Summer Rain
Standing on the sidewalk
Underneath the trees
My ears can hear it talk
Murmuring with the breeze
Every drop hits the street
Running in it's own way
Raining down it's own beat
A song it just wants to play
I can feel their dancing feet
Near mine on a summer day
"Summer Rain" is an acrostic poem written by Kelly Deschler, in the summer of 2014. She lives in Big Falls, Wisconsin.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
The Same Sky--By Sandra Stefanowich--Canada
The Same Sky
Caught a glimpse of a lost love up in the sky
sailing away with the parting dreams passing by.
Broken seashells lie listless along the sandy beach
everything in this reality seems to be out of reach.
Some wonder why some souls walk out an open door
and wander not knowing yet what they're searching for.
Left in solitude watching the stars fall upon the shore,
do they wonder if anyone sees the same sky anymore?
The sun sinks slowly and night falls all around me
as a fire dances, releasing ashes to drift out to sea.
I travel back to another time where I like to stay.
Pictures appear to me inside my secret hideaway.
Where buried within the deep, crashing waves
lies the remnants of one's heart; a memory it saves.
Left in solitude watching the stars fall upon the shore
I wonder, does anyone see the same sky anymore?
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Sandra 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.
Caught a glimpse of a lost love up in the sky
sailing away with the parting dreams passing by.
Broken seashells lie listless along the sandy beach
everything in this reality seems to be out of reach.
Some wonder why some souls walk out an open door
and wander not knowing yet what they're searching for.
Left in solitude watching the stars fall upon the shore,
do they wonder if anyone sees the same sky anymore?
The sun sinks slowly and night falls all around me
as a fire dances, releasing ashes to drift out to sea.
I travel back to another time where I like to stay.
Pictures appear to me inside my secret hideaway.
Where buried within the deep, crashing waves
lies the remnants of one's heart; a memory it saves.
Left in solitude watching the stars fall upon the shore
I wonder, does anyone see the same sky anymore?
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Sandra 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.
Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By John Judson Roe IV and David Fox--United States
Helping Children Smile
By John Judson Roe IV and David Fox
The weather is a bit sunny
Yet still sort of cold
Exciting for the children
Who are getting kind of old
They're anxious for Summer
That will end winter’s cold
The beaches are enticing
Beneath the sunny skies
Is where they go
when the rain dries.
By John Judson Roe IV and David Fox
The weather is a bit sunny
Yet still sort of cold
Exciting for the children
Who are getting kind of old
They're anxious for Summer
That will end winter’s cold
The beaches are enticing
Beneath the sunny skies
Is where they go
when the rain dries.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Look into My Heart--By Leokadia Durmaj--Australia
Look into My Heart
My dearest wish was to share my life
With someone that understands me,
And appreciates the beauty
That surrounds this life within.
Like a flower that spreads its wings
To heaven in the spring
~~^^~~
As I walk along the beach,
Seagulls flying high above,
I can feel the cool breeze pass
Upon my face so lightly,
The gentle touch of a hand
Bringing faith, hope and love
~~^^~~
I watch in wonder,
As the sun breaks through
The snow white clouds,
It spreads its warmth
Caressing every part of me,
Nothing touches my heart
As my one true love,
Walking close beside me.
Leokadia Durmaj is a published writer from Australia.
My dearest wish was to share my life
With someone that understands me,
And appreciates the beauty
That surrounds this life within.
Like a flower that spreads its wings
To heaven in the spring
~~^^~~
As I walk along the beach,
Seagulls flying high above,
I can feel the cool breeze pass
Upon my face so lightly,
The gentle touch of a hand
Bringing faith, hope and love
~~^^~~
I watch in wonder,
As the sun breaks through
The snow white clouds,
It spreads its warmth
Caressing every part of me,
Nothing touches my heart
As my one true love,
Walking close beside me.
Leokadia Durmaj is a published writer from Australia.
Living for the Moment--By Tim Ryerson--United States
Living for the Moment
Learning His lessons at last
The past must die as the past
The future must never exist
So let the fates turn and twist
No time to berate and bemoan
Each instant is ever on loan
Right now is the now or never
Nothing but God lasts forever
Author’s Thoughts--Written in the style of “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost...My favorite poem by my favorite poet
Tim Ryerson is a published poet from Ponchatoula, Louisiana who retired from the printing business in 2011. He began writing in the 80’s but did not take it seriously until 2001 after the untimely death of his then 21 year old son. He does not have a ‘signature style’ but prefers writing different forms of poetry. Many of his poems use southern slang and Cajun dialect. He also enjoys writing humorous poems, especially limericks and senryu and was among the winners in the latest Humor Press writing contest with his entry “Emergency Rooms Just KILL me.”
Learning His lessons at last
The past must die as the past
The future must never exist
So let the fates turn and twist
No time to berate and bemoan
Each instant is ever on loan
Right now is the now or never
Nothing but God lasts forever
Author’s Thoughts--Written in the style of “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost...My favorite poem by my favorite poet
Tim Ryerson is a published poet from Ponchatoula, Louisiana who retired from the printing business in 2011. He began writing in the 80’s but did not take it seriously until 2001 after the untimely death of his then 21 year old son. He does not have a ‘signature style’ but prefers writing different forms of poetry. Many of his poems use southern slang and Cajun dialect. He also enjoys writing humorous poems, especially limericks and senryu and was among the winners in the latest Humor Press writing contest with his entry “Emergency Rooms Just KILL me.”
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Lanterne String--By Paul Callus--Malta
Lanterne String
Coy
red
flirting
butterflies
make shy poppies
blush
~~~~~~~~
Veiled Threat
sand
flying
hazily
in a desert
storm
~~~~~~~~
Sharing
sign
language
bodily
movements replace
words
~~~~~~~~
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.
Coy
red
flirting
butterflies
make shy poppies
blush
~~~~~~~~
Veiled Threat
sand
flying
hazily
in a desert
storm
~~~~~~~~
Sharing
sign
language
bodily
movements replace
words
~~~~~~~~
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.
Let Us Not Forget Them--By John Daleiden--United States
Let Us Not Forget Them
centuries of veterans
march through the morning mist—
remember them
Old Glory
briskly tops out the mast—
then at half-staff,
our thoughts mourn for lives lost
in battles where foe met foe
though we lay wreathes
and fresh blooms, they too perish—
the rivers flow on
is there no end
to bloodshed in killing fields?
the Buglers play taps . . .
John Daleiden is retired from 43 years of teaching Language Arts in Iowa Public Schools. He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He currently serves on the Editorial Board and Submissions Manager of Four Chambers: The Heart of Literature in Phoenix, Arizona (www.fourchamberspress.com) From 2006-2012, he was an editor and webmaster of Sketchbook: A Journal for Eastern and Western Short Forms.
centuries of veterans
march through the morning mist—
remember them
Old Glory
briskly tops out the mast—
then at half-staff,
our thoughts mourn for lives lost
in battles where foe met foe
though we lay wreathes
and fresh blooms, they too perish—
the rivers flow on
is there no end
to bloodshed in killing fields?
the Buglers play taps . . .
