Author: whisperingsbyjkl

Twilight

~ whisperingsbyjkl ~ 2 Comments

The soft glow emanates from the sky,
no longer beautiful pinks and purples,
but a dark, dark blue and a dim, dim black.
My eyes adjust to the darkness,
as a chill goes up my spine.

Ducks and crickets sing to the night,
fish perform acrobatics
in the lake
causing ripples to spread,
here, there, everywhere…

**********************************

I feel your hand embrace mine,
the warmth tingles up my spine
as I lean in close to you
hearing your heart beat
against mine.

We watch the day turn to night,
listening to nature’s symphony.

Weekly Photo Challenge: (Window)

~ whisperingsbyjkl ~ 5 Comments

Windows have always fascinated me because it is an insight to another world.  Depending on where the window is placed, what surrounds it and what can be seen through it, a story can be told.  When I saw this topic as the Weekly Photo Challenge, I decided to post some of my favorite window images that I have done in the past (and maybe a new image, if I have the time as well).  Note that many of these are fun composite images.

Composite #1: Angelic Illusion

window curtains    Global Winter Wonderland
me

The first photo on the left was taken at a hotel in Huade County, China when I was in the SSLP program in 2008.  At that moment, the wind fluttered through the window and made the curtains billow out in an elegant manner.  It gave me a sense of surreal beauty, as if nature had something to communicate.  I shot the image through the open doorway, as if the viewer was seeing the moment through a secret frame.  I always wanted to do more with that photo, but didn’t know what exactly.  The middle photo was taken at the Global Winter Wonderland in San Jose in 2011.  It was nothing special, just a nice photo of me.  When I decided that I wanted a nice profile picture of me that was somewhat “inspirational” and “surreal,”  I decided to put the two images together to form the third.

Composite #2: His and Her Dream

His Dream    Her Dream   
Their Dream

I had always wanted to incorporate “windows” into the cover of my Whisperings poetry book, as I felt it went well with my poems.  When one looks outside a window, one discovers the world and how one may fit in.  To me, it can symbolize soul searching,which was what a majority of my poems were about.  However, I needed to find a good window.  I came across one in a Bed and Breakfast near Elk Grove, CA.  I initially focused on the middle photo, which is of me peering through the window, trying to “find” myself.  My boyfriend took the image.  We decided to snap a few more photos just for fun, so I took the same photo of him peering out the window.  I eventually converted all the photos to black and white, because I like the old school look of making things more mysterious, without color being a distraction.  The third photo is a composite image of the two.  I like the implied story of it, as if the lovers were looking outside the window, each focusing on his or her own dream, discovering themselves together, but separately.

Composite #3: It’s a Beautiful World Outside

Beach House Window    NYC Window

These two were also fun composites that I did (sorry I didn’t crop it all the way for you).  I work at Shutterfly, so we have promo codes for Wall Decals.  I always thought it would be really cool to have a “fake window” on my wall.  With a fake window, I could pretend that I lived anywhere in the world, based on what I saw outside the window.  I found a decent looking window at a club house at a park in Belmont, so I used that as a frame.  The left photo contains an image from Big Sur (a trip I took in 2011).  That window is actually up on my wall and I get to pretend I live in a Beach House and enjoy the ocean.  The window on the right contains a view of New York City, taken from the Rockefeller Center (a trip I took in 2012).  I wanted to pretend I was living in the Big Apple, but I actually haven’t put that up on my wall yet (maybe one day).

A window is a simple object, but a single window can tell so many stories.  I hope you enjoyed mine.

Excerpt from The Touching of Souls

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The cool thing about doing Winter Cleaning is discovering bits of yourself that you had forgotten about.  While cleaning and reorganizing files on my laptop, I came across this short story I wrote back in 2006.  I particularly liked this part of the story, and thought I’d share it with you.  I hope you enjoy it.

Excerpt from The Touching of Souls

Outside his apartment, she had thrown her arms around him in an endearing embrace as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.  Standing on her tippy toes, they shared a tender kiss.  It didn’t matter where they were or who was watching, she was literally swept off her feet.  As they pulled apart, Kelly’s fingers lingered on his shoulders, slowly sliding down his arms, and finally resting in his hands.  She swung their hands together side to side, as she slowly looked up at him with her glistening eyes.

