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An anthology published by
Soft Whispers Magazine
4/25/2010
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Jim Wisneski.............................................................................................. 4 Cindy Antene ............................................................................................. 5 Maude Stephany......................................................................................... 7 Cari Main................................................................................................... 8 Maria Kelly................................................................................................ 9 Martin Ramos ............................................................................................ 10 C.D. Reimer ............................................................................................... 11 Cathy Russell ............................................................................................. 13 Cynthia Schuerr ......................................................................................... 14 Dave Toland .............................................................................................. 16 J. Leigh Bailey ........................................................................................... 17 Denise Stanley ........................................................................................... 18 Miriam Dunn ............................................................................................. 19 Aaron Wilson............................................................................................. 26
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Jim Wisneski Don’t get to close now For the eyes are deceiving And the heart takes all. Through the field run Tall grass tackles my lost hand The soul can still feel. A naked tree laughs The clouds and wind take over Give a fresh blanket. With you I can see A moment of love begins I rest forever. The time has now come Wash away winter bring spring But not yet summer. She says it’s creepy The pictures look like someone else Another to rid. BIO: Jim lives in Pennsylvania and has been published in many anthologies including Flash!, Elements of Horrors, Diamonds in the Rough, and Inner Fears. Other stories have been published in Flashes in the Dark, Twisted Dreams, Pow! Fast Flash Fiction, among many others. He doesn’t sleep, drinks lots of coffee, and listens to Guns ’n Roses. Jim’s web site is www.jimwisneski.com
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Cindy Antene Gather at table All eat drink and be merry Sharing all our day. The seasons will change All holding a new promise Each day of our lives. I wait for you here So trying to be patient. Why are you so late? Little dogs of mine You are busy all the day Running here and there. Give me a good book And a little bit of time I will be happy. Shadows glide along Playing tag with the bright sun Another day done. Pencil to paper This rhythm is unceasing A song in my head. New season starting My favorite team will play Could this be the year? Hey, hey we all say Our Cubs are going to play. Let’s have two today! BIO: (written in haiku!) Cindy Antene New author of these haikus They are addicting.
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Mother of many. Gardener, reader, and wife. I wear many hats. They are attached here For all to read and enjoy Thank you for this chance.
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Maude Stephany cocoon a lowly caterpillar encased in your silken bonds emerged a butterfly breakout spring lances winter with bold leaves piercing frost expectantly seeking sun. frozen flame pressing fingers write poetry on the windowpane which winter’s breath fogged complicated with playful fingers love unfolds my origami heart I burst with elation BIO: Maude Stephany writes about whatever interests her. Whatever the focus of her lens, she lets her light shine through to bring a unique perspective to the topic. Her first book, Going Green and Saving Money, is published by QuickFind Books and will be available in Summer 2010.
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Cari Main A heart that's yearning Is hopeful but so on edge Waiting feels endless BIO: “I am retired and live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of B.C. I write for fun, as a challenge and to keep the "juices flowing".”
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Maria Kelly
Seven Petals
seven petals float trapped in a spiraling stream i splash among them the streamlet flows to where the river warden waits silent and brooding dips in his fingers draws forth a dewy petal and whispers my name we run through the glade in the warmth of spring sunshine and chase each other (it’s too much to know) BIO: “I am currently working on getting a job and getting my BA in English. I am writing two fantasy stories at present, one of which I am posting by chapters on my blog.”
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Martin Ramos
Water buffaloes,
the farmer in the rice fields:
he also labors
BIO: Martin A.Ramos is a writer of short stories and poetry from Hormigueros, PR. He grew up and was educated in Chicago, IL, has a master's in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and currently works as an Auxiliary Administrator for the Dept. of Education in his hometown of Hormigueros, PR. He has published stories in small literary magazines such as Chiricú, and poetry in Dragonfly, Rattle, Latino Stuff Review, Cyclo*Flame, and Writer’s Digest. His work has appeared online in the Feb. 2008 issue of The Cortland Review, Red River Review and in issue 16 of Gold Dust Magazine. Paz.
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C.D. Reimer
A WRITER’S FURY
Car horn from outside
made me hurl typewriter off
balcony. CRASH! Peace.
AT THE POTTER’S HOUSE
A royal pot rose
from the muddy earth of the
poor potter’s wheel.
