Paula is a self-proclaimed “accidental poet.”
In December 2010, she began writing for her blog “echoes from the silence” with no clear direction as to the nature of her writing. She was as surprised as anyone when her words began to take the shape of poetry.
Finding prompt sites like Poetic Bloomings has provided the inspiration and support she was looking for to keep going–including a recent foray into flash fiction.
A transplant to South Texas (from Iowa by way of Chicago), her favorite flower blankets the hills and prairies every spring and is the state flower: Texas Bluebonnet. It is proof that the rain that falls can bring beauty to rocky, dry land.
Paula’s WEB WEDNESDAY INTERVIEW 7/20/2011
Paula’s words can be found in her echoes at: http://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com
© All postings and intellectual materials on this page are property of Paula Wanken.
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
DISJOINTED THOUGHTS
Take my hand or you’ll get lost…
I will follow you wherever you go.
Listen and do as I say…
I’m watching you to learn what to do.
2014-09-03
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 165: The View From Here
DUSK
(a shadorma)
The sun sets
on my bucket list.
Plans unmet;
wishes, kissed
goodbye. Dreams of motherhood
passed by with a sigh.
2014-09-10
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 165: A Drop In The Bucket
Chosen by Walt for Bloom of the Week
LESSON IN FAITH
Lowliest
of creatures, cared for
by One who
created.
Why, then, do I doubt?
2014-09-14
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 166: Animal House
cool morning air
coaxing changing colors ~
I hold on to summer
2014-09-22
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 167: Lost In Conversation
LIFE’S AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
A time to bridge hot summer days to
long winter nights: comfortable
season of Fall. The pace of
our days, like familiar
back-to-school routines.
Our hearts are warm
like the hearth
of our
home.
2014-09-25
P. Wanken
Written for Inform Poet: Nonet
ESSENCE OF TIME
The smell of burning leaves
closes the door on autumn,
and the sun plays hide and seek
behind wintry white clouds.
With bear claw and coffee,
the only treat I could a-
ford, I steal a moment alone
while I massage my temples.
One last gong of the clock…
time has run out.
2014-10-06
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 168: Mix-And-Match Muse
TESTING SOUNDS
(a shadorma)
With eyes closed,
my ears are filled with
the crinkling
sounds of a
paper gown draped around me.
My heart is pounding.
2014-10-06
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 169: A Sense Of Belonging
BY THE LIGHT OF A NEW MOON
(a shadorma)
Raven hair,
obsidian eyes,
ebony
flesh; she shined
on the starless night from the
passion of his love.
2014-10-15
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 170: Tint And Hue
A BOUQUET OF CHIHULY
With grace
and beauty,
flowers emerge
from molten glass.
Delicate blossoms
formed,
each unique.
2014-09-17
P. Wanken
UNDER COVER
When I sink
to new lows
I see
nature’s beauty
from a
new
perspective.
2014-09-17
P. Wanken
DAYBREAK
Sun’s warm rays
break
distant horizon
contrasting
light dances
amid the night’s
lingering shadows.
2014-09-18
P. Wanken
Written for Inform Poet: Septolet
LIFE: 101
Mistakes I’ve made
have led me
to where I am today.
Don’t beat yourself up.
Pick yourself up.
Learn to find your way.
2014-10-30
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 171: Life As You Know It
Love
longs to
be expressed
from my lips to
yours.
2014-10-22
P. Wanken
Written for Inform Poet: Lanterne
TIME MARCHES ON
Sounds of fall
heard through the crisp air;
each drum beat
brings to mind
the days of youth, long past. Cheers
rise to the heavens.
Known to most
as Mr. Baessler,
and writer
of our song,
to me he was Grandpa Keith.
His cadence lives on.
2014-10-27
P. Wanken
Written for Prompt 172: Musical Memories
tired of problem people
they moved to a new place
…there they are again
2014-11-01
P. Wanken
Written for Inform Poet: Senryu