He Tried to Reverse His Life--By Gareth Culshaw--Wales

He Tried to Reverse His Life

There was a man who drove

his car in reverse all his life.

He went backwards to work

backwards to town

backwards to everywhere.

The police chased him

his neighbours hated him

roundabouts stopped flowing

red lights were never seen

people ran across the road

until finally he ended up in court.

On sentencing he was asked

‘Why drive backwards?’

He replied

‘To turn back time until my

wife was alive’

Gareth Culshaw lives in Wales, he loves the outdoors and uses it to help him write. He has been published in various places in the UK and USA.

In Due Time--By Douglas S. Malan--United States

In Due Time 

As a child, I prayed
for difficulties to test me,
guilt-ridden by small-town comfort.
Trees spoke, the wind sang
till I tempted and shunned them,
grew toward voracious avarice,
then prayed for relief from
pain I created.

Douglas S. Malan is a blessed family man, writer, and artist living in New England.

Another Cup...--By Stela Xega--Albania

 Another Cup...

These days I think 

I only drink so much coffee
because my body desperately
wants to recreate the feeling
of warmth that I once 

got from love,
something to hold in my hand
that might even slightly
resemble your touch.

some days I think
I’m kidding myself
trying to exist without
a love that burns me.

because somehow,
I will always require 

a love that...

feels like fire.

Stela Xega is a poet from Albania, a freelancer full of passions. She studies finance, has taken some art courses and has worked in many theatres. Stela translates poetry in the following languages Albanian, English, Italian and French. She has a passion for art and organizes poem nights to discuss writing. Stela sings and plays drums and guitar. Her interest in art started when she was little and now has her own expo of paintings in several art galleries in Albania.

Through the Lens of the Spitzer Space Telescope--By Valerie Macon--United States

Through the Lens of the Spitzer Space Telescope

we visit the outer court of God’s dwelling place,
a star-studded palate painted with His wide brush,
splashed with milky ways, sprinkled with galaxies,
spinning with planets, meteors and moons.
This is the corridor of angels who
go in and out from the presence of God,
the way of Elijah’s fiery chariot,
battleground of principalities and powers,
the place where angels hold back winds
for the day of destruction.
Could man, a molecule in cosmos,
change climate breathed by its Creator,
or poke a hole in ozone wrapped by God?
From His throne, eons above September-
blue sky and Spitzer’s field of vision,
He holds together the pinhead center
of a black hole and the quasar in a distant galaxy.
And He is able to fix the broken.

Valerie Macon lives in North Carolina, USA.  She enjoys growing food to feed the homeless and hungry, and started a garden for this purpose.  She shares her poetry in numerous venues. She has published three books of poetry, and donates profits from her book on homelessness,  sleeping Rough to the garden where all food is given away to the hungry. valeriemaconpoetry.com

Hoe-down Days--By Ralph Stott--England

Hoe-down Days

In

the

garden,

the apples,

(fermenting on the

grass) gave rise to the midges’ dance!

Ralph Stott was born in Kent, England in 1957. He is married and has two daughters.  He studied design at the Medway College of Design in the mid-70's. Expressing ideas through the written/visual media, has always interested him. Ralph began to dedicate more time to poetry with The Writers and Poetry Alliance, in particular the 'Stylists' forum, over the last 3 years. He has self published one book called Legends For Lunchtime; a collection of short stories and has a second book pending called The Sounding.

The Human Curse--By Richard Sponaugle--United States

The Human Curse

We alone among creature

show eternal loyalty

to our lotto birth place.

Long forgotten migrants,

footprints flooded away

by decades of rain and tears,

yet our souls stay chained to home towns,

three time zones away.

Peace of mind hangs on

the bounce of a football,

though ‘our’ players don’t share wealth,

or occasional banned substances.

Halycon Summers of kicking beer cans

down dead end streets are romanticized:

The reality of too much crime

and too few jobs, is repressed –

though that’s why we left

all those distant sunsets ago.

Richard Sponaugle was born 4-20-60 in Maryland and raised in Northern Virginia.  He received a BA from George Mason University. A prolific poet and songwriter, he has been published in many venues.  