John Daleiden is retired from 43 years of teaching Language Arts in Iowa Public Schools. He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He currently serves on the Editorial Board and Submissions Manager of Four Chambers: The Heart of Literature in Phoenix, Arizona (www.fourchamberspress.com) From 2006-2012, he was an editor and webmaster of Sketchbook: A Journal for Eastern and Western Short Forms.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Contemplation--By Jim Teeters--United States
Contemplation
I walk the trail
this morning, my time
to meditate
imagine, invent things
contemplate my place
in this vast universe
unlike
slugs dotting the trail
ants scrambling their pile
I can write a poem like this
Yet I don't feel superior
I can't slither along leaving a trail of wetness
crawl around kindly building with others
and they’re not slithering or scrambling
for glory or recognition
as I often want to do...
...but…well, let me get back to
my imagining, inventing, contemplating
my place in
this vast universe
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, Teach with Style, (ASTD Press July 2013). Jim is a retired social worker living in Kent, Washington.
I walk the trail
this morning, my time
to meditate
imagine, invent things
contemplate my place
in this vast universe
unlike
slugs dotting the trail
ants scrambling their pile
I can write a poem like this
Yet I don't feel superior
I can't slither along leaving a trail of wetness
crawl around kindly building with others
and they’re not slithering or scrambling
for glory or recognition
as I often want to do...
...but…well, let me get back to
my imagining, inventing, contemplating
my place in
this vast universe
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, Teach with Style, (ASTD Press July 2013). Jim is a retired social worker living in Kent, Washington.
Uncontrollable--By Beth Winchcombe--England
Uncontrollable
Why are we drawn
towards the ocean?
Liken to human beings,
it has life
energy power
moods
Gazing at the horizon
as far as the eye can see
a vast expanse of blue
peppered twinkling
on a CALM day
Waves crashing
against the shore
consumed with ANGER
Neptune failed
when he attempted
to rule the waves
Just as human beings
the sea has a mind...
...of it's own
Beth Winchcombe is now a retired housewife and enjoys writing poetry, also painting in oils. She lives in Derbyshire, England.
Why are we drawn
towards the ocean?
Liken to human beings,
it has life
energy power
moods
Gazing at the horizon
as far as the eye can see
a vast expanse of blue
peppered twinkling
on a CALM day
Waves crashing
against the shore
consumed with ANGER
Neptune failed
when he attempted
to rule the waves
Just as human beings
the sea has a mind...
...of it's own
Beth Winchcombe is now a retired housewife and enjoys writing poetry, also painting in oils. She lives in Derbyshire, England.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Blown Away--By Joan McNerney--United States
Blown Away
I'm gonna have lunch with
the sky. It's been way too
long since we got together.
I'll run downstairs through
hallways into bursts of blue.
Perhaps never return to work,
words, paper clips, bookshelves.
Who needs cash when there's
so much green grass to hoard?
Forget about food. I’ll drink up
sunshine, nibbling juicy clouds.
O sky, you are my solar mate.
We will be faithful always.
Come home now...I will
never look at another.
Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Camel Saloon, Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Blueline, Spectrum, and included in Bright Hills Press, Kind of A Hurricane and Poppy Road Anthologies.
I'm gonna have lunch with
the sky. It's been way too
long since we got together.
I'll run downstairs through
hallways into bursts of blue.
Perhaps never return to work,
words, paper clips, bookshelves.
Who needs cash when there's
so much green grass to hoard?
Forget about food. I’ll drink up
sunshine, nibbling juicy clouds.
O sky, you are my solar mate.
We will be faithful always.
Come home now...I will
never look at another.
Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Camel Saloon, Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Blueline, Spectrum, and included in Bright Hills Press, Kind of A Hurricane and Poppy Road Anthologies.
~ Butterfly~--By Rick Parise--United States
~ Butterfly~
For now she lies silent
the winds have all but ceased
the ending of relentless rain
has birthed a song of spring
In her silent paradise
protected within emerald boughs
a dream of pastel stirs
within her silken gown
With images alive in flutter
where sparks of growth ignite
this lovely fare virgin
prepares her endless flight
With grace reaching beyond
and subtle hymns in soft sway
this beauty of flights kingdom
escapes to make her way...
Rick Parise, known as “A Pondering Poet”, is from the beautiful land of Salem, Oregon. The main focus of his poetry is to take the reader to a meaningful, personal time in their lives, to a place where spirit's are touched and memories unwind. He hopes you enjoy his work. To Contact Rick please email him at rapondering@yahoo.com
For now she lies silent
the winds have all but ceased
the ending of relentless rain
has birthed a song of spring
In her silent paradise
protected within emerald boughs
a dream of pastel stirs
within her silken gown
With images alive in flutter
where sparks of growth ignite
this lovely fare virgin
prepares her endless flight
With grace reaching beyond
and subtle hymns in soft sway
this beauty of flights kingdom
escapes to make her way...
Rick Parise, known as “A Pondering Poet”, is from the beautiful land of Salem, Oregon. The main focus of his poetry is to take the reader to a meaningful, personal time in their lives, to a place where spirit's are touched and memories unwind. He hopes you enjoy his work. To Contact Rick please email him at rapondering@yahoo.com
Monday, June 8, 2015
Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By D. Russel Micnhimer--United States and Nalini Priyadarshni, Sri N. Srivatsa, Aruna Singh, Sangeeta Talwar Suneja, Ashwini Kumar Vishnu, Parveen Sethi and Shirin Hasrat--India
Renga
When knowing branches
hang heavy with fruit, lips taste
sweet fruit of hard work (D. Russel Micnhimer)
New flavours bloom with merger
of patience and enterprise (Nalini Priyadarshni)
The early bird sings
in delight at the daylight.
Time to rise and shine (Sri N. Srivatsa)
Gather flavours, colours, sounds
spread them on canvas of dreams (Aruna Singh)
Savour the ripe thought,
freshly plucked mornings are songs
serve, the verve belongs (Sangeeta Talwar Suneja)
Songs of love floating around
I hear the bathing beauty (Ashwini Kumar Vishnu)
Sound sweet and crisp
wafts through air
it ought to be lover's lips (Parveen Sethi)
Exciting new sensations
as the world around dissolves (Nalini Priyadarshni)
Non-stop wanderer
my quest for new love continues
fresh constellations (Ashwini Kumar Vishnu)
Falling stars from galaxies
fistfuls of stardust blind me (Shirin Hasrat)
When knowing branches
hang heavy with fruit, lips taste
sweet fruit of hard work (D. Russel Micnhimer)
New flavours bloom with merger
of patience and enterprise (Nalini Priyadarshni)
The early bird sings
in delight at the daylight.