BEFORE WINTER APPROACHES
An open window hears
gas-powered blowers turning
over the autumn leaves.
GONE SWIMMING
Four teenaged girls in
wet bikinis skipped into
the darkness laughing.
MOUNT WILSON
Liquid fire surf the
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tinderbox hills to break under
majestic white dome.
SPIDER PLANT
The shoots came first, white
flowers next, and green spiders
floating on the wind.
BIO: C.D. Reimer lives and works in Silicon Valley. His interests are ceramics, painting, tropical fish, and web programming. These keep him out of trouble when he’s not fixing broken users and consoling hurt computers. Currently working on his first novel, a short story collection, and various short stories.
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Cathy Russell #1 Little boy sneakers Pitter pat Pitter pat pat Tears and mud stain floor #2 Inside my temples merciless sledgehammers pound driving deep the knife #3 Technological Geekdom behind black glasses Ironically chic #4 electric words tapped upon the keys as raindrops beat against the glass BIO: Catherine Russell is an author living in northeast Ohio. She is currently working on publishing her first novel and learning more about the craft. http://www.ganymeder.com http://www.ganymeder.com/esperanto
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Cynthia Schuerr
NATURE AND LOVE
Summer Heartbreak
Eyes closed, she looks up When you love deeply
On the soft cheeks of her face The heartbreak is more intense
The sun glows, warmly But so worth the risk
Winter Smile
The gray winter sky Frowning is no fun
Greets us on too many morns Smile and also will your heart
With cold, drab feelings Easier to do
Spring Daughters
The rain soaked the ground My Girls are precious
And seeds dug deep and took hold Though awesomely different
The scent was Jasmine Their sweetness prevails
Autumn Pregnancy
The colors were bright She carries a hump
Burning leaves tickled her nose Baby grows inside of her
The crisp air chilled her Soon the prize will come
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Water Words
The water flows free The words can be hard
And trickles against the rock And emotions are daunting
Then evaporates Still, they must be said
BIO: Cynthia Schuerr, lives in the upper Midwest and is a lover of books and writing. She began writing short stories for her grandchildren to enjoy and realized that writing has been her passion since she was a little girl. You will find Cynthia’s works published in the “12 Days 2009 Anthology” and www.softwhisp.blogspot.com of which she is a regular contributor. She is also a journalist for www.examiner.com in the family/parenting section and is currently working on two separate novels in her spare time. Her blog www.theheartofwriting.blogspot.com, is where you can find bits and pieces of what defines her.
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Dave Toland FOUR SEASONS Tiny pale green shoots poke their tips though leafy mulch Baby lifts her hand Golden seas of wheat Sun enriches fruited groves Breathless lovers sigh Painted forests glow Festivals of harvest wealth Daughter giving birth Frost upon the pane Icy feathers hide the view Withered fingers creak
BIO: Dave Toland is a long-time resident of Massachusetts, and a country boy at heart. He is an active member of the WritingForums.org community at http://www.writingforums.org, and is currently working on two science fiction novels. In his day job, Dave is a software engineer. He has two adult children who make him proud. In addition to writing, he enjoys photography and cooking as creative outlets.
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J. Leigh Bailey Faerie wings flutter Jewel bright and glittering In the summer breeze Sprites dance on green leaves Peaking over then under Mischief in their eyes Dragon scales glisten Polished, gleaming, golden bright In my flower bed Imagination Planted, tended and cared for Blooms for those who see
Bio: Currently based in Chicago, IL, J. Leigh Bailey is new to the writing game, but is enjoying every minute of it. In her spare time she is campaigning to create a military branch of an Apostrophe Protection League, an advocate for a Semicolon Appreciation Association, and a proud practitioner of Random Acts of Parking. Sometimes, when time permits, she is also an aspiring author of Young Adult Paranormal Romance novels and a writer of half-written short stories.
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Denise Stanley
The muffled whisper Against the pulse on her neck Tells her many things. Scratches on the page The pencil turns thoughts to words. Can you read my mind? The flash of light screams Without producing a sound. The thunder follows. It’s snowing again. It is winter, after all. Spring is a promise. I see a shadow. Goosebumps stand up on my arms. Is that my conscience? Too many voices! Competing for attention All inside my head.
