Fall brings Full Moon
Raggedy Ann keeps distance
Halloween is here
Be smart … stay safe!
Happy Halloween
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Halloween
Month: October 2020
Carved Sunset
I carved a Jack o lantern in the clouds
The solar candle shone its yellow/orange glow
through smiling teeth of dusk
making all the little ones jump up and down
for now it was time to go house to house
and ring the bell
… sunset was never sweeter!
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Loss
I am sure some of you have gone through cancer treatment at some point in your life. All of us know of friends or family who have been through this as well. It is my understanding that it is not a pleasant experience for anyone to go through. In many cases it does extend life for several years and more sometimes. This poem is for an extended family member who has gone through cancer treatment and is now doing well. I wrote this at the time, but decided to wait to publish it.
“She lost her hair today;”
A sad message indeed.
We knew it was going to happen;
But reality makes it more intense.
Toxic mess dripping into her veins
Cuts hair off at the roots…
Lets it slid off in bunches in her hands.
It must be an awful blow to one’s self
A most humbling external loss.
Makes us realize what sacrifice it takes
For her to go on living
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
I am posting this for Open link night at d’Verse Poets Pub. It was great to see some of you on the live meeting this afternoon. I am not sure why my microphone would not work. This is the poem I would have read. I will try a different laptop next time and see if that helps.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click the Mr. Linky box to read more poems.
Self-Publishing Works
This week I finished my eighth poetry book and had it printed. I find self-publishing works very well for me. Some think that by getting a book published, it is going sell and make them some money. Sadly this is often not the case. E-books on Amazon are made available on Kindle for free, but unless you pay them, they never see the light of day; unless someone specifically looks for your books.
Having learned that early on, I decided I was not going to play the “send off and get rejected” game. I publish my own books. I realize that really only immediate family and friends care about my writing, so I publish and give to family and sell a few at cost. It makes me feel good and I don’t have to worry about the competition.
I write my poems on Word and then load all of them onto one file. I make a title page and contents and design a cover page. When all this is edited, I change it to a pdf. file and take it to Office Max/Depot. By getting at least twenty books printed and using their coupons, I can usually print for under ten dollars each! The more you get the cheaper they become. They do spiral bindings and clear plastic covers also. I get them half size of the original 8.5 x 11, which makes a little wider top and bottom margins, but that is fine with me. You can see how well they turn out.
Give it a try. It is very rewarding not have to fight the competition. I do load some of my books on Kindle for those who are too far away to send a book to. I love it. You can find them under my name on Amazon.com.
Inspiration written
Self-publishing brings reward
Share with those who care
********
Self-publishing is your way to leave your scratch on time!
I dedicated this book to all my friends at the d’Verse Poets Pub for all their encouragement and help with increasing my knowledge of poetry.
Building on the Sand
Growing up in a Pastor’s family, I heard many Bible stories that told of the follies of men who put their trust in things that won’t sustain them. Proverbs talks of the fool and his folly. Jesus told parables of trusting in riches only to lose it all. He also told of the wise man who built his house on the rock while the foolish man built on the sand. Every time I go the the beach I am reminded of that story. Houses sit behind dunes, some up on stilts, and some right on the surf as this one does. It is just a matter of time before a hurricane comes and washes it all away.
Beach house on the edge
Fall hurricanes come roaring
Foolish man’s folly
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Lisa asked us to write a poem of folly. This has so many ways it could be interpreted. I went back to my roots and my childhood stories in Sunday School for this one. Do you remember the song? How about the motions!? What fun memories!!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com click on the Mr. Linkey box to read more…
Beware the Troll
Beware of the long-haired Old Troll who lives under the bridge, and frightens Trick or Treaters as they cross on Halloween night. Still feeling sore from Big Billy Goat’s but in the butt, he hides away picking on little children when their candy bags are full. As they trip trap across his bridge on the their way home, he rises from the shadows and snatches their candy. He does not care that they run off crying all the way home. Being an old mumble grumble troll, it will take more than candy to sweeten him up. So warn your children on Halloween night to stay away from Sleep Hollow, and the Old Trolls bridge, if they want to keep their sweets!
Hunter’s full moon shines
Ghosts and Goblins come knocking
Watch out for the Troll
Frank at d’Verse told us to write a Halloween Haibun. He said we could even write a fiction prose to go with it. So that is what I did. One for the Kiddos young and old. Enjoy!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com Click on the Mr. Linkey box to read more…
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Fall Flowers and Butterflies
On need not travel far to see the wonders of nature. I find them all around me, as Summer comes to an end and Fall begins. Butterflies and bees are still enjoying what is left of my flowers. Wildflowers that were blooming a few days ago are now just seed heads. My Zinnias have stretched all the way over my head to over eight feet and are still putting out blooms. They like we are not giving up.
Nature’s beauty shines
All around flowers still bloom
Butterflies’ delight
The Sleeping Giant
A Sleeping Giant
Lies breathing between continents
In and out its chest rises and falls
A Shrek of a guy most of the time
Children and adults float
Bouncing on his crest
Squealing with delight
On bubbles of air
But beware
Of the Ides of October
When tossing and turning
Nightmares return
Thrashing coughing
Scaring all who once played on his chest
Fear and trepidation
Waters rise
Winds howl
Floods come up
Big Blow AKA Delta
Brings Halloween early
All Tricks
No Treats
Wide awake
Nightmare passes
Giant sleeps once more
Fans have nowhere to lay their heads
*****
Photos Dwight L. Roth
Awaiting Resurrection
October skies Covid-blue / clear as a bell
call for an end to summer’s heat
time for one last shinning / one last gasp.
Leaves present their colorful eulogy
leaving marks on flat smooth stones
lacking summer’s warmth.
As days close in, winter’s chilling bony finger
beckons us enter her icy sepulchral interment.
White snow blankets eulogies soon forgotten
as we rest / tucked in peaceful compost slumber,
awaiting life’s resurrection / sure to come.
The Woodland Symphony
Music pours out from shadow and tree
Calling us all to enjoy a reprieve
A melodious symphony straight from the heart
Each tiny instrument playing its part
Miniature voices in perfect pitch
Unwritten scores of notes that are rich
Filled with a beauty beyond man or pen
A symphony of music that will never end
Mocking birds solo sopranos and basses
Finding their notes in so many spaces
Piccolo warblers and wren solos start
Antiphonal melodies straight from the heart
The bassoon bull frog comes in now and then
Cicadas’ strings play background blends
Crickets and blue jays fill the air
The snare of the trees adds depth to the pair
Woodpeckers drumming on old hollow trees
A staccato rhythm that floats on the breeze
Suddenly right out of the blue
The feline conductor brings all in on cue
With a growing crescendo from blue jay and friend
Celloed instruments calling, “This is the end!”
The squirrel plays percussion with his raspy scolding
As the woods fills with music the finale’s unfolding
A thunderous applause from the balcony on high
Brings all to their feet flashes crossing the sky
The concert is over the conductor’s gone home
Performers take bows the music is gone
*****
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Peter asked us to think about sounds that come alive in our poetry. This poem was written quite awhile ago and seems to fit prompt well. I could just picture and hear all the actions going on as I sat under the trees one morning listening to the birds above me. The cat caused quite a stir as he came wondering around.
Peter asked us to upload a reading of our poem. Since my free blog won’t allow me to upload a recording you will have to use your imagination on this one.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com Click the Mr. Linky link to read and listen to other poets.
Roth Poetry 