Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 25
Day 25, write a response poem. This could be a response to a poem I’ve written earlier in the month or a response to someone else’s poem. This poem is a response to the haiku masters like Basho, Buson, and Issa, who have graced us with timeless poems. Thankfully, they knew how to avoid distractions.
UNPOETIC
Napping on the couch,
I missed the
Full moon
With a notebook
As my pillow, I slept
Though the sunrise
Earbuds firmly in,
I couldn’t hear the
Chickadee’s song
Checking my phone,
I missed the frog’s
Leap into the pond
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 24
Day 24, write a superhero or super villain poem.
LOST MAN
Unable to
Follow directions.
Often confuses
Left from right.
Has been
seen reading
A map while
Holding it
Upside down.
Makes stops
At F, G, L, and P
While trying to go
From point A to B.
His compass
Always spinning.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 23
Day 23, write a poem about a conspiracy.
SUNDAY MORNING
Snoring dog
Across my legs
And rain against
The window
Conspire to
Keep me in bed,
Covers over
My head.
Poem -A-Day, April 2022, Day 22
Day 22, write a poem about an Organism.
MOLD
Mold
I’m told
Is ever-so bold,
Growing in folds
In hot and cold.
Though I may grow old
I’ll never outlive all this mold.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 21
Day 21, write a sound poem.
ENCORE
“Croak,”
Bull-frog’s
Ballad
Until
“Splash”,
He exits
Pond right.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 20
Poem a day challenge, day 20, write a poem using at least three of the following six words: 1. Content, 2. Double, 3. Guide, 4. Meet, 5. Pump, 6. Suit.
Here are six small stories, each using one of the words.
Before-dinner dogs: A furry fury. After-dinner dogs: Placid *contentment*.
New *suit*, new shirt new tie. Ready for my day. What? Mismatched shoes!
*Pump* handle had a nasty ricochet. My first black eye.
If we’ve *met*, I’ll remember your face, But likely fumble your name.
*Double* socks. Double pants. Double shirt. Double coat. Double hat. Chicago winter.
Dead-end farm road. Old map *misguided* me.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 19
Day 19, write a there or not there poem. Another one possibly based on a true story.
(Another possibly true story)
CAR KEYS
My car keys are gone,
But they were just there.
Now I can’t find them
Anywhere.
For an hour I search.
Then before I despair,
I touch the cord
‘Round my neck
Where I’d hung them
With care.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 18
Day 18, write a “we (blank) poem. Here’s the finding the “whee” in your life.
THE THRILL SEEKERS
We ride our bikes
Down a steep hill,
Let go the handles
Throw back our heads
Hair in the wind
As we become
“Whee!”
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 17
Day 17, write a mad poem. Poke the bear? Beware.
ADVICE
Don’t poke the bear.
Don’t make him mad.
For if you do,
It may turn out bad.
Don’t tilt the hive.
Though it may seem fun,
When the hornets fly,
You’d better run.
Don’t mock the gator
For heaven’s sake.
Just one bite
Is all takes.
The moral here
Is plain to see
When you tempt danger
Danger may get thee.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 16
Day 16, write a touch poem. August, it’s a mood.
AUGUST
Escaping heat.
In the pond,
Up to my chin.
Trying to stand
As still as
The surface.
Arms at my side,
Sun setting,
Orange cast
Across the water.
Touching bottom.
Feeling mud
And pebbles
Beneath my feet,
As tiny fish
Nibble my toes.
Pink Moon 2022
Pink Moon over East Dundee, Illinois. Mike Barzacchini photo.
Last night’s Pink Moon on Easter Eve, over East Dundee, Illinois. Grateful for clear skies last night which helped me capture these photos.
Listen to Nick Drake’s Pink Moon.
Pink Moon over East Dundee, Illinois. Mike Barzacchini photo.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 15
Day 15, write a patience poem. This one is about my father, the most patient person I’ve ever known.
SUNDAY MEDITATION
My sister and I always
Ran late getting
Ready for church.
Dad waited patiently
On our back porch steps
Powder blue suit,
white shirt,
And neat tie
Never a raised voice
Or harsh word.
He’d just clip his nails
And work his cuticles,
Knowing by the time
He finished this
Sunday morning
Manicure we’d barrel
Through the backdoor,
Mom herding us
Into the station wagon.
Dad, the most patient
Person I’ve known,
And he had the
Best-looking
Fingernails, too.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 14
Day 14, write a scary poem. Sometimes the “boo” is in the fear of the beholder.
NO BOO
The ghost
Opened his mouth
But couldn’t boo.
Maybe because
He was scared
Of you.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 13
For day 13, write a “how to (blank)” poem.
HOW TO BUILD A BOOKCASE
Some assembly required.
Some tools will be needed.
Some you will have. Some you won’t.
Some directions will be in small type.
You’ll need a magnifying glass
To read them. And after, you’ll
Still have no idea what they mean.
Some screws will be lost.
Some aspirin will be taken.
Some pieces will be left over,
They look important, but
You can’t figure out
Where or why they belong.
Some shelves will slant
Someone will notice.
And some trash pick-up day,
You’ll place the bookcase at the curb.
Then, somewhere find a store
That offers one already assembled.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 12
Day 12, write a counting or a not counting poem.
BEFORE THEY’VE HATCHED
Nineteen eggs,
Then twenty
Hatched chicks?
Henry thought,
“I must have miscounted.”
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 11
Day 11, write a power poem.
YOUR LOVE IS MY SUPERPOWER
I will be your superhero.
I will wear the cape.
I’ll outrace the bullet
And defeat the alien ape.
I’m not scared of zombies.
I’ll be sure to win the day.
The only weakness that I have
Is if you go away.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 10
Day 10, write a taste poem. Maybe it’s because I’m looking forward to summer and remember the joy with which Roy attacks the hose for a cold drink on a hot day. When it comes to happiness, dogs have it figured out. Keep it simple.
DOG FOUNTAIN
Hot August afternoon,
Nothing sweeter than
Water from the hose.
Roy, post hose drink. Mike Barzacchini photo.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 9
Day 9, Write a breaking poem. This one may have something to do with my love-hate relationship with stuff.
I BROKE IT
I broke it.
I bought it.
I glued it.
I kept it.
I hold it.
I embrace it.
I treasure it.
I can’t replace it.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 7
Today’s prompt, write an abundance poem.
A little background: There’s a nasty (sticky) rumor that I can’t control the honey dispenser in our home. Not true! Not true!
ABUNDANT HONEY
On my elbows,
On the wall,
Just wanted a drop
I poured it all.
Drowning my toast
With sticky delight,
I’ll be cleaning up
From breakfast
Well into the night.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 8
Day 8, write a poem about what they never tell you.
WHAT THEY NEVER TELL YOU
(UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE)
Cash only.
Exact change.
No returns.
Back in an hour.
By appointment only.
Results may vary.
Check local listings.
Who “they” are.
