Saturday, April 22, 2017

Butterfly Dream: Cancer Vigil Haiku by Karen O’Leary

English Original

wax slides
off the candle
cancer vigil

bear creek haiku, March 2016

Karen O’Leary


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

蠟一滴一滴地
從蠟燭上滑落
為癌症病人守夜

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

蜡一滴一滴地
从蜡烛上滑落
为癌症病人守夜 


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
at

18 comments:

  1. Chen-ou Liu, 劉鎮歐April 22, 2017 at 7:43 AM

    Karen's minimalist haiku effectively builds, line by line, to an emotionally and spiritually powerful ending that has the most weight.

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 22, 2017 at 10:06 PM

      Dear Chen-ou,

      As always, I am honored to have poetry published as a part of your wonderful poetry journal. I appreciate all the hard work you put into the translations.

      Congratulations on all you are accomplishing! Wishing you the best always.

      Many blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  2. Michael ToddApril 23, 2017 at 12:37 AM

    I needed a smile tonight, and found here, one for the ages. A masterful poem by Karen, shared to multitudes.

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:04 AM

      Dear Michael,

      Thank you so much for your kind words, an uplifting and encouraging gift today. Keep your light shining my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  3. John McDonaldApril 23, 2017 at 2:48 AM

    Well done karen

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:06 AM

      Dear John,

      Thank you for you encouraging words. It is people like you that make poetry a gift to those that share their words. Wishing you the best always.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 23, 2017 at 4:14 AM

    Bravo Karen! My eyes fill with tears as this reminds me of a poem I wrote when my father was terminally ill with cancer its called 'the crying candle'

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:09 AM

      Dear Jan,

      Healing is a process, my friend. Hopefully, the crying candle has reached a time of hope. In each season our hands cross borders to hold each other up in faith. Thank you for your friendship.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. Gert W. KnopApril 23, 2017 at 7:05 AM

    So well written, Karen! I lost my mom in 1979 when she died of cancer with 73. Hope that you're feeling better, my friend!
    Love and Blessings,
    Gert

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:11 AM

      Dear Gert,

      As we join in prayer for each other, we find the hope to keep going, even in the challenging days. What a blessing you are in my life!

      Love,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. pdfrenchApril 23, 2017 at 2:17 PM

    Excellent, paints an emotional tale with grace.

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:13 AM

      Dear Peggy,

      Thank you so much. Your kind words embrace so many in the poetry community, a light that shines on. You are such a gift in my life.

      Love,
      Karen

      Delete
  7. Marianne SzlykApril 23, 2017 at 4:18 PM

    So much in so few words, Karen. I hope that you are doing better these days. Praying for you!

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:15 AM

      Dear Marianne,

      Thank you so much for your prayers. Your friendship is a gift in my life. Wishing you the best, always.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. UnknownApril 24, 2017 at 9:45 AM

    Dear Karen,
    Your lines are so visual as they at once bring forth a significant depth of thought that rewards the reader's effort.
    Thank you for these lines born, no doubt, out of your varied life-experience.
    Michael

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyApril 25, 2017 at 12:17 AM

      Dear Michael,

      Thank you for your encouragement and for your kind words today. You are a blessing in my life. May you find joy in your gift of words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  9. paul callusMay 3, 2017 at 5:44 AM

    Dear Karen...so far I have only read a handful of your haiku, including this one, but they are enough to showcase your talent in this field of poetry. I find this particular haiku lovely and meaningful. Blessings ~ paul

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  10. Karen O'LearyMay 6, 2017 at 3:14 PM

    Dear Paul,

    Thank you so much for your lovely words. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement, my friend.

    Blessings and best wishes,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete