No Regrets Journal Theodore Roethke

No Regrets Journal

Haiku on reading Theodore Roethke

Fall 2020 Issue 31


No Regrets, a journal of poetry, prose and images about the exploration of being and meaning.

Clayton Medeiros, Editor, Poet, Photographer, Collage Artist claymedeiros@aol.com Neil McKay (Johnny Trash), Webmaster Submissions are by invitation of the editor Epublishing http://issuu.com/claymedeiros/docs Facebook page No Regrets Journal, haikus, poems and photographs https://www.facebook.com/NoRegretsJournal 

Theodore Roethke From “How to Write Like Somebody Else”

“I am overwhelmed by the beautiful disorder of poetry, the eternal virginity of words.”

Salish Sea among the islands the sea arranges itself reflects quiet light beach mist dissipates ocean wind sings in the dunes late owl makes its way ocean wind rises welcomes midmorning sunlight grassy dunes whisper driftwood undulates where the rolling low tide waves meet the winding creek coming and going waves tumble and toss pebbles sandpiper’s quick steps broken shells and sand beach memories time and tide ever changing dunes white caps churning gray angled waves roiling currents break on dark boulders faltering afternoon brings gulls mewling to an end dusky silence reigns twilight wind slackens dew drops gather on dune grass driftwood fire crackles

Forest tree shadow retreats sunlight ascends the blue sky tips into the west quick water ripples at the bend of the spring creek trout faces upstream green glacial waters bound for the Pacific coast held by river banks forest to meadow slow creek winds through sandy beach meets the rising tide wind roars through the trees a harsh choreographer the script drenched in gray this summer evening silver moon shimmering cedar who choses to watch

Mystery day comes to a close garden whispers at midnight roses take small breaths the ditch dark cellar holds hidden memories dreams shares childhood secrets quiet for centuries whispers at the cave’s entrance oracle’s wisdom dappled forest path a voice rises from silence fulfilling wishes

Time come to court silence but for the wind and water sunrise’s bright edge dark night dissipates silent rosy dawn arrives sleeping souls awake late summer morning the air greets the quick swallow celebrates winged flight a hesitant day silent light at the window cat’s elegant stretch hours passing by blue day rises from darkness slow descent to dusk dusk’s dulcet pallet welcomes the rising full moon deep night with no clouds sunlight awakens greets its pale reflected light the lingering moon




For Theodore Roethke Dance and sing through the days Dance and sing in to the night The lonely time between darkness and dawn The passing moon keeps me company Hear the quiet breath of earth and stones Shared with midnight roses Shared with the garden stroller