East Wind and southern
breezes merge, calling forth life
from dead of winter.
****
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Frank Tassone asked us to write a Haikai poem that refers to the East Wind.
Month: February 2020
Words Remain
When I am gone my words remain…
Forever lost in cyberspace
Words in black and white refrain
When I am gone my words remain
Pictures painted on cave walls plain
Left for others who search this place
When I am gone will words remain
Or, just a black and white refrain?
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Frank asked us to write a triolet. Since this is totally new to me, I took an extra day to work on this one. I am making a stab at it and hope it is close to what we are supposed to do. For more on what a triolet is, check with Wikipedia.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Pieces
Shattered bones broken
Eight degrees // separation
Dysfunctional parts
***
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Imagination
Cowboy and Cowgirl sit in the old covered wagon
Feeling the pull of horses on the reigns
Hearing the wheels of the Conestoga Wagon
rumbling beneath them as they ride across the prairie
Watching for dangers that might be nearby.
*
What fun it is to imagine…
To let one’s mind run wild
They will carry those dreams home tonight
To join with other dreams
in that mind-maze of brain-paths
that crisscross like lightning in the night.
*****
Photo: Dwight L. Roth … taken at the encampment of the Bicentennial Wagon Train in Lancaster Pennsylvania, as it made its Way to Valley Forge for the 1776-1976 celebration on the 4th of July 1976.
Nothing is Permanent
I was sad to receive word last week that that my childhood neighbor had passed away at age 94. He was such a creative and talented man and father of a my childhood friend and playmate. When I saw him two years ago, he still had many good memories to share. It reminded me once again of the impermanence of life.
It has been over fifty years since I lived next door in my childhood home, which now gives the impression of impermanence as you can see. This evening Merril, at d’Verse Poets Pub, asked us to write a poem that reflects on the significance of impermanence.
Nature reminds us
Everything in life changes;
The sun still rises.
But houses deteriorate;
And good friends and neighbors die.
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Loosing Our Appeal
Old country store
with stories to tell;
Closed and locked
just waiting to be torn down.
Lead paint peeling
roof shingles falling off.
What a sad day…
when it disappears from site/sight;
Making way for “progress”…
Like many of us;
Waiting for our time.
******
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, we are to write a Quadrille of exactly 44 words using the prompt peel. I decided to go with paint peeling on an old building.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Spring Waters
Spring waters running
crystal clear // transparent // clean
Plants view reflections
****
Photo: Dwight L. Roth.
Written for this week’s Haikai Challenge spring waters.
Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2020/02/22/haikai-challenge-127-2-22-20-waters-of-spring-haru-no-mizu/
Where Have You Been?
My father-in-law. who had Alzheimer’s, was confined several years ago after his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This all took place within a month and a half. Initially we took him to visit her in her care facility across the city; but. he forgot he saw her by the time he got back to his residence.
It was very difficult for him that first year and after she passed away. When we went to visit we found notes written on his dinner napkins asking where she was and why she did not come back. It was heartbreaking to read his pleas for answers. Although we explained everything to him it was not long till he again asked the same questions. The note writing stopped after about a year. He seemed to be resigned that he was there by himself and only asked about her on occasion. He was there for five years and died in 2018.
In the winter of life the fog sets in
obscuring the obvious and familiar
Leaving one to memories past;
today’s events already forgotten.
A perspective very different
from yours and mine;
Time stands still …
like looking in a mirror to the past;
Closing the windows of the present.
Anxieties not understood
plague the mind and thoughts.
Looking for a spouse long gone;
Expecting to see her any moment;
Wondering where she is
and when she will return.
Distraught to the point of resignation
the fog becomes more intense.
Time slows down as the hour glass trickles
until finally // the top glass is empty.
This beautifully haunting song by Kathy Mattea helps bring the sadness of this disease into perspective.
Haiku for a Winter Day
Winter
Darkness closes in
Winter comes softly creeping
Hiding in the shadows
Snowflakes
Big wet snowflakes
Hold hands as they dance toward earth
Melting hearts are warm
Cardinals
Red Cardinals arrive
Filling their gullets with seeds
For a long cold night
Carolina Wren
Hyper little wren
Nervous always moving round
Chipper little friend
Chickadee
Black-capped Chicakadee
Dressed in his gray and white tux
Eat seeds with abandon
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Being Control
O how we value being in control
Knowing we alone affect an outcome
Absolutely sure we’re unquestionably right
Even when we’re wrong
O how we value composure
Keeping that strained pained smile
Even in the face of the most obnoxious
Pretending actions do not offend
O how we value knowing
Never asking for help
Ignoring the urging to ask
Believing though lost // we still know
O how we value pretenses
Be it wealth, skills, or the perfect marriage
Never let our weakness show
Always well put together smiling
O how we value affirmation
Selfies on Facebook // time after time
Promoting our accomplishments
Never satisfied // always seeking more of being in control
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Roth Poetry 