dad's ashes float
in autumn's breeze
he becomes one
with the woods
he loved
Season’s Greeting Letter, 2014
Karen O’Leary
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
爸爸的骨灰
漂浮在秋天微風之中
他與所愛
的林木
合而為一
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
爸爸的骨灰
漂浮在秋天微风之中
他与所爱
的林木
合而为一
Bio Sketch
Karen O’Leary is a writer and editor from West Fargo, ND. She has published poetry, short stories, and articles in a variety of venues including Frogpond, A Hundred Gourds, Haiku Pix, Sharpening the Green Pencil 2014, Now This: Contemporary Poems of Beginnings, Renewals and Firsts, Creative Inspirations, and Poems of the World. She currently edits an online poetry journal called Whispers .
Modeled on traditional Japanese tanka, Karen's heartfelt poem is made up of five poetic phrases (five ku/prosodic units) and structured into two parts (“jo,” the prefatory image, Ls 1&2, and the main statement, Ls 3-5).
ReplyDeleteThe prefatory image resonates well with the emotional point of the tanka, and the main statement effectively conveys a sense of oneness and interconnectedness with nature.
Dear Chen-ou,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise! Thank you so much for publishing my tanka at NeverEnding Story, with the Chinese translations and insightful analysis. Your beautiful journal attracts talented writers from all over the world. I am humbled to be a part of it. I wish you ongoing success.
Blessings,
Karen
Absolutely stunning poem Karen the imagery brought a lump to my throat many congrats on its publication:-) Jan xx
ReplyDeleteDear Jan,
DeleteThank you for your lovely words. It was such a blessing to find out that Chen-ou published my tanka at his beautiful site.
Blessings and best wishes,
Karen
What a place of peace, Karen. Knowing your father is one with the woods he loved.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chen-ou for posting this.
Dear Mary Jo,
DeleteThankfully, my Dad is still alive. Finding peace despite the losses in life is such a blessing. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement, my friend.
Love and blessings,
Karen
Karen
ReplyDeleteCongratulations not only for your publishing triumph -- but because this poem showcases the power of words -- a peace hard won -- death takes on fresh meaning via your tanka.--Thank you
Dear Michael,
DeleteThank you for your insightful thoughts. I was so excited to have this poem published in Chen-ou's wonderful journal.
Karen
ReplyDeleteCongratulations not only for your publishing triumph -- but because this poem showcases the power of words -- a peace hard won -- death takes on fresh meaning via your tanka.--Thank you
Congrats Karen
ReplyDeleteDear John,
DeleteCongratulations on all your writing successes, too. Chen-ou does a great job with this journal. Let me know if you ever get published here.
Blessings,
Karen
Congrats Karen
ReplyDeleteStunning and reverent piece, Karen.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this fine poem being published.
Dear Michael,
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely words, my friend. Your encouragement and support mean a lot to me.
Blessings,
Karen
And the power of your words makes us feel one with your dad and the woods when we read this lovely Tanka.
ReplyDeleteDear Molly,
DeleteThank you so much! My Dad is still living which is a blessing. I appreciate your encouragement. Best wishes with your writing, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
a poignant piece ,congratulations ,Karen best always angelee
ReplyDeleteDear Angelee,
DeleteThank you for your insightful thought and congratulations. Best wishes to you too, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
This poem recalls how I said goodbye to my mother in the hills overlooking the sea. Her ashes were caught by the breeze and setteled on the leaves of tall trees.Your beautiful poem was so touching Karen. Thank you for the memories. Love, Connie
ReplyDeleteDear Connie,
DeleteThank you so much for these lovely thoughts and letting me know that this poem is meaningful to you personally. What a wonderful gift you are to the writing community, my friend. I appreciate all you do for me.
Blessings,
Karen
It's a very beautiful tanka, so much in tune with nature.
ReplyDeleteDear Raamesh,
DeleteI think the poet part of a person searches for a greater meaning. Thank you for your kind words.
Blessings,
Karen
Simple lines flow
ReplyDeletelike the autumnal stream.
Ashes
Bio
A forest.
Karen---the poet that captures the fleeting!
Dear Sunil,
DeleteThank you for your insightful thoughts. Quite poetic in your response. I appreciate you stopping by.
Blessings,
Karen
I follow NeverEnding Story on a daily basis, and the contents are always of a high caliber, including this beautiful and emotional tanka. Congratulations, Karen!
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
DeleteI'm so glad you read this wonderful journal on a daily basis. It by reading the work of others, we become better writers. Thank you for your kind words and ongoing support, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
Beautifully captured Karen, congratulations on this deserved publishing. A wonderful way to capture this poignant moment that I know means so much to you. Kindest thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDear Anna-Marie,
DeleteThank you for your beautiful thoughts. My Dad is still living which is a blessing. My husband and I have been through our share of losses so in a sense this is an outpouring of moments. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement, my friend.
Best wishes and blessings,
Karen
Absolutely beautiful poem Karen. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteDear Blanca,
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely words. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
Blessings,
Karen
Congratulations Karen on being featured here. What a touching Tanka poem. It warmed my heart. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete-MJ
Dear Maurice,
DeleteWow! Thank you so much, my friend. Your encouragement and support are great gifts in my life.
Blessings,
Karen
congratulations, Karen!
ReplyDeleteDear ayaz,
DeleteThank you for the congrats, my friend. Best wishes to you always.
Blessings,
Karen