

James Keane is a poet residing in northern New Jersey USA. By age 13, he had managed to live in a couple of New York towns; a couple of New Jersey towns; Caracas, Venezuela; and Milan, Italy. His lifelong interest in poetry was sparked in high school by a recording of Dylan Thomas not so much reciting as proclaiming “And Death Shall Have No Dominion” to a very appreciative audience.

Catnapping--By Mary Gunn--Ireland

Catnapping

Each day

the wee black cat

gets in beside the dog – 

they have an hour's snooze together... 

cat leaves

   

Mary Gunn is a writer from Ireland who has been writing haiku, tanka and other forms of poetry for a few years. Her writing has been published in journals and magazines in Ireland and overseas. One of her haiku received an Honourable Mention in the 2016 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival International Haiku Invitational.

Best Friends--Tom Davis--United States

Best Friends 

We were young once
and tasted the sweet freedom of youth.
Sure that the world was ours;

Too soon, Johnny
taken away from me by a sick heart.

Tom Davis’s has been published in many literary (online) journals. He’s authored the following books: The Life and Times of Rip Jackson, A children’s coloring book, Pickaberry Pig’s First Day of School, The Patrol Order; and an action adventure novel, The R-complex. Tom has recently completed his memoir. He lives in Webster, North Carolina.

Joining Hands--By Caryl Calsyn--By United States

Joining Hands

The haters march, their voice is heard.
The non-prejudiced, who have no voice,

can reach out as friends, in quiet ways,
until their love speaks louder than hate,

and their joined hands keep hate away.

Caryl Calsyn has been a writer most of her life. She began to write poetry almost exclusively about 7 or 8 years ago.  In 2012, she decided to see if she could get some published and succeeded on her first try!  Caryl has had 117 publications in 10 different magazines. She is President of the Highland Lakes Writers’ Club, sings with her church choir and another choral group, is a member of the county historical commission and other history committees. She also restored her 1892 house.

Best Friends--By Jack Horne--England

Best Friends

I'll always be your friend,

no matter what you do,

I'm with you till the end;

an ally staunch and true -

on this, you can depend.

Jack Horne enjoys reading and writing poetry.

Editor's Thoughts--Together...--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Dear Whispers’ Friends,

It is an up and down rollercoaster ride with my health these last few weeks.  It is part of my life with chronic illness.  I treasure my Whispers’ friends.  If I don’t get back to you as soon as I have in the past, I hope you will understand.

I would like to thank Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend) who has provided us with activities for September and October, Caryl Calsyn for giving us the opportunity to share some thoughts on the writing in September, and for Jack Horne who has brought collaborative writing back to our online journal this month.  As we move forward, there are new opportunities to explore.  I hope more of you will consider sharing articles. thoughts, and other ideas that weren’t possible to explore in the limited submission based journal of the past. 

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

Thank you to Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend) for accepting this poem for the October Activity/Individual Poem publication opportunity on friendship—

Together…

friendship

floats on silver

wings~~fluttering with joy

in the kinship of whispering

our words

By Karen O'Leary

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

What a joy to share the gift of writing with you.  May you continue travel with friends at our online journal.

Blessings always,

Karen O’Leary

Whispers’ Editor

My Sweetheart--By Charlene McCutcheon--United States

My Sweetheart

friend
and confidant
happy, loving, on the spot
a helping hand
loyal

Charlene McCutcheon is a 78-year-old wife and mother of seven, grandmother of 30, great grandmother of 20. She lives in Manti, Utah. She loves life and people.

Cowboy's Friend--By Barbara Tate--United States

Cowboy's Friend 

There's no better show than a sunset

                  you know

Nope, there's no better sight to see

the heaven's afire and I never tire

waiting for what may be.

   

Barbara Tate is an award-winning artist and writer.  A member of the Haiku Society of America her work has been published in Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Santa Fe Literary Review, The Heron's Nest & Failed Haiku among many others.

The Team Theme Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By Gert Knop--Germany and Jack Horne--England

Autumn Dreams 

By Gert Knop--Germany and Jack Horne--England

Dreams of the forest where oaks stand,

with blackened branches, wet from dew.

leaves glare with living gold.

Silence in the woods, only a soft breeze,

the chirping of birds,

playing their games under the canopy.

The undergrowth, abundantly covered

with moss and fallen leaves,

slows down my footsteps, let me listen.

A walk at dawn:

my footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves

and birdsong break the silence;

my breath smoking,

like the light covering of hoar frost;

shafts of light peer between the trees,

as leaves continue to rain down.

I meet a fox, a pheasant in its mouth;

it turns back and is gone in a heartbeat,

and, smiling, I continue on my way.

