Avalanche

Avalanche… It only Takes one candle’s flame To drive out The darkness - In an avalanche of light To crush the shadows It only Takes one snowflake’s song To start an Avalanche Of mercy flowing chanting In sweet melody It only Takes one brave flower To stand up Against storms An avalanche of courage The power of one It only Takes one prayer's plea From meek hearts To change hearts In an avalanche of love Smothering hatred. Let us light A twilight candle That spreads out Rays of grace Sparkling fire -an avalanche – Midnight’s morning dawn Let us be That avalanche of Mercy’s grace Brave flower The candle in the darkness The living prayer. 2-27-22 Contest: Give Me a Shadorma Sponsor: Sotto Poet Syllables 3,5,3,3,7,5 Six Line Stanzas During WWII people lit a candle at 6 pm for peace. We are doing this and I hope you will do the same in an avalanche of light.

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Gary Radice

Date: 3/23/2022 9:42:00 AM

I'm late with my congratulations for this poem Sam. A big well done too for reaching the dizzy heights of the Soup Tureen's Top 100 with such an inspirational and heartfelt poem. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/24/2022 12:43:00 PM

Thank you so much Gary! Congratulations are always welcome! I am so grateful for your message and feedback. My heart just aches for Ukraine. I knew I couldn't do much but I could write a piece of poetry that hopefully would inspire others. The BNP was a complete, and delightful, surprise. There are so many amazing poems on the list. Take care. All the best. Cheers across the pond.

Andy Chunn

Date: 3/21/2022 3:34:00 PM

A poignant message for all of us. This is inspirational.....nice work.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/22/2022 11:56:00 AM

Hi Andy! Thank you so much. My heart just breaks for the people of Ukraine. I am so honored to have been inspired to write this piece and know it inspires others! Blessings and all the best.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 3/16/2022 6:39:00 AM

Excellent and powerful poem, Sam, glad to see this on top of the best poems list, congratulations:) well deserved:)

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/16/2022 10:57:00 AM

Thank you so much Jo. What an honor to have a Best New Poem especially this one. So grateful for your message. I am so glad this touched your heart. Happy St. Paddy's Day to you tomorrow. Will be wearing green!

I Am Anaya

Date: 3/14/2022 11:14:00 AM

There is power in prayers...your poem has inspired me, if I may Sam. God graced your verse with inspiring intentions! Yes! #1!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/14/2022 11:28:00 AM

Anaya! Your message is a blessing. And, it is an immense blessing to know that these few words have been an inspiration to you! Thank you for that bright light on a Monday morning! And thank you for your bright light. God's little candle lighting idea has taken off not only in the US and Canada but worldwide. It is truly the power of prayer. Thank you for joining the swell and being a light. Sending you blessings of light!

Bryan Norton

Date: 3/13/2022 9:57:00 AM

What a soft, beautiful poem. It only takes one, like a candle, or the twinkle of a star, to reflect the beauty all around us. Best wishes, Bryan

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:49:00 AM

Thank you so much Bryan! So many amazing things have started with a simple prayer, a single candle and the melody of one song. I love the thought that we have "one moment in time" to make a difference, to "reflect the beauty" and change hearts one at a time so hope can sparkle. I am so encouraged by your lovely message. Thank you for that encouragement! Blessings to you and all the best.

Charles Bateman

Date: 3/13/2022 9:33:00 AM

Sam Kaufman, this is a beautiful declaration that encourages me. You have a beautiful talent for writing and also putting all the right words in all the right places. Thank you so very much for yielding this wonderful work of art. Sincerely charlieboy.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:37:00 AM

Hi Charlieboy! Thank you so much! I am truly humbled by your inspiring, and motivating, supportive words. To be an encouragement is definitely a Wow experience for a writer! Thank you for that experience. I have learned so much from the poets here on the soup - always encouraging each other to reach higher and deeper. It is an immense blessing. Hope you are doing well. All the best.

Albina Kumirova

Date: 3/13/2022 3:44:00 AM

Very good poem with a lot of sense! Bravo!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:31:00 AM

Thank you Albina not only for your feedback but for your "Bravo!" It made my day! All the best.

David Kavanagh

Date: 3/10/2022 11:48:00 AM

Great writing and expression Sam, using the avalanche as a microcosm for hope and human determination in the face of a sometimes apparently hopeless world, powerful indeed, I’m delighted to see this one top the poetic charts, cheers David

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:29:00 AM

Hi David! Sending you an armload of gratitude for your lovely note of congratulations! The metaphor of the avalanche seems to have struck a chord with so many - the avalanche while it can be destructive also creates change. And, as you say, becomes a "microcosm" for hope that changes this world. I am so grateful for your message. Thank you! Cheers!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 3/10/2022 12:18:00 AM

How utterly beautiful Sam. Congratulations on having this glowing gem at the top of the best new poems list. I dearly love it. Blessings xxoo

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:23:00 AM

Dearest Connie, your beautiful message brings an avalanche of joy to my heart. Best New Poem was a total surprise! When we started to get the news about the invasion of Ukraine I wanted to do something - anything really - that could help. This seemed to be it. I am overjoyed by the response to the poem and to the request for prayer and lighting a candle. I am so glad you liked this poem. Sending blessings and a hug dear friend! Aloha!

