GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“CHRISTMAS AWAKENING” refers to the poet’s childhood. The stairs she mentions are likely those of her home in Wheeling, West Virginia, where her bedroom was on the second floor.

REFRACTIONS

“HOLY NIGHT” by Robert Roxby appeared in his self-published collection, Reflections on a Lifetime.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—works by Kathleen Roxby

“THE HAPPY BROWN HOURS” is one of the series the author wrote for her collection entitled, “A Singular Prism” which focuses on colors.

 

 

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“CHRISTMAS IS”. Christmas was the poet’s favorite holiday and season for the very reason wrapped in the last word of this piece. It was a workshop poem written in response to the prompt “Christmas is”. Margaret later used skills acquired in a craft class and this poem to create a Christmas greeting flyer sent to the Docents of Rancho Los Cerritos, the Long Beach Library and The Historical Society of Long Beach.

REFRACTIONS

“WHY CHRISTMAS IS WALNUTS” by Kathleen Roxby. Every year, Kathleen’s mother made, in addition to her fruitcake, at least three types of fudge, various frosted and unfrosted cookies—some of which were the bar type, at least two kinds of pie, two or three flavors of cake, cinnamon rolls and coffee cake from scratch. These goodies were arranged on paper plates, covered with clear wrapping decorated with Christmas stickers, and finished off with a ribbon tie to be handed out at the door to postman, milkman, delivered to neighbors, her children’s teachers and to friends. For distant friends and family, the treats were packed into tins (also decorated) and mailed. There was usually a plate ready for an unexpected guest to take away, but fruitcake slices were only included for a select list who awaited eagerly each Christmas. Tins were collected all year and stored away in preparation. The poet’s grandmother joined in the baking during the years she resided with her daughter. Her specialties were coffee cake, pie and homemade bread. It was her grandmother who taught the poet the technique of using a nut pick. The poet still has a nut pick and nutcracker from these early days.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—works by Kathleen Roxby

“CHRISTMAS IS WALNUTS”. Kathleen wrote this in response to the same poetry workshop attended by her mother. For the story behind this poem, see this week’s Refractions feature.

 

 

 

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“WHEN THE MOON BLOWS COLD” is a poem of old age. Margaret was beginning to feel the weight of years and the weariness that slowed her steps and sapped her energy. After contemplating her state, she wrote this poem which again reveals her persistent optimism.

REFRACTIONS

“UNTITLED” by Robert Roxby. This piece reflects an earlier time when milk was delivered to your door by the milkman, but still is applicable as so many now are ordering grocery items delivered. Robert felt strongly that we should acknowledge and be thankful for those who make our lives a little better. Robert’s poem appeared in his anthology, Reflections on a Lifetime.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“THE GIVING AND RECEIVING” is a poem discovered among the author’s papers. It is likely that this poem was written near the end of a long period of depression.

 

 

 

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“IN MEMORIAM” was originally published in 1961 in Writers Notes and Quotes, then 1968 in Wisconsin Poetry Magazine, then again in 1980 in Seal Beach Journal. Military service was common in Margaret’s family. Her great grandfather fought at Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1863. She was two when WWI began and only six when it ended, but she saw young men leave to serve in WWI, including her uncles. Later in WWII, her male and female friends, her younger brother, and cousins were swept into the fight. Most survived, but as was too often true, not all. Later she waited in fear for the result of the Viet Nam draft lottery which might take her son from her based on the random draw. He was not chosen, but some of his childhood playmates were. This selection is about all of them and so many others. She wrote this poem originally for Memorial Day.

REFRACTIONS

“PEACE AT LAST” by Robert Roxby. In this poem, Robert describes the funeral of his younger brother, Kenny, WWII serial gunner with the rank of private killed in a training exercise during which his plane crashed. Kenny was 22 years old.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“A FLIGHT OUT IN THE MORNING, BUT HE NEVER TOLD ME”. During the Viet Nam War era, a friend of the poet suggested she join a group of young women who attended social hours on the local Air Force bases. Kathleen did so and at a base near San Diego she met the young man of this poem. They became warm, if still casual, friends. This was written shortly after she learned that this pilot friend had flown out the morning after their last encounter. She never saw or heard from him again. While the fate of this one pilot is unknown, she knew that the ending she included in her poem was all too often true.

 

 

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“JACK O’LANTERN NIGHT” was published in The American Bard in 1969 and later The Pen Woman. This selection was composed in the month of October near Halloween, hence the title. The author wrote this at a time of emotional upheaval due to the hormonal changes of menopause, and when she was realizing what she missed when the Depression of the 1930s kept her from attending college.

REFRACTIONS

“HALLOWEEN CHASE” by Robert Roxby describes a real occurrence in 1927 when he was 13 years old. Though he mentions a “friend”, he may well have been talking about one of his many brothers. He often used “friend” to make a poem seem less like a family story. This poem was included in his anthology, “Reflections on a Lifetime.”

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“SMOLDERING FLAME” appears in the series the author began and later titled “A Singular Prism”. The writer searched for something positive she could say about a color which for her holds no allure and this is the result.