National Poetry Month - Featuring News from Poets Celebrating Especially April 29th! - Music is My Poetry!

April is National Poetry Month, a celebration of the written word organized by the Academy of American Poets. National Poetry Month “reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters.

Over the 25 years since it began, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.”

EVELYN KRIEGER

Author and Teacher. Inspiring creative souls through hard times.

Share a poem for Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 29, 2021,  #PocketPoem.

Here are two poems for you dear readers:

~~~~

Dear Glenda,

"The world is never the same place once a good poem has been added to it."

~ Dylan Thomas

April is National Poetry Month, and in my hometown, there are usually many events throughout this month. Personally, I will be offering a poetry workshop at Godmothers for Women 60+. It's never too late to start writing poetry! In addition, I will be giving a reading at a local bar with other poets.

I'm also happy to announce that my sixth poetry collection, Walking Myself Home: Haibun & Haiku, has been accepted for publication by Finishing Line Press. I just signed the contract and am awaiting the publisher's timeline. I'm over the moon with excitement! As writers, it never gets old hearing that our work has been published!



https://www.dianaraab.com

APRIL Writing Prompts

Who is your favorite poet or poem?

When was the last time you wrote a poem?
What do you remember about poetry in high school?

Life on Earth: Poems by Dorianne Laux

This book was released last year and was longlisted for the National Book Award. This is of no surprise to me. I've already reread it a few times. She writes about moments that many of us have lived through by the time you reach our mutual decade.

As Publishers Weekly deftly says, "With this spellbinding seventh collection, Laux brings to life the simple pleasures and small agonies of human existence."

I've dog-eared so many poems in this book that I love. We are similar in ages, and she writes a lot about aging. I could really relate to 

"I Dare You." 

"It's autumn, and we're getting rid

of books, getting ready to retire, 

to move some place smaller, 

more/manageable."

A slim and powerful volume!

~~~~

Words are so Powerful, 

said in poetic manner or as a prayer

Or as a cry for help...

 Words may be in different languages,

 but the tone--the very words

 of those who speak tell so much...

There are no words for War, 

though some men speak loudly

of hate and violence against others

Why is that? Why do we strike out

In fear, anger and often purposefully

Yet, we instantly know regret

May the world come to Thee

Seeking in Earnest of Peace

And May we Accept Your Truth and Love...

Gabby

Guest Poet, Regis Auffray Shares Absence (Haiku String) And Abandoned: God You would Not believe it if I told you...

 

https://www.vecteezy.com/

Absence 

(Haiku String)

When the winter wind

Stirs through the dark barren trees

It whispers of you

I can barely breathe

When your picture comes upon

The screen of my mind

Unavoidably

When someone mentions your name

I lose a heartbeat

I can scarce believe

How empty my world appears

Without you in it

In another realm

In dreams when I speak with you

You give me purpose

Now in the darkness

It is easy to fathom

The light that you shined

In humility

I admit my lack of strength

Without your presence

It's hard not to fall

In the void you left behind

When you had to leave

There is not a time

When I do not think of you

Know this is the truth

My friend I miss you

There is emptiness within

Each passing moment

The absence of you

Is a constant throbbing ache

Deep within my soul

I shall not be healed

Until we can meet again

Our friendship confirmed

-- Regis Auffray ©

God... You would not believe it if I told you.

Abandoned

it’s all empty now

this house that used to be

a home

it stares at passers-by

dark eyes

from empty window frames

sometimes

shards of glass

in the grass

glisten like tears

in midday sunlight

midnight moonlight

sometimes

voices come from within

could be ghosts

or just the wind

moaning and hurting

yes there’s an aching

palpable

like a bruised

and battered heart

a broken soul

it’s all empty

those who know

know it’s all because

she went back

on her word

© 2007 Regis Auffray

Thanks for Visiting Regis!

Gabby

Guest Poet and Friend, Manny Monolin Moreno Shares The Tree: Poem of Our Roots

 

THE TREE

Poem of our Roots

A twig from an ancient tree

was planted in this valley

ninety-years and a day ago

with grandparents' post-migration arrival

propagated with a labor of love

and dream songs which sprouted

roots rich with indigenous sacred

hope and over decades this twig

branched-out into an ancestral tree lush

with a heritage of scattered leaves

some have prevailed on the railroads

farmfields and overseas warriors in battlefields

some have crooned and swooned on saddles of assimilation

not total though to gain an education

some have hummed commitments to heaven

in humble jubilation some have whistled

weary in whirlwinds on life’s meager means

some have not forsaken chanting enchanted

traditional ancient cosmic

conscious themes and now

in this soul-deadening out of balance

Y2K millennium infancy I reflect

in the autumn years of my being

standing somber in the shade of our tree;

what will become of it and me?

