Eyes tell the story
Together we are secure
Even through Covid
I will protect you from harm
Wrapped tightly in my strong arms
*****
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse we are writing about eyes… the window to the soul. When my son was little he loved Raggedy Ann. He was very protective of her. I find it interesting that their eyes are almost the same in this photo! This poem is the story of us all this year! Wear your mask and be safe.
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Our free range playgrounds of childhood have died.
We no longer live connected, but rather side by side
We know each other by first name only
Some live isolated and feel quite lonely
Gone are the days of front porch swings
Where friends may gather as evening begins
And lovers sit swinging hand in hand
It was wonderful // Life was grand
Our doors never locked and curtains seldom pulled
Kids ran free and no threat while at school
Played in the woods // climbed trees without nets
Disappeared all day and played with their pets
And if we ever needed help from a friend
We knew who to call // that neighbor round the bend
Seems the new normal arrived long before Covid
As life had already changed // no matter what we did
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
This poem came to me after reading Reena Sexons poem:
https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2020/08/05/target-markets/#comment-101335
Inspired by a poem I read by Paul Vincent Cannon – Birthed by Silence
Birthed By Silence – a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon
Posting on d’Verse Poets Pub open link night! Frank asked us to put a couplet at the end of our poem. I hope this meets the criterion.
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
This evening is open link night at d’Verse. Join us at:
Our prompt from Bjorn at d”verse, is to write a letter to someone in poetic form. I wrote this for my grandson who was adopted when he was a year and a half. It is written from his new mother’s perspective, and addresses his emotional struggles and insecurities that came with such a transition. It is a lullaby, which I recorded, but could also serve as a letter. He has adjusted and is doing very well.
Sweet Baby Boy
Sweet baby boy just close your eyes
Go off to dreamland with a sigh
Sweet baby boy fly away
To worlds unknown beyond the eye
*
Sweet baby boy come to me now
With all your tears a cryin’
Sweet baby boy I’ll ease your fears
And soon you’ll be a sighin’
*
And when you wake I’ll be right here
Near you I’ll be lyin’
To keep you safe and let you know
This is your home where I am
*
Through tears and fears throughout the years
I’ll always be your Mother
And though you might not understand
There’ll never be another
*************************************************
*For my grandson who was adopted when he was a year and a half old.
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Look Inside Change the World
Life is not about what’s going on in the world
It is about what is going on inside of you
Not about Presidents, marches, or fighting wars
It’s the protesting of our soul’s dark night
The person in control of your inner soul
Seeds of peace start within your heart
Knowing who you are as the world churns
Change the world one person at a time
Knowing God is a choice we make
Can be ignored if we close our mind
It’s not about what is going on out there
It’s allowing God’s love to fill your soul
Flowing through you ignoring the fray
Calm in the storm of swelling tides
Asleep in the boat knowing wherein
Your security lies
Changing the world from a heart at peace
One person at a time
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
What does it take to be happy? A big house, a fancy car, and lots of money? I drive past this house every week and find the posted gate along the road to be quite interesting. The huge house and fine grounds is beautiful yet very uninviting. The No Tresspassing signs and cameras let me know I am not welcome. I decided to write a poem debating who is happier, me or them? See what you think.
Gates
Those with little have little to lose
Living hand to mouth is not what they choose
A house to live in with a lock on the door
A car in the drive and nothing more
A welcome mat that invites friends in
To stop a moment and share where they’ve been
No fences no gates just lots of green grass
Where friends can play when they get out of class
What a contrast to those who have more
Behind locked gates with signs on the door
With cameras and lights they watch from a distance
Guns in the closet if they face resistance
Posted it reads you are not welcome here
Don’t come through our gate we don’t want you near
When we have more we fear your approach
Worried and frightened that you might encroach
Some don’t want the likes of you around
They appear afraid you will soil their ground
So, let them stay behind their gate
Worried and anxious about their fate
We’re happy with our freedom and the little we’ve got
We work hard and enjoy friends in our back lot
Fear keeps us from putting our self in harms way. But when it is used as a manipulative tool it becomes a misperception that can take us down the wrong track. Think about the tragedies that create knee-jerk reactions resulting in new laws to protect us. Some are good and some are not very well thought through. For many, this election creates much fear and anxiety given the choices before us. Ironically it is people of faith who seem to worry most. This should not be the case if we believe what the Bible tells us: that God is in control of the nations, that all things work together for our good, and that God does not give us a spirit of fear. It is not up to us. Read the poem and see what you think .
Fear creates anxiety
Believing we are helpless
Unable to control our future
Fear drives us to climb on board
Riding the band wagon of distress
Cheering the driver as we careen toward the cliff
Fear pre-empts good judgement
Listening to our insecurities
Instead of common sense
Fear is grasping for that last straw
Knowing it will not save us
But denying the inevitable
Fear is the method of control
For politicians, religious leaders, and jihadi terrorists
Dictators, Presidents, Kings, and Priests
Why do we choose a spirit of fear
When we could have ‘a Spirit of power,
of love, and of a strong mind’ (NKJV)
Light a candle of hope… dispel the darkness of fear
*Painting by Dwight Roth
You’re the Lover That Won’t Let Me Go
The maternal instinct is found in almost all animal, birds, and humans. We do whatever is necessary to and provided for and keep our children safe. The Bible describes God as having that same desire to care for and sustain his children. The Psalmist says, “As a father cares for his children, so my Father cares for me.” Just as the bird in the photo above starts life totally dependent on its mother for food, we to need to realize that it is God’s mercy and grace that sustains us. This poem metaphorically describes our relationship with God as two lovers reaching out in antiphonal love for one another. This was originally written as a song.
You’re the lover of my soul
…the one that won’t let me go
You call out to me
…I call out to you
You’re the lover that won’t let me go
Lord, you are the one I adore
…the one that won’t let me go
You call out to me
…I call out to you
You’re the Lover that won’t let me go
Your beauty is everywhere
…I feel your love and care…
Holy Spirit, speak into my soul
…and draw my heart to you
You’re the lover of my soul
…the one that won’t let me go
You call out to me
…I call out to you
You’re the lover that won’t let me go
Your truth is in your Word
…that I so often heard
Open my eyes that I may see
…the beauty of your grace
Lord, you are the one I adore
…the one that won’t let me go
You call out to me
…I call out to you
You’re the Lover that won’t let me go
Your love makes me alive
… It makes me realize
Without you Jesus, I am lost
…but with you I’m satisfied
You’re the lover of my soul
…the one that won’t let me go
You call out to me
…I call out to you
You’re the lover that won’t let me go
Lord, you are the one I adore
…the one that won’t let me go
You call out to me
…I call out to you
You’re the Lover that won’t let me go
Roth Poetry 