NAME: Paula (Wanken) Riggs
WRITING SINCE: December 2010
for years
thoughts have gone unspoken —
my voice, unheard;
i have longed to put words together —
to speak, unhindered;
yet
when words escape me
i am left in silence.
by writing,
my thoughts find words
and when words escape me
they are found in
echoes from the silence.
2011-01-07 9:25 p.m.
P. Wanken
Thank you for stopping by my blog…here you will read my thoughts that have found words in the form of “ponderings, poetry, or prose.” I hope you will listen to the echoes with me, and take away something that resonates with the echoes in your own life.
Disclaimer: While I share a lot of myself in these words, for the sake of crafting poetry/prose, they’re not all autobiographical.
Great blog, Miss!
LikeLike
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I love it, Paula! Yes… we are both trying to tune in to the still, small voice. Su
LikeLike
you have a special way of expressing yourself. I write like you too. Nice to meet you 🙂
LikeLike
Horseandmoon: Thank you for this and your other comments…so glad you found your way to reading some of my ponderings and poems and that you have enjoyed what you’ve found here. Glad to meet you, too…a fellow writer. ~ Paula
LikeLike
Paula,
I find it hard ti imagine you not articulating yourself, but love knowing that you have found your voice through writing. Writing has always been my saving grace, so I understand your sentiment.
KIM
LikeLike
Thanks, Kim…finding my voice through writing has been a joyous discovery. I’m glad for your visits… ~ Paula
LikeLike
I understand what you are saying. Sometimes the only release I have for my feelings in my writings that until now have gone unread.
Thanks for sharing and for stopping by.
LikeLike
Thank you, too, Lisa. I appreciate your visit as well as your words–written here and shared on your site. ~Paula
LikeLike
That is the great thing about writing is to be able to express yourself, give a little of yourself but no one but you knows whether it is really you or not. You silence speaks but is it really you? Keep us guessing.
LikeLike
Old Egg: Thanks for being a repeat visitor to my site, for listening with me to hear the echoes from my silence. ~Paula
LikeLike
This is so true. How many hours have I struggled to find the words for saying just the right thing, then as I sit in stillness they come crashing together into a poem…like your so expressive one.
LikeLike
Thanks, Lilibeth, for visiting…for reading…for sharing. Always good to hear from those who stop by! ~Paula
LikeLike
Paula, nice to see you at my blog.
There are so many levels of expression – internal which finds its way out… echoes. You touch on the nerve that is the creative part of our brains and souls.
Loved this. Amy Want a laugh?:
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/just-one-morning/
LikeLike
Thanks, Amy, for coming by my blog and leaving a note, too! And yes–your post made me smile!! 🙂 ~Paula
LikeLike
So glad, Paula, and looking forward to cyber-bumping into you again! A
LikeLike
I was never a quick thinker on my feet, but my thoughts gained clarity with writing. Now when I have something important to say, I’m often reading it off a spiral notebook. Beautiful post, Paula!
LikeLike
Thank you, Catherine…for reading my echoes, and for your note. ~Paula
LikeLike
A thoughtful poem.
LikeLike
Thanks, Tilly. I appreciate your visit…and taking the time to comment. ~Paula
LikeLike
I love that you have found the written word to express yourself. This poem is an example of how well you do that. It has me thinking about life without writing..yikes!
LikeLike
Thank you, Judy, for coming by…..and for taking the time to post a comment! I appreciate your visit and your kind words. I’ve been writing for such a short time…but you’re right: yikes! 😉
LikeLike
A thought provoking poem. I agree that when words escape one they are found in the echoes……and eventually they find their way OUT! Nice blog!
LikeLike
Thanks for coming by, Mary….and for your kind words. I am glad the echoes of my thoughts have provoked thoughts of your own. I hope you’ll come by again! ~Paula
LikeLike
Nice to meet you Paula….A wonderful collection of poetry, beautifully done, I’m glad I found your site 🙂
LikeLike
Eclipse: Thanks for coming by…and for wandering through my posts. Your kind words have blessed me. ~Paula
LikeLike
By writing, my thoughts find words… yes. Love this concept. Thoughts are often unformed, vague, until you pin a word on them, at least that’s what brought me to poetry. Thanks, Paula. I liked this very much! And thanks for visiting my blog, too, Amy (and here is my #5)
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/black-history-month/
LikeLike
Amy –
Thanks for your feedback. And…LOVED your #5. I shared it with my friends on FB. Have a blessed day…and I look forward to continuing to read your words!