“So this is goodbye?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said, a little hoarse.  She looked down at the cement pavement, letting the words echo in her mind.

“Can’t we make this work?  I want to visit again.  I want to make more memories with you,” she beckoned.

“I miss you too much.  It hurts when I barely get to see you,” he replied.

“Once a month,” she said, offering a false grin.

“Is not enough,” he finished, “We should see other people … people that are much closer to us.”

Kelly bit her lips, slowly letting go of Ryan’s hands, feeling empty as her fingertips touched the open air.  Straightening her back, Kelly walked towards her car.  She was about to open the door when Ryan grabbed her hand and swung her into his arms, once again.  She could smell his cologne, a smell she couldn’t describe, but one that she would never forget.  It was the smell of Ryan.

Kelly snuggled against his chest as he gently laid his chin on her head.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered.

Kelly said nothing, hugging him closer, listening to his heart beat.  Finally she pulled away.  Before getting in the car, Kelly turned around and said, “I love you, in a sense.”

Ryan looked into her eyes and gave her a sad smile, “I truly liked you,” he replied, “and always will.”

Kelly backed the car out of the driveway, suppressing the tears from flowing out.  As she drove off, the image of Ryan leaning against the open doorway of his apartment, expressionless, was implanted in her mind.

The Sense of Urgency

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I find it amusing to see cars race to cut me off only to be stopped at the red light, needing to brake furiously.  Americans are often in a hurry to accomplish so many things on a given day that they fail to see the beauty in the world.  I try not to be one of those people, so I make it a conscious decision to take a moment to breathe.

The Sense of Urgency

Cars on the freeway
speeding and braking,
braking and speeding,
drivers on the freeway
cursing and cussing,
cussing and cursing
because they’re gonna be late.

People in line
crossing their arms
stomping their feet
cursing and cussing,
cussing and cursing
because they’re gonna be late.

Tick, tock, tick tock
what is the meaning
of the clock?

clock
Every delay
can make you late
for a meeting,
a workout,
a dinner,
a hangout,
or a sitcom
in bed.

Every delay
is an opportunity
to enjoy the moment,

to watch the  sun set
in brilliant colors,
to watch the rain reflect
off wet pavement,

to sing along
to a song,
to listen
to the angelic voice
of the cashier,

to see a child
smile
from pure joy,
to simply
take a moment
for yourself
to cherish
every delay

every day
and make it well spent
because you never know
when your last delay
will be.

The Journey Begins Here

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As of yesterday, I have officially started my poetic journey by launching the following to celebrate the last decade of my life.

This was definitely a great way to end the year.  I am excited for 2014 and all the exciting things it will bring.  I invite you to join me in my poetic journey through any of the channels above.

* Please note that some of my poems posted here may be previously posted in my personal blog Jenuine Inspiration, so don’t be alarmed if you see them there =)

Thank you for the support and see you in the new year!

Tranquil Beauty

~ whisperingsbyjkl ~ 2 Comments

I wrote this poem while on a plane ride and was just mesmerized by the scene unfolding before me.

Tranquil Beauty

High above in the troposphere,
a blanket of clouds form a sea,
thin, wispy and free
floating like cream on your coffee.

Imagine walking through cloudy fog
with no pressure, no resistance,
knee deep and feeling nothing
but the white that you see.

Canoeing through waves of white,
textured clouds, feeling motion
without force, moving, but standing
still in an ocean where there’s no reflection,
but the ones in your mind.

Listen to the wispy clouds crashing
weightlessly against the imaginary shore.
Waves so gentle like foams of cream,
a truly silent beauty.

As the sun starts to set
above the sea of clouds,
gradients of pink and orange
melt into the baby blue sky.
A sunset where
no bird’s eye has really seen.

As we fly lower and lower
into the field of clouds,
a beautiful meadow of white,
sparkles of precipitation
appear before my very eyes,
leaving behind
trails of shooting stars,
in the twilight sky,
a stream of wishes by my window side.
I close my eyes and dream.

The scene outside my window
The scene outside my window
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Frozen in Time, The Beat Goes On

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This was a fun poem I wrote based on the theme of music.  It’s one of my favorite pieces because I just love the musical rhythm and the fact that I was pretending to be a man.

