Life is a Poem

Life is a Poem

Everything in life is a poem waiting to be written.

Most do not hear the poets call or feel the inspiration

But for those who look and listen there is music ;

poems to be written // deep emotions to be felt

that can only be expressed in words.

 

Those who pause // make life stand still

and open their soul …

They understand it loud and clear.

as words resonate // echoing through the mind

 

Poets are like pleasant speed bumps

that slow you down and make you listen;

Sometimes giving you a big jolt

When you least expect it.

 

Poets are fearless prophets // writing of love and hate

Politics and Religion // joy and strength;

Raising consciousness //challenging norms;

Searching for words that express Truth

Bringing Light to the world.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Inspired by Charlie’s poem “Just Beneath the surface”

https://lifeinportofino.wordpress.com/2017/08/02/just-beneath-the-surface/

Truth Telling

 Art is often unappreciated till the artist is long dead.

By then a new generation who reads and hears

or looks and sees values the beauty others missed.

 

Artists paint and poets write their understanding of truth

in hopes that it will resonate with another soul.

Words bring light in a dark night of disillusionment.

 

Truth is often ignored, denied, or rejected

So we wrap it in enticing words that draw you in

then lay it out with arrows that gently pierce your soul;

Hoping that a few will stick long enough to make a difference.

~Dwight L. Roth`

 Painting : Dwight L. Roth

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This sums up why we write and create art…

“Posterity may even, will likely even, forget us entirely. And yet, we are writing. And we are, for the purposes of this discussion at least, thinking about writing something of immediate force that might remain relevant to the future.” ~ Czeslaw Milosz

Quote taken from: the Poetry Foundation

ESSAY

Tell It Slant

How to write a wise poem.

BY CAMILLE T. DUNGY

Blue Flame

I learned recently, while watching an episode of Moonshiners, that the blue flame that is the hottest when using propane. When they distil the alcohol from the mash, they like to have the propane burner giving off a blue flame. This means the mixture of air and gas is at optimum performance.

Let me burn with a blue flame
Not orange or yellow;
Let me be intense
with the heat of inspiration.
Let the blue flame rise up
when abuse and injustice reigns
feeling the heat rising within
ready to speak to the issues that matter.
Let me burn with a blue flame
Hot as a moonshine still;
distilling the truth and letting it run
through my fingers and into my poems.
Let my mind bubble and churn
as the purity of my words become clear;
coming through one hundred and sixty proof.
And when my time is done
let it be a blue flame that returns me to dust;
as my spirit rises with that eternal blue flame.

Photo: Getty Images

The Edge of Inspiration

Beyond Imagination
I have been pushed and shoved all my life
Thanks to friends who cared…
Seeing more in me than I see in myself
Learning to do more than I could ever imagine
From computers to art // writing memoirs // and poetry
Publishing books on Amazon //and writing a blog…
Things I never imagined ten years ago
Susan // Kym // and Tom
Encouraging // urging // helping me
Opening doors to new worlds of wonder
Imagination that knows no end
Wonderful friends all over the world
Communicating with me every day
Keeping me on the edge of inspiration

Photo: Dwight L. Roth
I am reposting this one again after thinking through my writing process on yesterday’s post.  I am forever thankful for friends, who I mention in my poem, who have urged me to move into the world of writing. Without their encouragement, I would not be writing this blog.
It is such a wonderful thing to be able to learn to know all of you. Your great writing and words of encouragement, given to me in your comments, keep me coming back for more. I have learned so much form all of you at the d’Verse poetry group. I am now writing poetry that I never even heard of two years ago! Thank You All!!

 

The Hum Behind It All

Behind my poetry musings you will find
The TV humming with PBS documentaries
Great Performances or Songs in Blue Grass time
Sometimes The Voice or the Big Bang Theory
Keeps me chuckling as I write my poetry
My brain is an odd one you see
It needs sound distraction to keep my mind free
Odd as it seems it works for me.
If I write in silence there’s a tinnitus reaction
Becoming an unpleasant sound distraction.
When the well runs dry and there’s no inspiration
My photos never fail to bring rejuvenation
Natures gifts in digital form reignite my fire
Birds or Flowers // Butterflies or Bees
Are always there // they always inspire
My imagination runs and words flow freely
Poetic lines on my blog where you can see me

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Gina at d’Verse asked us to look at the hum behind our poetry. Juggling writing and others things like job or family can be challenging. It can also be inspiring. For me it is Nature and everything around me. I feel like I am living on the edge of inspiration. But when I write I always have something going in the background. My brain seems to focus better when there is a distracting hum. Mine is usually the TV!!

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

 

Once Upon a Dream

Once upon a dream
Dripping thoughts ran free
Choice words // honey sweet
Speak to soft hearts open to hear
Wisdom from the honeycomb

Once upon a dream
Inspiration took root
Words buzzed through the mind
Pockets of honey stored away
Drawn upon in desert times

Once upon a dream
Sweet Gold flowed // ink to paper
Food fit for a queen
Full of life // sweet soul nectar
Mind dreams do come true

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Lillian at d’Verse asked us to take the phrase “Once upon a time….  and do a twist on it.  We were to write a poem that started with “Once upon a ____________,” filling in the blank with anything but the word time.  I wrote about the beauty of poetry.