An-Nur Al-Ain: frail light--By Sheikha A.--Pakistan and U.A.E.

An-Nur Al-Ain: frail light 

             after An-Nur by Laura M. Kaminski (Halima Ayuba)

Night is a lull whisper growing ferns

in its lungs. The eyes of your father

have left faith at the doors of dimming

brows, mother’s face hasn’t given away

its mysteries. Above the boundaries of

dreams where jewels contour the silver

of your ring, there sits a stone intensified

from salt. Glimpse your reflection 

in the sheerness of a ray, and watch

your father’s eyes cry a new birth’s 

perspective of fear. You will find the sky

part for the briefest of moments, in which

all of the purpose of life will be shown

immaculately. Look wisely into the stone,

smile back at the light welcoming you – 

to certainty.

(Note: An-Nur means ‘the light’, and Al-Ain has two meanings: one being ‘the eye’ and the other ‘a spring’.)

Sheikha A. is from Pakistan and U.A.E. and often finds herself in a world of oscillation that most of the times motivates her writing too. She maintains a (or tries to) blog on sheikha82.wordpress.com. 

Ode to a Willow Tree--By David Fox

Ode to a Willow Tree

Why do you weep O willow tree?

Is it because you cannot sleep?

I see your waves sway in the wind

As I watch in awe.

I would love to swing on your branches

But I am afraid you could not sustain me.

You bear no fruit

But you are aesthetically pleasing,

And that is enough for me.

David Fox has been published in over 100 places, including journals, websites, newsletters, blogs, and posting boards.  He has been published in the U.S., U.K., Canada, India, Finland, and the U.A.E. but is also interested in learning about websites or journals that take e-mail submissions from other countries.  He edits the magazine, "The Poet's Art" (see the ad in the Whispers’ column).

Which Way--By Lynn White--Wales

Which Way

I’m on the edge of the horizon
looking back.
There’s no looking forwards.
Looking up
I can see the sky,
blue or grey like the sea.
Reflected sunlight,
clouds rippling like waves
making shapes in the sand.
Wave shapes on the land.
Sometimes it’s so bright
I can’t tell the blue from the grey,
the cloud from the clear,
the sky from the sea.
The light blinds me.
It’s too bright for my eyes
and leaves me confused
on the edge of the horizon,
on a thin line
with only one way to go.

(First published in Calliope, October 2015)

Lynn White lives in north Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. Her poem 'A Rose For Gaza' was shortlisted for the Theatre Cloud 'War Poetry for Today' competition 2014. This and many other poems, have been widely published online and in print. Find her at lynnwhitepoetry.blogspot.com   

Spring Hop--By Michael Escoubas and Karen O’Leary, United States

Spring Hop

By Michael Escoubas and Karen O’Leary, United States

be bop

do op

he dips

she slips

rock's beat

moves feet

hips sway

all day

slow dance

romance

Horse Sense--By Richard Carl Subber--United States

Horse Sense

Nothing was changed, really.

The long placid pasture sprawled in the sun.

Horses studded the far slope,

heads down, cropping the wasted offering of autumn time,

all still in the moments of my passing.

A tableau in the periphery on all those other days,

but yesterday I turned and looked far, saw more.

Yesterday I came to my senses.

In those long moments,

I was a lover of horses.

Richard Carl Subber is a freelance editor, a writing coach, and a historian. His first book, Writing Rainbows: Poems for Grown-Ups with 59 new poems, is for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle), or free in Kindle Unlimited. Rick’s poetry also has been accepted for publication in The Aurorean, The Australia Times Poetry, miller’s pond, The RavensPerch, Northern Stars, Creative Inspirations, and elsewhere. His website is: http://richardsubber.com/    

Sometimes…--By Keith Dodrill--United Kingdom

Sometimes…

With your heart, you can touch the sky

You can see another's love for you
Perceive the imperceptible
Be aware of the non-physical
                  The dimension that exists beyond

With your heart, you can touch the untouchable
Feel passion and desire and yearning
Know emotions inside-out
And conquer your deepest fears
                    Those that dwell in the darkest depths

With your heart, you can promise forever
And mean it with all your sincerity
Because the heart knows not how to lie
To those it chooses as its truly beloved
                     The special ones that only it can know

With your heart, you can know when someone truly cares
And when care does not exist
                                                                              
With your heart, you can keep those gone with you always
And have comfort in them being there

With your heart, the impossible is possible    sometimes.........

