GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“LITTLE DOVE,” may be a reference to the biblical story of the bird which brought evidence of land to the long water-trapped ship piloted by Noah. Having lived through both WW1, WW2, the Korean conflict, and seen the struggles of the Depression, and the Viet Nam era and Civil Rights Movement, the author set a great value on peace making it equal or nearly so to love.

REFRACTIONS—the poetry by Robert Roxby

“87” was written when the author had been a widower for eight years. As an introvert growing up with ten brothers, he learned to treasure the gentler natures of his mother and sisters. This attitude he carried with him all his life as reflected in this poem which was found in his poet’s journal.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—works by Kathleen Roxby

“INVISIBLE” is included this week for December 12, National Ding a Ling Day (contact someone not reached out to in some time).

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“A POET IS BORN” is included this week for November 24, World Unique Talent Day. It is interesting to note that the author uses the metaphor of making bread which she did not do so herself. However, her mother prepared many homemade loaves for her own and then her daughter’s family. So, the author knew the process intimately and may have participated as a child.

REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby

“THE INDIAN’S LAMENT” is presented this week for Native American Heritage Day, Nov 29. The author developed his respect for the Native Americans while living in the forests of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia. When he moved to California for work during WW2, this interest expanded as he explored the West during his vacations. This poem first appeared in the author’s book, Reflections on a Lifetime, produced when he was in his late eighties.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“COAL MINERS LAMENT” is presented this week for November 28, Day of Mourning (for workers killed/injured on job).  The author’s father, Robert, had a job waiting which he worked that one day exiting with these words, “I’m not going down there ever again.” However, this fact ise not the inspiration for this poem, but a PBS documentary made by a young woman about a then current of miners in the same location of an earlier brutal Harlan Country Strike which occurred in the 1930s. The filmmaker interwove the 1930s’ footage with that of her own. The interviews she conducted are the main source for this poem, particularly one old gentleman who had lost his sight from working out of the sun for so long.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“THE FOOL” is included this week for November 16, UN International Day for Tolerance. This poem was found among the poet’s papers.

REFRACTIONS—the poetry by Robert Roxby

“JUDGMENT” is included this week for November 16, UN International Day for Tolerance. The poem was found among the poet’s papers.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“THE SORROW OF A CLIFF EDGE” is included this week for November 17, National Unfriend Day. This poem describes what could have been a love affair once, but one partner could not face again the hell she had finally escaped. Worse, he would not have understood if she tried to explain because she had hidden her struggle so well. Even with her story, he would not forgive her as he had planned on her support. For any who read this and worry about him, he did find a fine girl to carry him through and onward.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“THE WILDFIRE HEART” is included this week in honor of National Authors Day, November 1. The poet wrote this piece in honor of her friend, Pegasus Buchanan, a poet with California Federation of Chapparal Poets (CFCP). Margaret wrote the following note to her circle of poet friends who exchanged poems via Round Robin letters. In this 1989 Robin she said: “…after her book of poems which was a Honorable Mention award from CFCP*—(my HM, that is)—Gee, the above is sure a confusing sentence…forgive me, please.” *The Honorable Mention prize awarded to Margaret was a book by Pegasus.

REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby

“TIDBITS” appears this week for November 1, National Authors Day. The poem was found in the author’s journal.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“FOR CHARLES WHO COULD NOT FORGET THE FACTORY AT HUNGERFORD STAIRS” appears this month for UN World Mental Health Day and National Authors Day. The child in the poem is Charles Dickens forced to work at a shoe factory (in the shop window) due to the debts his father incurred.  As an adult he often walked the streets of London at night, frequently revisiting the rundown location of this shop by the river.

GLASS RAIN—the poetry by Margaret Roxby

“NATURE MOURNS” is included this week for October 13, UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. This poem was found among the poet’s papers.

REFRACTIONS—a poem by Robert Roxby

“GHOSTLY FIGURES” appears this week for Native American Day , October 14. The author had deep respect for the native people in America and often wrote about them. This poem was found in his journal.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS—the poetry of Kathleen Roxby

“NO POETRY, NOT TODAY” was selected for National Train Your Brain Day October 13. One option for exercising your brain is to attempt poetry, even if just to report your failure at creating the poem of your desire.