Blue

 

Believe it or not the sky is blue…
blue all over the world.
From LA to Beijing, the fog has cleared;
doing what Climate Change Advocates
have been unable to do for years…
turning the sky a brilliant blue!
We all know it won’t last
when this awful pandemic has past;
But, for one small moment in time,
we can tell our grandchildren
we saw the sky in every shade of blue,
as we sat quietly quarantined // feeling blue.

******

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Plague

How quickly our perspective changes;
Like fighting children on the playground
arguing over insolent remarks;
Now lined up before the school master
waiting to be disciplined;
Wondering if // and when…
How hard // or how little?
Who even remembers
what the fuss was about?
When we are facing the chalk board
with our life written on it
our past…
our present…
our future…

For now the plague has come.
We all are Egyptians
with no blood on our doorposts;
Waiting to see
if the death angel
will pass us by…

And when this dark night is past
we have a Red Sea to cross.
The promised land awaits

Photo: Dwight L. Roth
At d’Verse, Bjorn asked us to face our present reality of quarantine along with our reflection of past epidemics and the Black Plague of years gone by. Today we are writing a poem using the prompt plague!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

The Close of the Day

Rain pours down at the close of the day
Thunder rolls
The storm blows through
Earth is refreshed
Lilacs are blooming…
So close I can smell their fragrance
floating through my screen door.
I drink in Spring’s goodness
at the close of the day.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Quadrille Monday at d’Verse and De Jackson asked us to use the word close or a form of it in our poem of exactly 44 words.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

 

Comfort Food

Difficult days call

for comfort food to enjoy

Popcorn sings its tune

 

Delightful kernels

Flavors tickle my taste buds

Salted and buttered

***

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

 

 

Out to Eat

Downey loves suet

Coming for fly-through fast food

Our new way to eat

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Dangerous Liaisons

Last Summer we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with a Rhine River Cruise. It was a wonderful trip full of memories. If it had been this year, it would have been canceled with many different memories. I shot this photo as we took a canal cruise in Amsterdam. Little did I imagine how much the meaning of the poster could change in one year.

Dangerous Liaisons

Takes on a whole new meaning

The world keeps turning

*****

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Call to Prayer

Why do we wait till crisis comes
When fear sets in and the body grows numb
To raise our hearts and voice in prayer
Calling to God // now made aware

And why do we think our begging and pleading
Will now be heard by Almighty God’s heeding
As folks are dying and we are reeling
Our invincible life precariously careening

Prayer is not the magic wand // making all serene
Nor the serpent on the pole to look upon for healing
God is not simply at your beck and call
Now that you have need and life’s about to fall

Crisis makes all aware that God has always been there
From everlasting to everlasting // though we never gave a care
Prayer does not bring OUR answers in time of despair
But rather strength and endurance to face all that’s there

So weep not for the grateful dead now no longer in pain
Rather weep for the soul who’s life has not yet waned
And for healthcare workers in the midst of crashing towers
Who find strength to help others in their final hours

Painting: Dwight L. Roth

Posting this for d’Verse open link night…

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

The Color of Love

Tonight at d’Verse, Sarah asked us to consider the word red, with all its many meanings. These red petals falling reminded me that in the winter of our lives love lives on!

As red petals fall

Ephemeral beauty fades

Our love never ends

*****

Painting: Dwight L. Roth

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Reincarnation Reboot

I fully retired in 2011. Over the years I had many interests that have since been helpful to fill my time now that I am retired. I began to spend time doing acrylic painting. Bob Ross’s The Joy of Painting came on PBS create channel every day at 12:30. I watched in awe, while eating my lunch, as he painted a whole painting in less than a half hour. I began to experiment with his painting techniques and finally found some success.
Little Chippie was a mourning dove who fell out of his nest too early. We began to feed him and he became like a pet, actually eating out of our hand. This was my last personal encounter with Chippie. As he got older he began to be more distant. We went on vacation for two weeks and when we returned he had adjusted to life in the wild. We were sad to lose the connection, but realized this day would come. You can read the original poem at https://wordpress.com/post/rothpoetry.wordpress.com/18410

I wrote a children’s book Little Chippies Big Adventure, which is also an e-book on kindle.

***

Painting with my friend
Spring dove brought social closeness
Now the bird has flown

Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Kim at d’Verse asked us to go back and find an autobiographical poem and add prose and a haiku to it for Haibun Monday.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

For a preview of my story click the link below:

http://a.co/78yG5dH

Unmovable Rock

Spring is all around us, spreading pollen as leaves and flowers flourish. The joy of springtime is not inhibited by human crisis! Rocks remind us that what is solid is unmoved. As we lift prayers and hope for those working on the front lines of the Coronavirus, we must remember that the words on our coins are not just a nice saying, but rather the solid rock of our faith… In God We Trust!

Beauty rises high

above all // glorious Spring

Rocks remain solid

*****

Photo: Dwight L. Roth