Choices

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!

Choices affect everyone;
changing the course of a nation
Choices are the difference between life and death;
altering the lives of everyone around us.
Wise choices lead to life…

“Above all, seek wisdom and understanding…” Proverbs

Painting: Dwight L. Roth

Holy Week

We enter this holy week together
Christians and Jews recall God’s protection
Stories of hope and love for each other

Faith strained in the midst of dark hopelessness
Prayers rise and lift us beyond our distress

As we see the Sun/Son rise hope is renewed
New life is ours on the path now pursued

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

Happiness and Joy

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.

Happiness and Joy
Happiness is a little bird
Perched on the rail
Right within my grasp
Only to fly away
The moment
I reach out to take hold of it.

Joy is the blood
Pumping through my veins
A constant rhythm of rejuvenation
Not something to be possessed
Rather something to be
Joy is what keeps my soul alive

 

I posted this back in December, but feel it might be helpful to post it again.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Don’t Worry Be Happy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

Don’t let the possibilities of tomorrow spoil the good day you have at present!

Live one day at a time // find joy in each day
avoid talk media effervescent

Keep in touch with others
look out for the needs of those around you

Enjoy the sunshine
take a walk
listen to the birds
breathe in the fresh air

Read a good book
turn off the screen and talk to each other

Call a relative
let them know you are concerned for their welfare

Tomorrow may be different
but today is a great day
make the most of it!

YouTube Video from Vevo

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Who’s In Charge?

Through it all the animals roam freely
while humans withdraw in their dread and fear
not venturing out // where birds sing sweetly

Our furry and feathered friends worry not
going about their gatherings with cheer;
living lives daily with nary a thought.

Resigned to their fate, they’ve no ears to hear.
While superior beings listen in fear…
Newscasts shout, “Cornovirus is near!”

What makes us believe we should rule the world?
We read it on pages // good books are clear
we’re invincible // destined // brash and bold…

Perhaps, it’s now time to accept our state;
realizing we are not superior here;
and, like the animals accept our fate.

Live life with purpose making each day count.
Knowing in God we trust through every tear…
we face each tomorrow as tensions mount.

 

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.

 

 

Reminders of Spring

The warm days over Christmas have given the flower bulbs a jump start. I saw these daffodils pushing through the ground in my flower beds. It was a pleasant reminder that winter will not last long and spring is on the way.

While we celebrated with family and friends

Daffodils remind us the seasons never end

New growth has started generating new flowers

Pushing through the ground with warm sun and showers

Many cold winter days still to come

Plants will shiver as they wait for more sun

So… if January days give you the blues

Remember that spring will be here on queue

iPhone Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Letters From Valley Forge

During the cold winter encampment at Valley Forge, Washington rallied the troops. A big Christmas surprise was about to take place. While the  British partied in Trenton, Washington loaded his men in boats and crossed the icy Delaware River in the dead of night for a surprise attack. The victory that took place would continue to be remembered in American History. I can imagine the letters sent home told exciting stories as the New Year came rolling in.

Christmas Victory

Brought troops hope for the New Year

Winter snow still falls

***

Stamp Art: Dwight L. Roth

Frank Tassone asked us to write a Haikai poem related to New Years.  As I thought about those freezing cold soldiers camped at Valley Forge, I wondered what they must be thinking as Washington laid out his plan to attack the British in Trenton, NJ. This is my Haibun about that time.

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/12/28/haikai-challenge-119-12-28-19-new-year-shinnen-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

 

 

Homeless Doves Gather

Doves, fluffed up, gather

on my leafless grape arbor

Soaking up sunshine.

Two Turtle Doves adorn a

lifeless tree with three French Hens.

Christmas  approaches

As our mad world rushes by

with no thought of why!

A baby in a manger

brings hope to a hopeless world.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Lara, at d’Verse, asked us to consider the word less as we write our poem. She gave us a list of words that had less as the suffix less. We were to choose at least one or more of them for our poem.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Sky Has No Limits

Sky has no limits
No fences // No walls // No hate
The sky cries freedom.
Dreamers dare rise above
Flying toward the sun

Photo: Ruth A. Roth

The Phoenix Rises

Another senseless shooting here at UNC Charlotte this week left families devastated. The student who tackled the gunman gave his life to save his classmates. The whole community is in mourning over the incident. Many turned out along the highway today as the young man was brought back to his hometown of Waynesville.

Rising from the ashes

the phoenix returns.

Bringing hope and strength

to all who hear

the tale of rejuvenation.

In this time of violence

destruction and mayhem,

personal devastation and loss

may seem to much to bear.

But, like the phoenix

life will return

And from the ashes

good will come.

**********

Painting: Dwight L. Roth

Open link night at d’Verse. Join us at: https://dversepoets.com