Rocks along the Oregon coast were formed long before we showed up. The lava formations, now eroded away, reveal rough and rugged shapes. Studying these shapes is like looking at the clouds and seeing animals, or faces, etc. This is one of those odd formations that remained as the ancient lava cooled.
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Posted on Open Link Night at d’Verse Poet’s Pub
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Check out this great pottery site! The Alchemist’s Studio
I saw some beautiful photos of Northern Lights on Michele’s blog last week and decided to see if I could recreate the effect in watercolors. This is what came out!
*
You can check out Michele’s blog post and photos at: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/98847490/posts/3658371123
Today at d’Verse Sarah asked us to revisit Faye Collins’ wonderful art. I chose Grasses at Ennerdale Water! I love the tall grasses and leaves along the pond. I don’t know exactly what season this is set in, so I chose to make it a frosty interpretation! It looks like it could be late Fall from the reflections.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Friends Who Enrich Our Lives
As I look back on my life, I recall individuals who have enriched my life just by who they were and how they treated me and others. There are so many I could name in every stage of my life. My friend Bunky was one of those people.
Bunky ran a siding business and in 2005 I started working for him as the warehouse manager. I knew nothing about siding, but I did understand the building trade and was somewhat proficient on the computer. I came in and had a couple of hours orientation and started work the next day. He was very patient with me and helped me learn the details of the business. I worked there for six years.
Bunky was not just a boss, he was a friend. I sat in his office many times listening to his life experiences. He had so many great stories to tell. We became great friends during that time. Sadly, he died in 2017 in a fall at his mountain cabin. He will always be in that memory bank of friends.
Our friendship ran deep
Sharing life’s experiences
He died way too soon
Today at d’Verse, Frank asked us to choose something or someone we are thankful for in our life. I chose to write about my good friend Bunky Reges who was full of life and laughter. He came from “the old school” as they say. He was strongly opinionated but very likable to those who knew him well.
My Haiku at the end is a Senryu. I hope this will still pass for a Haibun.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Photo: Dinner with Bunky and Celia at the mountain Shack! – Dwight L. Roth
I worked on this watercolor painting yesterday. I started off with a vision of what I wanted to show, but the painting decided to expand and change directions on me. This is what came out. It reminded me of a tree that has gone through struggles and adversity, yet year after year it still stands strong.
Anchored high on the side of the mountain
Hit with unexpected storms of life
Yet, it stands tall and strong rooted in rock
Arms always uplifted reaching for light
Naked // exposed to winter’s icy blast
Knowing spring brings a dress of emerald green
Watercolor Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Full Moon
Frosty night
Birds peck ice
Suet feeder sways
Downy claws hang tightly
Pecking out the seeds
Cold oak leaves turn brown
Squirrels gather an acorn stash
Willow stands naked
Dried weeds sway
Seeds already scattered
Squirrel finds winter nest
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Words…. the poets lifeblood…
Photo; Andy Roth
In the late 1800s immigrants from Europe were pouring into our country by the ship load. They were looking for a better life in the United States. With them they brought their rich cultural heritage as well as their skills in many different fields of work. They worked hard for little pay, but took pride in what they did. They were the blue-collar workers who built this country’s cities and infrastructure.
The picture above shows the Fairmount Park Trolley bridge in Philadelphia. You can see the skill and creativity that went into this structure, still standing today. The trolley lost out to the newly emerging automobile and the line shut down for good around 1946. This kind of workmanship is seldom seen today. You will notice the arches in the bridge are all made from bricks, carefully laid by very skilled brick masons. This photo really caught my eye, especially since my grandfather was an immigrant and a concrete mason, very skilled in his work as well.
Thanks to my nephew Andy Roth for the use of his great photo.
For more information on the Trolley you can click the link below:
https://philly.curbed.com/2017/9/22/16335036/fairmount-park-trolley-photos-history
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today Dora was our host at d’Verse, and asked us to write a poem about an epiphany or pause in our Christmas comings and goings. It was to be something that creates a twist in our poem that takes the reader a different direction of thinking or reflection.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Roth Poetry 