The last box taped closed
final mail arrangements made
phonebooks left for new victims
echoing rooms scanned for laggers
cupboards swept clean for the first time
toilet checked one more time
dog belted into the backseat
cat carrier loaded next to her
gerbil cage duck taped to top of carrier
small angry child strapped in the middle
parents shutting the past without a key
a family points their car toward the future
without looking back.
NaPoWriMo #30
It has been a pleaure this year to see so many old friends, and to make new ones. Thank you to all who came to read or allowed my poems to invade their inboxes. Your support has kept me going, with much gratitude to Bonny, Adriene, Shirah, Mike, Geo Sans, Sirena, Sharon, Beth, Kavalkade, Salsachica, Busymindthinking, Shawn, iithinks, Linda, Karuni, Jackie and everyone else for commenting and following along. And a special thanks goes to Maureen for commenting and giving me feedback on every single one of the thirty poems, without missing a day! For that, you deserve a medal, my friend.
I wrote a poem every day in April as part of NaPoWriMo’s celebration of National Poetry Month. Won’t you join me in poetry (maybe next year)?
Until we meet again, friends.
Suburban Satsangs 
It was my pleasure to read you, Tamara. Very creative and stellar output. It’s a nice complement to your stellar and rather poetic prose. 🙂 Congrats on finishing the month!
I always look forward to April and connecting with you Adriene! I’m always in awe of your poems. Have a good rest of the spring and best of luck with your new blog.
I was going to wait until tomorrow morning to read this and comment on it, but I think tonight is the time to close the book — reluctantly, of course. There is nothing to thank me for; this has been pure enjoyment. You are back!
As someone raised in northwest Indiana, when the railroad was king, I know about the tracks. They mean something. Your photo is poignant. As is the family shutting the past without a key. What an image.
Thank you for a very inspiring, thought-provoking month!
I’ve enjoyed your poetry, too, Maureen, and hope to see more. There is no going back. After all, it doesn’t need to be April–poetry is appropriate for all seasons!
thank you
my april friend
~
I always enjoyed
reading
your work
~
keep moving forward
And I’ve enjoyed reading yours, Geo Sans. Best of luck with your poetry and book, Being Maybe.
Your beautiful, often touching, imagery and humor have enticed me into the world of writing poetry. I’m a sadly late starter but have become convinced that without an appreciation of the nuances and sensuality of poetry and some experience of writing it one really can’t become a writer in the fullest sense. Thank you for leading the way.
Yay, Shirah, I’m glad you are interested in trying some poetry! You are a beautiful writer with an artistic eye, and I really think that writing in this format can only add rather than subtract. Thanks so much for your support in April.
Because of too many health, house, and other sundry crises, I was glad to see April end. One of the bright spots though was looking forward to your poetry and photos. They are all wonderful, interesting, creative, and thought-provoking. Thank you for a month full of enjoyment!
I was very sorry to read about the crises in April, Bonny, and hope that everything is resolved and healed now. Here’s to a warm and sunny May! Glad that any of these scribblings helped or gave you a laugh. Take care.