I walked the hills without no shoes
(never did have no shoes)
I rode the trees in the wind
And smelled coal every day of my life
Black-eyed susans blessed by heart
High-reached water blessed my tongue
And the wide sky taught me to dream
I walked the hills without no shoes
Into woods only the deer knew
I rode the trees in the wind
And smelled coal every day of my life
While the wide sky taught me to dream
In the quiet of hidden meadows
Black-eyed susans broke my heart
High-reached water awoke a lasting thirst
For I smelled coal everyday of my life
I walked the hills without no shoes
(never did have no shoes)
but I rode the trees in the wind
and the wide sky taught me to dream
#CoalCountry #ChildhoodandHills #Childhood
Without No Shoes
I walked the hills without no shoes
(never did have no shoes)
I rode the trees in the wind
And smelled coal every day of my life
Black-eyed susans blessed by heart
High-reached water blessed my tongue
And the wide sky taught me to dream
I walked the hills without no shoes
Into woods only the deer knew
I rode the trees in the wind
And smelled coal every day of my life
While the wide sky taught me to dream
In the quiet of hidden meadows
Black-eyed susans broke my heart
High-reached water awoke a lasting thirst
For I smelled coal everyday of my life
I walked the hills without no shoes
(never did have no shoes)
but I rode the trees in the wind
and the wide sky taught me to dream
#CoalCountry #ChildhoodandHills #Childhood
Author’s Notes
GLASS RAIN – a poem by Margaret Roxby
“WE NEVER KNEW OUR HEARTS/ IN THE DARK NIGHT” is a poem which did not have a title when found. among the author’s papers. It was inspired by an incident which made national news about an attack in New York City where the neighbors admitted hearing a woman’s screams for help, yet no one called the police or did anything that might aid the woman. She was killed by her attacker. It is included this week for Canada’s National Day Of Remembrance And Action On Violence Against Women -DEC 6.
REFRACTIONS—by Kathleen Roxby
“WITHOUT NO SHOES” was originally printed in Poem, Memoir, Story (PMS) in 2004. The images and feelings are the poet’s impressions of her father’s childhood. Upon reading it, her father said, “How did you know?” The poet treasures his reaction as one of the best compliments she ever received. It is included this week because December 6 is National Coal Miner’s Day in the US.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—a poem by Kathleen Roxby
“I AM TOLD I AM ANGRY” first appeared in the author’s chapbook, Paper Doll in 2000. It is included as companion to this week’s poem by Margaret Roxby.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Readers who write in response to one of the prompts listed each month in Splintered Glass, may see their work presented here on the last week of that month. Though poems are preferred, short prose work will also be considered for publication.
Guidelines for submission:
SPLINTERS FOR DECEMBER 2021
SPLINTERS FOR DECEMBER 2021
December Rain
drips metronoming
with unchanging beat drip drip
dull December rain
#RainPoetry
THIS IS THE QUESTION
What do we know
of circumstance
of falling lights
or sunlight’s glance?
Do unfound galaxies
yet measured dance?
Did Beethoven hear
the unheard sound?
Must our world
forever be by reason bound
and all be tied inexorable
to our limited reality?
Where, then, is joy to be found?
What do we know
of circumstance
of Time’s slow story,
history’s advance,
mysteries
and surprise of chance?
What, now do we really know
of circumstance?
#Knowledge #WhatDoWeKnow
Once Young
Because we were only ten years old
Those trees were there for climbing.
Yet they did seem awfully tall to us
Though they were not more than twenty feet tall.
I wish you could have been there also.
Then you could have known the thrills
Of swaying to and fro from the highest branch
With the occasional extra special thrill
Of hanging tight with all your might
As the tree broke and fell to the ground below.
Somehow, we were never really hurt.
There was that one tree that touched the sky.
We never climbed it, but we did swing on
The one vine that came down from somewhere high
Because that was such really great fun.
Even now I might try that swing again.
#ChildhoodandMemories #ClimbingTrees #TreeVineSwing
Author’s Notes
GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby
“THIS IS THE QUESTION” was found among the poet’s papers. It was written in response to a1990 news clipping: “Repair of church’s light fixtures could explain Virgin Mary image,” but it reflects thoughts often expressed by the author.
REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby
“ONCE YOUNG” describes a time when the author aged twelve played with his friends in a Wheeling, West Virginia vineyard. It first appeared in his poetry collection, “Reflections on a Lifetime.”
LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby
“DECEMBER RAIN” was written during an El Nino winter as the poet was becoming used to a new home early in the 21st century.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Readers who write in response to one of the prompts listed each month in Splintered Glass, may see their work presented here on the last week of that month. Though poems are preferred, short prose work will also be considered for publication.
Guidelines for submission:
SPLINTERS FOR DECEMBER 2021
SPLINTERS FOR DECEMBER 2021