Helix of History

Some think history a straight line

I see history as a double helix;

A complicated thread of human DNA

constantly flowing forward.

Cultures unique coming together

in times of intersection and peace;

Sometimes clashing

Sometimes working together

and … sometimes mutating

into the caustic and cancerous

intersections of war.

Reconnecting // then each going their way…

The tread of life’s DNA

continually reproducing

the next generation

for another intersection

of war or peace

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Picture from Bing Clip Art getwallpapers.com

Theory of Everything

This week at d’Verse Poets Pub, we have been discussing theories of everything both real and imagined. When Darwin’s theory of evolution was presented it was greatly challenged by the Christian Church leaders. Those who believed in creationism could not accept this far out theory. The debate still goes on, with no one really able to prove their theory.  Yet one has to wonder, as we look at the world around us, how it all came about!

As I contemplate my existence
How it must have all come about
I find a thought persistent
In my mind and won’t come out

If as some believe we all came from the ocean
Organisms and fish learning to breathe on land
Evolving into monkeys, dinosaurs, and toucans
Then we are all the same both woman and man

In every drop of water and every living thing
The DNA strands in us and them should all be the same
But the opposite seems to be true it seems
DNA is different in every living organism, woman, and man

So how can it be possible to have such strange dichotomy
Millions upon millions of living things
All different yet with such unique anatomy
Not one of them the same whether on legs or on wings

With such a well-ordered plan and imaginative design
It seems intelligence beyond our comprehension
Has put in motion this world a one of a kind
And we all participate in this great dispensation

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Cowardly Lies

The Wizard of Oz was a lesson in phycology for those who watched Dorothy and her three friends struggle with their deficiencies. As they made their way down the Yellow Brick Road, they discovered the confidence they lacked was really within them.  Today at d’Verse, Mish asked us to choose one of the three characters and write a poem from their perspective. I chose to write a poem addressing the Cowardly Lion’s lack of courage. At the end read the Lions response…Perhaps we could all learn something about ourselves from the Cowardly Lion!

Cowardly Lies (Dorothy)
Who stole the virginity of your mind
Telling you courage was not for you
Embedding self-depreciating thoughts
Of weak and unfounded fear

Who filled your mind with kryptonite lies
Making you weak and helpless when challenges arose
Hiding in the shadows afraid to show your face
Feeling like a mouse in a lion’s costume

You are more than a sniveling wimp
You are a Lion // proud and strong
Born with a king’s legacy in your DNA
Surrounded by a pride of ancestors gone before

To find your voice you must believe
Look deep into your heart
See the courageous King you were meant to be
Stand tall and strong // believe in yourself

Rise // and fulfill your destiny

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Photo: from d’Verse Poetry Pub

https://dversepoets.com

The Lions Response:

A Change of Heart
Who stole the virginity of my mind
Telling me courage was not for me
Embedding self-depreciating thoughts
Of weak and unfounded fear

Who filled my mind with kryptonite lies
Making me weak and helpless when challenges arose
Hiding in the shadows afraid to show my face
Feeling like a mouse in a lion’s costume

I AM more than a sniveling wimp
I AM a Lion // proud and strong
Born with a King’s legacy in my DNA
Surrounded by a pride of ancestors gone before

To find my voice I must believe
Look deep into my heart
See the courageous King I was meant to be
Standing tall // and strong
I believe in myself

I Rise // and fulfill my destiny

 

Second Year Mutations

Gregor Mendel was a pioneer in studying genetics in peas. It is amazing how far the study of genetics has come. You can send off and order a DNA test that will tell you your origins and also, people who have the same DNA who might be your long lost relative. But, the genetic changes that take place in people and flowers has never changed. When two flowers come together through pollination, the genetics and DNA are mixed and altered. Sometimes odd mutations occur. I love exploring the genetic changes in flowers by saving the seeds and replanting them the next year. The mix of genes in these zinnias from last year are evident in the new flowers produced this year. Most are still the same, but these few come through missing some petals and parts.  I will save the seeds from them and see what comes out next summer. Enjoy my odd flowers.

Zinnias full bloom

Summer sun accents beauty

Mutant genes revealed

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Hope you enjoyed my little botany lesson!

Gene Pool DNA

Gene Pool DNA

I can see him smiling in the mirror

I could talk of my blue eyes

From my father

Or his large nose with creases

In the sides // just above the nostril

All passed down to me in lovers mix

Then there are varicose veins

From my mother

Decorating my calves

Like dribbles of icing on a cake

But the best inherited body part of all

Came from both

Father and Mother

I inherited their hearts

Beating as one

A heart for others

Compassion for those in need

Faith to believe that God loves

Every one no matter what

They might have done

A helix of Love exemplified as

“The Word made Flesh”

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today Kim at d’Verse asked us to choose a body part that we have inherited from our parents, and write a poem in the first person about it. I took it a step further and made it a metaphorical body part.

Come join us at d’Verse:  hppt://dversepoets.com

 

Family Roots

Finding ones roots has become a popular thing to do. DNA testing will tell you where your ancestors originated from. As we grow older we realize the importance of our family roots. This is especially true when we lose a parent. When this happens we see how significant they were in helping us become who we are today. Trees are held up and tower seventy feet or more into the air. When a storm blows a tree over we can see just how important it is to have a strong root system.

Roots

Beneath every tree are roots

Holding interlocking feeding

Bringing strength foundation

The source of all beauty we see

Looking at a tree

You’ve heard

“Behind every successful man

is a good woman.”

My mother was that good woman

Holding interlocking our family

Feeding caring for each one

My father a pillar of the community

Only on strength and nourishment

Of my mom who was always there for him

An unsung hero she was the roots of our tree

Without her none of us would be

Standing as we are today

My mother lived to be 93 years old!

Photos: Dwight L. Roth