~Paula
LikeLike
Hey Paula, your echoes from the silence is lovely!
I’m visiting from Truimps and Tears.
~Jo
LikeLike
Thanks, Jo! I appreciate your visit, and your words. ~Paula
LikeLike
Liked your poem about your dad, look forward to reading you more. – Moskowitz
LikeLike
Thanks for coming by…I really appreciate the visit from the P.A.D. postings. And the “mention” there. Your words encourage me.
LikeLike
Very nice poem you have here…it captures the essence of your thoughts at the time before and after the silence.
LikeLike
Thanks, Reggie…I appreciate your visit as well as your comments. I hope you’ll take a look around and read some of my other “after the silence” work. ~Paula
LikeLike
Enjoyed the visit! And how you did your ‘about me’ in poetry… nice
Warmest Salad
Luke @ WordSalad
LikeLike
Luke: Glad you stopped by and enjoyed the visit…thanks for taking time to say hello! ~Paula
LikeLike
Thanks for your email. Your poem is fantastic, and your interest in a wordle prompt timely. I’m launching a new wordle prompt site. Here’s the url: http://sundaywhirl.blogspot.com/
It will be nice to have you on board, I look forward to reading more of your work.
~Brenda
LikeLike
Yay! Thanks, Brenda! I look forward to it! 🙂
(And thanks for coming by, and for your comment on my poem…greatly appreciated!)
LikeLike
This is wonderful….it has often been so much easier for me to express myself in writing. Good write!
LikeLike
Thanks, Gloria!
LikeLike
That is the beauty of the written word.
Lovely.
Pamela
LikeLike
Thanks, Pamela. I appreciate your visit!
LikeLike
Well put, Paula – and your words echo how it was for me for many years. I still think the very best words are those “found in / echoes from the silence.”
LikeLike
So glad some of my words resonated with the echoes in your own life…thanks for your visit and I hope to see you here again. ~Paula
LikeLike
Hi Paula,
Loved what you said today at the PA site. It’s my first PAD challenge and you captured how I feel – like summer camp ending! See ya on Wednesdays. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Catherine! Looking forward to seeing you there! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Paula,
I placed a link to your blog on mine and it comes to this page. Thanks for adding me to yours.
StanSki
LikeLike
Thanks, Stan! I look forward to staying in touch… ~Paula
LikeLike
Hey Paula,
Thanks for the e-mail and interest in “Poetic Bloomings”. It is an exciting undertaking and we will try to make it as such for you and your muse. I have added your link to the “Daisy Chain”. It will be great to get to read more of your work at PB.
Welcome Aboard.
LikeLike
Thank you, Walt, for the invitation and for including me…you and Marie Elena have done so much to encourage so many. ~Paula
LikeLike
Hi Paula! Just in the neighborhood and thought I’d come check out your blog.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Benjamin! I’ve enjoyed reading your work on Poetic Asides…do you keep a blog somewhere? (I’m going through PA withdrawals and it’s only May 1!) 😉
LikeLike
Paula,
enjoyed your site very much. thanks for visiting my site so much and for commenting on the poems. i see you have had a lot of positive comments from friendly visitors. would you mind sharing the link to your group(s) so i can join, too?
Thanks,
Gordon
http://gsb3.net
LikeLike
Thanks for your visit, Gordon…glad you enjoyed your visit. 🙂 I’ll send an email…. ~Paula
LikeLike
Beautiful post. I hope you find your voice.
LikeLike
Thanks, Lisa….appreciate the visit…and your words. ~Paula
LikeLike
New Photo. Nice. But I like the other one better.
LikeLike
🙂 I might switch back to the other one…
LikeLike
An enjoyable visit. I shall look forward to my return!
LikeLike
Thanks, David! I’ll look forward to your return, as well! ~Paula
LikeLike
Hi, Paula. I added a link to your blog on my site. It’s been a pleasure knowing you and reading your writings. Thanks for your encouragement in my writing as well.