Keith Dodrill is a retired gentleman from the United Kingdom.  He was born in 1956 in London and has lived there all his life. His work can be seen on Google + ( main page ) where he first started sharing his poetry.  Keith writes on a variety of subjects, sometimes challenging his readers.  He embraces all cultures which allows him to write from different perspectives.

Partners in Poetry--By Sara Kendrick, United States and Jack Horne, England

A Winter Landscape

By Sara Kendrick, United States and Jack Horne, England

a southern winter

landscape framed by dark gray clouds
pines sigh mellow tunes
a small boy laughs as he runs
splashing in muddy puddles

white ice spews from ground
as temperature plummets
peach blossoms turn brown
a gray haired man shakes his head
and buys tulips for his wife

a spring bouquet sits
in a lovely vase gone dry
tulip petals fall
a kitten smashes the vase
and leaps from the windowsill

grandmother awakes
a small boy and his kitten
run outside to play
donning a yellow rain coat
against the winter landscape

celebration anxiety--By Lois Greene Stone--United States

celebration anxiety 

I don't want to be

younger again, yet

I don't want to be

older.  I've skills

and knowledge that

took decades to

develop, but birthdays

remind me that time

to use them has less

ahead than what has

already been.

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.

Tanka--By Archana Kapoor Nagpal--India

on both

the sides of the fence

these marigold flowers …

the only colour I see

from hospital window

____________

painting

a city skyline

on my canvas …

i find different shapes

in the clouds

____________

before

we exchange

wedding rings …

I close my eyes

to rethink

____________

Archana Kapoor Nagpal is an internationally published author of 6 books so far, and her winning stories are now part of international anthologies. She writes inspirational content for corporate newsletters, websites, blogs and print publications. Her inspirational poems touch every area of a person's life. She enjoys writing Haiku and Tanka as well. Visit her Amazon Author Profile to know more about her.

Life is for the Living--By Daniel Turner--United States

Life is for the Living

Today another angel got her wings

Promoted for a job well done on earth

Rejoice! In heaven, all the angels sing

His grace has filled her with angelic mirth

Though quickly earth reclaims the pyre's ash

How swift the ceaseless seasons of the sun

Grief fades and loneliness becomes the lash

A harsh reminder of that special one

But in our times of sad and dark despair

Our angel fans the dying flame of love

No longer suffering, her joy she shares

Reminding us she's waiting up above

This life is for the living, not the dead

Our day will come, when no more tears are shed

Daniel Turner is 60 years old and lives in Arkansas. He has been writing poetry for approximately 40 years. He loves animals and all things having to do with nature. Now retired, he has traveled over 3 million miles as a long-haul truck driver, worked in the oil fields of Texas and on the Mississippi River on a tow boat. He loves to read and watch old black and white movies.

Island of Songs--By Neil Creighton--Australia

Island of Songs

Fraser Island sweetly sings

from serpentine streams so clear,

so unclouded and untouched

they could be water or air.

Music murmurs in mangroves,

cobalt blue of upland lake,

banksia grove, pandanas palm

and forests of coastal she-oak.

It's in the eastern wave who sings

as she washes from her sand

the tracks of 4 wheel drives

that deeply scour the land.

Even though tomorrow

the traffic will resume,

following the tide always sings

her lyrical, cleansing tune.

Yes, all day long strange music

ripples or crashes in the sea,

and high in towering treetops

come songs of exquisite beauty. 

Fraser Island is in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia. It is the largest sand island in the world and stunningly beautiful. Its eastern beach, facing the Pacific, is also its road. I try to capture its beauty using the symbol of music.

