Monday, December 23, 2013

Blog of the Week ~ Gabriella's Writing Corner

Kids, I'm sure you have encountered Gabriella on the poetry circuit. This talented poet writes at Gabriella's Writing Corner, and is active in the online community. On her About page, Gabriella describes her poetry as "impulsive, evocative, and feminist" - all good descriptions! As I so love to do, I sleuthed around her site, magnifying glass in hand, and plucked four of my favourites of her recent poems for your delectation. Enjoy!




I sing the hills and mountains,
dark forests, fresh brooks,
the deep blue sea
i sing the generations before me
lives of my grandmothers
lore of my forefathers
i sing public education
dedicated teachers
printed books and libraries
i sing freedom of speech
reporters, newspapers,
poems and protest songs
i sing the affection of pets
the words of friends
comforting smiles of strangers
i sing the fireworks of summer
thin bubbles of champagne
and your name
     *     *     *
Isn't that beautiful, kids? Here is another very evocative piece :


photo (and tree) by Gabriella

The sky is everywhere
white snowflakes whirl
on the horizon, pale
seasonal blanket
the sky is everywhere
we retreat to the house
enjoy the dance of
joyous red flames
the sky is everywhere
as we rewrite
the lost and forgotten
languages of love
fragile eternity
     *     *     *
So wonderful! And another: 
Do not seek me in the blue sky above,
I am not hiding in the clouds.
Do not seek me in antique cold buildings,
I do not care for old grey stones.
Do not seek me in ancient books and scrolls,
I am not a definition.
Do not seek me in long-winded sermons,
I prefer life to homilies.
Instead, seek me in the songs of young children,
In their imaginative games.
Seek me in passionate conversations,
in correspondence between friends.
Seek me in the shudders of first embrace,
In the yearnings of hungry eyes.
And above all, seek me in rhymes and rhythm,
In the skilled words of the poets.
     *     *     *
Yes, "seek me.....in the skilled words of poets", most of all. And speaking of the skilled words of poets, check this out!


Past is the blind faith of childhood,
the sun is low as men yearn to find
a path, soft gleam in busy lives,
remember an ancient promise.
some hold battered dog-eared books,
with dark or thankful hearts they bow.
pleas softly whispered, sacred words,
they offer gifts or just themselves.
spry burning flames on golden oil
dancing shadows on clouded walls.
incense sticks glow, smoke blurs the line
between what is profane, divine.
enduring light of red candles,
human presence, smiles of strangers,
mischievous laughter of small children,
comforted souls now cease to fear.

reassured there will always be
bright chirping birds, cool mountain streams,
red dawns, use for old skillful hands
deep love, joyful chapters to write.
     ***     ***     ***
This poem filled my heart so much I wanted to start at the beginning and live life all over again! Thank you, Gabriella, for the gift of these poems, and for your participation at Poets United. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you through your wonderful poetry. 

Have a wonderful Christmas, those of you who celebrate, and bright blessings to all! 

35 comments:

  1. Sherry, I feel honored to have my blog featured on Poets United. It is a pleasure to meet poets from all over the world here every week. Thank you to all the staff for their hard work and support!
    Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and a wonderful holiday to all poets!

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  2. ah it is great to see gabriella featured... she's a wonderful poet and encouraging commenter as well... love all the poems you chose sherry... the first with singing things (almost into being) moved me especially and that last stanza of the last poem is just so perfect for this time of year cause it just shouts hope... wishing all of you a peaceful and blessed christmas time....

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    1. Thank you, Claudia! Your encouraging words mean a lot. I am glad you like the poems Sherry chose.

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  3. Gabriella, it is truly our pleasure. We are so happy to have met you here at Poets United. I, too, thought Of Light and Faith is perfect for the season. So richly written, with all good things!

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  4. smiles...wonderful to see gabriella featured...she has been a delightful find this year...and a good friend as well...she conveys much in her tight little verses...some wonderful choices to highlight as far as her verse....i rather like gods prayer to man....

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    1. Thank you, Brian! Discovering the poetry blogosphere was one of the highlights of 2013. I like 'God's Prayer to Man' too! It is an early poem as far as my blog is concerned.

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    2. How did you ever discover the poetry communities ~ I would be interested to read your interview some time ~

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    3. Grace, I started writing fiction back in May and this led me to visit other blogs where people also wrote poetry. I also gave it a go and caught the bug. The friendly atmosphere greatly helped.

