[Skeeter]

National Poetry Writing Month is coming up! The challenge is to write a new poem every day in April. I managed it last year, but I'm a little less optimistic this year. In any case, please feel free to join in and post your poems for the challenge in this thread.

[ryan a johnson]

I've never actually tried doing this before. perhaps now is the time

[Role Modlin]

I may give it a shot...even though I don't consider myself a poet. Are these prompted poems or do you just write whatever you feel like writing?

[SupaNova]

Honest-to-goodness poetry is still a shakey new writing style for me.....but I'm seriously considering taking a jab at it this year.

[Skeeter]

There are no set rules to the poetry that you write. Picking a theme can both help and hinder. The only basic rule is a poem per day for all of April.

Encouragement is encouraged, as it can be a tough haul. If need be, we can start a thread with titles for poems to give everyone some prompting. Or random words or other challenges. Whatever seems to be necessary.

Here's a website with some more information from NaPoWriMo: LINK!

[Pre-Ex-Girlfriend]

Count me among the "I think I'm going to try it this year" gang.

[Art]

I find my poems insipid, but I am going to do it anyhow.

[ryan a johnson]

Those interested in the concept of daily poetry should check out David Lehman's The Daily Mirror and The Evening Sun. Both wonderful books.

[Role Modlin]

I'm going to give it a shot but I don't expect much from myself.

[Skeeter]

Starts tomorrow! Keep in mind: the idea isn't to produce perfect, polished poems every day, but to spark your creativity and get a bunch of ideas going.

[ryan a johnson]

I said I’ll have a scotch on the rocks and she said no you won’t,
if you want liquor there’s a sports bar next door.
And I looked behind at the men in nice shirts playing pool
with their beer on tables and the way they looked at the kids
who should be in a sports bar who were thinking of The Cabin
and the pool table there with new felt and old men
with beer on their pants, where you won’t have scotch on the rocks either
but will be guided towards Ranier which is not next door.
It is on the far right, next to Pabst and the pull tabs.

[Role Modlin]

I started a thread to put mine in. The first one is up but I don't think it's very good right now.

[Skeeter]

Just a shortie to get things started:

Qué Onda Guero?

It's April first
and it's snowing:
qué putas?

[Pre-Ex-Girlfriend]

Untitled

The Consultation

Dr. Lichtenstein answers the phone.
His daughter reminds him
to pay her car insurance,
giving me a chance
for one deep breath
to suck up tears
that congregated as I confessed
reasons for my stress
and described its symptoms.


The Procedure

Not many twentysomethings
have seen their colons
on the big screen.
..........Pink lumps and polyps
..........Coming this Summer!
Ms. Frizzle would love it here.


The Day After

Eating Froot Loops
Having rainbow poop.


Two Weeks Later

A quick trip to Stop & Shop
puts me in line behind
a familiar receding hairline.
My curiosity gives me away,
and to my surprise he recognizes me.
"How are you?"

..........He means it.

"Much better. Thanks."

..........Did I actually ask him
..........if he remembered to pay
..........his daughter's insurance?

He grabs his bags
and tells me to take care.
I will.
See you in thirty years.

---

This poem has been in my head for a while now. Feel free to critique. I'm also trying to think of a title still.

[ryan a johnson]

Wadcutters – someday, we all
will make great television. Look
at how the rocks are, how
fingers of bark act out
in the water. Tomorrow
I’m driving down to Florida,
straight down into the Gulf.