Neil Creighton is an Australian poet with a passion for social justice, a love of people and the natural world. His work as a teacher of Drama and English made him intensely aware of how opportunity is so unequally proportioned. His recent publications include Prosopisia, Poetry Quarterly, Praxis Online Mag, Silver Birch Press, Social Justice Poetry, Whispers  and "Verse-Virtual, where he is a contributing editor. He blogs at windofflowers.blogspot.com.au   

The ballad...By ayaz daryl nielsen--United States

The ballad of our hearts

endowing and inhabiting

touching and melting

two who have met

taking the world in hand

forgetting nothing

forgiving everything

embellishing salt-sweetness

while turning love into ink.

—— 

The cauldron of sunset

Slight rain across the forest

A tree’s calm presence, its roots

deep under the surface of things,

hidden within earthen mold

and a mightier silence

A tree’s calm presence, 

a tree’s calm presence

A mightier silence of earth. 

——

ayaz daryl nielsen, veteran, former hospice nurse, ex-roughneck (as on oil rigs) lives in Longmont, Colorado. Editor of bear creek haiku (26+ years/135+ issues) with poetry published worldwide, he also is online at:  bear creek haiku poetry, poems and info 

Pastoral Paradise--By--Allan Ball--England

Pastoral Paradise

In fields of verdant splendour
where nature sets the seen
alone in splendid isolation
thoughts turn into dreams

sunlight shimmers silently

blossoms swaying to and fro
seem to whisper to each other
whilst gentle breezes blow

lost inside a reverie

amidst a silken golden haze
ever changing meadowlands
solitudes sweet serenade

sublime scenic serenity
celebrating Eden's birth
a pastoral piece of paradise
recreated here on earth.

Allan Ball is retired, most of career was spent in the fiscal and financial world. He has several poems published in anthologies. He finds writing relaxing and enjoyable. He feels that the

written word allows our hearts to speak.

Time--By David Sermersheim--United States

Time

at any moment

time seems without 

substance or form

like air passing between 

opened fingers

sensed not seen

in the interval

between events

present in memory

among us not of us

as a bird 

tracing an arc above

erasing his shadow below

or a light 

cutting a furrow 

through the dark

David Sermersheim taught at The Hotchkiss School (Ct.) for 33 years.  His poems have been published in The Aurorean, Ancient Paths, Sacred Journeys, Iodine Review, Poetry Pacific, Miller’s Pond” and other journals and quarterlies. He was a MacDowell Fellow and has a book, Meditations, listed on Amazon.  He lives in Westbrook, Connecticut. 

God’s Pulpit--By Helen Dowd--Canada

God’s Pulpit

Some people think that going to church

will get them close to God.

But all the while, their mind’s adrift.

Their worship is a fraud.

God’s pulpit is within your heart:

His message--always new.

No matter where you worship Him--

at home, or in a pew.

So please don’t judge your fellow man,

if he should stay at home,

For one can worship anywhere.

God’s not at church, alone.

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.

Kintsugi--By Charlene McCutcheon--United States

Kintsugi

Pride,
self-will
versing God's,
judging others,
double mindedness;
cracked porcelain vessels
appearing unmendable.
Repairing flaws with gold (His grace),
fills broken places while adding strength,
more beautiful for having been broken.

Charlene McCutcheon is a 73 year old, wife, mother of seven, grandmother of thirty and great-grandmother of 14. She has just discovered her voice through poetry within the last few years. Her former ways of expression have been through the media of arts and crafts. Her desire to share herself with others for their benefit has been the motivating factor in all her endeavors. She loves life, work, play and most of all people.

A Poet--By Hifsa Ashraf--Pakistan

A Poet

yesterday….

compose some thoughts that reunify

the gist of reality and wisdom of life

strain all assumptions and then purify

my reckless expression of false pride

transition...

speak to others with rejuvenated voice

feel like a revival of my dormant spirit

that unleash my feelings and rejoice

with words that flow freely like lyrics

today...

play with words that reverberate inside

WHISPERS some inspiration and love

creates many words that kindle a light

and see myself as a mystic that whirl

and make me unique from the rest

to be a poet that is not anonymous

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. 

