Summer temperatures in the 90s F have kept us inside. Covid-19 all around us has taken the lives of thousands. Being in the high risk age group it does make me wonder how all this will play out. So far we have been in good health, but we realize that could change rather quickly. We go on with our life taking precautions, wearing masks, and using common sense.
Dried in summer heat
Many around me dropping
Still showing color
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
iPhone Photos: Dwight L. Roth
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Stain-Glass from Strasbourg Cathedral
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Kim asked us to think about the many ways we us the word rich in our everyday life. We were to choose one of the definitions and write a Quadrille of 44 words.
Haikai Tanka for Frank Tassone’s challenge using Christmas as our prompt. One Red maple still has its leaves clinging to its branches. Seems very unusual to see this at this time of year. Shot this photo today to use as my theme.
Leaves
Are we not all
But leaves in the stream
Whose lives begin
As bud on twig
Flourishing green
In the sunshine of life
We shine in spring rains
And wave joyfully in the wind
Some get devoured
By those who would
Consume their very being
Sapping strength stealing life
Others scorch
in the heat of drought
Twisting and curling
In dehydrated anguish
Many who make it
Add color as they age
All finally leaving the tree
To be gathered and burned
Or raked and composted
Some catch the wind
For one last hurrah
Landing by fence posts
Or floating downstream
Into the great unknown
But many //surrounded lie
Right where they fall
Blanketing the feet of family
As protection // nourishing spirits
For generations to come
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
My hope for the New Year is that we can come together to overwhelm the darkness and evil with Love and Peace. When light is the dominate contrast the world is a better place. Light stands out sometimes alone but very visible in contrast to darkness. This reminds me of the song we used to sing that said. “This Little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” Let your light shine this year and bring hope to the world.
Light against Darkness
Light and Darkness coexist
Bringing dimension and definition to life
Contrasting colors not to be seen without the other
Accents of beauty and line given shape
Revealing all forms of life that exist
Ah, but you say, The spirit of life has no color!”
Oh but it does in so many ways
Light embodies all the colors
Light against darkness being most beautiful of all
Love is the light of the Spirit of God
Contrasted against the dark spirit of evil and hate
In our darkest moments of defeat a light emerges
A candle of light bringing hope in the blackness
Lighting others and they in turn light more
Until evil is overwhelmed with the Light of Love
Defining truth rising above the hate and evil
Bringing peace and joy standing in clear contrast
Against the darkness in the world around us
Light your candle of peace for the New Year
Let God’s love and blessing permeate all you do
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Painting: Dwight L. Roth
via Daily Prompt:
I figured since Fall starts today, it would be a good day to start thinking about leaves. The prompt for today was the one word Leaf so this worked out very well. Enjoy my personification of the insignificant leaf!
To Be a Leaf
Oh… to be a leaf, t’would be a delight
High in a tree on a warm summer’s night
Poking my head out the door
Warm seduction of spring calls me fore
Coming out half dressed in the morning light
A red bathing beauty all shiny and bright
Stretching extending my fingers unfurl
Semi-frosty nights will nip at the curl
Turning green without envy my hands open wide
No jealousy here I’m filled with pride
Ever expanding to the size of a hand
Not to be shaken by woman or man
Blown in the wind by breeze and ‘cane
Hands lifted in praise then baptized by rain
Waving high over lovers’ joy without end
Old folks and children consider me their friend
Enduring the heat of hot summer’s blast
Knowing all too soon it will be past
Blushing with color… yellow, orange, and red
My crowning glory before I land with the dead
Photographed by families, travelers, and friends
A model’s envy we all join hands
Waving our boughs and then were gone
Floating to the earth but I’m not alone
Lying with friends we await our fate
Raked in piles while the children wait
Jumping and squealing they all roll and tumble
All in a pile as big brothers grumble
Bagged and stacked on the curb for recycling
Back to the garden it’s not really frightening.
Or perhaps simply falling staying were we lite
Putting roots to bed for the long winter’s night
My friend Bob invited me to his house this morning to see the butterflies and flowers he has in the backyard. His flowers were dazzling and the butterflies were beautiful. As they flitted from Zinnia to Zinnia, I snapped away. These are only a few of the beautiful shots I got this morning. This is definitely poetry in motion and no further words are needed! Enjoy!!
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
