Reflections on the Easter Perspective

Some folks have a hard time believing the Easter story. The resurrection of Jesus found in the gospels gives the account from different writer’s perspectives. You might think that creates contradictions and therefore cannot be true. Others say that since there is no historical record of these happenings, other than the Biblical account, that it is just Christian mythology.

I believe getting lost in the details causes one to lose focus and misses the real message in the Easter story. Easter is about God’s love for all of us, and the belief that he would do what ever it takes to show us that love. Jesus shows us that there is a way to move beyond our self-centered way of thinking to a renewing of the mind… a rebirth of Spirit if you will. Our connection to God is not to some far off being, but rather found in His image and Spirit that dwells within our souls. It is through Jesus’ life and teachings that we can see the Father and find that personal connection to the Living God.

Telephoto

Focusing takes out

all the background distraction

Sees subject only

drawing in a sharp clear view

finding your true perspective

Americans One and All

“Teach your children well…”

Most of us will remember when Hurricane Harvey came through Huston Texas a couple of years ago, the city was flooded, homes were destroyed and people were stranded needing help. This year a different but similar storm hit Dallas Fort Worth with ice and snow, freezing pipes, crippling the electrical grid, and contaminating the water. In both cases people came to assist and offer help. This kind of coming together to help is what America is really all about. I wrote this poem after the hurricane, but it could just as well apply today.

“Forty Days and Forty Nights”

“The rains came down and

The floods came up”

Water deluge seemed endless

Twenty-trillion gallons of water fell

No Ark available for people or animals

Only Texans reaching out with mini arks

Carrying friends neighbors and strangers

To safety on dry land

No discrimination hate or bigotry here

Only concern to help one’s neighbor

Not Republican or Democrat

Politics is left for the judgmental talking heads

Not African-American or White or Latino

Just Americans helping Americans

Concern for one another’s safety

Supersedes all other strongly held labels

Except for a few smallminded newscasters

Who lost their sense of focus

Making light of the First-lady’s heels

Leaving with her husband to support the victims

The true Americans one and all

Manifested themselves in Harvey’s wake

Working tirelessly to help others in need

We must remember and learn from this

When the waters recede and dry land reappears

We are more than politics race or creed

With one heart one spirit and concern for each other

We are Americans one and all

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Life’s GPS

Life is like a GPS

with every change in direction

it has to reset itself

to get where you are going.

*

Just as true in the spiritual realm

God’s Spirit shows us the way to go

We often choose our own path:

get off track

headed the wrong way

sometimes crash and burn;

But our Spiritual GPS

resets and lets us know

what needs to be done

to once again turn around

and head in the right direction.

I read a post from a blogger friend, Astrid, Life’s Adventure and Disability | Astrid’s Words , this morning. It inspired the opening line to this poem. The application to our spiritual life seemed to fit in so well, so I wrote this poem. Click on her link to read her poem.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Why Believe?

“Why would anyone believe in God?” Or for that matter, “Why would anyone not believe in God. “ “I prefer keeping in mind even the possibility that existence has its own reason for being.”

Such were the conversations between the old preacher and his grandson. His son did not follow in his steps and had left the church at an early age. Grandson Charlie, now a university student, decided to challenge Grandpa’s long held faith.

“Why do you believe such nonsense, Grandpa,” he asked. “You can’t begin to prove any of it.”

“Well, son, take a look at that daffodil blooming in the sunshine. Do you know anyone who could make a living breathing flower that is as wonderfully complicated as that?” “Some say it all just happened over time, but I believe the God of creation brought everything into existence for a reason.“

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’verse, we are writing Prosery. This is where we are giving a line from a poem and asked to write a story of exactly144 words that includes that line. Merril gave us this line: “I prefer keeping in mind even the possibility that existence has its own reason for being.” from polish poet Wislawa Szymborska’s poem, “Possibilities”  

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Lasting Wealth

Seek prosperity

above good relationships

Wealth flies out the window

Die alone without either

Serve others… be loved

Be remembered

for how you made them feel

That is true wealth

*

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Meaning in the Meaningless

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.

Poetry is…

Poetry is editing what has always been!

Photo: Dwight L. Roth – When I get as perfect as this spider, then perhaps I will be a poet!

Write For Yourself

Write for one’s self

Only then will it have meaning

and depth that speaks to others

Forms are fine and fancy words too

But, if you really want to connect

your words must all ring true

Choose not to write for accolades

of unknown publishers who read

multitudes of words each day

with swiftness and care-less speed

Write first for yourself

Share with friends who see

Who feel the depth of your soul

For that’s all your writing should be

So, write your stories and poems for you

You might even put them into a book or two

and give them to folks you care about

And friends folks who care about you

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today is open link night at d’Verse Poets Pub. Over the past few years, I have seen many different kinds of bloggers. Most write from a perspective that is special to them. Some write in hopes of getting lots of likes and comments, which is nice. Others write for several prompt sites such as d’Verse. Still others write so they can promote themselves or products on their site. But for me, I like to write for myself. I feel if I do that and others enjoy it, that is satisfaction enough. It is wonderful to connect with all of you and I love doing the prompts on d’verse, And, I do enjoy all the likes and comments and an occasional reblog. Most of all I want to write meaningful poetry that says something that connects with others. I will let you be the judge of that!

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click on Mr. Linkey to read more.

Just like life!

What are the other colors without me

along side to give them definition.

Red flows like blood

Green like a blanket

Yellow has no end without black

I am what brings life into focus;

Just as Covid-19 rearranged your minds

I create a paradigm shift

For better or for worse…

Only time will tell what I will define!

Painting of Old Ship’s Bones at Nags Head, NC – Dwight L. Roth

As I was reading through the poems from color perspective for our d’Verse prompt, I came to Paul V. Cannon’s post on Black. It occurred to me that without black all the other colors run together. So this poem developed out of that idea.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click on Mr. Linkey and read more poems.

I Wanted To Shout – a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon | parallax (pvcann.com)

Love Lives on

Valentine’s Day brings many mixed feelings for those who have lost loved ones this past year. Covid-19 took its toll around the world, and it wasn’t just older folks who succumbed to the virus. You might think losing the one you loved has left you empty; but love remains. I wrote this a couple of years ago, but I feel it is appropriate to post again this year.

They’re gone

but love’s not lost

Pain entangles in every bone

Love remains…

not in the devastating loss;

But in you.

Love comes from deep within;

Definitely not a superficial thing…

Rooted deep in your heart and soul

Loss brings manic feelings

rushing into scary dips

Love is rooted deeper

than whispers from the lips;

Yours alone to give or keep.

A treasure of the heart

does not come cheap.

Though one you loved is gone

your gift of love remains;

To share at will

should you choose again

to give away or keep

*

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Dedicated to all those who have lost loved ones this past year