raise the common denominator

April #PAD Challenge, Day 11: Write a maybe poem

A 'maybe poem.' And it's based on a true story (maybe) ...

MAYBE YOUR FEET GET COLD?
(notes to a diver)

I don't know you,
but I have to ask:

Did you notice the moon shine
on your damp arms?

How did the midnight water taste?
Cool and sweet?

Was this escape or expression,
Painting smiles on the waves?

Did you hope to get caught?
Was it better alone?

And finally, the most
obvious question:

Why did you bother to keep 
your socks on?

April #PAD Challenge, Day 12: Write a form poem

For day 12 of the challenge (write a form poem or an anti-form poem), I chose to write 3 haiku.

 

3 HAIKU

A map made of
scratches, scars, scabs and bruises --
My son’s summer knees


After surgery,
My belly bald like Buddha’s
But for my stitches


Sunday morning –
Watching the bird watcher
Watch the birds

April #PAD Challenge, Day 8: Write a "ready to celebrate" poem

Day 8: Write "ready to celebrate" poem.

When I was a boy, my father told me that I could catch a bird by sneaking up behind it and sprinkling salt on its tail. Of course, I believed him. And of course, I could never get close enough.

This spring, my great niece Elliana really wants to catch a robin. I suggested the salt technique. She's been trying her hardest since, but no success yet. This "ready to celebrate" poem is for her.

 

ELLIANA

Stalking robins

with a shaker

of salt.

 

Try to catch one 

by sprinkling

a few grains

on its tail.

 

Three years old,

every day of spring

a celebration.

April #PAD Challenge, Day 5, Write a serious or goofy poem

Day 5, write a goofy or serious poem. Guess which kind I wrote? 

A BULLFROG ATE MY SISTER

A bullfrog ate my sister.

With one big gulp,
she's gone!

A bullfrog ate my sister.

But what do I
tell mom?

April #PAD Challenge, Day 6, Write a "Don't (blank), (blank)" poem

"...take the phrase 'Don't (blank), (blank);' replace the blanks with a word or phrase; use the new phrase as the title of your poem..."

 

DON'T WAIT. ACT.

Life.
Live it now
for a limited time.

No future
in waiting.

Stop reading 
this poem
immediately.

Go out into
the nearest 
field of flowers.

Dance.
Breathe.
Sing.
Howl.

It will all
be over
soon enough. 

So squeeze
as much juice
as possible
from this big
orange day.

 

April #PAD Challenge, Day 4, Write a Poem About a Type of Person

Day 4 Challenge: Write a poem about a type of person.

Since, thanks to our son, fishing is such an important part of our life, I chose to write about an angler.

ANGLER

Only two
kinds of days:

One when 
you fish

and one when 
you can't.

The latter,
not worth
mentioning.

 

April #PAD Challenge, Day 3, Imagine a World without You

IF NOT HERE

If not here, where?
Would I still hang around?
A whisper in the wind?

Morning sunbeam
through the 
kitchen window?

Creaky floorboard
as the house settles
while you sleep?

If not here, how would 
I remind you of someone 
you had never met?

April #PAD Challenge, Day 1, What Got You Here

Yes, I know I'm posting out of order. It happens. The day 1 PAD prompt from Poetic Asides was to write a poem about what got you here. Here are my two contributions: 

What Brought Me Here

I came on foot
actually, two feet,
damp and sore
in leaking shoes.

It may be the journey
that matters most,
but at this moment
I covet a seat by the fire.

--------

This verse I wrote for my wife last month after she had a start-stop-start-stop-start again trip back to Ohio to see her folks:

 

Susan's Journey

I woke up
and it did rain.
Then I waited
on the train.
The bus?
Well it too
was late.
But now 
I'm here and
it is great

 

April #PAD Challenge, Day 2, Write a Post Card Poem

Today's prompt: Write a post card poem. Well, I wrote three. One for my wife. One for my father. And one for the people I miss at this moment.

#1

all the 
little battles
i survived 
or retreated 
from today
don't matter
because i know 
tomorrow we'll
be together again

----------

#2

today, my son
did three things
before breakfast
that reminded 
me of you -- 
you echo 
in his smile

---------

#3

no matter
how long 
it takes --
my tea pot
is filled, fresh
and warm
for when 
you return

 

Celebrate National Poetry Month

Here are a few ways to celebrate National Poetry Month:

• Read a poem a day.
• Write a poem a day.
• Carry photocopies of poems in your pocket and "gift" friends, family and coworkers with a surprise poem.
• Post a favorite poem in your workplace and refer to it throughout the month.
• Find a book by a favorite poet you haven't ready in a while and get reacquainted. 
• Find a book by a poet whose work you've never read and get introduced. 
• Take part in a Poem a Day Challenge, like the one on the Poetic Asides Blog. 

Here are 30 more ways to celebrate National Poetry Month from Poets.org. 

I started my National Poetry Month by posting a poem in response to a poem titled "Blind Date"  on the "I'd Rather be Tweeting" blog. My response is titled "First Impressions":

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Neat hair.
Bright smile.
New shirt.
Shined shoes.
Socks – mismatched!
First impressions.