There was a time…

There was a time when learning was fun

When learning went beyond books and tests

Actually using their mind to solve real life situations

Observing creatures in their natural settings

Watching bugs and frogs and a preying mantis

Creating an egg sac that later produced hundreds

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When our children are all made out of ticky-tacky

And they all learn just the same // every child scoring

Higher and higher // or the teacher we will fire

What will happen when they face real world problems?

Perhaps Siri, Cortina, or Alexa will have the answers!

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Photos of may students in my early years of teaching. Since then times have changed and our focus seems to be on test results rather than well rounded students. Perhaps this will change as the cycle goes round and round.

For a wonderful example of what real learning can be, check out Forest Kids Learning. It is a fabulous program that does a wonderful job of hand-on learning!

https://www.facebook.com/ForestKidsCanada/

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Old Musicians

Old musicians die
But their music lives on
Beautiful tributes
To the power they harnessed
That changed the world
Challenged politics
Social Norms
And, brought about revolutions
Music that touches the soul
Reaches all the way to heaven
And Hell
Yes, old musicians die
But their music is alive and well

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Memories

Memorial Day brings back memories of all those loved ones who have passed on.  Hopefully memories are good ones that can be recalled with warm feelings. My mother loved our boys and enjoyed being a part of their life. My father died at age 70, but she live on to be 93. She enjoyed watching them grow and seeing them become parents to her great grandchildren. We look back with fond memories of those days.

Memorial Day brings

memories of lost loved ones.

Always in our hearts

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

(Wo)man in the Moon

Moonlit reflection left on the leaf covered ground
The (Wo)man in the moon staring back at me
Shining in the leaves // smile fixed on her face
Lifeless image brought into view on the full moon
Knowing eyes that never blink // never close
How sad to be a Rushmore face seen only on moonbeams
Disappearing in the waning days // hiding in the dark
Only to reappear once again when the moon is full

Today at d’Verse we were introduced to the art work of Mary Frances.  We were asked to write an Ekphrastic poem choosing one of her works. Ekphrastic poetry is a poem  that is inspired by a piece of art work. I decided to write a fantasy poem from her face in the leaves picture.

Come join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Growing Older

I thought since I turned another year older last week, perhaps it was a good time to remember what growing older entails. There are so many scenarios for growing old that it is too bad we can’t pick and choose our fate. But I guess we are stuck with the roll of the dice. The following are some of the ways old age is catching up with me.

Pulling Pranks
Jokester Old Age moved in
Bringing Rock and Roll bands
Playing shrill heavy metal
Unending concerts in my ears

Or // maybe it’s seventeen-year locust
Emerging just below my gray loam
Springing forth in continual halleluiahs
Attaching themselves to brain stem and canals

In addition // miners of decay
Carve caverns in my bituminous teeth
Great profit for dental barons
Depleting my piggy bank

Old Age seems to have made himself
Right at home pulling painful pranks
Not minding the misery, he is causing
Laughing as I drain my account

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photo: Dwight L. Roth

Nature Theory

I believe nature is given to us
to show that we are only temporary.
Not the ones who control nature…
but rather, the ones who nature puts up with
in spite of all our wasteful self-centeredness.
If we were to disappear // gone for ever…
nature would continue to flourish without us
taking over the earth // erasing every trace
of our existence on this planet.

When we spewed crude oil into the Gulf
it was only a short time
until nature had swallowed it up…
Swallowed it up and buried it
under the sludge below.

Volcanoes continue to erupt changing the surface
creating new land to be worn down.
Mt St Helen erupted blowing rock and ash for miles
sending up dust into the atmosphere helping to close
the ozone hole, that we once heard so much about.
As the earth warms and populations increase
we can make every effort to “save our planet”.
But it is only a matter of time until nature takes it toll
Changing our life on earth forever.
Whether for good or ill remains to be seen…
All of our digital AI will have little affect

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’Verse, Merril asked us to write about a theory, real or imagined. We hear so much about Global Warming and how it will affect our planet. My theory is that we are very limited in what we can do to stop it. With increasing populations on the earth it is inevitable that we will eventually destroy ourselves, if nature doesn’t do it for us first! Feel free to disagree with my theory, it won’t change a thing! The future remains to be seen! I think of Chernobyl and the way nature has taken over since the meltdown.  I enjoyed watching the PBS special 20 years after man disappears from the earth. It is fascinating to see how fast nature takes over everything. Feel free to share your opinions.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Lasting Friendship

I met Sri in 2011 when we moved into our new neighborhood. He had just gotten married the year before and moved into the neighborhood about six months earlier. We connected right away and became great friends.  He was thirty years younger than me, but that did not matter!

Sri was a Project Manager from India, and worked in the city using public transportation. As a result, he never needed to learn to drive.  He had his permit and asked if I would be willing to teach him to drive. I agreed, and we spent many evenings that summer driving through the countryside just before sunset. It was a great time to learn to know one another better. He now has his license and drives into Charlotte most days to work at one of the local banks.

Since then, we have done many projects together. He moved out of our neighborhood and closer to Charlotte which helps his commute. We still stay in touch and he often consults with me regarding things around the house. Although we see each other less, our friendship is still as strong as ever.

Lasting friendship bonds

kindred spirits together.

Sun sets // friends will last

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Snowing Cherry Blossoms

Surprise Spring snowfall

Snowflakes melt in warm sunshine

Cherry Blossoms fall

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Today Frank Tassone asked us to write a Haikai poem that alluded to cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms welcome spring in the United States and in Japan, where festivals are held to celebrate them.  Last week it snowed one day and was in the sixties F. the next day!

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/04/06/haikai-challenge-80-4-6-19-cherry-blossoms-sakura-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

Towhee Spring Fashion

Towhees are one of the most beautiful birds that come to my feeder. They walk up and down my rail eating seeds, all the time aware of everything that is going on around them. Their orange and black feathers rival anything on a New York Runway!

Spring brings bright colors

Towhees strut in orange and black

Red eyes add accent

 

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Summer’s Coming!

Can’t wait for summer

Tell this rainy cold weather

“Go Jump in the Lake”

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth