GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“LA PALOMA” is included as August is Romance Awareness Month. The poem was found among the author’s papers, but there is some doubt whether this is her own work even though it is her style. The poem has been edited for this site, the word “tune” inserted where the poet indicated indecision (“song/melody”?).  Tune was selected because it did not repeat the word “song” or “melody” which appear elsewhere in the stanza and because it seemed a single syllable word was more appropriate to the rhythm.

REFRACTIONS—the poetry by Robert Roxby

“THE YEAR I TURNED SIXTEEN” is included as August is Water Quality Month. The poem was found in the poet’s journal. The brother he mentions had recently married, but the news never reached the family. His wife later gave birth to a daughter who found her uncle Robert, the author, after she discovered her birth certificate among her own grandmother’s papers which was the first she knew her biological father’s name and of his existence. Before Robert’s death, this new-found niece contacted him from Texas where she lived and they had a brief cordial, long-distance relationship during which he shared his photos from family reunions and the book containing many of his poems which he had given to other family members.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“I COULD SING TO YOU” is included this week as August is Romance Awareness Month. The author feels that music is intrinsically connected to romance.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“THERE IS A LAND STILL UNPOSSESSED” was found in the poet’s papers. The author was fascinated by the possibilities of other worlds.

KALEIDOSCOPE— essay by Kathleen Roxby

“PLAT versus PLOT” continues the author’s series on the oddities of the English language. It was chosen this week as a prosaic counterpart to the poem in GLASS RAIN.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“RIDING THE EARTH” was written after hearing this idea expressed in a discussion of tides and the rotation of the Earth.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“WHAT WAITS THERE?” was found in the poet’s papers along with a note to her Round Robin poet friends: the word “dreams” was originally “drama,” but I made a typo and decided to leave the word “dreams.”

REFRACTIONS— by Robert Roxby

“I AM AN AMERICAN” is included this week for July 4, Independence Day. The poem was found in the poet’s journal.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“MOMENTS THAT MATTER” was chosen this week as it seemed to be a blend of the thoughts expressed in the other two poems appearing.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“THE AWAKENING” is included this week for National Daylight Appreciation Day, June 21. However, Margaret wrote this in response to joining a poetry workshop group with younger women (including her daughter). This occurred at a time when the author was doubting her ability to continue writing, but being with these younger creative women awoke her muse once more. This is the true subject of this poem.

REFRACTIONS—the poetry of Robert Roxby

“WE WERE FREE, PART TWO” is included this week for West Virginia Day and also for National Selfie Day as this selection is like a series of selfies in words.. The poem was found in the author’s poetry journal. Note: part one of this selection appeared in May: https://www.singularprism.com/2023/05/08/we-were-free-part-one/

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“PINK,” is one of a series of poems the author wrote on the subject of color for her collection titled “Singular Prism” which gave its title to this website. It is included this week for National Pink Day, June 23.

GLASS RAIN—poetry by Margaret Roxby

“SPELLBOUND” first appeared in The Swordsman Review in 1967. It is included this week for National Old Maids Day, June 4.

REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby

“LILLIE MAY” is included this week National Old Maids Day, June 4. The poem was found in the author’s poetry journal.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“SPLIT FRIENDSHIP,” was originally titled “polarized vision.” This poem reflects the poet’s attempt to describe the fact that her mother was both her best friend and her mother, a complicated relationship to navigate. It is included this week for National Best Friends Day, June 8.