BIO: “I am a student of the Institute of Children's Literature. I have a poem that has been published in Parent:Wise Austin and am pending publication of two children's puzzles in Highlights' Puzzlemania.”
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Miriam Dunn
Pomegranate bursts ~
Juice tsunami in his mouth ~
Ocean of her taste
Amber tops of trees ~
sun peeks out, paints orange path ~
dead wood breathes again
New Spring breathes deeply ~
Fills herself with the scent of moist ~
Perfume soon to bloom
Soft sweet squeeze on tongue ~
Lips-a-linger on the flesh ~
Taste of raspberry
Whispers cover me ~
Flesh hidden beneath your lips ~
Secrets will be told
Whispers from one side ~
Echoes agitate Abyss ~
Voices take the leap
Know me like the night ~
As Blue Moon shall know each Star ~
as Sun knows the day
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Fire Curls the paper ~
Frees the past, grateful ashes ~
Ushers in the Dream
Sweeping nervous toes ~
Writing messages in sand ~
Wave takes 'I love You '
Dawn drops it's curtain ~
Heavy velvet on the sky ~
Window of my eyes
Side by Side we Love ~
Legs Entangled, Arms Entwined ~
Trading Breath for Breath
I would take your pain ~
Carry it to the ocean ~
Swim it out to sea ~
Night’s open window
Breeze battles against the screen
Spring creeps in the Dark
Crystal Dance on Glass ~
The Furtive Frost tells Secrets ~
Kept in Nature's Heart
Wet Earth begs the Sun ~
Soaked and sodden, pleads for Spring ~
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Winter stays too long
White moonlight on waves ~
Light breath blows across my flesh ~
Tide in my hips rock
Moon hangs low from Sky ~
Sad Sideways in Sweet Slumber ~
Whispering to Snow ~
She gathered Moxy ~
At every darkened corner ~
Like daisies in fields
His words weave her love ~
Fabric he stole from her heart ~
Texture of his soul
The day is so long ~
Passed in wanting and desire ~
Frozen flux of fire
Your arms around me ~
Sun rising from your body ~
Crescent kiss on chest
They would look like you ~
If God would send her Angels ~
They would look like me
Night's starry blanket ~
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Curls around me like your arms ~
Chamomile field
Spooning is our talk ~
Bodies curled apostrophes ~
With no words between
You are Mountain Stream
Clear rush and roar of water
Falls against my skin
Harmonized with Hue ~
Saturated with Echo ~
There's no Estrangement ~
Feet feel sweet Rhythm ~
Tapping as the eyes peruse ~
Gifts left by the Muse ~
The stylized swing ~
Rhythm rock and roll, the thrust ~
Smooth curve of his back
I am filled with blue ~
Lost tired bird that chases~
The near horizon
You move over me ~
White flesh beneath you quickens ~
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All within me stirs
I am laid out bare ~
You are the wild wind, rushing ~
Over waiting field ~
The sweet push and pull ~
Swaying like waves on the shore ~
We come and we go
White Moon in daylight ~
Gives reflection of Her own ~
Message from the night ~
Feather fingertips ~
Smooth scribe on your bare shoulders ~
Secret messages ~
Old men with poppies
Insist they pin them on me
Fumble at my breasts
One weakened bird trails ~
End of the great formation
Their strength moves her on
Know me like the night ~
As the Moon shall know each Star ~
As Sun knows the day
Sweeping nervous toes ~
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Scribing Secrets in soft sand ~
Wave takes 'I love You’
Their bodies entwine ~
Halfway union of their hearts ~
Lover's Eclipse
White moonlight on waves ~
Light breath blows across my flesh ~
Tide in my hips rock
Your hands are sacred ~
Have once touched the things I love ~
They have held your heart
Wet Earth begs the Sun ~
Soaked and sodden, plead for Spring ~
Winter carried on
Sweet Tangerine Burst ~
Citrus rain drops on my tongue~
Kisses from the Sun ~
HAIKU FOR HAITI
Pain older than time ~
can calm come from the distance ~
that separates us?
Quick Quivering Quakes ~
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This Earth is not implacable ~
Breaking like our hearts
Bonfire of bodies ~
Stench of Death and Dying hope ~
Haiti still needs us
Tragedy adrift ~
Their Story becomes our Pain ~
Weight of cosmic dust ~
Through the streets Death Prowls ~
Hungry for those hanging on ~
Buried, not yet dead.