In A Sad Blindness, One May Yet Find Hope--By Robert Lindley--United States

In A Sad Blindness, One May Yet Find Hope

Rain falls, thunder crashes, fierce winds blow, trees sway
I pray not for all this, on some other black and dreary day
With dark blue shadows plotting my early demise
I seek deep wisdom from sages, worldly and wise
Not just some clever words to soothe this shattered heart
Instead, sweet hope, a bright path leading to this life restart
With power to waken these weary, blinded eyes
and stop salty tears falling from splintered skies.

On this day, life should see beyond blackened storms
find solace in love and hope in my wife's loving arms
Yet, the wall of clouds yields to nothing in its great power
far more strength than this broken soul musters this hour
When thus lost, can one ever find again that ray of Light
healer of stab wounds from daggers, found on this dark night
I pray for the gift of wisdom to walk that brightly lit path
and release this saddened soul from the evil, wicked wrath.

Rain falls, thunder crashes, fierce winds blow trees away
I pray in supplication that tomorrow might be a gentler day.

Robert Lindley is poet from the Southern USA. He has been writing poetry since 1969. Robert writes with the intent to offer others words to enjoy and with high hopes he may inspire and brighten lives in some way.

A Message in Sneakers--By Jean Calkins--United States

A Message in Sneakers

He hung there on a makeshift cross

And tears welled in my eyes ...

A tiny “Christ” in sneakers—

I could not criticize

The candlelight enactment

As young boys and girls portrayed

The tale of a loving Savior

And how He was betrayed.

Too often I am critical

And question things I see,

But a tiny Christ in sneakers

Brought the message home to me.

Jean, at 84, has been writing poems since she was 18. For 25 years she published a popular poetry quarterly of up to 100 pages, with a subscribership of nearly 500. Illness in 1986 ended the magazine. She published The Jokester, by email, a 2-page monthly of clean humor. Many of our Whispers’ contributors were published in various editions. October 2016 was her last issue. 

Tanka--By Anne Curran--New Zealand

a photo
of my smiling, handsome father
on the funeral leaflet ...
that's how my mother
wants to remember him

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.

Company--By Greg Gregory--United States

Company

Flipping between being and not being

a pot lid rattles with escaping steam.

Rainy day confinement sometimes clouds memory,

jumbles the metaphors of what is wanted.

Our cat’s yellow eyes glow from

my folded sweater.  I scratch her chin,

appreciate her presence.

Greg Gregory is retired, but worked in educational media for over 30 years.  His first love has always been language and the printed word.  He has been published in the US, Canada, and England in publications including California Quarterly, Windsor Review, Poetry Nottingham, and The Aurorean. 

Whispers 300,000 Milestone Celebration

Dear Whispers’ Family,

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Whispers’ celebration of 300,000 page views.

Your responses remind me of the way my mother used her loom to skillfully weave multi-colored threads into a garment of uncommon beauty and usefulness. I’ve read with profound pleasure your prose and poetic creations that honor the prompt How has Whispers influenced your life-journey? Please take a few moments to “wear” this beautiful garment.

Michael Escoubas, Features Editor

_________

There is a lot more to "Whispers" than a place to get your poems published, and finding out how others in far countries write. The success of this "Blog" in such a short time is credited (by me) to its editor, who works through debilitating pain & illness, always responding with love and building you up when you feel down. 3 cheers for Karen!

Jean Calkins, United States

_________

my life touches

unexpected hurdles and

challenges along the way . . .

all along there are whispers

telling me to celebrate

each touchstone as a milestone

Pat Geyer, United States

_________

Acrostic: Whispers

Whispers

has

inspired

so much

poetic

enthusiasm –

reaping

splendid poems.

Mary Gunn, Ireland.

_________

Looking for the Word                                                                                                

Did you ever look at a cardinal eye to eye

imagine the crunchy taste of the azalea seed

he’s eating outside the window

as you sit at your desk

looking to the marbled skies

to the winter shrubbery

to the bronze cupid on the shelf

to the pesky fly whose calendar is topsy-turvy

for the exact word to fill the blank space

in the heart of your poem? 

