April is Poetry Month!

I invite you to consider poetry in the coming month.  There is a website that offers a daily prompt this month. www.napowrimo   National Poetry Writing Month.  Even if you don’t write a poem a day this month, you might consider reading a poem a day.  Or, you might consider writing a Haiku (three line poem with first line having 5 syllables, second line having 7 syllables and last line having 5 syllables). 

Here is a traditional sample haiku that follows the 5 – 7 – 5 rule.  By R.M. Hansard

The west wind whispered,

And touched the eyelids of spring:                                                                         

Her eyes, Primroses.

And here is another by Jack Keruoc that ignores the rule – but keeps the 3 lines!

The taste

of rain

— Why kneel?

I keep a couple of books of poetry by my chair and dip into them each morning for inspiration as a reminder of all the creativity the world holds for us.  It’s a nice antidote to the news! Writing a poem (however “good” or “bad”) is a way of putting something new into the world – even if no-one ever sees it but you.  Writing a poem is a way of forcing yourself to think a bit more deeply than normal about almost any subject.  Poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer says there is absolutely no subject that could not have a poem written about it.  Go ahead – describe God’s hat!   or what is washing up on the beach of your heart.  Or, opine about the sunrise.  Or just do some word play.  There are several “invitations” to poetry and also an archive of poetry prompts and poetry across the top of this website’s opening page.

And, in the midst of all that swirls in our world, I do love this poem by Quique Aviles

Let the poets run the country

I don't know about you,

but I say let the poets run the country,

we'll be better off with books and pens

instead of the misery of weapons

I say let the poets run the country,

they'll give out poetic justice

listen to those of us who want to speak.

thinking will be declared the national language

and birds will be allowed to share their wisdom.

cabinet meetings will have new agendas,

the truth and Neruda will be discussed.

there will be policy analysis on important

matters such as love and dignity.

I don't know about you,

but I say let the poets run the country.

we'll have leaders who speak from the heart,

people who will not take into account

the money of thieves and liars.

we will have a country filled with rhymes and

justice if for once, we let the poets

run the country.

by Quique Aviles