Frozen in Time, The Beat Goes On

Sparkling glitter and gold,
swaying side to side,
she captures my eyes
keeping me hypnotized.
Longing for her touch,
wanting to know her name,
my heart beats faster
as I gasp for breath.
The beat goes on.

Music filling my ears,
her body filling my mind,
I dance and dance
swinging and shaking
trying to catch her eye,
waiting … longing …
hesitating …

holding my breath,
she looks my way
and I am lost.
lost in my mind,
frozen in time,
caught in her eyes
hypnotized.
The beat goes on.

Working her way
through the crowd,
sliding and gliding
to be by my side.
She’s grasping my hand,
I’m gasping for air,
but without a care,
she dances,
seducing me with her hips.
The beat goes on.

How can I ever forget
the girl who captured my heart?
The girl like an angel,
but with mischief in her eyes.

My little witch
who kept my heart beating
as our bodies swayed,
lips met, minds collide.

On that special night,
our souls touched
and I lost my sight,
blinded by love.
The beat goes on.

Disco Psychedelic Dance

Writing Challenge

Now it’s your turn

  • Write a poem based on the theme of music and post it in the comments below.
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The Paper Box

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While looking through pages and pages of my journals to compile my poetry book, I came across this poem that I wrote a couple years ago when I thought I had lost my best friend.  I had forgotten that I had wrote this and it brought back sweet memories.

The Paper Box

I looked down at the crisp sheet of paper.
I had written his name in cursive letters.
Whether it was superstition
or a sign of faith,
I slipped his name into a paper box.

My best friend had been gone for days.
Where did he go?
I didn’t know.
I looked far and near –
from the neighborhood to the parks,
I searched everywhere.

I longed to see his face –
his round little eyes,
his pink curling tongue,
his floppy, girly ears.
I wanted to hold him near.
I wished that he was happy.
Yearning for his return,
hoping and praying,
and continually saying
that he was “OK.”
Then my prayers were answered
and he came home one night.

Wagging his tail and full of life,
pouncing with all his might.
He was glad to be home.
We embraced him with our love.
He had been gone for a week.

His energy decreased
after the first night
and he refused to eat.
Skinny and starving,
looking frail and weak.
My heart ached to see him.
The poor boy was ill,
but I loved him still.
With tender loving care –
stroking, feeding, petting –
Slowly, but surely,
we nursed him to health.

Happy was home,
that much is true,
Paper box, thank you!

A photo of Happy
A photo of Happy

The Courage of Youth

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As people get older, they tend to lose a part of their childhood wonderment as they often let fear, social status and pessimism consume their minds.  As we approach the new year, I want to encourage all of you to let loose and have a little fun.  Let your inner child shine through =)  Here is a poem of my random adventure in the park.

The Courage of Youth

Climbing
through the jungle
gym, reaching for ropes
and bars and handholds,
you pull yourself through,
with strength
from your arms
to your knees,
with your agility,

you pull yourself up,
slightly breathless,
gasping for air,
grasping for balance,
reaching the
satisfaction
of being
on top,

fulfilling
a challenge
that’s twice
as difficult
at your size,
and at your age,
but knowing
that you’re never
too old

to be silly
enough to try,
to be brave
enough to fall,
to be determined,
to be challenged,
to be a kid
on top of the world.

jungle-gym

Not Even the Trees

~ whisperingsbyjkl ~ 1 Comment

Steel-toed boots, high-heeled shoes,
K*Swiss, Nike, Doc Martins –

Soles on wet pavement
taking step after step,
long-legged strides,
some in jeans, some in skirts.

Soles on reflected orange lights,
shimmering green, flickering yellow.
What does it mean?
The meaning is lost.

Owners of soles
on the same path.
North, South, East, West,
they converge and diverge,
but it’s still the same path.

Through raindrops on wet pavement,
passed storefronts and passing cars,
longing for merchandise,
longing for the past.

Heads bowed down
staring at puddles
of memory,
ripples
of emotion.

The soles walk on,
seeing but not seen,
seen but not seeing,
in the dark, dark night.

The wind whispers
to the trees
and the trees
whisper back,
pondering, contemplating
the meaning
and the meaning
is lost.

trees

Writing Challenge:

Now it’s your turn –

  • This poem was inspired by the song “Not Even the Trees“  by Hootie & the Blowfish
  • Write a poem based on a song that speaks to you.
  • Enter your poem as a comment below.