Typewritten Pages

Words set in stones // not on a digital screen
Lasting impressions carved on paper for the ages
Black ink embossed on each page
Linking past intentions with present emotions
Digital words can disappear in an instant
Book’s printed pages can last for centuries

Stamp Art: Dwight L. Roth

Self-Published Poetry Book

Our prompt for today’s Quadrille (44 Words) at d’Verse, is the word set, When I think of books, they are the next best thing to being “set in stone.”  I remember using a typewriter like this for many years, when I was still teaching school. I had to type really hard to make the keys cut through into the purple master.  Now everything is done in digital format, which can be lost at the click of a button. Call me old school, but I still like having hard copies to back me up! 

I have included my new self-published book of poems collected from the many poems written for my blog and for d’Verse.

Join us at: htttps://dversepoets.com

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Fall Colors

The dry weather will affect the Fall colors around here this year. We have not had rain for over a month. Instead of turning yellow, the hickory trees behind our house are simply turning brown and dropping to the ground. The painting above will help us remember how colorful the Fall foliage can be.

Swimming colors blend

Red leaves drift down from the trees

Snow lays on the peaks

Painting: Dwight L. Roth

Frank Tassone’s Haikai challenge is to write a poem using Fall Colors as our prompt. I thought I would repost my painting showing the beauty of Fall colors.

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/10/05/haikai-challenge-107-10-5-19-fall-foliage-red-leaves-momiji-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

Reflections of One’s Self

This morning I heard a tap, tap, tapping on my kitchen window. When I went to see what it was, this cute little brown capped nuthatch pecking at his mirrored reflection in the tinted glass. The overcast day tuned our Low-E windows into mirrors. He was trying very hard to chase away that bird he saw in the window. So funny! How often do we want to try to chase away that person we see in our mirror!

Silly little bird

trying to peck his image

Just like you and me

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Que Sera, Sera…

Que Sera, Sera…
Worry less about the future
Concentrate on today
No need to spend time on what might be
And miss out on what is
Aging brings questions of what is next
It also brings a treasure of what was
A life to share // a gift to give
No need to sit back and wait for the end
Stay in the game // play hard to the end
Enjoy all life has to offer as long as you can
Be grateful for the blessings of life
Love deeply // feel every emotion
Share the joy of this moment in time
Be the best you can be today
Let God have your tomorrow
…Whatever will be, will be

Stair Painting: Dwight L. Roth

Abstract

 

Life’s a series of abstract images
Some realistic some absurd
Reality eludes the ideologist
Illusions of truth plague the pragmatist
Do we seek the photo-perfect image
Or blurred lines of enhanced color
Abstractions of truth stand alone
In the minds of all who follow
Distortions also stand alone
In media and pulpit
Abstraction better left
To paint slingers and sculptors
Leaving voyeurs of truth
To speculate on what they perceive
And claim it as their own

*

Painting – Purple Thorns: Dwight L. Roth

Posting this for Open Link night at d’Verse Poets Pub:  https://dversepoets.com

Nature’s Patterns

Nature’s living things are all composed of defined patterns. Things don’t just happen. Everything is designed for a unique function. From the smallest microscopic creature, to the biggest elephant, to you and me; we are all special and unique. Everything about us is planned for our best interest. Some things grow and adapt to changes in their environment, but their basic pattern and design is still there.  Some think all this just happened, but I believe there is a God, the creator, who set it all in motion.

Nature’s patterns show

 perfectly designed flowers

bloom every summer

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Homemade Bread

When I was growing up, one of the perks of being a preacher’s kid was that people in the church often gave us things. This helped to supplement what little income my father received. One of my fondest memories was getting a big loaf of homemade bread on a Sunday morning. Bertha McCann and Katy Townsend were two women who made the best bread I ever tasted. One day, when I was ten, I was raving about Katy’s bread. I expressed interest in learning to bake bread like that. She said when I was twelve, she would teach me. I remembered her promise, and when I was twelve, she helped me bake a batch of bread. My bread never quite matched hers, but I was very proud of my accomplishment!

Fresh warm homemade bread
Topped with butter and jelly
My best summer treat

*

Photo of my first batch of bread: From our family album

Our prompt today at d’Verse is food! One of my favorite food memories is homemade bread.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

The Connection Never Ends

As family members get older and need more care, the importance of staying connected is vital. Visiting from time to time lets them know you are concerned for their well-being . Those who show their love and care are a lasting connection. People who make that extra effort are always greatly appreciated. We all remember when family and friends are there for us in our difficult times of life.

When you are there in time of need
showing compassion by what you do;
Your connection never ends
When you reach out to lend a hand
To one who struggles through each day;
Your connection never ends
When you show God’s love in time of grief
Just  giving a caring hug brings relief;
Your connection never ends
It is not what you say but who you are
Sharing yourself // expressing your love
That connection never ends

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

 

Death and Life

I posted this poem follow the death of my wife’s Uncle David, two years ago in September. We traveled to Pennsylvania and enjoyed our interactions with family members we had not scene in a long time. Following the funeral, we traveled around the community where here father’s family lived. This included visiting the Snavely Mill, that was once owned by her great grandfather. At the mill we encountered a beautiful Great White Egret that lived near the millpond! I thought it would be good to repost this memory once again for you to enjoy.

Mourning the loss of an uncle today
Everyone gathered to say goodbye
A sad occasion yet a celebration of life
Reviewing a life well lived and too soon gone
A reunion of sorts where the family gathers
Not only to say goodbye but to say hello
Many years of disconnect come together
Childhood cousins now grown break bread
Speak of their Uncle with stories to tell of their own
Following the funeral a long ride in the country
Enjoying corn fields and bubbling creeks
Looking for pieces of history finding some
At Great Grandpa’s millpond next to the Snavely Mill
A beautiful gift rises into the air
A Great White Egret with spreading wings
A reminder that along with history and reconnections
Life goes on
Life is beautiful
Life is still worth living

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Spider Poetry

This beautiful writing spider floated in mid-air on the corner of my garage door. Spinning its lines next to the light, it sits waiting for the next poor bug to fly into the web. It is one of the biggest writing spiders that I have seen. Today I saw it wrapping up a bug for future consumption! Looks like his patience payed off!

Spider spins its web

Writing nature’s poetry

Floating on beauty

 

 

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Posting this for my Monday Haibun  on  d’Verse Poets Pub

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com