Time to rise and shine (Sri N. Srivatsa)
Gather flavours, colours, sounds
spread them on canvas of dreams (Aruna Singh)
Savour the ripe thought,
freshly plucked mornings are songs
serve, the verve belongs (Sangeeta Talwar Suneja)
Songs of love floating around
I hear the bathing beauty (Ashwini Kumar Vishnu)
Sound sweet and crisp
wafts through air
it ought to be lover's lips (Parveen Sethi)
Exciting new sensations
as the world around dissolves (Nalini Priyadarshni)
Non-stop wanderer
my quest for new love continues
fresh constellations (Ashwini Kumar Vishnu)
Falling stars from galaxies
fistfuls of stardust blind me (Shirin Hasrat)
Haiku--By John McDonald--Scotland
fat cat
loses again
...sparrows sit singing
_______________
a goose feather
writing
on the wind
_______________
widower -
in his wedding ring
Easter candles flicker
_______________
full moon -
a homeless man's plate
licked clean
_______________
funeral Mass -
in the chalice
a dead fly
_______________
John McDonald is a retired stone-mason who came to haiku in the mid-nineties. He fell in love with the genre immediately. Being a writer in the Scots language this genre fitted so well with Scots: a language steeped in rural life and having a natural succinctness to it. John has his own blog in Scots, with English versions: http://zenspeug.blogspot.com He enjoys being involved in translations, working with the very fine Irish poet Gabriel Rosenstock on various ventures, the most recent being translations into Irish and Scots of the great haiku poet Buson: Moon over Tagoto and has appeared in many anthologies.
loses again
...sparrows sit singing
_______________
a goose feather
writing
on the wind
_______________
widower -
in his wedding ring
Easter candles flicker
_______________
full moon -
a homeless man's plate
licked clean
_______________
funeral Mass -
in the chalice
a dead fly
_______________
John McDonald is a retired stone-mason who came to haiku in the mid-nineties. He fell in love with the genre immediately. Being a writer in the Scots language this genre fitted so well with Scots: a language steeped in rural life and having a natural succinctness to it. John has his own blog in Scots, with English versions: http://zenspeug.blogspot.com He enjoys being involved in translations, working with the very fine Irish poet Gabriel Rosenstock on various ventures, the most recent being translations into Irish and Scots of the great haiku poet Buson: Moon over Tagoto and has appeared in many anthologies.
The Other Half--By Molly Moore--United States
The Other Half
O jagged half moon in the predawn sky
Peering through my window at the start of day
By whom torn in two and tossed up high?
If you had speech, what would you say?
Is it my beloved, traveling lands afar,
Who's holding your other half within his gaze
And sending you drifting from star to star
To greet me in your mysterious ways?
With your magnetic pull, please hitch me astride
To pursue the alter ego we wish to catch
Traversing the heavens on a luminous ride
In the hopeful quest for our perfect match.
Claiming Hawaii as her true home, Molly Moore is currently residing in Seattle, Washington, pursuing a nursing degree. 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.
O jagged half moon in the predawn sky
Peering through my window at the start of day
By whom torn in two and tossed up high?
If you had speech, what would you say?
Is it my beloved, traveling lands afar,
Who's holding your other half within his gaze
And sending you drifting from star to star
To greet me in your mysterious ways?
With your magnetic pull, please hitch me astride
To pursue the alter ego we wish to catch
Traversing the heavens on a luminous ride
In the hopeful quest for our perfect match.
Claiming Hawaii as her true home, Molly Moore is currently residing in Seattle, Washington, pursuing a nursing degree. 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.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Spring Buds--By Phyllis Babcock--Canada
Spring Buds
Seedlings drift on cool spring breeze
Gently floating on each gust of wind
Falling slowly into deep crevices
Touching the fertile earth below
Trees shred the dried remains of winter
Barren trees now enhanced
By various shades of green
Newly formed buds appear
Dew drops kiss the colored blossoms
The sun beams with all it's charm
New growth steadily emerges
Spring adorns a new dress of green.
Phyllis Babcock was born in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1951 and currently resides in Regina with her husband. She has been blessed with two wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws. She has two grandsons and two granddaughters. She started writing poetry in 2004 and joined Poetry Soup site in 2006. She has been published in two anthologies, On Butterfly Wings and Snippets. Her work has also appeared on Poetry.com and in a local seniors’ newspaper. She feels writing has been a wonderful journey, meeting many new poets and writers along the way.
Seedlings drift on cool spring breeze
Gently floating on each gust of wind
Falling slowly into deep crevices
Touching the fertile earth below
Trees shred the dried remains of winter
Barren trees now enhanced
By various shades of green
Newly formed buds appear
Dew drops kiss the colored blossoms
The sun beams with all it's charm
New growth steadily emerges
Spring adorns a new dress of green.
Phyllis Babcock was born in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1951 and currently resides in Regina with her husband. She has been blessed with two wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws. She has two grandsons and two granddaughters. She started writing poetry in 2004 and joined Poetry Soup site in 2006. She has been published in two anthologies, On Butterfly Wings and Snippets. Her work has also appeared on Poetry.com and in a local seniors’ newspaper. She feels writing has been a wonderful journey, meeting many new poets and writers along the way.
Labeled Fragile--By Laura M. Kaminski--United States
Labeled Fragile
a gift for Jennifer Stokley
If I could take the world, brush it gently
shake all the hatred off humanity
if I could fill each ocean
to the beaches with compassion
and turn up the volume on the sky
so you could hear the song of sunrise
if I could make this earth entirely
a gift of peace, joy, love and beauty
I would wrap it in a prayer and send it
(labeled fragile) as a gift.
Laura M. Kaminski grew up in northern Nigeria, went to school in New Orleans, and currently lives on Carver Creek in rural Missouri. She is an Associate Editor at Right Hand Pointing. More information about her poetry is available at arkofidentity.wordpress.com.
a gift for Jennifer Stokley
If I could take the world, brush it gently
shake all the hatred off humanity
if I could fill each ocean
to the beaches with compassion
and turn up the volume on the sky
so you could hear the song of sunrise
if I could make this earth entirely
a gift of peace, joy, love and beauty
I would wrap it in a prayer and send it
(labeled fragile) as a gift.
Laura M. Kaminski grew up in northern Nigeria, went to school in New Orleans, and currently lives on Carver Creek in rural Missouri. She is an Associate Editor at Right Hand Pointing. More information about her poetry is available at arkofidentity.wordpress.com.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
The Persistence of Memory--By Paresh Tiwari--India
The Persistence of Memory
It lies here, neglected and lost, a white empty polythene bag, an aberration amongst the colourful footfalls. Separated from whatever was inside it, it has ceased to exist. Lying here, waiting for the morning cleaners with their brooms of long wooden handles and brittle bristles of sorghum. But there’s a breeze - gentle at first, building up its breath, puffing out its chest… and in that gust, the poly-bag soars.
Touching the red Converse of a sixteen-year-old, hooked to his iPod, brushing by the blue sari of the woman bent over fresh farm produce, catching the grey boulder chiseled into the likeness of Buddha, sweeping past the brick wall, crossing the street in a single bound, almost caressing the yellow car on its way before stopping at her feet.
mackerel sky -
an unfinished poem
by the felled tree
I have known her for over a decade. Our families spent idle afternoons over low stakes bridge and loud spicy lunches. And then one day, they stopped coming to the club.
