NaPoWriMo Day 30: Endings

So here we are at the end - not of all things - just of National Poetry Writing Month 2013!  Surprisingly, I feel a little sad about it and so I thought I'd end with a Tanka and of course slip it in just under the wire.

To my friends who have been reading and following my posts, thanks for hanging in there with me.  

Until next year.....


Endings are so sad
Smile and remember what was
And then close the door
Gently ever so gently
Then embrace what's next in store

NaPoWriMo Day 29: Just at the Wire

Tomorrow is the last day of April and the final day for the month of poetry.

We're just at the wire

in the home stretch

it's been lots of fun

no sorrow, no regrets

Nous sommes juste sur le fil

dans la dernière ligne droite

ça a été beaucoup de plaisir

pas de douleur, pas de regrets

One last day we 

have left to share

only smiles can linger

there's no room for tears

Une dernière journée nous

ont laissé à partager

seuls sourires peuvent persister

il n'y a pas de place pour les larmes

NaPoWriMo Day 28: White

I think my favorite poem type is the Triolet - and as we wind down the month, I thought I'd try another.   The prompt had to do with a color and so combining the two....

She was plain, vanilla, or white

But inside she was full of light

She's clearly not a pretty sight

She was plain, vanilla, or white

A kinder person you've not met

So lovely that you would forget

She was plain, vanilla, or white

But inside she was full of light

NaPoWriMo Day 27: Family

I really have to say that I have a great family.  There's a lot of love there.  It doesn't really matter which of us get together we are always happy for the moments.  When we are lucky to have the all of us, which is seldom - though a bit noisy - it's a truly amazing experience.  With that said.....


Scattered though we are
across so many miles

the distance may seem far
but it can't erase our smiles

An even though it's rare
the times are always fun
the memories we share
are cherished - every one

NaPoWriMo Day 26: A Tribute to The Quarrel

Today's poem is an Erasure - the exercise is to take a poem and erase words creating your own poem.

The first famous poem that jumped into my head was The Quarrel by Eleanor Farjeon http://allpoetry.com/poem/8603759-The_Quarrel-by-Eleanor_Farjeon  This was a poem we had to memorize in the fourth grade - yep, we're back to the fourth grade again! I've always remembered this poem and have referred to it over the years reminding myself of what's really important.

I took a few words changed some, and made a little Haiku or  - the short version

Quarreled with Brother

Then he said he was wrong

Now I know he's right 

NaPoWriMo Day 25: The Moon

Today's prompt was a ballad.   Traditionally, ballads were rhymed poems that told a story of some kind, and were often set to music.  They were sometimes set in four-line verses, with an ABAB rhyme pattern, employing alternating 8 and 6 syllable, iambic lines.  This 8/6 iambic pattern is sometimes referred to as a ballad meter.  

I don't think this little ballad will ever get set to music, but I think it was still worth the effort.

Tonight's moon was breathtaking and so with that.....

The moon sits so high in the sky
Calling oh it's calling
A moonlit walk I think I'll try
Why then am I stalling

It's beckoning and oh so sweet
But yet I sit and stare
This lovely moon is such a treat
And I don't have a care

NaPoWriMo Day 24: Feelings

A poem can't describe

what I'm feeling inside

It's scary you see

when I think about me

If I had a potion

I could rid these emotions

But feelings just stay

and they don't go away

They slither about

till you sort them out

So I sit here and fret

and I never forget

That feelings aren't facts

and that's where I'm at

NaPoWriMo Day 23: Despair

Today we were asked to write a Triolet. Triolets were in vogue among the Victorians. A triolet is an eight-line poem. All the lines are in iambic tetramenter (for a total of eight syllables per line), and the first, fourth, and seventh lines are identical, as are the second and final lines. This means that the poem begins and ends with the same couplet. Beyond this, there is a tight rhyme scheme (helped along by the repetition of lines) — ABaAabAB.

