Poets Salon: The Space Between Us

POETS SALON

Eternal fire Zoroasttrian temple, Yazd Iran (Photo – Kath Abela Wilson)

– 12/18/19

Hosted by Kath Abela Wilson

During one of our visits to Iran for a math conference, we were taken to the small walled desert city of Yazd. Time was concentrated until it became inner space. We never wanted to leave. In the teahouse, in the gardens, eyes sparkled. And there in a Zoroastrian temple, the Eternal Fire.

candid photo
I took into the mirror
the flame in my heart

~ Kath Abela

Ο Ο Ο

Clay Pots (Photo – Louis Osofsky)

Louis Osofsky

a presence
in words that dry
and begin again
a work of caring
for the fire within

Ο

joining
a broken heart
with gold and resin
I say it may be broken
just to mend

Ο

this wheel-thrown-centering self
I feel
to form
to open
both inside and out

Ο

to journey
on a life’s circle
thethingsin-between
they touch
my heart still

wet clay
in a potter’s hand
shapes an emptiness,
complete in itself,
like space between us as we sleep

Ο Ο Ο

Crumbling Cabin, Route 20, Upstate New York (Photo – Tom Clausen)

Gregory Longenecker

crumbling cabin
an empty window
lets in hope

grand canyon
an eagle crosses
the void

Ο Ο Ο

Doorway to inner living space, Yazd, Iran (Photo – Kathabela Wilson)

Shernaz Wadia

distance and space
have fortified
our relationship…
Khalil Gibran knew
what he was saying

filling in
these Celtic designs…
are the colours I use
an outpouring
of my inner self?

Ο Ο Ο

Teadust Pelican Pitcher (Photo – Toti O’Brien)

Joyce Futa

I make a hollow
for my secrets
pour in glaze
a gleaming yellow
a vesseled self

Ο

The Space Between Us: Quotes and Credits

Louis Osofsky

wanting to know
and not wanting to know
I lay my face close
to the smell of ink
following cursive tracks

An outdoor enthusiast since childhood, Gregory Longenecker has developed a keen eye for the natural world. He has chosen to write mainly haiku as a way to express his feelings through nature. He lives with his wife, Renate, in Pasadena.

For Shernaz Wadia, (Pune, India,) reading and writing poems, has been one of the means to embark on an inward journey. She hopes her words will bring peace, hope and light into dark corners. Her poems have been published in many e-journals and anthologies. She has published her own book of poems “Whispers of the Soul” and two volumes of “Tapestry Poetry – A Fusion of Two Minds” with her poetry partner Avril Meallem.

Joyce Futa lives in Altadena. She has enjoyed writing poetry since her retirement and has one published book “Lit Windows: A book of Haibun and Tanka Prose.” She has ventured recently into exploring the art of ceramics, which she finds akin to poetry, both journeys of self-discovery.

♣ A note from Kath Abela

Send your submissions by midnight Sunday, Pacific time, on each week’s theme: “Winter Rest“, “Recuperation“, “Hibernation” , “Hidden Growth” , or suggest your own theme.

Send short poems, haiku, senryu, tanka, cherita haibun, tanka prose, short prose poems, etc., or your own unique approach, to Kath Abela by Facebook message or click here to email her directly. We can feature your work again after five months. Multiple Submissions can be saved to appear later:

1. Send a short bio, comments on the theme.
2. Send photos or artwork by you, if possible.
3. No attachments except photos.

End of article