Gordon
LikeLike
Thanks, Gordon. Glad to be able to “pay it forward” in the encouragement department, as I have found encouragement from others in this online poetry world! ~Paula
LikeLike
Paula,
I already see what you mean about the online poetry world being encouraging, since now that I have followed in your footsteps and joined some of the writing prompt groups, there has been plenty of encouragement. I bet you have quite the network!
LikeLike
I wasn’t sure how I was going to be at writing to the prompts…but the community is encouraging…and I have found I enjoy both the challenge of writing to the prompt, as well as the experience of reading what others have done with the prompt. ENJOY!! ~Paula
LikeLike
incredible.
come join poets rally again.
Cheers.
LikeLike
Thanks, as always, Jingle…
~Paula
LikeLike
I have nominated you for an award at my blog http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.com/
LikeLike
I just love your poetry.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Ren, for this and the other comments you have left for me on other visits here. I’m glad you find anything I’ve written worth coming back for…….really. ~Paula
LikeLike
Reverberating thoughts and words!
LikeLike
Reverberating echoes. Indeed. Thanks for your visits, Irene, and your words of encouragement. Blessings. ~Paula
LikeLike
Love your blog Paula. You are doing some amazing poetry. I love to hear your voice here and in other places.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mike! Glad for your visit here at WordPress…nice of you to venture over from FB. 🙂 ~Paula
LikeLike
always like to come by and check out your word….busy summer with outside stuff…not much poetry or painting lately……so it just happening slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowly now
LikeLike
Wayne, how kind of you! Thanks for stopping by, and for taking the time to let me know. 🙂 Summers are just an entirely different pace…I’m not always feeling very in sync these days, but I do write when I can. I even took a painting class…and loved it. Won’t be posting any of MY painting pictures, though. LOL. ~Paula
LikeLike
What a clever idea for a site! I’d like to try wordling myself!
Salvatore Buttaci
LikeLike
Sal, thanks for visiting my site…and for finding Brenda’s The Sunday Whirl. I hope to see you there!! 🙂 ~Paula
LikeLike
I don’t think I have ever visited a blog with 77 comments WOW.
LikeLike
Soulbrush…thanks for visiting. *giggling* Yes, 77 comments…but half of them are from me! LOL 😉
LikeLike
I have just joined the community…and serendipity!!! echoes from the silence…before listening to all your echoes I wanted to extend appreciation for your thoughts penned!
Take Care!
Wali.
LikeLike
Clicking “notify me of new posts…”
LikeLike
Thanks, De. Hope it works! 😉 *hugs*
LikeLike
Oh, hello again–wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! If you’re unfamiliar, you can visit my blog again for details–
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Paula. I read your reply to my comment about the problem I was having, and decided to try using a different browser. It’s only in Internet Explorer (IE8) that I’m having difficulties. In Firefox and Google Chrome, what I type shows up in the window without my having to highlight it.
Great photo and “About Me” poem, by the way. 🙂
LikeLike
THANK YOU, Traci. I will let the fine folks at WordPress know it was IE8. And…thanks for your kind words re: this post. 🙂 ~Paula
LikeLike
Hi Paula,
Just took a quick tour of your blog and am mightily impressed – shouldn’t sound so surprised I guess – you were pretty impressive throughout the assembling of “Prompted” and thank-you again for all you did there …
Ditto what many have said before me in that I was surprised to learn you sometimes have trouble articulating your thoughts – again, I don’t know why. I often find the only way I can express myself is with writing.
Your poems are excellent – I especially love your latest wordle – you used the words so naturally, especially weaving the actual woes of the nation right now and upcoming election … nicely done.
I look forward to seeing you and more of your work around the various poetry sites.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Sharon. Your kind words are a great encouragement to me. Truly.
LikeLike
Found you through “Show My Face Six Word Saturday”.
“When words escape” caught my eye
Your banner photo is awesome – almost breathless
Ponderings and Poems – “ponder” is one of my favourite words!
I am following you now!
Thank you for sharing your blog, Paula!
May His Blessings be Upon You,
Patricia
LikeLike
Nice to “meet you,” Patricia! Thanks for your comments…and for following! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Paula! I found you on the daisy chain @ Poetic Bloomings! Glad to follow the echo of your poetic voice! ~smiles always!