You didn't notice I was there

My heart was aching with despair

I tried my best and did not stare

You didn't notice I was there

I saw you greet her with a smile

Then I turned and walked a while

You didn't notice I was there

My heart was aching with despair

NaPoWriMo Day 22: Earth Day

Oh beautiful Earth

how lovely you bloom for us

each and every spring

The splendid colors

and fresh scents are everywhere

each day is a joy

The birds have returned

and all the other creatures

what a splendid day

NaPoWriMo Day 21: The Fortune Cookie

The fortune Cookie
arrived and so I wondered
and took a breath
what would the future hold
but inside it was blank

With a sinking heart
I pondered the meaning
or lack of
if not a joke than what
it was a little scary to me

Then finally a smile
came across my lips
I took one step forward
and I suddenly knew
the future is up to me

NaPoWriMo Day 20: Limbo

Limbo

How tight my hands are clenched

Holding on to nothingness

There's comfort just the same

As I cling, holding on to my own pain

The doorway looms, baiting

The future misty but waiting

I stay stuck

Afraid I guess to test my luck

What's ahead, I'll never know

Until I decide to just let go

Till then I wait in Limbo

NaPoWriMo Day 19: Under the Wire

Under the wire, in the nick of time

I dare to post this late night rhyme

This crazy day just got away

My rattled brain is stuck today

The wind is blowing at my door

I can't come up with anymore

So here it is in the nick of time

Just a silly late night rhyme

NaPoWriMo Day 18: A Little Bit of Gratitude

It's the end of the day

and I Reflect

regretting is not an option

I am grateful for all things

and I let go

of anything that makes me sad

Then I smile

and i'm grateful

for all that's in my life is good

NaPoWriMo Day 17: Haiku

Today is National Haiku Day -  I personally like Haiku it's a challenge to say a lot with just a few words.

Haiku are short poems that use sensory language to capture a feeling or image. They are often inspired by an element of nature, a moment of beauty or a poignant experience. Haiku poetry was originally developed by Japanese poets, and the form was adapted to English and other languages by poets in other countries.  They are composed of stanzas of three unrhymed lines of five, seven and five syllables. 

A memory came 

just a whisper of a thought

like a gentle breeze

The thought was of you

but it faded so quickly

like losing a dream

NaPoWriMo Day 16: Nothing

I solved nothing this day

Nothing, that is to say

To change the world in a dramatic way

No great discoveries 

No problems solved 

I did nothing this day

but laugh with friends

And smile at the sunset

I took in the smells of Spring

I sang when no one was listening 

I danced around happily 

No, I did nothing this day

Nothing, that is to say

To change the world in any way

NaPoWriMo Day 15: The Half Way Point

Today is the 101st anniversary of the sinking of Titanic.  As I was thinking about that today, I went through some pictures that I took in Halifax at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. There are several rows of graves of the third class passengers there- many nameless. 

The first time I saw the movie Titanic (which I plan to watch tonight) I didn't cry, I sobbed.  When I visited the graveyard I left feeling that same sadness.

Today a senseless bombing at the Boston Marithon has left our country in mourning once more 

Enveloped in sadness

There's not much to say

I can't figure out

Why the world is this way

But there is still hope

Even today

It's easy to see

If you want there's a way

NaPoWriMo Day 14: The Meadow

The Meadow

In a meadow alone

The birds are singing a sweet chorus

The trees are budding new life

The wind is breezy - blowing through my hair

Spring is springing - it's everywhere

I dance, I sing

I'm in a meadow alone

But I am not lonely

NaPoWriMo Day 13: Change

Choosing a new destiny
   Having the courage to let go of the past
     Allowing myself to move forward
       Not harboring regrets
         Growing and reaching
           Embracing what comes next...

NaPoWriMo Day 12: The Speech

The Speech

I stood tall and proud for all to see,

While the terror I felt tried to break free

Reeling inside with anguish and pain,

Facing the group - this wasn't a game

It's just a few words that need to be said,

Over and over that went through my head

I opened my mouth to get the words out,

Then stuttered and sputtered, I'm not sure what about

I gasped and I choked then closed my eyes tight

I refocused and thought, just do it right

I took a deep breath that I held for a while

Then I started again but first with a smile

I glanced about as I started this time

And surprised myself when I spoke in all rhyme

NaPoWriMo Day 11: The Tanka

Today's prompt is to do a Tanka - not that I always follow the prompt - but I do like trying different types of poetry so why not?