Their son, failing the medical entrance exam for the fifth time, overdosed on sleeping pills.
summer heat –
the mongrel laps up
a mirage
Published – World Haiku Review, Aug 2014
Paresh Tiwari is an often-published poet, writer and illustrator currently residing in Mumbai, India. He took to haiku and its associated forms in 2012 and is currently dabbling with longer forms of writing. His haiku, haibun, tanka, haiga and other poems appear frequently in noteworthy journals and anthologies across the world. An Inch of Sky, Paresh Tiwari’s collected haiku and haibun, has been published by 20 Notebooks Press. The book is now available online at http://goo.gl/MsSCaK
It lies here, neglected and lost, a white empty polythene bag, an aberration amongst the colourful footfalls. Separated from whatever was inside it, it has ceased to exist. Lying here, waiting for the morning cleaners with their brooms of long wooden handles and brittle bristles of sorghum. But there’s a breeze - gentle at first, building up its breath, puffing out its chest… and in that gust, the poly-bag soars.
Touching the red Converse of a sixteen-year-old, hooked to his iPod, brushing by the blue sari of the woman bent over fresh farm produce, catching the grey boulder chiseled into the likeness of Buddha, sweeping past the brick wall, crossing the street in a single bound, almost caressing the yellow car on its way before stopping at her feet.
mackerel sky -
an unfinished poem
by the felled tree
I have known her for over a decade. Our families spent idle afternoons over low stakes bridge and loud spicy lunches. And then one day, they stopped coming to the club.
Their son, failing the medical entrance exam for the fifth time, overdosed on sleeping pills.
summer heat –
the mongrel laps up
a mirage
Published – World Haiku Review, Aug 2014
Paresh Tiwari is an often-published poet, writer and illustrator currently residing in Mumbai, India. He took to haiku and its associated forms in 2012 and is currently dabbling with longer forms of writing. His haiku, haibun, tanka, haiga and other poems appear frequently in noteworthy journals and anthologies across the world. An Inch of Sky, Paresh Tiwari’s collected haiku and haibun, has been published by 20 Notebooks Press. The book is now available online at http://goo.gl/MsSCaK
Spring--By Robert P. Hansen--United States
Spring
is just a brief
moment of clarity
between winter’s icy
glare and summer’s
blinding heat.
Robert P. Hansen teaches philosophy courses at a community college. In addition to poetry, he also writes genre fiction. His recent eBook publications include a free Story Sampler (14 stories from his collections), The Golden Key (Book 3 of his Angus the Mage fantasy series), and 2014: A Year of Poetry. For more information on his writing and where to find what he has published, visit his blog at: http://rphansenauthorpoet.wordpress.com/.
is just a brief
moment of clarity
between winter’s icy
glare and summer’s
blinding heat.
Robert P. Hansen teaches philosophy courses at a community college. In addition to poetry, he also writes genre fiction. His recent eBook publications include a free Story Sampler (14 stories from his collections), The Golden Key (Book 3 of his Angus the Mage fantasy series), and 2014: A Year of Poetry. For more information on his writing and where to find what he has published, visit his blog at: http://rphansenauthorpoet.wordpress.com/.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Pale Blue Dot--By George L. Ellison--England
Pale Blue Dot
Aria’s Couplets and “B”s
The pale blue dot that is our planet earth
Has been the slave of its creatures since birth
From the big bang without a doubt
It has never complained no matter what
It’s done all we asked and that’s been a lot
Now we are the slaves and we pout
Mother Earth’s future will be very bleak
We must slave away solutions to seek
Or live in constant fear throughout
We face earth’s ire on this long road ahead
Climate warming it is our biggest dread
Time for us to slave or get out
George L. Ellison is a writer of poetry and short stories. He as published two books called Poetic Reminiscences and Weaving Words. George lives with his wife and dogs in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham in England. He is a member of The Writers and Poetry Alliance. He is currently working on his new project as well as learning to play the saxophone at the Sage Gateshead!
Aria’s Couplets and “B”s
The pale blue dot that is our planet earth
Has been the slave of its creatures since birth
From the big bang without a doubt
It has never complained no matter what
It’s done all we asked and that’s been a lot
Now we are the slaves and we pout
Mother Earth’s future will be very bleak
We must slave away solutions to seek
Or live in constant fear throughout
We face earth’s ire on this long road ahead
Climate warming it is our biggest dread
Time for us to slave or get out
George L. Ellison is a writer of poetry and short stories. He as published two books called Poetic Reminiscences and Weaving Words. George lives with his wife and dogs in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham in England. He is a member of The Writers and Poetry Alliance. He is currently working on his new project as well as learning to play the saxophone at the Sage Gateshead!
Early Lesson--By Eleanor Michael--United States
Early Lesson
Outside a house
where I lived
when I was six,
a bed of cactus grew.
Flat green pads
flourished
in the rocky soil.
Long before
beautiful yellow
flowers appeared,
I’d learned
about spiny thorns.
Eleanor Michael has published poetry and short stories in a variety of venues.
Outside a house
where I lived
when I was six,
a bed of cactus grew.
Flat green pads
flourished
in the rocky soil.
Long before
beautiful yellow
flowers appeared,
I’d learned
about spiny thorns.
Eleanor Michael has published poetry and short stories in a variety of venues.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Haibun: Still--By Angelee Deodhar--India
Haibun: Still
Elsa, our cocker spaniel, the color of sunshine poured out the bottle, a scintillating shade of gold unmatched on any palette is dying. A breast lump removed a few months ago has extended its tentacles into her spine and her hip. Eleven years old [77yrs in human years] she can barely walk out the door or get up to have a drink of water, her appetite gone she is virtually starving and not accepting the food that we try to put in her mouth.
Checking over the place where our vet buried his dogs, I look at our small patch of mud which would not hold her. She looks at me with limpid eyes knowing her time has come. What she doesn’t know that I will play Kevorkian when the time comes. How will I know when to let her go?
our walk slows
as she sniffs fallen blossoms
- approaching storm
Previously published in Albatross Autumn, Winter 2008
Angelee Deodhar, an eye surgeon by profession is a haiku poet, translator, and artist. She lives and works in Chandigarh, India. Her haiku/haibun/haiga have been published internationally in various books and journals, and her work can be viewed on many websites. To promote haiku in India, she has translated six books of haiku from English to Hindi, which she distributed for free. These bilingual books include: If Someone Asks: Masaoka Shiki's Life and Haiku (2005),Classic Haiku: A Master's Selection, edited by Miura Yuzuru (2006), Ogura Hyakunin Isshu: 100 Poems by 100 Poets (2007), Children’s Haiku from Around the World–A Haiku Primer (2007), Indian Haiku (2008), and The Distant Mountain: The Life and Haiku of Kobayashi Issa (2009).
