Write a Poem Inspired by the Change of Seasons
Poetry Prompt #1: Write a Poem Inspired by the Changing Seasons
Over the next 30 days, I’ll be sharing a poetry writing prompt a day and trying to follow the prompts myself.
Prompt one: Write a poem inspired by the change of seasons. Share your poems in the comments, if you’d like. And check back later for my poem. Whether you use the prompt or not, remember to keep writing!
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 30
Challenge complete. As I wrote at the beginning of the month, I had no intention of completing or event starting this year’s poem-a-day challenge. But I’m sure glad that I did. I came into April with my poem tank empty. I hadn’t written one in months. I enter may with more than 30 new poems and many more drafts. Sometimes you get the challenge you need when you need it. The important thing is to keep trying, keep striving and keep moving. And that brings me to the last poem of the month: Write a moving poem. Here’s to April. Hello, May. Let’s keep moving.
Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you. —Satchel Paige
MOVE
Yesterday is an anchor
Weighs me down.
Tomorrow’s a wind beneath
My broken wings.
But which way will it blow?
I have today.
I have to get up,
Get off this couch.
I have to get up
And move.
Yesterday is no return
Even if I have the receipt
Tomorrow may be out of stock
There’s no way to know
I have today.
I have to get up.
We have today.
We need to get up
Off this couch
And move.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 28
Day 28, write a sight poem (and try not to blink).
BLINK
blink
It passed by.
blink
It's gone.
blink
It’s midnight.
blink
It’s dawn.
blink
The movie
blink
I’d like to see
blink
Is what I missed
blink
When my eyes
Failed me.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 27
Day 27, Write a Remix Poem. This prompt asks us to remix a poem from earlier in the month. I chose to remix my day 20 challenge poem. Remember that one? We were asked to write a poem using at least three of the following six words: 1. Content, 2. Double, 3. Guide, 4. Meet, 5. Pump, 6. Suit. I had so much fun. I couldn’t stop at one.
REMIX #1: ADVICE TO A NERVOUS SPEAKER
Know your *content*.
*Double* down on your talent.
Let your instinct *guide* you.
Wear your best *suit*.
Get *pumped*.
I’ll *meet* you backstage.
REMIX #2: ROADTRIP
*Double* down
Wear your lucky *suit*.
Let your instinct *guide* you.
We’ll *meet* out back
By the old *pump*.
REMIX #3: HOLIDAY DREAM
Our host *doubled* as our *guide*.
We *met* by the abandoned *pumps*.
His shiny*suit* reflected the sun.
When he spoke, his words confused me.
But I understood the *content*.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
Poem-A-Day, April 2022, Day 6
The day 6 prompt asked us to write a “blank in the blank” poem, and we fill in the blanks. I adapted this to a “blank on the blank” poem and wrote these lines, inspired by Susan.
WORMS ON THE SIDEWALK (RAINY-DAY GRACE)
After the rainstorm
She walks the neighborhood
Delivering earthworms
From sidewalk peril
To soil salvation
Poem-A-Day Challenge, Day 5
The first “two-for-Tuesday” poetry month prompt, write a sense or nonsense poem. Of course, I chose nonsense because sometimes that makes the best sense of all. This one is inspired by the beautiful Mila Kay.
BABY TALK
I delight in her
Gurgles and gasps,
Bubbles blown
With sweet breath,
Syllables tried out
For the first time
In random order,
The beautiful music
Of baby talk.
Poem-A-Day-Challenge, Day 4
Day four’s prompt, write a “catch-up” poem. It seems like I’m always trying to catch up to something or something’s trying to catch up to me.
CATCH
A falling star
That won’t fit in my pocket.
More flies than honey.
But who wants sticky flies?
A break,
Before it’s broken.
My breath,
While I’m still able.
Honestly, I’m just
Trying to
Catch up
To yesterday.
Celebrate National Poetry Month
National Poetry Month starts tomorrow, April 1. How will you celebrate? Here are some ways I’m celebrating:
National Poetry Month starts tomorrow, April 1. How will you celebrate? Here are a few ways I’m celebrating:
Read a poem a day. Subscribe to the Academy of American Poets poem-a-day newsletter.
Write a poem. MasterClass offers 11 Rules for Writing Good Poetry.
Take part in a poetry month challenge. My favorite is the Writer’s Digest PAD Challenge.
Support a poet and an independent bookstore by buying a collection of poetry from an independent bookstore. Check out BookShop.
Read the work of a poet or poetry form that’s new to you. The Poetry Foundation is a great place to explore poets and poetry.
Share a poem. This could be a favorite poem or one you’ve written. Five ways to share poetry with the world.
Here are 30 more ways to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Here’s to a happy, creative National Poetry Month!