LikeLike
Hi Hannah! Good to see you here. Thank you for the visit…and the “follow.” 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Paula, just popping in to let you know that I have nominated you for the Candle Lighter Award – please visit my blog for more information. Enjoy! ~ Julie 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Julie! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi again Paula, forgot to say that I have also nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – please visit my blog for more information. Enjoy! ~ Julie 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you…I appreciate your visits and kindness!! 🙂
LikeLike
Hello, Paula –
“for years
thoughts have gone unspoken”
(I don’t see a title)
What a wonderful work of art! I marvel at your talent.
Thank you
Patricia
LikeLike
Thanks for your visit, Patricia.
This poem was actually written as “echoes from the silence” which is my blog title. It was included as one of my posts, but then I added it here on the “about me” page. Thank you for your kind words!
~Paula
LikeLike
Thanks for your visit Paula – glad you like the third in the (untended and ever continuing) series. If Brenda keeps serving me wordles that just keep falling into place you’ll get that meeting! Who else but a mermaid princess would just call out “You, there!” as an introduction?
LikeLike
Jules, I’ll have to keep my eyes open…AND…go back to catch up on one and two! 🙂
LikeLike
Hello Paula and thank you again for visiting my blog. I want you to know I am very appreciative. I hope to see you there more often. Please check your email.
LikeLike
Tom — I appreciate the return visit…and the email. I’ll be in touch. ~P.
LikeLike
I love your blog! Especially the idea of the “echoes”…absolutely brilliant!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Lizze! 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and hope you’ll be back for more visits and echoes.
~ Paula
LikeLike
Hi Paula!
Thank you so much for your compliments on my poem. I actually started off in a different direction with it and then the whimsy muse jumped in. 🙂
And your compliment on my painting totally made day!
I’m going to add a page of my artwork once all these challenges are over.
LikeLike
I’ll enjoy seeing more of your art, as well as your poetry. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey, Paula. I just nominated you for a cyber award. Click here to read my post: http://whimsygizmo.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/cyber-love/
Feel free to ignore the rules; just wanting to send you some love, and some blog traffic. 😉
LikeLike
❤ Thanks, De! 🙂
LikeLike
I dropped by to see how you have been Paula.
LikeLike
Thanks for stoppin’ by! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad that you are able to remove from hinges in this space, the echo is heard. Lovely to meet you, Paula.
Keep in touch,
Archna
LikeLike
Thank you, Archna…likewise. 🙂
LikeLike
Love your writing…and the name of your blog.
LikeLike
Thank you so much…I appreciate your visits. Good to meet you! 🙂
LikeLike
I have an award for you my friend!! http://wordrustling.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/reader-appreciation/
((HUGS))
LikeLike
*HUGS* to you in return! Thanks, Hannah!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Paula!!
LikeLike
nice…i feel you on being left in the silence for so long…and its great as well to hear those echoes back once you start scratching out those words….
and fyi…read your comment, the prompt is open til tomorrow at midnite @ dverse poets so you still have like 27 hours…but if you dont make it back…will catch you again soon…smiles.
LikeLike
Thanks, Brian…and for the info on dVerse. I’ll be back! 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful write.
LikeLike
Thanks, KB. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you are finding your voice. I think blogging is life changing because it gets my voice out to those who chose to hear it. That is very empowering, don’t you think?
LikeLike
Thanks for coming by — and for your comment. Finding my voice in poetry has been an interesting journey, for sure!!
LikeLike
It is a rewarding one!
LikeLike
Paula, would you please email me? I have a question for you. Thanks, kiddo!
LikeLike
Hi Paula–nice blog and nice to meet you. I found you through Poets United
LikeLike
Hi Audrey – thanks for stopping by! …and for pausing to comment. Nice to meet you, too. 🙂
LikeLike
This whole idea of echoes in silence. It reminds of writer’s block. A friend who needed me to take dictation because when he got on the typewrite everything stopped. Or the artist who is too intimidated by a blank white canvas. Yet, I reminded of a cave covered by a waterfall, that there is something in what appears void. Great poem and a great blog name!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person