Elizabeth Howard, United States

_________

Whispers

bent me to sniff the rose

and carried bird song

to the ear I pierced.

Comes as the crow

with a soft kruk landing

on the streetlight

to remind me

to feed him.

Wind messages.

Tricia Knoll, United States 

_________

A Whisper

Walking down the doubt lane,

afraid I couldn't fulfill

the 'calling' of my inner voice

You guided me, encouraged me

Gave me self-confidence

You handed me a compass

to conduct my gift of writing

'No need to call out!

Just start with a whisper

Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend) the Netherlands

_________

Wind Beneath My Wings

My
Whispers
a loving
community
of understanding
compassionate poets
who humbly receive and give
compliments and encouragement.
Acceptance, the wind beneath my wings,
helps me rise to new heights in writing poems.

Charlene McCutcheon, United States

_________

Hooked

Whispers hooked me good

Gotta write poems for'em

Just can't help myself

Jim Teeters, United States

_________

Ocean of Friends

Caught by a sea of words
pulled towards verse
in rip-currents of forced rhyme.
Then sonnets turned the tide
learning about rhythm,
soothed my furrowed brow
my pen learnt to flow.
When I heard of Whispers
an ocean of friends arrived
now I swim by their side.

Annie Jenkin, England

_________

300k Journey

With each mile

We collect 

And discard

Stones

Building staircases

Removing obstacles

Placing some in pockets

Leaving some for others

Achieving greatness

To help others be great

Langley Shazor, United States

_________

Whispers is a place where any poet can send in a poem and be considered for publication. I have had a wonderful warm welcome from Karen, and from many poets on Whispers who have welcomed and encouraged me, and others with whom I have corresponded and whose poems I have illustrated. I have learnt so much from, Whispers, which is a global family. May our words sing and unite us in a shared language of love and light.

Angelee Deodhar, India

_________

a pen 

transforms my visions

into friendship

Marilyn Ward, United States

_________

Whispers has always been a sort of healing through a variety of different voices.  I love the interaction from several of the poets, whether I know them or not.  Everyone is caring and kind about what they say and post.  Michael and Karen have always been patient and helpful, as well.  In closing, it is a blessing to be a part of Whispers.

David Fox, United States

_________

Whispers

Wind songs of dreams

Horizons of harmony

Inspiring & heartfelt

Sharing stanzas of verse

Pouring from souls

Embracing each other

Resonance…rubato

Symphony of hope

Karen O’Leary, United States

_________

tribute

in a world that hurls

words sharp as spears

Whispers spreads

poetry’s soothing salve—

grace and truth

love and light

luminaries

that mark my path

Michael Escoubas, United States

APRIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES

NEW CONTRIBUTORS IN MARCH—

                                    Susan Kahil—Spain—New Country

                                    Keith Dodrill—England

                                    Julie Petersen—United States

Please welcome them to our community. We now have representatives from the following countries—Albania, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Canary Islands, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malawi, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, U.A.E., United Kingdom, United States, Wales and Zimbabwe. 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 worldwide audience. If you are currently reading Whispers, please consider submitting a poem for consideration for publication. Click on the bright blue “Submission Guidelines” on the right side of the main page for guidelines.  Email submissions to Karen at  karenoleary1956@gmail.com  Thank you.

Note--Ads due for the May column by April 25

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

Angelee Deodhar’s new book Journeys 2017, the third anthology of international haibun is now available on Amazon. Edited by Angelee Deodhar, it has a total of 133 haibun, the work of 29 poets of international repute. This is the link for ordering the anthology from

Amazon:https://www.amazon .com/dp/1541387031

Richard Carl Subber’s first collection of poems, Writing Rainbows: Poems for Grown-Ups, is now available on Amazon in both paperback and eBook formats, free on Kindle Unlimited. The book offers 59 poems, in both free verse and haiku format, including nature poems, love poems, and poems about our loving relationships with kids and others in our lives.

https://www.amazon.com/author/richardsubber

Ken Allan Dronsfield's new book, "The Cellaring" is a collection of 80 poems from the dark side; the paranormal, haunting, horror, weird and wonderful pieces.....as one reviewer has noted, "A journey that startlingly grabs you with its first poem".

https://www.amazon.com/Cellaring-Poems-Darkli…/…/ref=sr_1_1…

Robert Epstein and Miriam Wald have co-edited a poetry anthology titled, Every Chicken, Cow, Fish and Frog:  Animal Rights Haiku (Middle Island Press) available online at www.Amazon.com.

