Meaning in the Meaningless

Old in age, I am young at heart

Seeing my way through an uncharted maze

I look for light in the winter dark of night

Racing slowly toward the finish line

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Days creep by, as redundant weeks roll on

Attempting to find meaning in the meaningless

Believing in that unbelievable Spirit of all Creation

Experiencing grace and comfort in not knowing

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In this winter of freezing joints and pushing buds

I defy the waiting cold earth with warm sunshine

I write my simple poems from inspired words unknown

As night closes in, each new day dawns

“I am the bud and the blossom, I am the late-falling leaf” – from The Paradox by Paul Dunbar

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’Verse, Laura asked us to consider writing from the perspective of paradox. She gave us some lines from different poems to choose from for inspiration. I chose the one from Paul Dunbar’s, The Paradox.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click Mr. Linkey to read more.

Shattered

Stones shattered // scattered

Revealing Earth’s upheaval

Iron-powdered sandstone

Ocean waves grind away cliffs

Even Rocks crumble with time

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Leave a Trace

Coming, going, the waterbirds don’t leave a trace ~ Dogen

Time pounds our lives like the ocean pounds the shore.

Do you not know how short and fragile life can be?

Some think wealth or power will produce a lasting legacy.

How foolish…

When all becomes bones and dust and empty coffins pilfered.

Strive to live the legacy you desire, not bound by time or life’s travail.

Such a life carries on generation to generation, spirit to spirit

Like grains of sand glistening on the beach, brought back again and again.

That lasting legacy is Love..

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’Verse, Linda asked us to write a spiritual/mystical poem using a line from a list of several she gave us. She said we could also use the line as a Epigraph at the beginning of the poem. I chose the line written by Dogen for my Epigraph.

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Head Banging

Watching change taking place in my lifetime makes me conclude that it doesn’t happen quickly. Seems like paradigm shifts are happening all around, demanding immediate changes in society. History shows us it may take awhile.

Ocean’s white head slams

Against solid rocks of time

Change happens slowly

White foam creates a big splash

Hard heads take time to erode

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Time Slippin’

As time slips by I find joy in moments
Beauty of yellow wildflowers swaying
Song of bright red Cardinal singing sweetly
The world around me struggles with rebirth
The same weeds come up from long hidden roots
Pulled so plump red tomatoes can grow

This is Quadrille Monday at d’Verse Poets Pub. Linda asked us to write a Quadrille of exactly 44 words using the prompt slip. My poem today deals with the passage of time; living one day at a time, and being in the moment of awareness of all that is going on around me.

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Passing on the Love

One of the greatest things that happens is when skills of the older generation are passed on to the younger one. Some skills like quilting are almost a lost art. Sharing this experience strengthens the bond of love in a very special way.  This time together will not soon be forgotten.

Stitch by loving stitch

Skills passed on to granddaughter

Sharing Grandma’s Love

Photos used by permission: Anna Roth

I See You in There!

 

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a Ponderosa Pine stump and can’t get out? Maybe all this staying at home, for who knows how long, will teach us what bears already know; how to hibernate and sleep through the down times! Hopefully we won’t stay as long as Rip Van Winkle. Even so, by the time we come back out the world will be a different place than the one we remember.

Smiling eye peaking

through the knot-hole in our tree

“Come out! It’s springtime!”

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The air is fresh // sky is blue

We miss your hugs Grandma

*****

Photo: Lara Z. Condon

Time and Perspective

“A time for every purpose under heaven…”
A perspective for all of us to consider…

A time for thinking…
Seems everything moves but me
Watching trees turn green

*
Tinnitus drowns cricket’s song
Tick-or-tape thoughts click on by…

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…Which time will it be for me?

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

 

Bits of Life

Moments // grains of sand
Sifting through the hour glass
Recording a life
Knowing // when the hour glass turns
Recapturing moments gone

 

My painting “Bits of Life”

Birds are Timeless

A pair of house finches pull sunflower seeds through the mesh. A new year has begun for us; but, for them it is still a matter of survival. Hopefully, my feeder provides them with needed resources as winter comes on strong.

Time keeps on ticking
Means nothing to my finches
Everyday’s the same

 

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Today at D’Verse Poets Pub, Bjorn asked us to write a Haibun that refers to the new decade starting and new beginnings.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com