MEMORY THROUGH EMOTION

for Michelle Renee

Your new painting portrays us all as we

age…or me at least…my memory through

emotion flashing colors through my psyche

brushstrokes abstract yet specific…gray blue

and golden cherished…coatings of deepest

sorrow…all enclosing that precious white

clarity…or are they embracing? Best

or worst those brief ebony streaks streaming

constantly through my vision…like loves lost

or dear souls I should recall and pray for…

almost recognized then fading from my sight…

basking in reality or dreaming?

I recall relationship’s cost…its pace

and reward…call it honesty…or grace…

Roger Armbrust

November 22, 2019

EJACULATIONS FOR HUMANKIND

To all mothers and fathers

who love and care

thank you for your service

To all teachers and mentors

who guide and share

thank you for your service

To all students of the world

securing Earth's future

thank you for your service

To all artists and writers

who go deep and take chances

thank you for your service

To all publishers and editors

who guide us in understanding

thank you for your service

To all farmers, grocers, chefs and cooks

who feed the hungry

thank you for your service

To all guardians of water

who give us drink and cleanse us

thank you for your service

To all architects and builders

who house us the homeless

thank you for your service

To all doctors, nurses, and medics

who treat the suffering

thank you for your service

To all scientists and chemists

seeking humankind’s cures

thank you for your service

To all attorneys, judges, and legislators

honestly tempering society

thank you for your service

To all nations’ soldiers and police

living as true peacekeepers

thank you for your service

To all public protestors

guarding civilization

thank you for your service

To all protectors of the poor

who understand the soul

thank you for your service

To all astronomers, mathematicians, and futurists

offering us hope

thank you for your service

Roger Armbrust

November 18, 2019