Power Trip

Control  

O how we value being in control

Knowing we alone affect an outcome

Absolutely sure we’re unquestionably right

Even when we’re wrong

O how we value composure

Keeping that strained pained smile

Even in the face of the most obnoxious

Pretending actions do not offend

O how we value knowing

Never asking for help

Ignoring the urging to ask

Believing though lost // we still know

O how we value pretenses

Be it wealth, skills, or the perfect marriage

Never let our weakness show

Always well put together smiling

O how we value affirmation

Selfies on Facebook // time after time

Promoting our accomplishments

Never satisfied // always seeking more

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today is Open Link hosted by Kim at d’Verse. She shared her fascination with seagulls and suggested if we needed a prompt, we could use seagull. Otherwise we are free to post a poem of our own choosing.  Come visit us at d’Verse~Poetry Pub.  Click the Mr. Linky box to read poems from the writers.

https://dversepoets.com/

Words

Words Last Forever

Some words are remembered forever

Tattooed on our mind

Words of resolve…”We the People…”

Words backed by commitment sacrifice and death

Words connect to the heart

“I Love you” spoken for the first time

Remembered forever in our mind

“It was the best of times It was the worst of times”

Introductions to stories we will never forget

Words of compassion for the loss of a loved one

Create a bond that remains to the end

“Four score and seven years ago…”

Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg

Honored those who died in that bloody conflict

Words never spoken are also remembered

Parents who never said “I love you”

Regrets for a lifetime once they have passed

Words of degradation and meant to hurt

Embedded like splinters in the brain

Chronic irritations that never go away

But can be forgiven

The importance of our words is

A great responsibility that changes lives

What kind of words do you impart

Words of hurt or words of hope

Make the world a better place

With words that build encourage and help

Bring people together

Words of healing and forgiveness

Bringing life and light to all

Fall Iris Blooming

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

 

Words

Words

Wonderful utterances lighting the mind

Reaching into the soul driving emotions

Running down memory’s path with lightning speed

Synapses fusing past and present

Words

Stirring our inner being

Springs of love and hate

Driving actions seemingly beyond our control

Bringing together pushing apart

Words

Expressions of kindness

The balm of the soul from deep wells within

The water of life healing springs that ease the pain

Of loneliness rejection and loss

Words

Triggers of desire and attraction

Turning on spigots of hormones

Flooding emotion drowning reason

Bathing in pools of mutual oneness

Words

Whips and chains that bind the soul

Dashing hopes crushing dreams

Ruining self-confidence stealing security

Evil words from the pit of hell

Words

Defining human kind

Separating animal from man

Allowing expression of mind and spirit

Finding common bonds and mutual sharing

In ways only God knows

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Pboto: Dwight L. Roth

Living Joyfully

T

This is a poem I posted earlier that brought a lot of good response. I thought I would repost it for those of you who are new to my blog. I hope you enjoy it  as well.

          The Oil of Gladness

Ever try celebrating when no one cares?

A big event a great surprise

Yet no one seems phased

Inside you are jumping up and down

Outside you are sliding on a splintered board

The oil of gladness

A necessary part of healthy living

Sharing joy with those who rejoice

Finding well-earned success

The oil of gladness

Celebrating with the child who comes in second

Eating over baked cookies with a smile

Finding joy in the little things of life

The oil of gladness

Makes every day run smoother

Seals relationships with a lasting bond

Love begins and ends

With the oil of gladness

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Control

Control

O how we value being in control

Knowing we alone affect an outcome

Absolutely sure we’re unquestioningly right

Even when we’re wrong

O how we value composure

Keeping that strained pained smile

Even in the face of the most obnoxious

Pretending actions do not offend

O how we value knowing

Never asking for help

Ignoring the urging to ask

Believing though lost we still know

O how we value pretenses

Be it wealth skills or the perfect marriage

Never let our weakness show

Always well put together smiling

O how we value affirmation

Selfies on Facebook time after time

Promoting our accomplishments

Never satisfied always seeking more

*******************************

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Reigniting the Fire

Reigniting the Fire

In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.

It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” ― Albert Schweitzer

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It is amazing the way encouragement and affirmation moves one beyond himself to do things he has only dreamed about. This is the situation that occurred in 2013. It was at that time that an open mike poetry reading evening was started at the Indian Trail Cultural Arts Center in Indian Trail, NC. We began attending and reading our poems together as the group grew into twenty-five to thirty-five people.

I had only written a few poems before that time, but with the encouragement I received there I began writing a new poem each month. It was a wonderful group of people who loved poetry. Everyone from ten year olds to seventy year olds attended.

The poem above describes what I experienced in this affirming group.I would like to thank Kym Gordon Moore and Susan Didier along with the poetry reading group that met at Indian Trail Cultural Arts Center for their encouragement and support in reigniting my inner fire. Kym Gordon Moore is a local North Carolina Poet. Susan is the director for the Cultural Arts Center.

Because of my connections with them I have gone beyond my wildest dreams in what I have been able to do since then. I will be forever grateful for their word of  encouragement and believing in me.

Check out Kym’s site on Word Press:

https://frombehindthepen.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/teaandpoetrybookclub/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth