Welcome to Part II, 30 Days of 30 Poems
Year after year, I started with good intentions to complete 30 poems in April. I haven’t accomplished that goal, yet…
Perhaps—2022 is the year!
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You can find Part I of my 30 days of 30 poems here.
April 30, 2022
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April 29, 2022
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April 28, 2022
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April 27, 2022
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April 26, 2022
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April 25, 2022
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April 24, 2022
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April 23, 2022
As we roll into the last days of National Poetry Month and the National Poetry Writing Month challenge, I’ve chosen to focus on the Japanese haiga.
Hagia combines haiku with artwork, and in contemporary haiga, this may include photographs.
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April 22, 2022
Song of the Earth
The earth speaks.
I listen.
The wind
calls my name.
The sky explodes
in colors.
The sun casts
shadows through
tree limbs.
I marvel
and wonder
at all
the beauty.
A small brown
rabbit rustles
under the leaves
hiding,
waiting
for me
to leave.
All this
in a single
walk down
my garden path.
The earth
knew how much
I needed
a simple
reminder
of how
all of us
intersect.
. . .
April 21, 2022
Disruption
Two persistent barn swallows decided one day
to construct their brood’s bassinet smack in my way.
I tried to dissuade the most persistent pair
by shouting and flailing my arms through the air.
It’s the end of the day, and we’re still wondering who goes and who will stay.
. . .
April 20, 2022
The Unexpected
Twice in a blue moon
not once but doubled
she came without warning
and never expected
me to see her open
a tiny bud hidden
behind the leaves waiting
for someone to notice
one blossom unexpected
twice in a blue moon.
.
Find more poetic inspiration on d”Verse with thanks to Merril for today’s prompt.
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April 19, 2022
Glorious Sky
Wait
for the
moment when
nature turns to
show the colors kept
hidden in the clouds and
light beyond what eyes see or
artists imagine as silent
particles leap in place to reveal
the fleeting spectacle—glorious sky.
. . .
April 18, 202
We All Have Answers
(but what is the question?)
I.
One by one
I tried
to understand
the question
and the answers
in the book.
II.
Some days
strong, others wavering,
listless in the wind
until I feel
spent
lost—desolate.
III
I press on
not because
I must
but if I don’t
nothing is left
to wonder.
IV.
Some say
one,
others many.
Perhaps the birds
can tell tell
you more.
V.
I’d rather
rest
peaceful
knowing that
to breathe
is life.
The prompt for today’s poem comes courtesy of Maureen Thurson’s NaPoWriMo2022 and “is based on Faisal Mohyuddin’s poem ‘Five Answers to the Same Question.’ Today, I’d like to challenge you to write your own poem that provides five answers to the same question – without ever specifically identifying the question that is being answered.”
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April 17, 2022
Around the Table
Faces around the table
the same but changed
every life a story,
adventures, challenges, and joys
laughter, tears, warm embraces
hold time gently
as the days and years escape
but the faces around the table—
stay suspended, caressed by memories.
***
I cherish those moments when my family sits around the table. Sometimes a celebration draws us all together, and other times chance and circumstance align to create a moment of togetherness. I never take for granted those moments. Each is a treasure—my life is whole.
. . .
April 16, 202
I wrote this poem on April 21, 1982. My faith and sense of spirituality have evolved in forty years. Life’s events shook my core, and I began to question, doubt, to lose trust in man’s religions. I keep searching, wondering where the truth of our existence resides.
Some days, I think I’ve closed the door on those old beliefs, but they continue to tug at my soul. I believe in the wonder of this universe and the mysterious connections that bind us with nature and one another.
Whatever your beliefs, what matters is how we live together with empathy and compassion as humankind.
How Much Must I Give?
A man, God, died for us
gave up His life
for you, for me.
What greater love?
Sometimes I think I know
all about love,
because I do love.
I try not to let
love be just words or
mere talk, but something
real and active.
But then, this man, Jesus,
tells me to lay down
my life for all others.
What…me…die…for you?
Surely there is some
mistake. I did not
hear correctly, Lord.
Give up the places
of honor—
deny the pleasures
of my heart—take a back seat?
His answer is always
and unequivocally the
same.
“Yes, my child, deny
your very self,
Lay down your life,
And you shall find joy.”
And I’ve seen it happen.
Put others first, give up the last piece of pie—happy
not because I didn’t,
want it, but because
I loved.
It really is so easy
and yet terribly hard,
painful, humbling,
total.
I cannot always give what you
want from me because
sometimes I don’t even
know your need
(or if you even need me).
Jesus knew His friends,
comforted them, taught
them, healed their wounds.
Oh, that I had those
eyes to see your hurts,
to understand, to know.
I fall short of the goal.
I’m jealous.
I’m proud, stubborn—
I fail.
But then Jesus knew
all along that I would,
without Him.
Die? Yes, I will
die for you, because
He died for us
that we might
know the joy of
love that only
comes when we give
all.
. . .
April 15, 2022
Golden iris sways
carefree with no thoughts or fear
blessing the earth—grace.
Thank you for participating in the dVerse prompt as part of your 30 days. A lovely image of unexpected beauty, twice in a blue moon.
Thank you.
Love how you opened and closed with the same line
Björn, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I so adore all the words you’ve shared in this second half of the challenge. There’s serenity in your words. I love them. I’m especially drawn to the haiga. Your photography and words as a whole are even lovelier together. Thanks so very much for sharing your words with me. xoxo happy writing.
Thank you, friend. Your thoughtful words always make me smile.
Kathryn. Heartfelt congratulations on completing the challenge. Your first half collection is as lovely as your second. Each one a gem. I never tire to read your words. What a delight. And the photos: superb! Every one of them. Totally cool. I appreciate you sharing your world with me this way. Job well done. Complete. Replete. XoXo stay as you are. I wish you miracles xoxo
Selma, your kind and thoughtful words mean so much to me. Knowing you were reading and sharing pushed me to press on even on those days when I felt word-empty. Having a friend along the way made it for rewarding and fun. I know you have found a large community of writers, and I see how that support feeds our and other’s creativity.
Many heartfelt thanks!