National Poetry Month – Page 4

#547: The Art of the Lie

The Art of the Lie I am in full agreementthat John Grant is no namefor a rock star, and yet, he is, nevertheless, a rock star to me,and his most recent album, The Art of the Lie,has been in consistent, heavyrotation. I listened to it todayin the car as I drove to Pure LifeClinic forContinue reading “#547: The Art of the Lie”

#546: Étude for Not Writing a Poem

I don’t know what to say. I have never before, in the eleven previous years of participation in National Poetry Writing Month, experienced such intense internal resistance to writing a poem–ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH! I can’t explain it. Usually I am fired up and I jump out of the starting gate withContinue reading “#546: Étude for Not Writing a Poem”

Two Days Until National Poetry Writing Month: Ekphrastic Fest?

On this 30th day of March, we find ourselves only two days away from National Poetry Writing Month, during which we creative types are encouraged to compose a poem a day every day for the entire month of April. I can safely (but humbly) brag about the fact that I have completed this task ofContinue reading “Two Days Until National Poetry Writing Month: Ekphrastic Fest?”

#533: Thank You

April is done.Somehow,I wrote 60 poems.To all of youStopping by to readTaking the timeTo like a poemOr commentOr follow,I thank you.Your interestAnd supportHas nourishedThis writer’s heartAnd strengthenedMy resolve toKeep making thingsWith words.To say we do thisWriting thingFor its own sakeIs only partly true,For meIt wouldn’t beNearly as much fun Without you.

#532: On Writing 60 Poems in 30 Days

I think I know why I’m writing these poems– I’ve two a day for a full thirty days.If for only one month in the whole yearI’ve found a discipline that keeps me trueto the kind of thing I most want to do.No one’s waiting, holding their breath for me, there would be no consequence forContinue reading “#532: On Writing 60 Poems in 30 Days”

#531: Samson Gets A Haircut

It’s just time. When it gets long like thisit becomes unmanageable,unruly, always getting in my eyes and in my mouth when I’m making love or clubbingsomeone to death. Annoying. And I’m told I look youngerwhen my hair is short. SoI’m just gonna go for it. Not a buzz cut, by any means, but something close,Continue reading “#531: Samson Gets A Haircut”

#530: Premature Elegy for the Cardigan

I used to wear them. I had a math teacher colleaguewho wore them all the timeeven after everyone stopped.For all I know, in his retirementhe’s still wearing them,but I never see him anymore,so I can’t be sure. Mr. Rogers wore them. Mr. Rogers wore them so wellthat the cardigan sweater almost became synonymouswith Mr. Rogers–ifContinue reading “#530: Premature Elegy for the Cardigan”

#529: The Impossible Pot (again for Terri Ford)

It seemed at first impractical, and then inflatable, then improbable, now impossible, this ain’t no blow-up pot, but a real one. Or is it? It does not look plastic or rubberand there’s no nipple to put air into or suck air out of. It may actually bea real clay pot, and yet, look carefully. TheContinue reading “#529: The Impossible Pot (again for Terri Ford)”

#528: The Improbable Pot (for Terri Ford)

In the picture, the man appears to be carrying a large clay pot on his shoulder, a pot painted to look like a gigantic boombox, like the ones in the80’s, so that while he carries it, helooks like he might also be rocking out,the speakers right up to his ears for thatoptimal stereo sound. ItContinue reading “#528: The Improbable Pot (for Terri Ford)”

#527: An American Sonnet after Simon’s American Tune

We come on the ship they call The MayflowerWe come on the ship that sailed the moonWe come in the age’s most uncertain hoursAnd sing an American tune Paul simon Something must be wrong with us, it seems. Half of us appear to have lost our minds.I attempt to write a poem that doesn’t trytoContinue reading “#527: An American Sonnet after Simon’s American Tune”