Friendship--By David Fox--United States

Friendship

Friends are someone on who you can depend

For advice when asked

Or money to spend

Friends are a true treasure

They can be a source of pure pleasure!

David edits the magazine, The Poet's Art. For info about submitting and submissions fee, contact David by postal mail: 171 Silverleaf Lane, Islandia, NY 11749, U.S.A.

As seen on Mars--By James Marshall Goff--United States

As seen on Mars

Hands on the clock-face

Assume conclusions we ignore

Time is measured only in

Smiles, lingering long past

Closing time

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.

A Joyful Round--By Gert W. Knop--Germany

A Joyful Round

I remember it well,

as it once was.

We children so tightly connected,

spent many hours in a joyful round

by adults never detected.

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.

The Theme Team--Collaborative Feature Submission Guidelines--Hosted by Jack Horne--England

In an effort to increase opportunities for writers, Whispers is offering a new opportunity for collaborative poetry. The name for this opportunity is, The Theme Team.

1. Two or more writers may collaborate to submit poems for consideration to be featured our online journal. 

2. If you are interested in partnering with another writer, please contact your Collaborative Poem Editor at his email address below.  You will be given a theme.

3. Preferred method of submission is to send your poem in the body of an email with your name and country. Please email your partnered submission to Jack at
jack-marcus@outlook.com  If you would rather submit by snail mail, please email me for my home address. You may email me with any questions you may have.

4. Submissions to The Theme Team will be NEW WORK since a topic will be assigned for each partnership to work on together. Please do not send quotes from others unless they are in the context of the piece submitted and that the original author is given credit. 

5. The total line-count of partnered poems should not exceed 40 lines. Writers should use the same form.

6. There is no submissions deadline. Take your time and enjoy the collaborative experience.

7. No profanity, erotica, violence or other derogatory writing will be accepted.

8. Whispers’ reserves the right to select poetry based on the goal stated at the end of the guidelines.

9. Spiritual poetry is welcomed but the editor would like to have a variety of pieces  that will uplift and inspire readers. Humor is appreciated.

10. Poetry will be published along the left margin for consistency. Please keep that in mind when submitting.

I hope you enjoy this opportunity to experience the joy of writing with others.

Jack Horne

Whispers’ Collaborative Poetry Editor

Making A Friend--By Anne Curran--New Zealand

Making A Friend

she stays close to me

talks, laughs, smiles,

and pokes me until

I can no longer resist

her wooing to friendship

Anne Curran is a Hamiltonian and New Zealander. She writes in awe and admiration of all those Japanese verse poets and editors who have encouraged her on this journey.  Anne has been writing poetry for the last ten years or so. She has good days and bad, but somehow with the support of family and friends keeps on keeping on.

October Activity--New! Individual Publication Opportunity--Hosted by Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend)--The Netherlands

Dear Whispers' Friends,

It was such a joy to read all the wonderful activity poems published in September at Whispers with a variety of views from our talented writing community.

Netherlands' Writer and Editor, Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend), has agreed to host October's activity too. One of her goals is to give writers of various levels a chance to share in her inspiring opportunity.  I'm so grateful that our talented friend is sharing more of her time to help us grow as writers.

Note--This will replace the former individual poem publication opportunity.  The poems will be published through out the month as they are accepted for publication.  Please send a 5 line or less bio with your poem.  This is optional but it is a nice way for readers to get to know poets that are published.  Only one notification will go out each month which you are welcome to share with your friends.  At this point each writer is eligible for publication each month.  Inge and I will adjust this if the volume is too much for one month.

From--Inge Wesdijk, Whispers' Activity Editor

Title: "5" line poetry celebrations"

Subject: Friendship

Outcomes:

1)  To allow writers to explore ideas in a concise format and allow different voices to capture ideas without the restriction of styles.

2)  Present poetry with depth and insight to share with an international audience.

3)  Celebrate the gift of words to uplift people up in this climate of challenges.

Challenge--

To present a poem of 5 lines that is relevant for a global community

Please use the following format:

Title

Space

Poem

Space

Author’s name and country

Space

Bio--Five lines or less

Please share your poems with Inge for consideration for publication at Whispers--

daginne@gmail.com

Deadline: October 25  Accepted poetry will be published shortly after accepted.  This activity will replace individual poem publication.

Of note--Whispers does not publish profanity, erotica, violence or other derogatory writing.

The information is also available at Whispers'.  

Please stop by and thank Inge for bringing us together for this enjoyable activity.

 

It is a gift to have Inge share her talent and willingness to open Whispers for activity submissions.  I hope all of you will appreciate her willingness to give our community a rebirth.

Blessings,

Karen O'Leary

Whispers' Editor