Elsa, our cocker spaniel, the color of sunshine poured out the bottle, a scintillating shade of gold unmatched on any palette is dying. A breast lump removed a few months ago has extended its tentacles into her spine and her hip. Eleven years old [77yrs in human years] she can barely walk out the door or get up to have a drink of water, her appetite gone she is virtually starving and not accepting the food that we try to put in her mouth.
Checking over the place where our vet buried his dogs, I look at our small patch of mud which would not hold her. She looks at me with limpid eyes knowing her time has come. What she doesn’t know that I will play Kevorkian when the time comes. How will I know when to let her go?
our walk slows
as she sniffs fallen blossoms
- approaching storm
Previously published in Albatross Autumn, Winter 2008
Angelee Deodhar, an eye surgeon by profession is a haiku poet, translator, and artist. She lives and works in Chandigarh, India. Her haiku/haibun/haiga have been published internationally in various books and journals, and her work can be viewed on many websites. To promote haiku in India, she has translated six books of haiku from English to Hindi, which she distributed for free. These bilingual books include: If Someone Asks: Masaoka Shiki's Life and Haiku (2005),Classic Haiku: A Master's Selection, edited by Miura Yuzuru (2006), Ogura Hyakunin Isshu: 100 Poems by 100 Poets (2007), Children’s Haiku from Around the World–A Haiku Primer (2007), Indian Haiku (2008), and The Distant Mountain: The Life and Haiku of Kobayashi Issa (2009).
Infinite Wheel--By Gerald Heyder--United States
Infinite Wheel
Poetry is an infinite wheel
with each poet a spoke thereof.
We put heart and soul on paper
with feelings from heartache to love.
Each poem is a jig-saw piece
that comes from deep within.
We admit to all our mistakes
and often confess our sins.
Poetry is life’s puzzle
that may often be repeated.
We just can’t help but wonder
if the puzzle will ever be completed?
Gerald Heyder is a published poet from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Poetry is an infinite wheel
with each poet a spoke thereof.
We put heart and soul on paper
with feelings from heartache to love.
Each poem is a jig-saw piece
that comes from deep within.
We admit to all our mistakes
and often confess our sins.
Poetry is life’s puzzle
that may often be repeated.
We just can’t help but wonder
if the puzzle will ever be completed?
Gerald Heyder is a published poet from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By Michael Todd, Lynn DeVrieze, Christopher Mitchell, Donna Brumback Nalley and DeAnna Metcalf--United States
Goodbyes
By Michael Todd, Lynn DeVrieze, Christopher Mitchell, Donna Brumback Nalley and
DeAnna Metcalf
The hardest goodbyes are the ones not heard;
Come from the heart to land who knows where.
Spoken in plain sentences, word for word...
As though I had one goodbye left to spare.
I have a heavy heart, but empty hands.
Such a simple phrase, I'm unable to say.
Through my broken hourglass slips the sand,
My farewell falls somewhere along the way.
As I stare along the empty road south,
Imagining the departing Greyhound empty;
Only quiet breath leaving my mouth,
And tears falling toward flowers pretty.
The sweetest hellos are whispered by you
As our hearts meet to share a wordless song.
I know as we join in harmony true
That you’ve been missing from me far too long.
There are no words to quell the thirst
A drink of your soul can supply,
So hush the verbal notion first
And speak not, a needless goodbye.
By Michael Todd, Lynn DeVrieze, Christopher Mitchell, Donna Brumback Nalley and
DeAnna Metcalf
The hardest goodbyes are the ones not heard;
Come from the heart to land who knows where.
Spoken in plain sentences, word for word...
As though I had one goodbye left to spare.
I have a heavy heart, but empty hands.
Such a simple phrase, I'm unable to say.
Through my broken hourglass slips the sand,
My farewell falls somewhere along the way.
As I stare along the empty road south,
Imagining the departing Greyhound empty;
Only quiet breath leaving my mouth,
And tears falling toward flowers pretty.
The sweetest hellos are whispered by you
As our hearts meet to share a wordless song.
I know as we join in harmony true
That you’ve been missing from me far too long.
There are no words to quell the thirst
A drink of your soul can supply,
So hush the verbal notion first
And speak not, a needless goodbye.
If the Sun Wasn’t so Mean--By Su'eddie Vershima Agema--Nigeria
If the Sun Wasn’t so Mean
(for Margaret Ifeoma Osuji)
If the sun wasn’t so mean
you would not know the beauty of the moon’s grin
If the day wasn’t so harshly bright
you would not consider the soothing of the night
Death stretches out to capture our pearls
to teach the adage forever sells
that you value what you have
in the finite space blessed by the one who did us all carve
The sun is mean if you miss its grin
The day is harshly bright if you forget its light
wonders and continuous wonders
that transcend the confines of our mere thoughts
Life’s lesson is best captured in its strife
Its beauty in the emptiness of its duty
To death, a deferent departure from this earth
Dawn’s fullness through a day till dusk and then morn
If the sun wasn’t so mean dear
There would be much to fear
A deathly chill – need I say the rest?
Enjoy the sun – it hurts but know through it, we are blessed.
Su'eddie Vershima Agema was joint winner, Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry 2014 with his second collection, Home Equals Holes: Tale of an Exile. He lives in Nigeria, blogs at http://sueddie.wordpress.com and can be reached at eddieagema@yahoo.com. @sueddieagema on Twitter.
(for Margaret Ifeoma Osuji)
If the sun wasn’t so mean
you would not know the beauty of the moon’s grin
If the day wasn’t so harshly bright
you would not consider the soothing of the night
Death stretches out to capture our pearls
to teach the adage forever sells
that you value what you have
in the finite space blessed by the one who did us all carve
The sun is mean if you miss its grin
The day is harshly bright if you forget its light
wonders and continuous wonders
that transcend the confines of our mere thoughts
Life’s lesson is best captured in its strife
Its beauty in the emptiness of its duty
To death, a deferent departure from this earth
Dawn’s fullness through a day till dusk and then morn
If the sun wasn’t so mean dear
There would be much to fear
A deathly chill – need I say the rest?
Enjoy the sun – it hurts but know through it, we are blessed.
Su'eddie Vershima Agema was joint winner, Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry 2014 with his second collection, Home Equals Holes: Tale of an Exile. He lives in Nigeria, blogs at http://sueddie.wordpress.com and can be reached at eddieagema@yahoo.com. @sueddieagema on Twitter.
End of the Runway--By Peggy Dugan French--United States
End of the Runway
You are just a speck now, long past the runway. You are soaring over mountains drizzled with snow, bountiful plains, and street lit cities with quiet and noisy lives unfolding. You will land 3,000 miles away from me. Now you are a young woman on a big dream-catching adventure, but once you were a young girl who would hold my hand in parking lots and snuggle close to me. Those days you were often smothered in gold lamé and lace, captivating, original and always smiling. Your smile will still melt a stranger’s heart, but life’s struggles make it surface less frequently these days. I still wish I could fix any wrong that comes your way, but time and experience have taught me I must be patient, let you figure things out for yourself. But today dreams can still come true, and hearts can meld and mend to create a new beginning. The bond is still strong between us, but there is less fluff around us now, a more nitty-gritty talk flows between us. Homesick miles keep us apart in this new version of us, but we are brave and strong and we are still smiling.
one last wave
heart heavy
heart singing
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.
