Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Longer Poems by Karen O'Leary



Recently Karen O'Leary, the editor and publisher of Whispers, sent me some longer poems.  It is always gratifying to see a poet who is stretching herself, refusing to settle for the same lens.

A Piece of Heaven

The waves swish
   along the shore
   creating a white foam.

Sondra closes her eyes
   immersed in peace,
   the breeze caressing her soul.

Tired of sitting
   under the umbrella,
   she kicks off her sandals. 

Tossing her sunglasses
   on the beach chair,
   she breaks for the ocean.

Collecting seashells,
   she strolls along
   basking in serenity.

Sondra glances up
   as a bottlenose dolphin
   arcs over a crest.

Silver water cascades
   from his sleek body
   as he whistles.

She laughs out loud
   as he nods his head
   and wags his tail.

His humor connects
   them for a moment,
   then he swims away.

Refreshed and calm,
   she gathers her things
   and departs too.
_______________



Season for Living

Closing her journal
of frosty thoughts,
the fever of mourning
for justice is past.
The army will not
unlock the secrets
of her son’s death.
Two years~~she
will weep no more.

   ~~~~~~~~

The treasure of summer
is in bloom to behold.
Her neighbor’s whimsical
wind chimes dance
in a magical breeze
beckoning her to join
in the song of freedom.
Twirling on green grass,
she finds life and laughs.



I don't believe that I've posted much Dave Brubeck.  Here is a lesser-known piece from his very famous album, Time Out -- "Kathy's Waltz":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9mNTHaizm4&list=PLB35C44F2FB28E90A&index=5

"Strange Meadowlark" is also from Time Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sgNYrz0b4o&list=PLB35C44F2FB28E90A&index=2

And here is "Take Five": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqCUX3D3cnE&index=3&list=PLB35C44F2FB28E90A

As some of you may know, Dave Brubeck is one of many jazz musicians born in the 1920s, and the contest continues until September 1:  http://thesongis.blogspot.com/2016/04/welcome-springsummer-contests-for-2016.html

24 comments:

  1. I absolutely adore "A Piece of Heaven"....lovely work!

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    Replies
    1. Dear Ken,

      Thank you so much, my friend. Marianne did such a great job publishing my poetry. I appreciate all the encouragement you give me and others.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  2. I really enjoyed all 3. Very simplistic with lots of meaning. "Season of Living" hits so close to home.

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    1. Dear Dorald,

      Thank you for sharing your kind words on my poetry. It was a lovely gift to see my poems published at Marianne's beautiful journal.

      Blessings and Happy Writing,
      Karen

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  3. What a joy to see you here, Karen, and with the long poem, stretching yourself in new ways as Marianne says. I especially liked A Piece of Heaven. As Dorald says about Season of Living, it hits close to home here too.
    Thank you for sharing these and you Marianne for posting.

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    1. Dear Mary Jo,

      Wow! You sure know how to make a friend's day with your kind words. Yes, it does feel good to stretch now and then. I love writing so I never want it to get old and stale. Marianne did such a great job publishing my words. Thank you so much for your ongoing encouragement.

      Many blessings,
      Karen

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  4. Dear Marianne,

    I'm just getting to this today and what a joy to see my words published in such a beautiful way. Your online journal is a wonderful gift to the writing community. Thank you so much for publishing my humble words. Wishing you ongoing success with all your writing endeavors.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  5. Here are some comments from Rita Marie Recine, Karen:

    i truly enjoyed both poems marianne .. thank you ms. leary for your wonderful works. a piece of heaven was sovisual for me... i ws able to see seashells, water, and much more.. Seasons for living ha stouched me profoundly for i believe this poem does s peak of love, loss, acceptance and moving forward. the heart begins to mend stitch by stich .and as the seasons change we too can see a glimmer of hope in teh most trying times... thank you marianne for posting and sharing. after biancas wedding i will attempt to write to ms leary... congratulations on your wonderful works.. a si read i felt very confortable , peaceful i shall say.. thanking you once again ms. leary and the wonderful marianne...

    thank you karen o leary i i truly see some part of myself in your poem seasons for living..

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    1. Dear Rita,

      Thank you for sharing your kind. Wow! It's not often someone takes the time to share commentary so insightful and of this length. I am humbly so grateful.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  6. Loving both pieces here... Karen is a favorite writer of mine. She never walks away with an open ended thought dangling. As we tend to say here, she leaves nothing on the table. I enjoyed the whimsical frolic that is "A Piece of Heaven" immensely. I was caught up and captivated by "Season for Living."

    Thanks to this site for posting these memorable poems. :)

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    1. Dear Michael,

      What a blessing to receive your lovely words on my poems! You are such an encouraging light in the poetry community, my friend. Your words mean a lot to me. Thank you for sharing them.

      Blessings and best wishes,
      Karen

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  7. Dear Kren and ear Marianne
    Thanks for showcasing a very fine set of poems and the music to go with them.Well done. Love the dolphin's smile cresting over an arc...keep up the good work,love and light,angelee

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Angelee. I know you enjoy seeing your words published at Marianne's beautiful journal, too. I appreciate you ongoing support, my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. Dear Michael,

    What a joy to have you stop by Marianne's beautiful journal and read your lovely comments. You are such an encouraging voice in the writing community. It's always good to read your work, too, my friend. Keep your light shining!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  9. Lovely creations by you my dear friend Karen O'Leary.
    I enjoyed all the three and like "A PIECE OF HEAVEN" very much.
    Thanks Marianne Szlyk for sharing the published poems.

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    1. Dear Satish,

      Thank you for your kind words. Marianne's online journal is so beautiful. I hope to read some poetry by you here in the future. Please let me know if you are published so that I can respond with comments on your work, too.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  10. Karen,

    Enjoyed reading your work..I could see the scene from the words upon the page..

    Sara

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    1. Dear Sara,

      Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your kind words with me. Your encouragement is a gift in my life.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  11. Dear Karen,
    "A Piece of Heaven" is stunning both in its simplicity and in its power. What a pleasure to read this imagining myself in a wicker chair on a boardwalk by the sea. Congratulations to you and gratitude to Marianne for sharing excellent poetry for the whole world to enjoy.

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    1. Dear Michael,

      Thank you for your lovely words of encouragement, my friend. I hope I will get the pleasure of reading poetry by you here in the future. I appreciate your thoughts.

      Many blessings,
      Karen

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  12. Great to see your work here Karen, I enjoyed reading them all and am so happy to see that your work as been so well received. Continued blessings to you as you explore your writing journey further. Cheers! Peggy

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    1. Dear Peggy,

      What a light you are in the poetry community! Your ongoing encouragement is a gift in my life. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors, my friend.

      Many blessings,
      Karen

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  13. Both poems are a delight to read, Karen. A Piece of Heaven connects us to nature and its calming balm; Season for Living comes with acceptance, looking to the future with hope and faith, something which I can find reflected in the tinkling of the wind chimes. Regards & Blessings ~ paul

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  14. Dear Paul,

    Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts on my poems. You ongoing encouragement is a gift in my life. Keep your light shining, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete