Benediction

In spring

they will

wash away

all my winter

sins with

a shower

of

petals.

April Love Prompt: Trees

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.

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Cross-eyed

When I was very
small I couldn’t see
any sharp-kneed
truths inside the
dark forest planted
by grownup legs, or
dim familial views
offered out of high
windows shaded with
long-held secrets.

All I remember
were those bright
celestial stars down
the hallway to where we
come from, refracted
into a billion
diamonds.

April Love Prompt: When I Was Small

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.

Rites

Gather your daffodils and
violets, place them
in a bud vase.

Check a nest for robin
eggs, make sure
they match the sky.

Listen to the tree
peepers, write some
lyrics for their tunes.

Dig down deep after
final frosts, and give
the worms their due.

April Love Prompt: Spring (Earth Day)

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.

Stay at Home

(for my daughter)

Back when hours
were counted by
morning snack
afternoon naps
trips around the
world in a block,
where time’s only
worry was whether
the dog next door
would greet us
at the gate.

April Love Prompt: A Happy Memory

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.

Essence

You know me by
the sweet mown
meadow beds and
spiced ribbons cut
deep into farm fields,
musty dreams found
in glue-bound books
and fresh breezes on
notebook paper lined
for learning, potent
pollen burned off the
prairie cottonwoods
that mingles with a
molten molasses at
backyard barbecues,
newly minted creeks
rising through dank
mideast forests, and
the talcum powder
peace residing inside
my grandmother’s
dresser drawer.

April Love Prompt: My Scent

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.

Enlightenment

For every

lifetime we

drop a few

excuses,

lighten our

expectations

and find

yet another

handhold

to climb

still higher,

always

seeking a

 better view.

(presently on the third floor)

April Love Prompt: I Live Here

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.

Cravings

Some like tart

many want tangy

others see sour

but always give me

salty with my

sweet.

April Love Prompt: Sweet

This year I’m celebrating National Poetry Month by combining  NaPoWriMo’s daily poetry challenge with Susannah Conway’s April Love daily photo prompts on Instagram. Each day of April, you will observe the same photo in my Instagram feed on the righthand sidebar that you see in my blog post along with an instapoem. We shall find out at the end of the month whether this was a brilliant career move, sheer laziness or a fool’s errand. 

Until then, care to join me in these creative waters where even fools fear to tread? The water’s fine.