You are just a speck now, long past the runway. You are soaring over mountains drizzled with snow, bountiful plains, and street lit cities with quiet and noisy lives unfolding. You will land 3,000 miles away from me. Now you are a young woman on a big dream-catching adventure, but once you were a young girl who would hold my hand in parking lots and snuggle close to me. Those days you were often smothered in gold lamé and lace, captivating, original and always smiling. Your smile will still melt a stranger’s heart, but life’s struggles make it surface less frequently these days. I still wish I could fix any wrong that comes your way, but time and experience have taught me I must be patient, let you figure things out for yourself. But today dreams can still come true, and hearts can meld and mend to create a new beginning. The bond is still strong between us, but there is less fluff around us now, a more nitty-gritty talk flows between us. Homesick miles keep us apart in this new version of us, but we are brave and strong and we are still smiling.
one last wave
heart heavy
heart singing
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.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Haiku--By Kala Ramesh--India
I walk farther
into the womb of time:
Mohenjo-daro
Previously published--A Hundred Gourds, 3:2, March 2014
sunbirds peck
the tumbling river notes . . .
evening raga
Previously published--A Hundred Gourds, 2:3, June 2013
burning ghat . . .
from the depths of grief
my friend's off-key tune
Previously published--Modern Haiku, 45:1, Winter 2014
falling leaves . . .
if only sorrows could be
contained in a palm
Previously published--Lakeview International Journal of Literature and Arts, Summer 2013
___________________________
Kala Ramesh writes haiku, tanka, senryu, haibun and renku. She has over 1200 verses published in various reputed journals all over the world. As external faculty member of the Symbiosis International University, Kala conducts a 60-hour haiku module for undergraduates. Kala has initiated what she calls the "HaikuWALL India" project, where she gets school children and college students to paint haiku on walls. Kala is also the Modern Haiku Editor for Under the Basho & the Editor of “Youth Corner” for Cattails, a journal from United Haiku & Tanka Society.
into the womb of time:
Mohenjo-daro
Previously published--A Hundred Gourds, 3:2, March 2014
sunbirds peck
the tumbling river notes . . .
evening raga
Previously published--A Hundred Gourds, 2:3, June 2013
burning ghat . . .
from the depths of grief
my friend's off-key tune
Previously published--Modern Haiku, 45:1, Winter 2014
falling leaves . . .
if only sorrows could be
contained in a palm
Previously published--Lakeview International Journal of Literature and Arts, Summer 2013
___________________________
Kala Ramesh writes haiku, tanka, senryu, haibun and renku. She has over 1200 verses published in various reputed journals all over the world. As external faculty member of the Symbiosis International University, Kala conducts a 60-hour haiku module for undergraduates. Kala has initiated what she calls the "HaikuWALL India" project, where she gets school children and college students to paint haiku on walls. Kala is also the Modern Haiku Editor for Under the Basho & the Editor of “Youth Corner” for Cattails, a journal from United Haiku & Tanka Society.
time--By Carl "Papa" Palmer--United States
time
in that little bit of time
from the time it took
for my eyes to adjust
to the dark to the time
to recognize you two
rows down your head
on his shoulder was
all the time it took
for time to stand still
Carl "Papa" Palmer, retired Army, retired FAA, now just plain retired, lives in University Place, Washington. He has seven chapbooks and a contest winning poem riding buses somewhere in Seattle. Carl has been nominated for the Micro Award and Pushcart Prize.
MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever
www.authorsden.com/carlpalmer
in that little bit of time
from the time it took
for my eyes to adjust
to the dark to the time
to recognize you two
rows down your head
on his shoulder was
all the time it took
for time to stand still
Carl "Papa" Palmer, retired Army, retired FAA, now just plain retired, lives in University Place, Washington. He has seven chapbooks and a contest winning poem riding buses somewhere in Seattle. Carl has been nominated for the Micro Award and Pushcart Prize.
MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever
www.authorsden.com/carlpalmer
Monday, June 1, 2015
The Robin--Yvonne Sparkes--England
The Robin
A blush of red adorns your coat,
Oh maestro of the warbled note.
In song you stand at heaven’s door,
Those warbled songs that you implore,
Can any hardened heart remain?
Without a falling tear to claim?
Through weathers good or bad you sing,
Remind the listener of spring,
Perhaps to give a faith of kind,
That summer is not far behind.
So sing my little feathered friend,
Hope and joy in song you lend,
Faith and trust, that come what may,
There will always be a brighter day.
Born on Feb. 27, 1940 in Barkingside, Essex, England, Yvonne Sparkes, immigrated to New York in April, 1948 with her parents. She now resides in Chelmsford, Essex and has two sons. She has a book published by Cyberwit called Captured Images. A writer for many years, Yvonne has been published in Israel, Germany, France, Australia, America, and Britain. She has read her poetry in public at Church and Knockout Competitions. Her hobbies are travel, the arts, reading, hiking, taking her Scottish Terrier for walks, and spending time with family and friends.
A blush of red adorns your coat,
Oh maestro of the warbled note.
In song you stand at heaven’s door,
Those warbled songs that you implore,
Can any hardened heart remain?
Without a falling tear to claim?
Through weathers good or bad you sing,
Remind the listener of spring,
Perhaps to give a faith of kind,
That summer is not far behind.
So sing my little feathered friend,
Hope and joy in song you lend,
Faith and trust, that come what may,
There will always be a brighter day.
Born on Feb. 27, 1940 in Barkingside, Essex, England, Yvonne Sparkes, immigrated to New York in April, 1948 with her parents. She now resides in Chelmsford, Essex and has two sons. She has a book published by Cyberwit called Captured Images. A writer for many years, Yvonne has been published in Israel, Germany, France, Australia, America, and Britain. She has read her poetry in public at Church and Knockout Competitions. Her hobbies are travel, the arts, reading, hiking, taking her Scottish Terrier for walks, and spending time with family and friends.
The Secret of Happiness--By Ron Larson--United States
The Secret of Happiness
Having been told by an angel there was a wise man
Who was the happiest person of all on the earth,
The king summoned the man by imperial command
To discover why he couldn't even enjoy mirth.
When the wise man appeared, he simply shrugged his shoulders
And seemed slightly put-off by the eternal question.
When asked why, he said, "I just hope I'll not be bolder
Now that I'm deemed so special by the entire nation."
Nothing in excess.
Ron Larson is a retired community college professor (Ph.D.) and has had both fiction and non-fiction published in various journals over the years. He has been writing poetry for the last two years. His poems have been accepted by such diverse magazines as The American Dissident, Big Pulp, and WestWard Quarterly.
