April 20, Napowrimo 2026. Today we are to try writing a poem that uses an animal that shows up in myths and legends as a metaphor for some aspect of a contemporary person’s life. We should include one spoken phrase. I looked up mythical beasts and discovered Japan’s ancient Baku, a creature made up ofContinue reading “In Baku we trust”
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Bachelor’s buttonhole
April 19, Napowrimo 2026. Today we are charged with picking a flower or two (or a whole bouquet) from this online edition of Kate Greenaway’s Language of Flowers. We are then to write our own poem in which we muse on our selections’ names and meanings. If so inclined, we could even do some outside researchContinue reading “Bachelor’s buttonhole”
The Mystery of the missing stanzas
Today we were asked to write a segment of a saga whose style might not be to our poetic taste because they can go on and on. I decided to look at other journeys that may seem to go on and on. For forty days and forty nightsWe headed to the coastTo see the sewageContinue reading “The Mystery of the missing stanzas”
Looking into Kaa’s eyes
April 17, Napowrimo 2026. Today we’re asked to respond to another poem. As the prompt’s poet responded to his own work, I thought I’d follow suit. I purposefully wrote this poem to test readers, to make them uncomfortable in their expectation and assumption. I wanted to raise questions about what is socially acceptable in discourseContinue reading “Looking into Kaa’s eyes”
Sulphur Flame
I wrote the original of this poem back in 2019. I hoped to explore a number of themes including the duality of language, audience expectation, dark interpretation and how innocence is easily lost in a cynical world. I rewrote it some years later (see second version below) for performance poetry as I thought the originalContinue reading “Sulphur Flame”
Eddie
April 16, Napowrimo 2026. Today’s prompt involved writing a poem in which we describe something that cannot speak, and what it has taught or told us. I remember being chastised at school once for simultaneous insolence and dumb insolence. I learnt a lot from that, but I suspect it was not what the Deputy HeadContinue reading “Eddie”
Love on a barn door
April 15, Napowrimo 2026. Taking inspiration from K. Siva Reddy’s poem, “A Love Song Between Two Generations,” today, we we’re asked to write our own poem that muses on love, but isn’t a traditional love poem in the sense of expressing love between romantic partners. Love? Love is for life. Love is travelling alone forContinue reading “Love on a barn door”
Walk the wind
April 13, Napowrimo 2026. Today we are to try our hand at writing our own poem about a remembered, cherished landscape. It could be our grandmother’s backyard (did that in Napowrimo 2025), our schoolyard basketball court (didn’t have one of those), or a tiny strip of woods near the railroad tracks (possible). At some pointContinue reading “Walk the wind”
Henry and me
April 12, Napowrimo 2026. Today, we are challenged to write our own poem that recounts a memory of a beloved relative, and something they did that echoes through our thoughts today.Henry Parker is my one of my Great, Great, Great Grandfathers. He was the last Station Master at Watchet station in Somerset before the workingContinue reading “Henry and me”
Fishing in frocks
April 11, Napowrimo 2026. Today’s prompt did not inspire me, I blame day one, all will be clear on that when you read my near Haiku below. A wet stag weekend,Fishing in frocks and tights,Words put the world to rights. I’m sorry haikuI may have just messed with youFeel free to blame the wine.
Missives & Musings 