Poem A Day Challenge: April 29-30

Here are my final two entries for the  April Poem A Day Challenge . . .

April 29, 2014
Prompt: Two for Tuesday – Write a poem rooted in the real world and/or incorporate magical or fantastical elements.

Pearl gravel,
lava flow
Icebergs melt
as flames grow

Matchstick trees,
withered leaves
Salted shores,
crystal dust

Sweetened air,
sugared breath
Sunset sparks,
bitter taste

Inspiration: While in my writer’s group, one of the prompts was an image of a flame. I decided to fuse that prompt with the challenge prompt to see if I’d get anything interesting.

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April 30, 2014
Prompt: Write a “calling it a day” poem

Orange and coral
caress the sky with goodbye
A blue moon rises

Inspiration: As I was sitting down to write, the sun was beginning to set. I couldn’t ignore the coincidence!

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c.b.w. 2014

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Poem A Day Challenge: April 27-28

The April Poem A Day Challenge officially ended today. I’m proud to say I wrote a poem each and every day without fail. Even on the days when I was tired or had no inspiration whatsoever. Poetry is an amazing thing in that it can exist in myriad ways. On the days when I was tired, a haiku was the perfect fit and on the days when inspiration was hard to come by, free-verse got the job done. The moral of the story: keep writing, no matter what. Every word counts for something.

Here are a couple more of my entries. April 29 and 30 will be posted on Saturday.

April 27, 2014
Prompt: Write a monster poem.

Hidden inside,
the dark spot sits
Try to forget,
the truth bites back
The shadow grows,
shuts out the light
Deny the half,
we all possess
Daggers will tear,
through flesh and blood
Accept the yin
as part of the yang
The monster stills,
and does not fight

Inspiration: I got to thinking how the human spirit is full of light and dark spaces. In turn, that lead me to think of Eastern philosophy and beliefs associated with yin and yang.

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April 28, 2014
Prompt: Write a settled poem.

The search is over,
perfectly placed and just right
Don’t sit in my spot!

Inspiration: Two words – Sheldon Cooper.

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c.b.w. 2014

Poem A Day Challenge: April 25-26

We’re down to the last few days of the April Poem A Day Challenge! Here are two more of my entries along with what inspired them …

April 25, 2014
Prompt: Write a “last straw” poem.

Dripping wet hands,
no paper towels
The door is locked,
my key won’t work
Papers to grade,
every red pen is dry
Not a crisis at hand,
but my wits are shot

An empty gas tank,
out of order pump
Coffee spills twice,
dog poop in the hall
The internet crashes,
my poem is gone
Yes, this was my day,
I am so done.

Inspiration: This really was my day. This poem was a perfect way to vent.

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April 26, 2014
Prompt: Write a water poem.

It’s like the sky knew
today was a day to cry
a heart stopped beating

Raindrops hit my face,
replacing tears of sadness
with joy from above

Inspiration: The recent passing of a family member.

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c.b.w. 2014

Poem A Day Challenge: April 23-24

It’s the final week of the  April Poem A Day Challenge . Somehow, I managed to write a poem every single day without falling behind. By month’s end, I’ll be adding 34 poems to my journal (30 plus 4 Sunday Abroad additions). Not bad for a crazy busy teacher who can’t stop knitting or running.

I should have every poem from the challenge posted by Thursday of this week. Thanks so much for following along!

April 23, 2014
Prompt: Write a location poem.

The Kitchen At Midnight

The clock on the stove
runs two minutes slow

In one way it’s still today,
yet tomorrow all the same

The cat sits on the counter,
begging for a treat

Meow. Meow. Purr. Purr.
Where have you been?

Drip. Drip. Splat. Whap.
The faucet is still broken.

The fridge hums and
makes a weird click

Whirrrr. Whirrr. Plick. Plick.
Bandmate to the faucet?

Garlic rice hangs in the air,
the skillet was left in the sink

A glass of water, two Advil,
I should really be asleep

Late night wind hits the screen
Whack. Whack. Thwap. Smack.

I should have worn socks,
the tile is much too cold

Sniff. Sniff. Click. Clack.
The dog’s nails need a trim

He stares with a quizzical face,
Why are you up so late?

Inspiration: Being an insomniac, my kitchen at midnight is something I experience almost every night. The old adage, “write what you know” gave this slice of life a voice.

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April 24, 2014
Prompt: Tell it to the ____. Fill in the blank and make it the title. Then, write a poem.

Tell It To The Inner Critic

You do not own me,
or tell me what to think
That screaming voice,
once so deafening
Is now just a whisper,
I choose to ignore
The words, “I can’t”
have lost all meaning
No longer held back,
nothing is in my way
Those far away dreams,
so beautiful up close

Inspiration: My many bouts with that pesky inner critic!

– – –

c.b.w. 2014

Poem A Day Challenge: April 21-22

I can’t believe the  April Poem A Day Challenge  is almost over!! Here’s a couple poems from Week 3 of the challenge …

April 21, 2014

Prompt: Write a back to basics poems.

Laces untied,
dust gathered
I lost my way,
sold to slack

Excuses banned,
time to roll
Back to the path,
soul in reach

The trail ahead,
crunching sand
Just one more mile,
sole to dirt

Forget pavement,
clime each stone
Unplugged silence,
soul to earth

Inspiration: My return trail running continues to be a fantastic experience. It only seemed fitting to write about it!

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April 22, 2014
Prompt: Two for Tuesday – Write an optimistic and/or pessimistic poem

Water still flows with grime,
the air still smells of ash
Landfills filled to the brim,
while sludge oozes above

Our delicate planet,
wonders why no one cares
After giving so much,
we take it for granted

Apologies aside,
there’s time to make amends
The earth is still spinning,
but waiting for a change

We can do more than waste,
the key is in our hands
Let go of selfishness,
and consider the land

Somewhere beneath the grime
beneath years of blind eyes
Lies the chance to wake up
and see what’s been stolen

Inspiration: Earth Day!

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c.b.w. 2014