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
Photo: Dwighr L. Roth
In the recesses of the mind
Where reason and conscience lie
Right along side the knowledge of good and evil
There comes a sound // not in words
But a silent voice speaking to me
Not with scream nor shout
But with a still small (silent) voice
Heard above the noise of loud voices
Clamoring for my attention
Heard above the noise of city streets
Roaring trucks and honking taxis
Above social media smart phones
Spewing out trivial pursuits
The silent voice always there…
The other option
Some call it mystical
Others hear nothing
But I hear the silent voice of God
Speaking into my soul…
The voice that says, “I love you my child.”
“No matter what you might do,
I love you!”
“Be all you can be!”
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Reposting this one from 2019
A lone candle burns
hope in my mind, as red flame’s
smoke fills bright darkness.
Waiting anxiously for word
of breath’s return clear and free.
*****
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Today is Advent Sunday in the Christian faith. It represents the time leading up to the birth of Christ, Emanuel, God with us. The prophet Isaiah spoke of coming out of darkness and into the light. It speaks so much to the feelings of our life this past year.
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2 NIV (biblegateway.com)
My Nephew’s wife shared the following post this morning on her Face Book page. I thought is was so well written that I wanted to share it with you.
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Advent feels different this year… it’s not just about me preparing my heart for the coming Christ-child.
Most of us have spent a significant amount of time this year sitting in the darkness of our own personal waiting rooms…waiting for healing, waiting for a job, waiting for pregnancy, waiting for reconciliation, waiting for a visit from family, waiting for lab results, waiting for “normal”, etc.
So instead of trying to ignore the darkness, I will wait a little longer, hoping that “the God who showed up in the hardest parts of our humanity is still showing up today…
…We often forget that the encounter with the incarnate Christ happens in unexpected places — our unexpected change of plans, our unaccomplished dreams, and humble new beginnings.” (Scott Erickson)
I’m looking forward to the day “the weary world rejoices” again.
~Lora Myers Roth~
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
What do you see as you come to the emergence of Winter?
Lying together
Some see death others see hope
Death waiting for life
***
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
This came to me this morning as I was reading through the collection of Jisei poems from Frank Tassone’s prompt on d’Verse. We are to write a death poem or a Jisei. Jisei poems were of Japanese origins, and were often written in waka (tanka) or haiku, but death poems are not restricted to those forms. What is essential is the expression of both imminent death and the significance of life in the face of it. In this sense, Jisei is the poetry of both memorial and celebration.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com and click on the Mr. Linkey link to read more interesting Jisei poems.
It pains my heart to see the way one policeman’s deadly action has reopened the door to division and strife that has been stewing for years in the United States. Peaceful protests are very much in order, but the violence of opportunistic looters and destructive vandalism in no way honors the memory of George Floyd. How can one call for respect when their actions show otherwise. The lack of wisdom and understanding in this situation is very disheartening!
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse Frank Hubney asked us to write a seven line Chaucerian poem. It is in iambic pentameter and has a pattern of ABA BB CC. Hopefully this is close to the real thing!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
In this time of uncertainty we soon find out who we really are as people. Some go into a tail spin and become fearful of every little thing. Others try in vain to stock up hoards of stuff to satisfy their manic tendencies. Some believe God is in control and all will work out in time for our good. For many, happiness is gone; replaced with anxiety. I am sure we all experience some of these tendencies. How we approach a crisis is much the same as we approach our every day life. Happiness is like the weather; sunny one day and raining the next. Joy goes to the core of our being and sustains us through the bad weather that will come in our lives. Remember what is important in life.
I posted this back in December, but feel it might be helpful to post it again.
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
YouTube Video from Vevo
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
I see people racing to the store to buy up toilet paper, I notice all around me in nature is still the same. The birds sing the squirrels raid my feeder without a thought. We have a lot to learn about our place in this world and nature has many ways to help keep us in perspective.
