Americans all, by choice, or by birth—
Working side by side for shelter,
For food, for peace or the love of life
The gold that glistens from the wheat
Also reflects in the hands on the hoes,
Strong backs pitching hay, worn hands of wives
Working to raise the future in kitchens,
The candlelit rooms, training the leaders
Of tomorrow on their laps as twilight fails.
All across this land of America
The fabled story unfurls, out of sight
Away from the mind of a world
That rushes madly on, chasing gold.
#independenceday
#fourthofjuly
DEFIANCE
The padlock is orange with rust
As is the hasp from which it hangs.
This scabulous crusting
Speaks of age
Of many rainy days
And dew-filled nights
Of solitude and sentry.
But from the dark keyhole
Nature has ventured forth—
New leaves, tiny Spring leaves
Seeking light, sunshine,
And a freedom
The lock would deny.
#cheerupthelonelyday
AUTHOR NOTES
GLASS RAIN—the poetry of Margaret Roxby
“FAREWELL” was found in the poet’s papers. It is included for July 20, Toss Away The Could Haves And Should Haves Day.
REFRACTIONS— the poetry of Robert Roxby
“HOMELESS,” presents the author’s view of those who are homeless. This view is colored by his memories from the Depression of the 1930s and also his work with homeless in his adopted hometown of Long Beach, California. The poem is included this week for July 11, Cheer Up the Lonely Day.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby
“DEFIANCE,” was inspired by the scene described in the poem and is included this week for July 11, Cheer Up the Lonely Day.
AUTHOR NOTES
GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby
“FAREWELL” was found in the poet’s papers. It is included for July 20, Toss Away The Could Haves And Should Haves Day.
REFRACTIONS— by Robert Roxby
“HOMELESS,” presents the author’s view of those who are homeless. This view is colored by his memories from the Depression of the 1930s and also his work with homeless in his adopted hometown of Long Beach, California. The poem is included this week for July 11, Cheer Up the Lonely Day.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby
“DEFIANCE,” was inspired by the scene described in the poem and is included this week for July 11, Cheer Up the Lonely Day.
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:
AMERICANS
Americans all, by choice, or by birth—
Working side by side for shelter,
For food, for peace or the love of life
The gold that glistens from the wheat
Also reflects in the hands on the hoes,
Strong backs pitching hay, worn hands of wives
Working to raise the future in kitchens,
The candlelit rooms, training the leaders
Of tomorrow on their laps as twilight fails.
All across this land of America
The fabled story unfurls, out of sight
Away from the mind of a world
That rushes madly on, chasing gold.
#independenceday
#fourthofjuly
REMEMBERING SINGING COWBOYS
The nearest I came
To the wild, wild West
Were the singing cowboys
In a movie screen play
Their lingo and music
Had a certain zest
With a yippie-kay-oh
And a yippee kay-ay
For those movies hours
Of my yesterday
Gene Autry, Bill Boyd
And Roy Rogers, too
Fought the villainous rustlers
And made them pay
For their dastardly deeds
And I’m happy say
They’d win the sweetheart
Of the western range
And ride off with her
Beyond the hill
Into the setting sun
Singing the songs
That echo still
Down through the years
Into our today
With a yippee kay-oh
And a remembered kay-ay
WANDERLUST
To fly to other worlds
Where even the language
Reminds me of no past,
To wander unfamiliar roads
Relieved of the possibility
Of confronting familiar faces,
To laugh and sing and dance
As I will, without a memory
Of why I was and what
Others were to me,
To be, at last, free
To be the who I really am—
Ah, yes, this is the truth
Behind my wanderlust.
#independenceday
#july4th
AUTHOR NOTES
GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby
“REMEMBERING SINGING COWBOYS” was found in the poet’s papers. It is included for July 4, Country Music Day.
REFRACTIONS— by Robert Roxby
“AMERICANS,” first appeared in the author’s collection, Revlections on a Lifetime, and reflects his strong patriotism. It is included this week for July 4, Independence Day.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby
“WANDERLUST,” presents another spin on what independence mean this week of July 4, Independence Day.
AUTHOR NOTES
GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby
“REMEMBERING SINGING COWBOYS” was found in the poet’s papers. It is included for July 4, Country Music Day.
REFRACTIONS— by Robert Roxby
“AMERICANS,” first appeared in the author’s collection, Revlections on a Lifetime, and reflects his strong patriotism. It is included this week for July 4, Independence Day.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby
“WANDERLUST,” presents another spin on what independence mean this week of July 4, Independence Day.
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: