May 2007 Newsletter
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In This Issue:
A thought for the Month by Stan Almendro
Whisper Poetry News by Giselle Visser
A Poem (Ecstasty) by Shirley Adley
Review on “Whispering Hope” By Lillian Brummet
Mizz Mouse by Evangeline Auld
The MODERN church does not have sufficient power capable of moving the wheels of a toy car let alone the power to motivate the disciples of Jesus Christ in the merciless WORLD of today
Quote by Solly Ozervech (My Father God)
It is with a Whisper of love and gratitude from my Heart that I would like to introduce all our poets, writers and artists to my loving and supportive family! Humphrey (husband) myself and Brendan (11yrs) live in Bronkhosrtspruit and enjoy the beauty of the country life. Humphrey and Brendan have not only given me their support, love, help and understanding with regards to Whisper Poetry Club, but they strongly believe in the cause and opportunity we have created for our children and students. I have come to realize that without support, love, encouragement, understanding and security few (if any) things in life would be possible to achieve.
My message (letter) for this month is to encourage parents, teachers, tutors and families to support and encourage our young children and students to be the best they can! We at Whisper Poetry believe in the talent of our young writers & artists and would love to see our young people grow and mature with the talent they have been given. Only with support from their homes, schools, and friends and family will young writers be able to express themselves with confidence. We also encourage all young writers and artists to reach and achieve their goals and dreams, and thus the reason for our annual competition.
Not only does the competition give them the opportunity to enter and win prizes but it also gives them the opportunity to have their work published in the annual book of verse and stories (Three books have been published and is available from our office). The artists can have their work exposed on the CD/DVD (2007 will launch the first CD/DVD with art & photography), thus giving all entrants (not only the winners) the opportunity to have their work exposed but also the fulfillment of achieving their goals and dreams. We encourage the parents, teachers, family and friends to support our competition and thus making young writers and artist to become GREAT writers and artists. With our competition, your support and encouragement and the young talent entering, one word comes to mind: SUCCESS !!!
FINAL THOUGHT: TO BE THE BEST YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND BE SURROUNDED WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO CARE AND LOVE YOU DEARLY.
YOURS TRULY
GISELLE VISSER
How many petals of roses should fall,
to open the door of life to us all?
The golden leaves of autumn that fall to the ground
tells us life's passing, quick, look around.
But spring will come and with it hope to help us in our strife,
then and only then we'll know that this is truly life.
Take my hand and lead me down that narrow path you trod.
Let's build a life together around the love of God.
Where you go I'll follow till death makes us part,
but even then you can be sure I'll hug you in my heart.
For now let's walk together, talk together, lift our eyes above,
then and only then we'll know that this is truly love.
Show me all the loveliness of life there is to see.
The summer breeze will tease our hair and say,”Come play with me."
Count the many colours in the rainbow one by one.
Hold me close at evening as we watch the setting sun.
Imagine all the beauty that lies beyond the sea,
for this is life, and this is love, and both are ecstasy
Note by the Editor: A beautiful poem which had some encouraging feed back after being selected as Poem of the Month for April 2007 (See also Poem of the Month for May 2007 - Why Me? A Poem dedicated to abused women)
Whispering Hope – An Anthology of Verse is a collection of poetry mostly written by residents of Africa. This anthology is one of several books published by Whisper from the Heart Poetry Club, which encourages poets and artists from South African and around the globe to express themselves with freedom and confidence. Founded by Stan Almendro and currently operated with Stan’s Daughter, Giselle Visser, this club works to build a stronger economy and recognition for the literary talent presented in their books.
Readers will discover poets of all ages, from adults to young scholars. These poets are actually winners of the various contests the club has hosted in 2005. While some of the poets have multiple entries, others have single poems in the 222-page paperback book. Readers will notice that there are a few poems in the Afrikaans language.
The poetry covers sincere heart-felt moments in life, children, the joys of birth, the pain of grief, learning from mistakes, effects of disease and the power of hope. There are also a few religious and patriotic pieces presented in Whispering Hope as well.
Rather than attempt to describe to you the immense variety and interesting pieces in the book, let me show you some excerpts from some of my favorite pieces:
Denial, by Sumari Harmse is a poem about one’s legacy and complacency in life.
“…Caught in a world where people see
Only that which they want to
We are blinded
And do not wish to see the truth…”
“…A torn blindfold reveals that
Which I do not want to see
Thundering eyes
And bloodstained hands…”
Maria Grech Ganado’s Cracked Canvas tells a story of being scared by the people around us:
“…The time has come when you must trace the scars
Which cross your body like patches of sewn leather
Once your flesh, now just a metaphor for spirit
You’re only a cracked canvas for the sketches
Of hands around you, a scroll for the religious
A parchment where cartographers chart their maps…”
Annette Hunter’s poem, Into the Night, depicts finding strength in the face of adversity through
the power of love in those around us.
