April is for Poets #NaPoWriMo

March 31, 2016 — #NaPoWriMo, April, poetry month

April in Tucson

During the month of April, starting with a bang on April Fool’s Day, I join fellow writers around the world writing poetry. The exercise of creating 30 poems in 30 days is inspirational, difficult, and self challenging. I think I would benefit greatly from writing a poem each day of the year, but I have at least made it my practice for April.  Tomorrow I will begin, and true to form, I have nothing started.

On this, my third year as a participant submitting poems, I know I will meet new poets with styles and messages that call to me. The wide diversity is a big appeal, which has made me think about going farther afield with my subject matter than I have in the past. I have a desire to work up to writing an epic (story) about some figure in history. I like comedy in poetry, but have found it extremely hard to master. I read Dorothy Parker and Ogden Nash to keep my comedy poet muse fed. Dr Seuss shows us that simple words and concepts can go viral for all ages, forever:

I encourage all the gentle readers to throw your hat in the ring to create poetry this year for #NaPoWriMo.  Reading and writing in this disciplined, yet mind expanding way, is an intellectual exercise to savor and share.  Find the other poets boarding the train for the month long ride here.  All aboard! It might be pretty corny on this train, but you can count on a really good time with words. All kinds are welcome.