For the tree expands into five generations

perpetuating a pristine perpetual dream

in this valley reality like enormous

hawk wings encapsulating us with

a shade of simplicity celebrated in

a social status of invisibility and I

native son shy of eloquence

irrigate the tree with common words

to nourish-in nutrients of this life force

flowing in crimson canals of flesh

in the fertile soil of San Joaquin

in the plants and critters

in the rivers and pulses of little towns

being shredded for progress and malls

in the decades deciphered from a million

memories fertilized for posterity prestige

and dignity of the tree

and landscape and panorama

of our souls.

--Manny M. Moreno

Note: Anybody who knows Manny Moreno, please send a message that I need to talk to him about his latest book. Thank you...

Guest Poet Regis Auffray Shares Thoughts for Easter - "Easter" and "Easter--Time For Peace"

 

Easter

Everlasting

Amity

Spiritual

Togetherness

Eternal

Rejoicing

© Copyright 2009 Regis Auffray

Easter - Time For Peace 

 (rhyming acrostic)

Early dawn and the stillness

Awakens within a brightness

Silence is deceptive

The Earth is receptive

Every soul yearns for healing

Reeling from eons of ill feeling

The time is now for peace

It is time for wars to cease

May we at last become as one

Every being become golden

For far too long the Earth has bled

Over millennia peace has fled

Reject old ways and pave the way

Put all your enmities away

Embrace the possibilities

Accept the bounty of beauties

Creation has so long offered

Eternity has now proffered

© Copyright 2010 Regis Auffray

Overview

Poetry, like other forms of creative arts such as painting, music, sculpture etc. is a way for the poet to share life experiences - feelings, emotions, images - and thus express his or her personality. Most human beings (Earthians) have a desire to be with others and one of the ways this is done is through communication by whatever means are available. Poetry is one way of expressing one's self.

The poems in this book offer glimpses into the poet's soul. They touch on a myriad of themes that are common to all who have undertaken the journey through this particular life in this place known as Earth.

It is the author's hope that the reader will be able to identify with, to understand and perhaps to empathize with the various situations, dilemmas, conflicts, miseries, euphoria etc. that are shared by means of his verses.

Glimpses is the author's first poetry collection of a non-limerick genre.

Regis is an ongoing contributor at

 Book Readers Heaven

Search in the right column for his name

to see more of his poetry...

God Bless

Gabby

Welcome To Guest Poet, Diana Raab, Sharing Celebration of National Poetry Month!

 

Dear Glenda, 

"I acknowledge my feeling and gratitude for life by praising the world and whoever made all these things." ~ Mary Oliver

Happy National Poetry Month! 

This is always one of my favorite months because not only do I get to review my latest favorite poetry books, but it's a time when there's a lot of national focus on poetry. In my hometown, this month, we elect our new Poet Laureate, who typically holds a two-year term. It's also a time when there are numerous poetic events to attend around town. 

I'm also excited about the number of poems I've had published in the past few months, especially my new favorite form of haikus and haibuns. Many people have told me that they think I've found my form. While I'm still mastering the form, I must say I'm really enjoying the challenge. If you have not written a poem since grade school, then this month might be a good time to try. If rhyming intimidates you, don’t worry, because modern day poetry has very little rhyme. I'm a fan of narrative poetry because, like memoir writing, it tells a story. Poetry, the voice of the soul, is a free-flowing form of expression. The best poetry happens when you write about feelings, observations, and images as they come to you. 

To become a good poet, it is important that you read a lot of poetry for inspiration and ideas about form. You can also listen to CDs of poetry being read aloud. Here are a few prompts to consider: 

1) Title your poem “I remember.” Recall an event in your life and share all the details in your poem. The reader should feel as if they are remembering along with you. 

2) Write a poem about a secret you never told anyone. 

3) Describe your day in a snapshot 

April Writing Prompts

• Write about your favorite poet.
• Write a poem about spring.
• Write about your favorite poetry book.
• Write about a friend you are very grateful for.

My poetic contributions ;ast month...

“Create a Revolution.” (poem) Verse-Virtual. March 7, 2025.

“My Lost City.” (poem) The City Key. March 23, 2025.

“Rubber Band Bracelets.” (poem) Soul Forte Journal. March 2025.

“The Day After.” (poem) McQueens Quinterly: Issue 27. March 2025.

