This is my latest project done during the few warm days of winter. It is the painting of a farm near Singers Glen, Virginia. During college dating years, we enjoyed some beautiful days there up under the oak tree on the hill. We even took our engagement photo next to that tree! I sent it to my niece, whose grandparents lived there.
Ziegler Farm
So many great memories
‘neath the giant oak
*
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Did you ever feel
the edge of a knife
cutting into you
as someone welcomed you
to their house?
I know that feeling
As I once again go back
to my childhood memories
Growing fast
a preadolescent young boy
I was self conscious
about this obvious growth spurt
pushing me into husky size clothes
Although sweet and smiling
when spoken
the words,
“Well, you look like your pregnant!”
Had an edge I will never forget
cutting deep into my soul
Not meant to be abusive
there was no doubt
this cutting judgmental remark
drew blood
left a scar.
I am still wary of people
who smile too much
while saying something
less than welcoming.
Pain comes in many forms
The scars stay forever
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Lisa asked us to consider Edges or Fringes in our poetry. Edges give an insite that goes beyond words into the life of the poet revealing what is beyond the words. I decided to use edges as the way a persons words speak beyond what they are saying.
Join us at: https://dversepoet.com then click Mr. Linkey and read more!
Licking the mixing bowl when my mom baked cakes was so much fun. The mixer was set up on the kitchen table. I pulled out a chair and climbed up on it, sitting on my knees, and watched the spinning bowl. The rich chocolate batter flowed smoothly through the beaters as the bowl rotated hypnotically round and round. She used a wooden handled rubber spatula to clean the crumbs of mix off the outer edges of the bowl.
When all was blended, she poured the mix into a 9 x 12 glass cake pan. Now it was my turn. She loosened the beaters and gave them to me one at a time to lick off. It was wonderful to run my tongue up and down each of the tine, getting chocolate from ear to ear.
Then it was time for the bowl. She left little streaks of chocolate decorating the inside of the bowl. I licked both sides of the spatula; then used it to scrape out every bit of chocolate batter that I could get. It was a wonderful time to bake with mom when I was six!
Waiting anxiously
Chocolate lava oozes through
Mixing bowl is mine
Photo: Family Album – the house where I was born
Today at d’Verse, Lillian asked us to take time to reflect and take note of memories from our childhood that are not from photos or family stories. We are to write a Haibun sharing what we conjured up from the depths!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click Mr. Linkey and read more!
Love is the skin of the soul…
Anger is the shadow that follows you
And, in the dark of night it becomes you
Love is face to face welcomed reality
Anger is that dark distorted part
Hauntingly eerie and frightening
Love lights the way leaving no shadow
No need to look back and wonder…
What part is trailing along behind
Love is the skin of the soul
bringing life and light to everyone
Healing the heart
Wrapping us in the divinity
With which we were created
*
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
A few years ago I painted this waterfall. It started out from a completely different perspective. It was originally a painting of Looking Glass Falls in the Pisgah National Forest, NC. I had it sitting upside down in my garage. When I looked at it, I loved the way the perspective of the overhanging rocks changed as the painting rotated. I decided to turn it sideways and paint the waterfall flowing from the opposite direction.
The bottom painting was the original and the top painting is the redo. I added in more rocks and extended the waterfall to the bottom. I like the way it turned out. If you rotate the bottom painting you can see how the perspective changes.
Rotation changes
Rocks and water perspective
The world keeps turning
Paintings: Dwight L. Roth
Daffodil’s first bloom
Basking in bright warm sunshine
Buds waiting their turn
*
Dark clouds brought cold rain today
Chilled blooms wait another day
*
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Scars worn long after
traumatic encounter’s pain
Predatory fears
both inside and out remain
Snow covered in life’s winter
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Sharing this poem with the d’Verse prompt that Peter gave us on that twist in the middle that changes the focus of the poem.
Join us at; https://dversepoets.com
Old in age, I am young at heart
Seeing my way through an uncharted maze
I look for light in the winter dark of night
Racing slowly toward the finish line
*
Days creep by, as redundant weeks roll on
Attempting to find meaning in the meaningless
Believing in that unbelievable Spirit of all Creation
Experiencing grace and comfort in not knowing
*
In this winter of freezing joints and pushing buds
I defy the waiting cold earth with warm sunshine
I write my simple poems from inspired words unknown
As night closes in, each new day dawns
“I am the bud and the blossom, I am the late-falling leaf” – from The Paradox by Paul Dunbar
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Laura asked us to consider writing from the perspective of paradox. She gave us some lines from different poems to choose from for inspiration. I chose the one from Paul Dunbar’s, The Paradox.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click Mr. Linkey to read more.
On the go..
Colloquial term
Used by many when I was young
Little Phil is learning to walk
Took his first steps yesterday
Now he is on the go!
Granny broke her hip last fall
Now she is healed up and on the go!
Today at d’Verse, De asked us to make a quadrille of exactly 44 word using the word go! What came to mind immediately was a term I heard very often when I was a boy. It was the term, … on the go. These days we are not on the go as much as we used to be. I can’t wait to be on the go again!
Join us at: https://deversepoets.com then click on Mr. Linkey’s box to read more.
Photo – Streets of Stasbourg, France: Dwight L. Roth
Somewhere above the pain there is life
A place where one can live and function
Where hopes and dreams can still be achieved
Living above the pain does not make it go away
It only allows one to be in control
Pain lies rooted in one’s being
A constant reminder
Rearing its ugly head
Vying for control
Only to be suppressed once more
By hope determination and faith
Unwilling to resign oneself to fate
Knowing that above the pain
Above the pills
There is light and hope
It is a choice one must make
Every day all day long
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*A tribute to my wife Ruth, who makes this choice every day, all day long!
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
