Collateral Damage

Collateral Damage

What happens to all those lives lost in war

Those blown to smithereens or shot and left

What happens to those back home who wonder

or to refugees leaving all behind who wander

What happens to the bodies found on the streets

and the nameless buried in mass unmarked graves

What will become of those who survive

battle after battle on the home front, never knowing

if this day or tomorrow or some future moment

will be their time to depart

And then, there are the children who will never be the same

Robbed of their childhood, scared for life

after seeing mortars and bombs blow up their homes

they huddle against their mothers hoping their train

will make it to the boarder, wondering if they will

ever see their fathers… there brothers… their neighbors

again following this living hell they are going through

The collateral damage of war goes on for generations

Some will choose to exit early while others will wake up

terrified, screaming from the nightmare of memories

attempting to make sense of it all in their dreams

Yet, generation after generation we continue to refuse

to turn swords into plowshares and live at peace

*

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Aimless Wandering/Wondering

Today I watch a big black ant

wander aimlessly through crags

and valleys of the willow bark.

Energetically he goes up and down

zipping along with great agility…

Nothing much being accomplished

from my point of view.

I wonder what he is thinking

during his mindless wandering.

As I watched, a little white dot

started moving up the crags as well

No bigger than pencil point,

he starts his upward climb…

stopping at times // becoming

a white dot on the tree once more.

And then there is a tiny creature

I had not seen before…

about the size of the chunk of wax

the nurse washed out of my ear,

perfectly camouflaged to match

the tree bark.

He began his upward move

climbing along the lifted grooves

of bark and pausing to explore.

Whatever he is finding is smaller

than my eye can see.

Perhaps little microbial creatures

lodged under the bark…

The perfect meal for a bug

that looked like a Star Wars machine!

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Crossing Over (flash fiction)

The old man lay on his death bed waiting for his last breath. Only his wife of sixty years remained with him in this lonely hour.

“We have had a great life together,” Catherine whispered to him as his eyes opened and then closed.

The old man half smiled and tried to nod his head.

“I will miss you my dear, but your time has come to cross over.”

Catherine’s mind wandered as she contemplated his passing…

“Crucial to finding the way is this: there is no beginning or end.”

“As your soul becomes one with the universe, the thought of beginnings and endings will be no more. The spirit of creation will carry you into the joy of your existence; beyond all that you could ask or think!”

His breathing became more shallow. She held his hand, as John drew his last breath.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’Verse, we are doing Prosery (flash fiction of exactly 144 words). Merril has chosen a line from Jo Harjo’s “A Map to the Next World.” The line must be included in our story.

The line is: “Crucial to finding the way is this: there is no beginning or end.”

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

Miniature Tourists

While traveling in  France, last summer, we enjoyed watching the children as they mingled with the tourists taking in the views. You can see their energy and enthusiasm in their actions and faces. We were like that once upon a time!

Old Medieval Colmar

Excited children wander/wonder

Cute little tourists

Colorful umbrellas added a touch of sparkle to the town.

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Wandering/Wondering

The transition from living on your own to living in an Alzheimer’s  care facility is a real paradigm shift. My father in law struggled greatly with the confusion of loss and change. When his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to be placed in a care facility, it took longer for him to be placed. We took turns staying with him during that time. Not having his wife there with him and his onset of confusion created a lot of anxious moments for him. This is one example that occurred while I was sleeping in the living room.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said with a puzzled look

“I did not know you were here!”

This was the third time that night

“I just came out to make sure the door was locked.”

“When did you get here? ”

“We’ve been here for a week!”

*****************************************************

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Mish asked us to write a Quadrille of only 44 words and use the word Puzzle as our prompt. Come join us at d’Verse~Poets Pub.

https://dversepoets.com

Wandering/Wondering

Three Day Quote Challenge  –  Day #3

“Not all those who wander/ (wonder) are lost.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Read more quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

***************************************************************************

I would like to thank Kiniwana for nominating me for the Three Day Quote Challenge.

https://ramblingsofawriter2016.com/

Today I am nominating:

https://myzingylife.com/

https://gingsblog.wordpress.com/

https://helenevaillant.com/

Rules:  (should you choose to accept this challenge)

Thanks the person who nominated you.

Post a quote every day for three consecutive days

Nominate three others each day

Three Day Quote Challenge #3

Three Day Quote Challenge Day #3

I would like to thank Zenyswords for nominating me for the Three Day Quote Challenge. It has been very stimulating to exchange ideas and photos with all of you on this blog.

My quote today comes from J.R.R.Tolkien and sums up what I believe in relation to seeking  truth in my life. Just because I question or challenge the existing parameters does not mean I have no faith nor that I am not a believer. It means I want to understand what it is that I truly believe.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

 

Rules of the challenge:

1.Three quote for three days. 2.Three nominees each day(no repetition). 3.Thank the person who nominated you. 4.Inform the nominees.

 

My Nominees for today are:

Phillesatry

simple Ula

Paulkensettblog

************************************

Hobbiton Shire Mural Painting: Dwight L. Roth