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  5. Great pick for featured blog Sherry... I always find Gabriella's posts enjoyable...

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    1. Robert, thank you for your encouraging words. I always enjoy your poems too!

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  6. Love your work, Gabriella! I've been getting to know it slowly over the last few months, and I enjoyed the feast that Sherry prepared. Have fine celebrations this week and into the new year.

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    1. Thank you, Susan! I appreciate your kind words. You are right; Sherry's selection is a good one.

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  7. Sherry, thanks for featuring Gabriella's blog. She definitely is a 'fresh' voice in the blogosphere in 2013. Sherry, you have chosen good and representative poems. Gabriella, you write poems that are understandable but very often they have deep messages. I like "God's Prayer to Man" as it makes me think of just where God could be found.. And "Of Life and Faith" I like the contrast between the blind faith of childhood to the reality based faith of today. I always find I have to read your poems more than once to truly 'get' them. Thanks to both Sherry and Gabriella for this feature today!

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    1. Thank you, Mary! You are right, I try to write poems that are understandable and I hope I manage to convey deep messages. I am thankful for all the encouragement I get from fellow poets and for the friendly atmosphere of the poetry blogosphere thanks to the great people who manage the different websites.

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  8. An excellent choice of a very excellent poet. I love Gabriella's poems, they reach out and touch me, I love the simplicity she uses to convey often heartfelt issues. Well done Sherry in selecting Gabriella's poems. I look forward to reading more of her wonderful verse in 2014.
    Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thank you, Michael! You have been very encouraging along the way and I also greatly appreciate your writings.

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  9. How lovely to read Gabriella's poems Sherry ~ Thank you for the feature ~

    Gabriella, your words are full of light and inspiration ~ I specially like God's prayer to man, a unique perspective ~

    Merry Christmas to you ~

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    1. Thank you, Grace! I appreciate your work and support. Merry Christmas to you!

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  10. Thank you Sherry for featuring Gabriella's Writing Corner.....her realm of poetry is so full of warmth, beauty depth and inspiration...wish you both a Happy and Prosperous New Year....

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    1. Sumana, your poems and encouraging words are always a pleasure. Thank you for your good wishes. I wish you a Happy Prosperous New Year too.

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  11. Thank you, Loredana! I enjoy your poems and your photos and look forward to more in 2014. Enjoy your holidays too!

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  12. Enjoyed all the poems highlighted! Gabriella, it's been nice meeting you around the blogosphere!
    Thanks for all you do Sherry!

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    1. Thank you, Robyn! I always enjoy your poetry too.

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  13. yes, you are a refreshing find, Gabriella. 'Gods prayer to Man' is eerily how I view things and live. a pleasure reading you. Felicidades!

    Once again, griacias Sherry, mi amiga

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    1. Thank you, Marco Antonio! I am glad you like that particular poem. it is a favorite of mine.

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  14. What a great selection Sherry and great writing Gabriella.

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    1. Thank you, Pea! I always appreciate your comments as well as your poems.

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  15. Your poems resonate with me, your daily observances, your quiet notice, your passion. In two poems you note the smile of strangers and I also find that a rare special moment.
    Sherry, you chose wonderful works by Gabrielle, though I'm sure it was hard to choose.
    Though I am remiss in my participation, I welcome you to Poets United and the blogosphere.

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    1. Thank you, Willow for your kind words and warm welcome! I am glad my poems resonate with you.

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  16. Wonderful to see your poetry featured.. So much gifted writing and it was so great to meet in person when you visited Stockholm... and my first discovery that you have a picture from Sweden on you header...

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    1. Meeting you was indeed great, Björn! I always enjoy your poems and comments. As for my header, it reflects my love of your country. I hope to go back in a not too distant future.

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  17. Thank you Sherry and Gabriella for sharing these. I have visited your blog on occasion G and always enjoy your thoughts. I am happy to see you joining the blogosphere. And Sherry thank you as always.

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    1. Thank you, Peggy for your encouraging words! I always appreciate your poetry and challenging prompts.

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  18. Thank you, Sherry, for highlighting Gabriella's beautiful poetry. Gabriella it's been a real pleasure getting to know you and reading your amazing writing.

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