As If Doves, by Jeannie E. Roberts

Love Letter, by Dorothy Embacher (Canada) 2021

As If Doves 

Love lifts with bright destination 
its clarity rises in strokes. 
It lilts in luminous whispers 
its radiance navigates north. 
It shines in the optics of lions 
glows in the lens of intent 
honors a peaceful coexistence 
a sustainable union with Earth. 
It flows in the garden phlox nectar 
where hummingbirds stop for a sip 
as daylilies bloom give honeybees room 
to move pollen from anther to stigma. 
It slips into canopied forests 
where sunlight dances about 
it serves to imbue 
keeps flora anew 
supports life where shadows trap growth. 
It beams in the soul of an artist 
renders a visionary course 
where symmetry seeks 
lustrous sweeps 
inspires a painter’s true north. 
It shines in the optics of humans 
glows in the lens of intent 
where brides treasure grooms 
illuminate rooms as wedding 
bands glisten with faith. 
It gathers over the oceans 
in waters where vibrancy lives 
as whooping cranes flock 
and honeybees talk to the pollen 
on daylily blooms. 
It stirs in the murmur of breezes 
hums as if chorus of doves 
swirls in the ripples of rivers 
beats like the cadence of drums. 
Unity vibrates in balance
with reciprocal offerings of love.

Jeannie E. Roberts

Jeannie E. Roberts lives in Wisconsin, where she writes, draws and paints, and often photographs her natural surroundings. She’s authored seven books, five poetry collections and two illustrated children's books. Her newest collection, As If Labyrinth - Pandemic Inspired Poems, was released by Kelsay Books in April of 2021. Her poems appear in Anti-Heroin Chic, Blue Heron Review, Sky Island Journal, The Ekphrastic Review, and elsewhere. She’s an animal lover, a nature enthusiast, Best of the Net award nominee, and a poetry editor of the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs. 

Dorothy Embacher is a visual artist from Meaford, Ontario. Her creations are influenced by the waters of Georgian Bay and the woodlands of the Niagara Escarpment. Dorothy works in a variety of media, including painting, printmaking and collage. Her process is intuitive, shaped by poetry, personal experience, and collaboration, inspiring art from poetry, poetry from art, with a deeply environmental perspective. She has exhibited at Meaford Arts and Cultural Hall, Owen Sound Banner Project, and the 2020 International Telephone Game. Her latest work will be featured in the 608 Exhibition, to bring attention to 608 trees that may be destroyed by developers.