Celebrating Hope
we gather believing
life is more
than just this molded
clay shell we all live in
*
Watching the sunrise
we live, believing
that by grace we too will rise
beyond this physical
life of decay
into eternal transformation
spiritual oneness
with God,
our creator,
Our Risen Lord!
*
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
We gathered in the ICU waiting room
late into the evening like a slumber party
no one wanted to attend
Hoping the heart doctor would be
the bearer of good news
Wide awake hushed voices became silent
as the doctor came through the door
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Punam gave us a slumber prompt for our Monday Quadrille.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Entering the new year with great expectations
Yet knowing they are fragile shimmering bubbles
Blown from our minds… floating in front of our eyes
Some large… some small… rainbow colors of hope
One by one they pop leaving tears of residue
dripping on our well laid plans
*
All expectations should come with a disclaimer
reminding us that our perceptions cannot be projected
making others conform to our wishes
Circumstances, values, and baggage all come into play
often leaving our expectations shuffled like a deck of cards
Losing the magic when we cannot find the Ace of Hearts
*
Perhaps we should enter the new year with anticipation
looking forward to the positive things that will happen
Living with expectation, but knowing our thinking may
need to be adjusted and reconsidered as each day
Plans can change at a moment’s notice as we live
and work through this experience we call life
Anticipate that everything can be worked out
with a little work and in due time
*
bing photo
Pine needles’ glow reflects the October sunshine
Waltzing to the rhythm of a soft afternoon breeze
Old needles shedding // retaining the new
Through long winter’s cold and intense summer’s heat
Always radiant with hope for the future
Knowning the loss will always be replaced
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse De gave us the Quadrille prompt Pine.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
At the base of each drying leaf
Is a bud full of life and potential
Waiting patiently for summer’s heat
Or winter’s cold to pass
Knowing Spring will bring renewal
*****
Remember…
Behind all that crushes you
Makes you feel devastated
Hopeless and distraught
Lies a bud of strength and potential
The creator’s promised hope
Waiting for you to recognize
That your spring has arrived
Once more
Carol Anne commented on this post from my archives, and I thought it would be a great one as we look forward to the new year!
I took the photos this morning in my yard.
Today, I painted two watercolors that are memories from our trip we took a few weeks ago. The first one is a little red fireplug that was by the sidewalk as we strolled leisurely along, and the other is the Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island. At the time, I did not see any parallel between them, but the more I thought about it the more it stimulated my imagination. So, this poem is about opposites and similarities.
Little red fireplug waiting alone
for the time when its purpose will be fulfilled
A time of connection when the water inside
can flow forth with such force
that it will put out a fire
saving a building from physical destruction
***
The Little Stone Chapel sits high on the hill
standing out in the morning sunshine
waiting for a time when its purpose can be fulfilled
An inviting place where all are welcomed
to hear the good news of faith and hope
A time of heavenly connection
that when accepted by faith can light a fire
in one’s soul
saving them from spiritual destruction
***
Watercolor Paintings: Dwight L. Roth
Sharing this on d’Verse Poets Pub open link night
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
When self-preservation
at all cost
overrides our understanding
of humanity,
Ideologies arise
blinding us to the truth
that we are all of
One Blood
that pumps
through our veins
interchangeable
with you or me
regardless of color
race or ethnicity,
Life-saving blood
revealing
that we are all one
in the midst of
our diversity,
but not exclusive
in value
or superior in
entitlement.
We are humanity
created in the image
of our creator
Spiritual channels
of light
in the darkness
We are hope and comfort…
not death and destruction.
*
My sad condolences to the people of Buffalo whose family members were attacked and killed yesterday by a raving lunatic who thought his humanity was greater in value than the lives of others who were different from him.
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Hope is a songbird
where fairies and young children
find refuge from war…
Clutching onto her feathers
to feel the heartbeat of peace
***
Today at d’Verse, Mish introduced us to Vike Muse, an artist from the Ukraine who shares her artwork on Instagram @get.muse . She creates beautiful fantasy art with positive themes to share her hope for a better day when this diabolical war has ended. Mish gave us several of her pieces to choose from. We were to pick one that inspires us and write a poem of any style about it. I wrote a Tanka.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Spring sun shines brightly
Skies blue and cottony over head
Yet, shadows of sadness surround me
*
Life’s journey brought me here
Overcoming through ups and downs
Yet, shadows of sadness surround me
*
So quickly our good life gets disrupted
Many hide as tanks roll and bombs explode
As shadows of sadness surround them
*
As men take a stand and mothers flee
Innocent people die daily from blind destruction
And, shadows of sadness surround me
*
Power corrupts and divides us
Greed and Evil are Siamese twins
Yet, hope rises in the sadness that surrounds us
*
People with hope believe in their cause
Willing to die rather than loose their freedom
And, hope for their children empowers them…
*
In spite of the sad shadows that surround us all
*
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
I am sharing this tonight on the d’Verse poets open link night.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
As I have shared earlier, I am trying to keep my hibiscus plants over the winter. They are not fans of cold weather, especially the freezing kind. I dug them up and put them in a plastic pot and set them in my garage. On warmer days I set them outside for some sunlight.
It put out its last beautiful bloom over New Years. Soon after, two buds appeared. Though I have watered it and set it in the sunlight, the buds would not open. The last couple of days were up to 60 F and this evening, when I put it back in to garage, I saw the buds were starting to open a little.
It reminded me of how we have reacted to Covid-19. Some came out right away, while others have come out very cautiously. A little reprieve does not mean it won’t return again. Hopefully we all will open up and bloom again as circumstances get better!
Coming out scares us
Becoming obsessed with masks
Hiding our sweet smiles
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Roth Poetry 