Marc Livanos’ chapbook, Panhandle Poet – Second Helpings, follows the inspiration of the poems in Panhandle Poet – Solitude. It has 34 poems all of which have been published by college poetry journals, literary magazines and on-line journals. The books are available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/panhandle+poet   

Langley Shazor is now a columnist for The Loafer Magazine, a local arts and events publication.  His column, The Casual Word, features his poetry and other original works. It can be found at theloaferonline.com. 

Cindy M. Hutchings’ chapbook, Tree Talk, written to a tree, published by MoonPath Press, includes 42 poems paired with 42 unique and beautiful tree images. A poem and photo from the book are at: http://moonpathpress.com/CindyHutchings.htm

John W. Williams has a new chapbook called A Cup of Warm Words for your enjoyment.  The book includes 82 poems on love, the art of living, nature, spiritual verse, and philosophy.  An autographed issue is available for $8 including postage and handling by contacting him at PO Box 326, Martin, GA 30557

Scott Thomas Outlar runs the site 17Numa where links to his published poetry, essays, and fiction can be found. The site also features a page devoted to literary publications which currently has nearly 150 venues listed. The blog’s page at 17Numa has links to the personal sites of other writers and artists, and has been designed with the hope that artists from all fields will check out and be inspired by the work of their contemporaries.

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.

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.

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 karenoleary1956@gmail.com

PUBLICATION/CONTEST OPPORTUNITIES—

Patricia Ann Farnsworth-Simpson “Can you please join me” with your submissions for Muse to Move, an anthology expressing and sharing words of love and life to inspire and reach out to others.  Please include a short bio with your submission, a photo is optional. Please send your submission to muse2move@gmail.com  The deadline is May 5.

Maurice J. Reynolds would like to share that Creative Inspirations, an email poetry publication, is accepting poetry submissions for publication. This publication offers an interview column, creative activities, information and advertisement, writer’s comments, good poetry, and more. Guidelines and subscription information for two first class postage stamps (To God be the Glory! Publications P.O. Box 19051 Kalamazoo, MI 49019). You can also go to: www.tgbtgpublictions.com for more information.

Peggy Dugan French’s print publication, Shemom, is always looking for new writers.  Please send poems or haiku to pdfrench@cox.net for consideration. 

Marianne Szlyk is always looking for poems and flash fiction inspired by music, art, and nature for her blog-zine, The Song Is....  Any length is fine, and previously published poems are as well.  Just be sure that you have the rights to your poem.  Please send your work to thesongis@gmail.com .  For more information, see this link: http://thesongis.blogspot.com/

ayaz daryl nielsen's print publication bear creek haiku is always open for postal submissions, mail poetry to bear creek haiku, PO Box 596, Longmont, CO 80502, USA, 11 lines and less, include SASE. Can be contacted at darylayaz@me.com, blog site is bearcreekhaiku.blogspot.com.

David Fox, editor of The Poet's Art, is looking for family-friendly poems.  U.S. and foreign contributors can send as many poems that will fit on one page.  Send poems to: David Fox, 171 Silverleaf Lane, Islandia NY 11749 or contact him by email for any questions ipoetdavid2@gmail.com  I can only put out my print journal twice a year, $8 one issue, $22 for a 3 issue subscription. A high price to pay, I know, but am still mostly a not-for-profit magazine. I am keeping the price for $10 an issue for international subscribers.

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 

Whispers is always looking for new writers to join our community.  Please send family friendly poems 20 lines or less karenoleary1956@gmail.com  Complete guidelines posted at the end of each month.  Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the site.