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”
Tag Archives: Poetry
Jobsworth
April 3rd, and we are asked to write a poem in which a profession or vocation is described differently than it typically is considered to be. Our poem could feature a very relaxed brain surgeon, or a farmer that hates vegetables. Or maybe we have a poetical alter-ego of our own who runs against theContinue reading “Jobsworth”
Caliban to your Prospero
Today, with a day to go, we are asked to write a poem that takes its inspiration from the life of a musician, poet, or other artist (I suspect it would help if we liked them too). Having said goodbye to an old friend today, the temptation for elegy was declined, so I went forContinue reading “Caliban to your Prospero”
A moment in time
Today’s ask is to come up with a poem that involves music at a ceremony or event of some kind. This month, I have tried respond to the prompts by looking at the resource, finding some inspiration and connecting it to the first thing that opened the wardrobe of my imagination as I climbed fromContinue reading “A moment in time”
What is it good for?
Today’s challenge? To write our own poem that describes a detail in a painting, and that begins, like Auden’s poem, with a grand, declarative statement. I chose to look at Picasso’s Guernica, to reflect on current issues and paint it with appropriate colours. Art only works if you invert its meaning.See the sacred cow’s head,Continue reading “What is it good for?”
Marvel of the sea
A few days after the Bard’s birthday we have been asked to write a sonnet, the poetic form so most connected with love. We weren’t given a subject today, but I had already primed my mind after seeing this photo yesterday taken by fellow bird enthusiast Stephen Beaver. who is also a member of theContinue reading “Marvel of the sea”
The future is unwritten
When asked to write about a music concert I’ve attended, the options are expansive to say the least. To choose to write about one that left an impact on me leave is molecular by comparison. Sunday, January 19, 1978, Sheffield Top Rank It took seconds to steam up the windows.Eight teenage bodies exploded into theContinue reading “The future is unwritten”
Flowers
Today, we are to write a poem that involves people making music together, and that references – with a lyric or line – a song or poem that is important to us. I chose to go abstract after writing one of the lines two days ago that I felt a desperation to give purpose toContinue reading “Flowers”
Listen
Today’s prompt is a bit of a gift for me, as my poetry often features birds and their songs.This April I have been letting my writing go as loose as it felt right with lots of freeform and bits of prose thrown in. Today I thought I’d take a break and go for a haiku,Continue reading “Listen”
In my place
Wow! OMG WOW! What an inspiration the prompt delivered this morning. I woke to find Diane Wakoski sat at my breakfast table where she had poured strong, fresh Colombian coffee for two! She pushed an empty bowl across the dried pine surface and said, “here, fill that”, and then sat back, smiled through her beatnikContinue reading “In my place”
Missives & Musings 