Book Recommendations

Grace Notes: Poems about Families by Naomi Shihab Nye (poetry)

I've seen and heard Naomi at a number of poetry events, and I just cannot get enough of her down-to-earth poetry. This book, in particular, resonated with me, with her themes of family, love, kindness, empathy, grief, growing up, and resilience.

This book celebrates family and community. The collection gets more personal than any of her other collections. Here she taps into her childhood, her parents and grandparents, and all the others who have helped shape her life as a poet and human. It's one of those books to be kept at the bedside to be reread over and over again.

I had so many favorite poems starred in this collection, but "Freedom" really spoke to me: 

My mother did not worry

 when I disappeared

on my blue bike, 

biggest difference of the old days

versus the new.

Even bigger than internet

 and landline phones.

Back then, parents just let you go.

~~~

Modern Poetry by Diane Suess (poetry) I first heard Seuss read her poetry during an online poetry reading and was blown away by her voice and honesty. This new collection takes its title, Modern Poetry, from the first poetry textbook she encountered as a child and the first poetry course she took in college. Her poems tell it like it is—feisty and musical, and many of them taking chances in writing about ordinary life occurrences, such as love and death. Her dry sense of humor coupled with self-scrutiny, offers the reader respite from the noise and chaos of the universe. In her poem called, "Poetry," she says,  There's no sense in telling you my particular troubles. You have yours too. Is there value in comparing notes? Unlike Williams writing poems on prescription pads between patients. I have no prescriptions for you.  I'm more interested in the particular nature and tenor of the energy of our trouble.

Yes, You Can Write Poetry: Try It This National Poetry Month
By Diana Raab April 06, 2025 Hobbies


April is National Poetry Month and if you have not thought about poetry since high school, it might be a good time to rediscover its wonders. Poetry is the voice of the soul; it is a free-flowing form of expression. The best poetry comes to you when you write about feelings, observations, and images as they arrive.

Poetry is a powerful genre because it allows self-expression and thus can increase your sense of well-being. In addition, reading and writing poetry not only leads to healing and transformation, but it can make you a better writer.

The Many Benefits of Writing Poetry

In general, writing poetry fosters the development of keen observational skills because in order to write good poetry, you need to be in touch with all of your senses. For example, instead of saying that something is beautiful, it’s more compelling to show why something is beautiful. In practice, this may look like this: when writing about flowers, you might say that the color is radiant, and the fragrance is like honeysuckle. This technique is called, “showing rather than telling.”

Writing poetry can also be healing, especially when you write about events or experiences that you’re still coming to terms with or still processing.

Freestyle Poetry

If rhyming intimidates you, don’t worry, because modern day poetry has very little rhyme. I’m a fan of narrative poetry because it’s most akin to memoir writing. It is poetry that tells a story. In many ways, writing poetry can move you closer to your center of creativity. It also stimulates the right brain. Poetry can also help you claim your voice.

If you want to write poetry, my best advice is to listen to the voice in your head. Writing poetry can help transform your life and aid you in dealing with difficult issues.

Because poetry is a succinct genre where every word counts, it teaches you the power of words. Writing poetry teaches you how to be concise and get to the point of what you want to say. Poetry also encourages the creation of images and metaphors. It’s a good idea to provide many details in the poem and to be as specific as possible. When writing about someone else, consider having a photo of them nearby so you can easily visualize them.

You can find many of my poems here: Selected Poems.

What It Takes to Become a Poet

Remember...to become a good poet, it is important to read a lot of poetry for inspiration. It’s also a way to get some ideas about form. Sometimes it’s fun to listen to poets read their poems. In fact, after you write your poem, one way to edit it is to read it out loud. This is because poetry was meant to be a spoken form of expression.


Try These Prompts

Here are some good prompts to get started when you want to begin writing:Write an ode to someone you love. Provide details about why you love them.
In poetic form, write a letter of apology to someone you disappointed, or you think you disappointed.
Write a poem about your first boyfriend/girlfriend and what you remember about them and your relationship.
You could write a poem about someone who has passed away by framing it as a present-day event that triggers a favorite memory of them.
Write a poem about a secret you never told anyone.
Describe your day in a snapshot.
Write a poem about all the things you love.

Happy writing!

Further reading: Try Something New: Write a Poem and Stretch Your Brain.

Final Thoughts: Do you read poetry? Who’s your favorite author? How about writing poetry – is it a favorite creative activity? What prompts do you use? If you haven’t written any poems yet, what’s stopping you?

Wishing you all happy writing.Have a great month of April!

https://www.dianaraab.com