GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“(perhaps)” was found among the author’s papers. The inspiration for this poem is unknown.

REFRACTIONS— the poetry of Robert Roxby

“UNEXPECTED PRAYER.” Robert and his wife had accompanied their daughter the 120 miles to the city (115 by train) of her new job. Their unmarried daughter had lived all her life (almost 50 years) till then in her home town. The sadness he attributes to his daughter is more likely his own. The poem first appeared in the author’s anthology, Reflections on a Lifetime, 2000.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“RETURN OF THE IBO” is a result first of a misheard word in a song on the radio while driving home along the coast which triggered her imagination. The author composed this poem as she completed her drive. The other inspiration was a television story of a shipload of Ibo natives, one of the last slave ships to arrive from Africa which off-loaded its cargo temporarily on an off shore island not equipped to receive such a ship, causing them to lower the slaves into the water, expecting them to wade ashore. However, knowing they were to be sold as slaves when the ship returned for them, the people–still chained together–turned outward toward the open ocean and waded into its depths to their deaths.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“SUMMER COMES TO BREWSTER PLACE” as indicated in the subtitle came to the author when she was deeply moved by the novel by Gloria Naylor. The same story was later shown as a television mini series, “The Women of Brewster Place,” which was produced by Oprah Winfrey.

REFRACTIONS— the poetry of Robert Roxby

“INDUSTRIAL TOWN” is likely written about Wheeling, West Virginia where the author settled as an adult. The poem first appeared in the authors anthology, Reflections on a Lifetime, 2000.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“BECAUSE YOU WERE MY FRIEND” is a product of a time of serious depression that occurred in the author’s twenties. The friend had himself dealt with depression, the result of his time served with the military in the Viet Nam War. It was orignally published in a newsletter, CHOICE.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“[ROAD TRIP]” is included for May 23, National Road Trip Day. The poem did not have a title when found among the author’s writings.

REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby

“SWIMMERS ALL” is included this week for May 17, Learn to Swim Day. The poem first appeared in his anthology, Reflections of a Lifetime, 2000. He and his cousins grew up in the mining country of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia where their naked swims were never a an issue of concern to their families. The author was inspired to write this by a 1910 photograph of his three oldest brothers and some cousins taken along a railroad track.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“PAN-AMERICAN UNITY” is included this week for May 21, UN Cultural Diversity Day. Lakewood, the neighboring city to the author’s home town of Long Beach, celebrated a friendship with a Spanish city to their south every Spring. In addition to speeches, parades and picnics, they offered writing competitions for the schools and for adults. Both of the author’s parents participated in these competition and occasionally received honors.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“POEM FOR MOTHERS” is included for Mother’s Day. The poem was found among the author’s scribbles and had no title. She may have written this about herself, her own mother or others she knew.

REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby

“THAT BEE” once again presents the author’s fascination with nature. The poem first appeared in his anthology, Reflections of a Lifetime, 2000.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“LIMESTONE” was inspired by a visit to London, England where she saw the limestone walls of Westminster peeling and dropping onto the sidewalk. The city had just established scaffolding to allow the walls to be washed clean and coal was no longer the primary source of heat in the city suggesting that the limestone would not soon return to this state.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

The poem “POE” is displayed this month for UN World Creativity and Innovation, April 21. This author was a particular favorite of Margaret’s. She even read some of his poetry to her daughter at bedtime in place of the fairy tales that the little girl often did not enjoy. It is possible the author intended to title the poem “Wild October Ghosts,” a guess-read of her shorthand notation on the original.

REFRACTIONS—the poetry of Robert Roxby

“YOUNG” appears in honor of Arbor Day, April 26. The poem likely describes his own childhood in the hills of coal country: Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. He had a lifelong fascination with forests, taking his family on family trips to see the redwoods and sequoias of California. This poem first appeared in his collection Reflections on a Lifetime.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“SPIRIT QUEST” appears this week for April 22, World Earth Day. The poem was inspired by a trip to the beach on a rock gathering expedition with her college Geology class. However, her fascination with rocks began much earlier. There was a fairly large collection on display in her back yard during her elementary years.