Having been told by an angel there was a wise man
Who was the happiest person of all on the earth,
The king summoned the man by imperial command
To discover why he couldn't even enjoy mirth.
When the wise man appeared, he simply shrugged his shoulders
And seemed slightly put-off by the eternal question.
When asked why, he said, "I just hope I'll not be bolder
Now that I'm deemed so special by the entire nation."
Nothing in excess.
Ron Larson is a retired community college professor (Ph.D.) and has had both fiction and non-fiction published in various journals over the years. He has been writing poetry for the last two years. His poems have been accepted by such diverse magazines as The American Dissident, Big Pulp, and WestWard Quarterly.
JUNE ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
NEW CONTRIBUTORS IN MAY
Sheikha A.--Pakistan and U.A.E.
Vasanthi S. Pillai--India
Aju Mukhopadhyay--India
Nalini Priyadarshni--India
D. Russel Michener--United States
Raamesh Gowri Raghavan--India
Suvojit Banerjee--India
Cynthia Smothers Carter--United States
Please welcome them to our community. We now have representatives from the following countries--Australia, Botswana, Canada, Canary Islands, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Malawi, Malta,Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E., United Kingdom, United States and Wales. I look forward to expanding this list in the future. Thank you to everyone that has supported Whispers in any way. -Sincerely, Karen
We have a world wide audience. If you are currently reading Whispers, please consider submitting a poem for consideration. You may contact Karen at gksm@cableone.net for guidelines. Thank you.
Note--Ads due for July column by June 25
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robert P. Hansen's forthcoming novel Angst (Book 4 of the Angus the Mage fantasy series) will become available in June or early July. In anticipation of this event, he has made the first book of the series free as an eBook through several retailers. For more on this and his other books, visit his blog at: https://rphansenauthorpoet.wordpress.com/.
Jack Horne announces the release of his second novel, Cyber Vamps: a paranormal-fantasy romance. This book is currently available from eTreasuresPublishing.com, price $3.99 http://jackhorne.blogspot.co.uk
John W. (Bill) Williams published a science fiction book that he also illustrated called The Dream Hill. To order copies from Xlibris Company call 1-888-795-4274 or go to www.Xlibris.com The website provides sample pages of the book for interested readers.
Sheri Stanley illustrated an e-book titled, The Morning Dream, which is now available on Amazon. It is a collaboration publication and will soon be available in actual book format soon very soon. It is a children's book targeted for kids from the age of 4 to 5th grade. Stop and leave a comment for Sheri's illustrations if you have the chance to do so.
Paul Callus published his first ebook of poetry called Meander in December 2014. It is a collection of 86 poems and songs which should appeal to those who read poetry for pleasure and relaxation. It is available at Amazon.
Pijush Kanti Deb released a poetry collection, Beneath the Shadow of a White Pigeon,
published by The Hollow Publishing. More information about the book is available at, http://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Shadow-White-Pigeon-Pijush/dp/1505854113/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422829526&sr=8-1&keywords=beneath+the+shadow+of+a+white+pigeon
Marianne Szlyk has released a new chapbook, Listening to Electric Cambodia Looking Up at Trees at Heaven, through Kind of a Hurricane Press' Barometric Pressures Authors Series. You may download the chapbook for free at this site: http://barometricpressures.blogspot.com/2014/10/listening-to-electric-cambodia-looking.html Thank you.
John Swain released his first collection of poetry, Ring the Sycamore Sky. Ordering information and reviews are available from Red Paint Hill Publishing at http://redpainthill.com/ring-the-sycamore-sky.php
Celine Rose Mariotti has a new mystery/detective book called Minister’s Shoes in which Rev. Castle helps Sada Sampson find her husband and he also proves that Trevor is innocent of killing Cartwright. The story involves casino deals, infidelity, gambling and some big town gossips who are knee deep in the casino deals. Price of book is: $11.00. If you live in CT, sales tax is 6.35 so price would be $11.70. Postage is $2.70. You can order from Amazon or you can order from me: celinem@aol.com
Peter Dome released his first book of poetry called Love, Life and Inspiration, a collection of poems written from the heart. It is suitable for everyone with a wide range of topics including, nature, wisdom and spirituality. Peter hopes his book will bring a lot of pleasure to others. It is available at Lulu.com.
Maureen Sudlow has a poetry book, Antipodes, was released in early December. More information available on her website www.kiwis-soar.com
Shloka Shankar has a poetry page on Facebook called 'Shloka Shankar: a rasika's musings'. To read more of her poems, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shloka-Shankar-a-rasikas-musings/745965042120215?ref_type=bookmark
Lisa DeVinney has a website for her devotional poetry called Lifting My Eyes, at liftingmyeyes.com
Karen O’Leary released Whispers, her first book of poetry in 2011, published by APF Publisher. It has been getting good reviews and is available at online at www.lulu.com (Search Whispers under Karen O'Leary) or contact Karen at gksm@cableone.net
PUBLICATION/CONTEST OPPORTUNITIES
Please consider supporting The Jokester and Creative Inspirations by sending stamps or other small donations to help with postage. Thank you for considering this. ---Karen
Stacy Savage is seeking submissions for a Christmas poetry anthology. Send one to two Christmas poems, up to 32 lines each, to: stacyrsavage@yahoo.com. Deadline is August 15, 2015. Proceeds will go to Operation Gratitude -- an organization that sends care packages to U.S military.
Maurice J. Reynolds would like to announce that To God be the Glory! Publications and Creative Inspirations are undergoing some new and exciting changes. At this time, Creative Inspirations is accepting poetry submissions. For more information and guidelines, go to: www.tgbtgpublictions.com, or write to: To God be the Glory Publications, Attn: Creative Inspirations Guidelines, P.O. Box 19051, Kalamazoo, MI 49019.
ayaz daryl nielsen's print publication bear creek haiku is always open for postal submissions, mail poetry to bear creek haiku, po box 3787, boulder, co, 80307, USA, 11 lines and less, include SASE. Can be contacted at darylayaz@me.com, blog site is bearcreekhaiku.blogspot.com.
Tom Davis, publisher of Old Mountain Press, invites all to review his eBook site (Kindle and NOOK) where numerous Old Mountain Press Anthologies of poetry and prose are listed see: Self-publish an electronic book e-book with Old Mountain Press. Visit Old Mountain Press' eBook site at http://www.oldmp.com/e-book
Jean Calkins, editor: The Jokester, 2 pages of clean jokes free by email monthly, a forever stamp by snail mail (monthly or quarterly). Help bring smiles to shut-ins by contributing forever stamps. Even one stamp helps. Jean Calkins, 260 4th St., Waynesville, NC 28786-3762. joker31277@yahoo.com
David Fox is seeking family-friendly poems for his magazine, The Poet's Art. Rates for the publication are $7 an issue or $25 for a 4 issue subscription. Checks should be made to cash. Foreign contributors should pay $10 per issue or $35 for a subsciption by international money order or American cash only. Send submissions and money for subscriptions to David Fox,171 Silverleaf Lane, Islandia, NY 11749 USA.