BIO: Miriam Dunn lives by the Ocean. She writes for the Moon, dreams of the Desert. She can often be found writing on Cape Breton Island.
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Aaron Wilson
Ceropia Moth (Hyaloperhora cecropia)
Cousin to Mothra
Sky scrapers tumble down under
Your pesticide wings
The Day Fish Learned How To Cry
Black oil spills over in-
To an aquamarine O-
Cean environment.
Guest
Bright lady you are
Welcome among the green vines
And red tomatoes.
Light Show
Dark sky. The coming
Storm. A drunk man leaves a bar.
Jingles keys. Starts car.
Basic Need
Sand sifting slowly
Slides through blue waves. Mean while a
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White toilet flushes.
Michael Pollan’ Food Rules
Eat food, mostly plants
Fueled by solar capital
And please, not too much
Escaping the Cold
Wet, new snow falling
Friends rocking-out wii rockband
Minneapolis
www.myfootprint.org
We must recycle
There is no getting away
Only one blue spaceship
January
Dim morning sunlight
Filtering up from the South
Minneapolis
Morning Commute
Morning icy roads
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Quickly traversing nightmares
On my way to work
When to Eat Apples
Silent apple core
Longing for sweet, crisp ripeness
Food so seasonal
THE small FLIGHT OF DRAGONS
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Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Tiny elegant
Navigator of blue skies
Eating snapdragons
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Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Sad graying widow
Hiding among weathered wood
Breading a large, vengeful brood
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Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
Passions of children
Twists into adult poisons
Used for protection
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Copper Looper Moth (Allagrapha aerea)
Oh so fragile you
June, Temporarily here
Dead before July
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Milkweed Tiger Moth (Euchaetes egle)
Wait! Be very still
Look left! There flitting between
The long blades of grass
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Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
True Scholar, you go
From petal to petal in
Search of answers
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Red-humped Apple Caterpillar (Schizura concinna)
Now beautiful in
Wings—I hope you don’t mind
Being tossed with the core
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Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
If you were a coin,
Josh would collect and hunt you,
O! Precious Dragon
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Bagworm Moth (Psyche carpini)
What you got there, eh?
Can I see inside? Or do
I get a warrant
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Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
How much does it cost
To stay that pretty color?
Death would be cheaper.
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Cynthia Moth (Samia cynthia)
Cynthia, taken
In by dazzling light, leave a
Piece of heaven just for me
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White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Here for the day, gone
The next—time is short: a mate
I must find, and quick
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Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Canada, south to
Mexico made possible
By NAFTA’s fight path
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Queen (Danaus gilippus)
Gracious Lady, are
You content, in the south, while
He migrates up north
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Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata)
Pretending to be
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A day Dragon—butterfly—
To each their… I guess
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European Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rapae)
Your children eat my
Crop; I eradicate your
Children. This sound fair
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Eastern tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Summer, your cunning
Virtue in action is very
Admirable
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Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
One smoky eye sees
Not well, but one surly sees
Better than none will
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Io Moth (Automeris io)
When your moon is full
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Worshipers sacrifice in
Testament of awe
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Luna Moth (Actias luna)
Endangered species
List; indicator species,
Says, “We are next”
BIO: Aaron M. Wilson lives in Minneapolis with his loving wife and his two cat’s (one good and one bad). He and is an adjunct instructor of English, Literature, and Environmental Science at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and occasionally writes citizen book reviews for Magers & Quinn Booksellers.
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ALL clipart and artwork has been provided by Jenna Luckenbach.
Jenna Luckenbach is a graphic designed living in Boyertown, PA with family and pets. She loves the man in her life more than anything, his name is Brodie – a four year old Lhasa Apso!
She specializes in creating logo’s and company branding – but she LOVES to do anything design related.
She is always up for new projects and can be reached at [email protected].
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Thank you for reading Soft Whispers SEVENTEEN SYLLABLES anthology!
The response has been terrific!
We plan on having MANY more anthologies in the future.
Please don’t forget to check our site at www.softwhisp.blogspot.com for updates, open submissions, and our daily posts.
A big thanks to all those who have submitted and of course the greatest graphic designer in the
world, Jenna, for helping out like she always does!
-Jim-