“…Though when there seems to be no hope left
When destitution and failure belong to every day
It is the ones who truly hold our hearts
That with no reflection and no trepidation
They throw themselves around us
They protect us with their cloak of love
As a shield to a warrior…”
I was genuinely moved by the imagery in Goodbye Yellow Sky by Daniel Wilkens –
“…Past screamers and barkers, grabbing for the money
Selling penny perversions
Peek into dancing fan box fantasy
Lurid lechers, leering wretches
Hands out, reaching, clutching
Resolutely shrug them off…”
Nozuku Mtshali’s poem Superficial, is one of my favorites. It paints a vivid scene of a married couple, who are doing all the things society depicted for them, but their lives are not genuine and because of this, the couple is rotting inside.
“…Together they produce unhappy clones
For that perfect family portrait…”
“…She attends tea parties
Passing around shallow compliments
And returns fake smiles
In-between mouthfuls of revolting Imported tea.”
S. Miller’s poem Ravaged is simply stunning with tense emotion and clarity. And finally, the one poem that is untitled is made even more stunning without a name… this poem by Chris-Fick van Niekerk provides an inside view of how Aids affects young people.
I am truly impressed with the quality of work presented in Whispering Hope – An Anthology of Verse. The poets should be very proud of their work, as it is some of the best poetry I have read in several years.
~ Lillian Brummet: co-author of the books Trash Talk and Purple Snowflake Marketing, author of Towards Understanding
http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillian_Brummet
A Poem telling the story of a mother rejected, dejected & abused left to fend for her only daughter with such meager means BUT she never gave up.
THIS POEM IS DEDICATED TO ALL MOTHERS, WOMEN & CHILDREN WHO SUFFER (EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY & PHYSICALLY) AT THE HANDS OF THOSE OBNOXIOUS MALES WHO DARE NOT BE CALLED MEN AS THIS GIVES THEM UNDESERVED STATUS.
Remember NO one has the right to steal your dignity & pride and you need to believe that THEY can only do to you what you allow them. Come to that place where you say enough is enough.
Seek help & above all believe in yourself & who you are.
Why Me?
It was such a great day as he held me & said I love you
The clouds a white fleece & the sky such a beautiful blue
My heart was singing, my eyes aglow & I thought I knew
Days of happiness, laughter & joy turned out to be so few
His sense of humor; patience & joy surely left him as a boy
And that life’s a gimmick & all else beside him was just a toy
It did not take much to fill him with gloom to spoil our day
Is the whole world against me is what he would always say
Venting his feelings, swearing, anger, swearing & bold strife
Cuts through my soul & my young daughters beautiful life
At first there was screaming, shouting & banging at the door
But alas it’s now physical as he throws us down on the floor
The bashing, screaming, his fists & smelly alcohol breathe
Makes us both so afraid yes timid & long for an early death
Then one day I looked into eyes and saw her child like smile
And that’s when I snatched her and ran & ran for many a mile
We are now free from this animal & his cruel obnoxious heart
And we sing like young birds that with new life make a start
You see I have been beaten & bashed since I was only three
And for all of these hidings & bashings I’ve always said “Why Me”
Our lives both now go on as we sing so happy & so free
No need to hide, run or clamber up the nearest old tree
We sing, clap our hands, and dance as angels full of joy
You see we are no longer this obnoxious males little toy
I try to write a little poetry myself and dread anyone reading it in my presence because of the embarrassment factor.
Now that is off my chest, I would like to talk about modern rhyming poetry. In my view, this is considered far too often as the poor relation offered verse ‘real’ poetry. So many of the most highly commended and prize-winning modern poems are to me more like prose, arranged as poetry. Poets in earlier generations contrived to produce great poems, which rhymed and scanned. Why not now? However, there were exceptions, as in the case of the Scottish poet, William McGonagall. An example of his style?? (See below) might be enough to give someone an aversion to rhymes, or Even poetry altogether!
“An Excursion Steamer Sunk in the Tay by
William Topaz McGonagall
And they left the Craig Pier at half-past two o’clock Never thinking they would meet with an accidental shock” As far as I can ascertain, rhymes are now, in the main, reserved for humorous verse and children’s poetry. Alliteration and onomatopoeia are not neglected in the same way as rhymes, and yet good rhymes do at the very least make a verse much easier to recall. A well-constructed poem with shape
And form provides a certain satisfaction not always found in free verse.
These thoughts on poetry are personal impressions only,
- perhaps some readers may be of the same mind.
© Mizzmouse All rights reserved.
Evangeline Auld
Advocate of friendly persuasion and
ethical marketing. Amateur poet -
winner of Swift Society International
Satire Poetry prize 2006
http://www.mizzmouse.com
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A Thought for the Month
Whisper Poetry News