Whispers is always looking for new writers to join our community. Please send family friendly poems 20 lines or less to gksm@cableone.net Complete guidelines posted at the end of each month. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the site.
Ads are placed by the underlined names. Whispers has not verified the accuracy of all the information.
Sheikha A.--Pakistan and U.A.E.
Vasanthi S. Pillai--India
Aju Mukhopadhyay--India
Nalini Priyadarshni--India
D. Russel Michener--United States
Raamesh Gowri Raghavan--India
Suvojit Banerjee--India
Cynthia Smothers Carter--United States
Please welcome them to our community. We now have representatives from the following countries--Australia, Botswana, Canada, Canary Islands, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Malawi, Malta,Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E., United Kingdom, United States and Wales. I look forward to expanding this list in the future. Thank you to everyone that has supported Whispers in any way. -Sincerely, Karen
We have a world wide audience. If you are currently reading Whispers, please consider submitting a poem for consideration. You may contact Karen at gksm@cableone.net for guidelines. Thank you.
Note--Ads due for July column by June 25
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robert P. Hansen's forthcoming novel Angst (Book 4 of the Angus the Mage fantasy series) will become available in June or early July. In anticipation of this event, he has made the first book of the series free as an eBook through several retailers. For more on this and his other books, visit his blog at: https://rphansenauthorpoet.wordpress.com/.
Jack Horne announces the release of his second novel, Cyber Vamps: a paranormal-fantasy romance. This book is currently available from eTreasuresPublishing.com, price $3.99 http://jackhorne.blogspot.co.uk
John W. (Bill) Williams published a science fiction book that he also illustrated called The Dream Hill. To order copies from Xlibris Company call 1-888-795-4274 or go to www.Xlibris.com The website provides sample pages of the book for interested readers.
Sheri Stanley illustrated an e-book titled, The Morning Dream, which is now available on Amazon. It is a collaboration publication and will soon be available in actual book format soon very soon. It is a children's book targeted for kids from the age of 4 to 5th grade. Stop and leave a comment for Sheri's illustrations if you have the chance to do so.
Paul Callus published his first ebook of poetry called Meander in December 2014. It is a collection of 86 poems and songs which should appeal to those who read poetry for pleasure and relaxation. It is available at Amazon.
Pijush Kanti Deb released a poetry collection, Beneath the Shadow of a White Pigeon,
published by The Hollow Publishing. More information about the book is available at, http://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Shadow-White-Pigeon-Pijush/dp/1505854113/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422829526&sr=8-1&keywords=beneath+the+shadow+of+a+white+pigeon
Marianne Szlyk has released a new chapbook, Listening to Electric Cambodia Looking Up at Trees at Heaven, through Kind of a Hurricane Press' Barometric Pressures Authors Series. You may download the chapbook for free at this site: http://barometricpressures.blogspot.com/2014/10/listening-to-electric-cambodia-looking.html Thank you.
John Swain released his first collection of poetry, Ring the Sycamore Sky. Ordering information and reviews are available from Red Paint Hill Publishing at http://redpainthill.com/ring-the-sycamore-sky.php
Celine Rose Mariotti has a new mystery/detective book called Minister’s Shoes in which Rev. Castle helps Sada Sampson find her husband and he also proves that Trevor is innocent of killing Cartwright. The story involves casino deals, infidelity, gambling and some big town gossips who are knee deep in the casino deals. Price of book is: $11.00. If you live in CT, sales tax is 6.35 so price would be $11.70. Postage is $2.70. You can order from Amazon or you can order from me: celinem@aol.com
Peter Dome released his first book of poetry called Love, Life and Inspiration, a collection of poems written from the heart. It is suitable for everyone with a wide range of topics including, nature, wisdom and spirituality. Peter hopes his book will bring a lot of pleasure to others. It is available at Lulu.com.
Maureen Sudlow has a poetry book, Antipodes, was released in early December. More information available on her website www.kiwis-soar.com
Shloka Shankar has a poetry page on Facebook called 'Shloka Shankar: a rasika's musings'. To read more of her poems, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shloka-Shankar-a-rasikas-musings/745965042120215?ref_type=bookmark
Lisa DeVinney has a website for her devotional poetry called Lifting My Eyes, at liftingmyeyes.com
Karen O’Leary released Whispers, her first book of poetry in 2011, published by APF Publisher. It has been getting good reviews and is available at online at www.lulu.com (Search Whispers under Karen O'Leary) or contact Karen at gksm@cableone.net
PUBLICATION/CONTEST OPPORTUNITIES
Please consider supporting The Jokester and Creative Inspirations by sending stamps or other small donations to help with postage. Thank you for considering this. ---Karen
Stacy Savage is seeking submissions for a Christmas poetry anthology. Send one to two Christmas poems, up to 32 lines each, to: stacyrsavage@yahoo.com. Deadline is August 15, 2015. Proceeds will go to Operation Gratitude -- an organization that sends care packages to U.S military.
Maurice J. Reynolds would like to announce that To God be the Glory! Publications and Creative Inspirations are undergoing some new and exciting changes. At this time, Creative Inspirations is accepting poetry submissions. For more information and guidelines, go to: www.tgbtgpublictions.com, or write to: To God be the Glory Publications, Attn: Creative Inspirations Guidelines, P.O. Box 19051, Kalamazoo, MI 49019.
ayaz daryl nielsen's print publication bear creek haiku is always open for postal submissions, mail poetry to bear creek haiku, po box 3787, boulder, co, 80307, USA, 11 lines and less, include SASE. Can be contacted at darylayaz@me.com, blog site is bearcreekhaiku.blogspot.com.
Tom Davis, publisher of Old Mountain Press, invites all to review his eBook site (Kindle and NOOK) where numerous Old Mountain Press Anthologies of poetry and prose are listed see: Self-publish an electronic book e-book with Old Mountain Press. Visit Old Mountain Press' eBook site at http://www.oldmp.com/e-book
Jean Calkins, editor: The Jokester, 2 pages of clean jokes free by email monthly, a forever stamp by snail mail (monthly or quarterly). Help bring smiles to shut-ins by contributing forever stamps. Even one stamp helps. Jean Calkins, 260 4th St., Waynesville, NC 28786-3762. joker31277@yahoo.com
David Fox is seeking family-friendly poems for his magazine, The Poet's Art. Rates for the publication are $7 an issue or $25 for a 4 issue subscription. Checks should be made to cash. Foreign contributors should pay $10 per issue or $35 for a subsciption by international money order or American cash only. Send submissions and money for subscriptions to David Fox,171 Silverleaf Lane, Islandia, NY 11749 USA.
Whispers is always looking for new writers to join our community. Please send family friendly poems 20 lines or less to gksm@cableone.net Complete guidelines posted at the end of each month. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the site.
Ads are placed by the underlined names. Whispers has not verified the accuracy of all the information.
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