Poetry

“An entertainer gives people what they wanted… an artist give people what they didn’t know they wanted!”  Josh Groban

Poetry

Which poem that I wrote

…stopped you in your tracks

…made you think

of what’s long forgotten

…challenged preconceived notions

or stretched your perspective?

 

What do you look for

when you read my poetry?

Are you left hanging…

Or pleasantly surprised?

 

My goal in writing poetry

is to write in such a way

that you will not

have to read it again…

And // you will not be able

to forget what you read

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Shared with d’Verse Poetry Pub for open link night.   https://dversepoets.com

The quote from Josh Grobin  came from his interview with Dan Rather on The Big Interview at AXS TV.

Black Holes

This is an abridged version of my poem, Black Holes in the Brain, showing the effects of Alzhiemer’s disease on a person. During the stressful transition from independent living to confined living the confusion for my father-in-law was greatly increased. I posted his Wandering/Wonderings earlier this week.

Bjorn from d’Verse~Poets Pub asked us to consider the use of punctuation in poetry. It helps shoe line breaks and increases flow for the reader. This one is full of punctuation. It was written four years ago after working through this difficult transition.

Black Holes In My Brain

“I have come to discover that I now have black holes in my brain.
Spaces of emptiness that never get filled.
Like the holes in my pants pocket the memories slip out…”

“Oh, you are here? Well I didn’t realize! When did you get here?
You have been here a few weeks? Well I didn’t remember.
Tell me something I should know…
What shall we talk about…”

“Can I do something for you… do you need a light on?
Would you like to watch the News if I turn it on?
Do you want me to set the table for breakfast?
Can I help you in some way?
Would you like a piece of chocolate? Go ahead have one!”

“Is this Sunday? Are we going to church today?
Where is Mother & when is she coming home?
She won’t be coming back home? Oh my!
These are things I should remember.
When will we go to see here again? Can we go today?
We were there today?
Why can’t I remember? Were we just there today?!”

“I remember my grandfather was just like this.
He would apologize for his memory all the time.
I hope I never get that way.”

“By the way, where is Mother?

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Join us at d’verse :  https://dversepoets.com

Note: This evening, after this had posted, we got word that he had died.

 

Beyond Imagination

c

 

I have been pushed and shoved all my life

Thanks to friends who cared…

Seeing more in me than I see in myself

Learning to do more than I could ever imagine

From computers to art // writing memoirs // and poetry

Publishing books on Amazon //and writing a blog…

Things I never imagined ten years ago

Susan // Kym // and Tom

Encouraging // urging // helping me

Opening doors to new worlds of wonder

Imagination that knows no end

Wonderful friends all over the world

Communicating with me every day

Keeping me on the edge of inspiration

 

Photo: Ruth Roth

Our challenge today comes from Mich at d’Verse. Looking at learning that continues throughout life, she asked us to write a poem telling about something we are learning.

I am forever thankful for friends, whom I mention in my poem, who have urged me to move into the world of writing. Without their encouragement, I would not be writing this blog.

It is such a wonderful thing to be able to learn to know all of you. Your great writing and words of encouragement, given to me in your comments, keep me coming back for more. I have learned so much form all of you at the d’Verse poetry group. I am now writing poetry that I never even heard of two years ago! Thank You All!!

Come join us at d’Verse: hppt://dversepoets.com

 

 

Versatile Blogger Award

 

I would like to thank Jen from Jen’s Jewish Journey   https://jensjewishjourney.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/the-versatile-blogger-award/comment-page-1/#comment-951   for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. It is so great to connect with all of you and share ideas and poems with you. I am humbled that you consider what I write and post as being significant.

I write, first of all because it is important to me. Your likes and especially your comments make it all worthwhile.  Secondly, I write because of the inspiration I receive from reading your posts as well.

I have been nominated several times for different awards that I have passed on.  I felt it was time to post another one so this is it. Thank you so much all those who have thought me worthy of nomination in the past.

Rules:

*Thank the person / blog that indicated it.  Include the blog link that nominated your blog for the prize.

*Select and nominate another 10 blogs to participate.

*And write 10 facts about yourself to the person who nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award. By participating in this contest you must wear my logo above “blue and pink crown” at the beginning of the post.

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My nominations for this award are:

Jared  Winchester

Alexander de

Ksbeth

Rivrvlog

Charley

Jane Dougherty

Tammy 7711

Walter Marx

Astrid’s Words

michaeljourdahl

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10 Things about me:

*I am a retired elementary school teacher of 29 years.

*I started writing poetry regularly in 2013.

*I enjoy acrylic painting, photography, gardening, playing the guitar, and writing.

* I am married, going on 49 years, and have six beautiful grandchildren.

*I sing in my church choir.

*I have written and self-published 3 books of memoirs, and am working on my 6^th poetry book, as well as some other writings.

*I go to the local rest home most Friday mornings to read my childhood stories, show them one of my paintings, and sing folk songs of the sixties with them.

* In June, it will be two years since I started this blog. I decided to do a post everyday with photos and poems. I have only missed three or four days. It has been an interesting challenge.