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 3/9/2022 8:03:00 PM

Congratulations, Sam, on your wonderful poem being at top of the chart. I am not very familiar with this form, but the theme of empowerment deeply touches heart. Well-deserved #1 poem. Love and blessings ~ Mala

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:14:00 AM

Hi Mala! Your wonderful message is such an amazing blessing to me. Thank you seems inadequate but I am sending your my gratitude. A single good deed, candle, prayer has such momentum for change that we may never see but, like you say, it empowers the heart to change. I am deeply blessed to be part of that awareness. And deeply blessed to see the amazing poetry on this site that does just that - brings about new awareness. I always look forward to your insightful, encouraging, notes dear friend. Love and blessings back to you.

D.W. Rodgers

Date: 3/9/2022 4:02:00 PM

Congrats on a fine poem/ This is not a form I am familiar with but your light touch made it shine.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 10:06:00 AM

Hi D.W.! Thank you so much. Like you I wasn't familiar with this form until the contest so this is my first attempt. I find that I really enjoy this poetic format - a lot in a few words. Very grateful for your feedback. All the best.

John Watt

Date: 3/9/2022 3:49:00 PM

Sam, like many have already said, Wow! This shadorma series empowers the reader to believe in the power of one for starting or maintaining the momentum of an avalanche that can bring real change, whether it is saying a prayer, lighting a candle, writing a poem, or standing up against injustice. Joining you in praying for Ukraine. Congrats on your #1 Best New Poem, this is SO deserving of that honor. Blessings of grace and peace ~ John

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/13/2022 9:59:00 AM

Hi John, I am blown away at the response to this poem. I never expected these words to have the impact that they have had. Best New Poem is such an honor. And, your lovely message is an avalanche of grace and blessing to me dear friend! For a long time it has seemed to me that it is the sum total of the little things that we do that generates a change in the heart and soul and we both know that is where change begins like a rolling snowball gathering speed and momentum. Blessings to you! Your feedback always hits it out of the park! Three weeks till opening day! :D I can only watch golf for so long!!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/8/2022 1:44:00 PM

I see this is top of new poems chart. Wow. congrats

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/8/2022 2:41:00 PM

Andrea, thank you for the heads up! What a wonderful surprise in the midst of this heartbreaking chaos. There are so many wonderful writes. This is truly an honor!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/8/2022 8:58:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. Your "Avalanche" is a lovely write. Love It. Thanks for the note on the bottom. The plastic Christmas ones would work. Have a blessed day writing away.......................

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/8/2022 9:09:00 AM

Thank you so much for your visit and your congratulations Paula! So happy these words spoke to your heart. Great idea. Many people have battery operated candles from Christmas. Will add that idea to my suggestions for people. We have tall white pillar candles that are battery operated that we use. Sending you blessings and gratitude.

Beata Agustin

Date: 3/7/2022 6:08:00 AM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this: faith and wisdom-filled worthy of reflection. God bless you.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/7/2022 9:39:00 AM

Beata, thank you so much! During this time as the world watches chaos I am truly sustained by prayers and blessings from dear friends like you as we share in God's fellowship prayer beneath God's wings! Thank you for all that you do to daily remind us of our amazing God. Sending you blessings to sustain you and prayers.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/6/2022 11:19:00 AM

This is so outstanding. A wow shadorma poem!! Congrats.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/6/2022 5:42:00 PM

Thank you so much Andrea. This format became an ideal way to express my deep sadness at this untenable situation. I am constantly reminded by a friend who says "God's large and in charge" that God has given us superior weapon called prayer. Sending you blessings!

Hilo Poet

Date: 3/6/2022 10:17:00 AM

I have got a Christmas candle a former nearby neighbor gave a couple of years ago--unused, ne'er had the reason to light it till now at 6 pm HAST--nicely done thread you've woven, Sam, and a great idea my friend, Aloha~William

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/6/2022 5:38:00 PM

Thank you so much William. Thank you for lighting a candle and then sharing the idea! So grateful. I have to give credit for the inspiration to our precious Holy Spirit! Sending you blessings and gratitude my friend. Mahalo! Aloha.

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 3/6/2022 8:13:00 AM

Wow! Simply amazing, as I said earlier too, a fave! Congrats on your win

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/6/2022 9:21:00 AM

Hi Seeker! Your fav is truly an honor! Thank you. The placement was a wonderful surprise. I felt so strongly about the theme I am happy to see it place. Sending you blessings of light!

Sotto Poet

Date: 3/6/2022 7:09:00 AM

Congratulations on your win in my contest ( Give me a Shadorma). Your submission is stunning, Sam.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/6/2022 9:19:00 AM

Lasaad, thank you so much not only for your generous placement but for the opportunity to explore this new poetic format. I am so grateful to be on the winners list among so many amazing entries! Sending you blessings and gratitude!

Valsa George

Date: 2/28/2022 9:47:00 PM

I can only exclaim Wow...wow! I am drowned in the avalanche of light ! The concluding shadorma sums up everything !

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/1/2022 8:58:00 AM

Valsa, thank you so much! I agree, the last shadorma is the summation. Without our actions, these are just words. I am so warmed and encouraged by your wonderful message - a message of hope from your compassionate heart! Ever so grateful in an avalanche of gratitude! Sending you a multitude of blessings!

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 2/28/2022 8:54:00 PM

Wow! Such inspiring words! Enjoyed the read, Sam! Good luck for the contest

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/1/2022 8:53:00 AM

Seeker, thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this Shadorma! With all that is going on I felt compelled to write about a way to be a light in the darkness - a way to do something, to be a fellowship of light. I have been blown over at the wonderful response from contacts all over the world to the invitation to "light a candle." Sending you many blessings!