The Tanka is a Japanese poetry type of five lines, the first and third composed of five syllables and the rest of seven.  Tanka is the oldest type of poetry in Japan.


The final Outcome
It is yet to be revealed
The waiting is hard
and for now out of my hands
This is true powerlessness

NaPoWriMo Day 10: Uncertain

             Uncertain

Uncertain are the times we say

But that can be most every day

Uncertain are the times we're in

Life can change just like the wind

Uncertain is the best we've got

Predicting the future we cannot

Uncertain....

NaPoWriMo Day 9: The Smile

                The Smile

You smiled when I saw you there
A quiet, calm, convincing stare

But when you turned I caught a view
Behind your eyes the sadness grew

The sadness and the ache within 
Were covered with that hearty grin

I didn't' quite know what to say
But then you turned and walked away

It made me sad, and almost cry
Your smile's really just a lie

NaPoWriMo Day 8: My Birthday

Today is my birthday and I am grateful for all the love and friendship in my life.  I wrote a little Haiku to capture the moment.  (once again just under the wire)



Birthdays

A day for pausing
Receiving love and friendship
Grateful in this time

NaPoWriMo Day 7: Loss

A thoughtless action
A friendship on the line
Imprisoned in my own wall of despair

Heartache, pain
Remorse, sadness
Guilt and shame

The emptiness has no end

NaPoWriMo Day 6: Me

      Me

I gaze inward

    finding sorrow and pain

           but there is also joy and love

                    it's hard to know sometimes

                              where one starts and the other ends

                                         it matters not

                                                 it's who I am

NaPoWriMo Day 5: The Barge

I had an amazing walk to the Saugerties Lighthouse today.  It was much windier out by the river and the fresh air makes me want to reach out and hug Spring.  While I was there a barge gracefully passed which inspired today's poem.

     

     
      The Barge

Brilliant and splendor
Arriving on the breath of Spring
Resonating beauty
Guided by by a towboat
Elegance it rings





*BTW - I need to add that I don't recall the lighthouse on the list of field trips from the fourth or any other grade for that matter - what could they have been thinking?

NaPoWriMo Day 4: Snow

Today's poem stems from an exercise in the fourth grade - apparently a lot of my "stuff" sprang from this time period so why not my poems.  In the fourth grade we were asked to write a description about snow.  All of my classmates were busy writing flowering sentences to describe that white fluffy substance.

Today I've decided to write a Haiku which best tells what I was thinking then - Now, I'm delighted to say Happy Spring....

           Snow

Winter brings the snow
covering the ground quite far
to me it looks white

NaPoWriMo Day 3 - Crossroad

     

            Crossroad

The past remains - it lingers
Ghosts  touch us lightly
They're gone -  nothing's there

Voices ride in the wind
Calling, beckoning
Whispers of the past

New life abounds
The sunlight carries the future
Waiting with outstretched arms

Look to the past/
Reach for the future..

Limerick, anyone?

Today I thought I'd try my hand at a limerick.  I haven't actually composed one since the fourth grade and although I'm sure Mrs. Bunyar was quite thorough in her time I had to go back and look up the rules.  I'll try not to shame her memory too much.  (the picture attached is my actual dog - Not named Raul)

There once was a dog named Raul

Who was attending obedience school

He listened and sat

Till he noticed a cat

Now his owner feels quite like a fool

The Game

April is National Poetry Writing Month or NaPoWriMo - not an April fools joke but seriously a mouth full - it's hard to get out especially having been a member of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) for the last three years.


The challenge is to write a poem every day for the month of April.  The poem gets posted on your blog and attached to the NaPo site.  When I first head this I thought wow a poem every day for a month but but then I figured that if I could write a complete novel in a month why not a poem a day.

I've named this blog "Under the Wire" because here I am at 11:30 on the first night just creating my blog and my first poem.   If you read them and like them, please let me know,  otherwise kindness would be highly appreciated.

The Game

The rule of the game is to try not to blame

And seriously folks, it sounds kind of lame

But try it just once for an hour or two

You are in charge of the things that you do

So why am I late on this very date?

There are plenty of things that I’d like to state

But following rules is a thing I must do

This means of course I can’t blame it on you

So suck it up Sally or Susie or Shawn

You are in charge of your own stinking lawn