Potholes
Some hit and complain
Others will drive around
A few will fill them
***
Same is true of life…
Which one are you?
poetry
Gray Fox
Gray Fox
Eyes burning in the twilight
Sense of smell overrides fear
Looking for that porkchop bone
tossed out earlier
Constant cravings
push instinct aside
Hunger becomes the driver
while slinking in the shadows
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
I was surprised to see this fox in the back yard, when I went to close the curtain on my sliding door. He stayed around long enough for me to get my camera. But, when I slid the door open for a better shot he turned and headed back into the woods.
This is a shaky shot:
Sunburn
Sky panted bright orange
Twilight chases evening sun.
Burn turns to a tan
Cool lotion soothes stinging pain
Stayed on the beach way too long
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Lillian wants us to play with compound words. She gave us a list of compound words to choose from and asked us to choose one and use it in a poem, but we must separate into the two root words in sequence on two different lines. I choose sunburn in the Tanka format.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Sweet Baby Boy
Sweet Baby Boy close your eyes
Sleep in a world of wonder
Go off to dreamland with a sigh
Don’t worry about the thunder
Sweet Baby Boy just close your eyes
For if it wakes you makes you cry
These covers you’ll be under
Today is Quadrille Monday at d’Verse. Our prompt is any form of the word sleep. I took my inspiration from a lullaby I wrote several years ago for my adopted grandson who had a hard time adjusting.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Original Lullaby post: https://rothpoetry.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/sweet-baby-boy/
We are of One Blood
When self-preservation
at all cost
overrides our understanding
of humanity,
Ideologies arise
blinding us to the truth
that we are all of
One Blood
that pumps
through our veins
interchangeable
with you or me
regardless of color
race or ethnicity,
Life-saving blood
revealing
that we are all one
in the midst of
our diversity,
but not exclusive
in value
or superior in
entitlement.
We are humanity
created in the image
of our creator
Spiritual channels
of light
in the darkness
We are hope and comfort…
not death and destruction.
*
My sad condolences to the people of Buffalo whose family members were attacked and killed yesterday by a raving lunatic who thought his humanity was greater in value than the lives of others who were different from him.
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Finding Success
Success comes from within
Not from what we have
or the car we drive
or the house we live in
or the trophies we have won
Success is getting up when you fall
Believing you can continue on
Knowing who you are
And what you can do
Success is loving and being loved
Knowing the value of family
The importance of friends
And that children are an extension of you
Success is giving $15 worth of work
On a job that pays only $10 an hour
Success is treating others with respect
even when you are mistreated
Success is standing up for justice
For those who are being oppressed
Success comes from within
From the core of your being
Success is who you believe you are
Success is loving God and those around you
being willing to serve others for the good of all
*
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Posting on d’Verse Open Link night: https://dversepoets.com
Knock-out
Knock-out roses bloom
Bleeding over green foliage
Beauty everywhere
Photo taken this morning: Dwight L. Roth
Heart Attack Desert
Cream Cheese and Cherries
All sweetness and tart
Melts in my mouth
A delectable work of art
*
Each year she asks
When my birthday rolls around
What shall I make you
A chocolate or a pound
*
No cake
No candles
Just Cherry Delight
It’s all I ever want
I’ll eat it every night
*
Although she makes it
She’s reminded of fat
Filling my veins with
Cholesterol and plaque
Seems all the good stuff
Wants to hang around
I’ll take my chances
Though it makes me rotund
*
A Cherry Delight birthday
I never get enough
The best dessert for me
Until I am stuffed
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Misky asked us to write a poem about food. Since my birthday just passed, and my wife made me my favorite desert, I decided to share a poem I wrote a few years ago.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Here is the recipe by request:
Cherry Delight
1 9oz grand cracker crust
1 pk 8 oz Cream Cheese
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 can of Cherry Pie filling
Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Blend in the condensed milk. Add the lemon juice and Vanilla. Pour into the pie crust and chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Top with chilled cherries.
MOTHER
Mom with my two sons on her 93rd birthday
An acrostic poem for my dear mother who has now been gone for 15 years:
MOTHER
Mom who worked tirelessly to provide and care for our family
Outstanding loving mother and supportive wife to my father
Teacher of religious and moral values both, at home and in Sunday School
Helper and caregiver to those in need, including hobos who came by
Entertained guests at our Sunday dinner table from all races and classes
Respected and appreciated by everyone who knew her until she died at 93
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Goodby Dear Friend
Today my good friend Danny passed away. It was very sad to get the news. He is the same age as me but suffered from health issues that shortened his life. He had diabetes that was difficult to control. Several weeks ago, he had to have part of his lower leg amputated from lack of circulation. In addition to that he was blind.
Back in 2019 his wife asked if I would try to teach him some chords on the guitar, so I worked with him along with his neighbor David who wanted to learn as well. David picked up playing very quickly, but for Danny it was a little slower. I was able to teach him how to hold chord positions, but he never quite mastered changing from one chord to another. We decided to have him play the home chord while David and I played the changes. He did well on keeping rhythm with us, so we sang and played together twice a week for the year before Covid. He loved playing with us and looked forward to our weekly get togethers. He favorite song was one his father in Barbados loved, Just a Little Talk with Jesus! Since Covid we have not been able to play together as his health continued to decline.
Goodby my dear friend
May you sing with the angels
and talk with Jesus
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Roth Poetry 