I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
Number twenty-seven on my list of thirty things that make me happy was listening to my friend’s voice as I walk. A large part of this joy is the relationship of back and forth. Listening and talking.
things I dare not say she will hold without judgement words that might strike some as angry, selfish.confused or worse are nestled with care
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
The twenty-sixth one on my list is poetry podcasts with Tracy K. Smith.
During the depths of the pandemic, when we weren’t allowed many places, walking outside was my main escape. On those walks, I would listen to Tracy K. Smith’s Slowdown podcast. The mixture of essay prior to the poem and her calming, melodic voice provided solace. Always centering, Smith’s humanity radiates. To honor her work, I attempted a golden shovel poem from a quote in her introduction to the poem You are Who I Love by Aracelis Girmay.
“an offering to the beautiful souls working for the health and healing of human culture“
A poet’s life is an open hearted venture to expose trenches offering up experience in order to define the world we are all struggling to navigate. Ah yes, that is it you say reading the words that touch you. Evoking beautiful imaginings. Digging into memories. Harvesting the souls of experiences in our past. Mixing with current stimuli. Working it into a form that she bends, the poet, he sculpts for the reader who takes it and makes meaning. Allowing us to meet the hardships and joys. Words administered with care, deliver unexpected health and peace in troubled times. And that begins a healing thought impossible. The rebirth of hope in the human experience. Defining how to continue as a culture.
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
The twenty-fifth day isforeign language television shows
Since March of 2020, my travel has been exclusively on Netflix and Amazon. It’s not surprising my favorite escape are shows in foreign languages.
The words trip along the screen bitte d’accord danke merci
Rivers, mountains, wild ocean cliffs rural and cityscapes flash by within stories of love, loss, espionage
I ride the river climb the mountain jump on the the city bus and have seat across the aisle from the young girl and her friend
Traveling alongside tripping through dialogue as fast as my eyes and ears can take it in.
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
The twenty-fourth one on my list is
The twenty-fourth one on my list is exchanging books with a friend.
loaning a beloved book is an invitation to turn coffee and ink stained potentially too personal pages
when reciprocated creates a shared compass a bound friendship
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
An “ode-like” poem for the twenty-third one on my list- finding the perfect book for a friend.
the perfect gift fits your dear one
it is not for all but it is exquisitely designed to beckon them
into intimate relationships with place time and people who live who love who are loved in spite
finding the perfect book is an act of knowing the heart of a story and matching it to the heart of a friend
day 23, national poetry month 2021Today, I’m joining other generous and talented poets for Poetry Friday on Catherine Flynn’s Reading to the Core
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
A haiku for the twenty-second idea on my list bouquets in short tumblers.
the vase lovingly embrace roses lavender envelop my heart
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
I decided to try a golden shovel poem for the twenty-first idea on my list, finding sea glass.
Salty and fresh waters can mine one discarded bottle into gemstones. Evidence of man’s presence over hundreds of years, the tumbled trash become frosted. Collected. Set in bracelets. The jewel is placed in a jar, on a shelf, and admired. Serving another human need. Beauty. The joy of the find honors man’s time spent scouring for pink and blue treasure.
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
The twentieth idea on my list is shopping with my daughter.
my yesterday she reached up for my hand is her twenty years ago
so now I hold on to what you might think frivolous
the on the way to the what do you think the car ride home the can you help me moments
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
The nineteenth idea on my list is red wine with pasta and pizza.
the rich red berry scent couples with stretched cheese caught and licked off fingers that grasp the glass tumbler
piles of pasta serve as chaperone insisting upon a napkin and civility is restored
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by writing and reading poetry, every day. My poetry project is grows out of a list of things that make me happy. I made this list on the 30th of March.
Today, Sunday, 18th idea on my list, is ironically anticipating the weekend.
anticipation
is an overanxious child who dreams of the fantastic possible
"The problem with people is they forget that that most of the time it's the small things that count." (Said by Finch in All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. These are my small things that count.
In everything that my students and I do together, we strive to find ways to use reading and writing to make the world outside of our classroom a better place for all of us to be
To Read To Write To Be 