April 2016 – Pen's Ink

The Hours

Sometimes they fly by like
traffic on a Friday evening highway
and sometimes they pool
at my feet like Autumn leaves
and I can’t make them
move fast enough, but I try
to remember whether the hours
with you (and the ones away)
move quickly or slowly
— each one is a gift.

—–
AUDIO FILE:

Tired Wolf

Poetry

(for Christal, on your birthday)

When your night is too long

— I will come to you.

When you can’t find your song

— I will sing to you.

When the strength in you tires

— I’ll be strong for you.

I’ll bring flame to the fires

–that burn low in you.

No matter how far you roam

— I will run to you.

I will carry you home

— I will find you.

—–

AUDIO LINK:

Waiting (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD rondeau poem)

Poetry

There is nothing like the waiting —
not a feeling that can compare.
When I wake and you’re still not there
— my desire is not abating.

No, I’m not here hesitating,
but sometimes it’s hard to find air.
There is nothing like the waiting —
not a feeling that can compare.

I can’t sleep for speculating,
so, I lie awake and I stare,
at your ceiling and empty chair,
–your return anticipating.
There is nothing like the waiting.

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:

Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #12:

For today’s prompt, take on one (or both) of the following prompts:

Write a serious poem. Or…Write a silly poem.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-12

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POETIC FORM INFO:

The poetic form focus for my PAD 2016 Challenge is the Rondeau — 13 lines in 3 stanzas; rhyme scheme: ABba/abAB/abbaA (uppercase letters are refrains) Usually 8 syllables per line. For info: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/personal-updates/help-me-rondeau-help-help-me-rondeau-another-french-poetic-form

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AUDIO FILE:

Hungry Moon (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD poem)

Poetry

that first meal we shared
at a full moon table with
silent dueling pianos
your blue wolf eyes
across the narrow table
nervous smile dancing
over a barely touched
plate of french fries

the waitress laughed
as at her question
you insisted on paying
we could not swallow
more than a few bites
but as you held my hand
I was so hungry the world
could see it on my face

the full moon closed
within days — for weeks
I wondered to myself
what that might mean
now I know, that night
you left that place with
the moon on your arm

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:

Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #16:

For today’s prompt, write a poem about (or at) a food establishment. You could pick on a chain like Taco Bell or McDonald’s, sure, but maybe there’s a local favorite–or some special dive. Heck, maybe that place where you took your first date or got your first job. Have fun with it, and if you need to do a little research, go out for something to eat.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-16

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AUDIO FILE:

Let Me Lie (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD freeform poem)

Poetry

“Roots,” by Frida Kahlo

let me just lie down
here in the grass
pull this dirt
and these rocks
over my aching
I will water myself
with these tears
I’m so very tired
of this desert day
let me lie here
like a seed
but don’t ask me
to grow just now
to break open
my heart or push
beyond this blanket
of dark earth
let me just lie
to myself for today
I’ll rise up tomorrow
and reach for the sky

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:
Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #6:

For today’s prompt, write an ekphrastic poem. An ekphrastic poem is a poem inspired by art. You can pick your own favorite piece of art if you wish. Or you can use one of the examples below:

1. Michelangelo’s First Painting
2. “Roots,” by Frida Kahlo
3. “Age of Love,” by Alfons Mucha

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-6

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AUDIO FILE:

Fuck Off (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD rondeau poem)

Poetry

Tell me, who do you think you are,
and who do you think I should be–
you who have turned judgment on me,
blowing smoke like a bad cigar.

Casting your blame and pitching tar,
you cannot stand that I am free,
telling all how perfect you are,
and just how you think I should be!

You can’t wear my shoes and walk far.
Watch how I laugh, and I simply
enjoy my life — live it carefree.
I am happy, head in the stars.
I don’t care, what you think or are.

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:
Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #11:

For today’s prompt, write a defensive poem. The first thing that springs to my mind is getting defensive about an accusation, which may or may not be true. The next thing I think about might be people or animals defending themselves. Or defense in sports. Or defense in the court room. Or well, there’s a lot to defend in this world.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-11

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POETIC FORM INFO:
The poetic form focus for my PAD 2016 Challenge is the Rondeau — 13 lines in 3 stanzas; rhyme scheme: ABba/abAB/abbaA (uppercase letters are refrains) Usually 8 syllables per line. For info: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/personal-updates/help-me-rondeau-help-help-me-rondeau-another-french-poetic-form

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AUDIO FILE:

Last Night (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD rondeau poem)

Poetry

Last night I slept here, in your bed.

I wrapped myself ’round your pillow,

in the darkness, let the day go,

with its words loud in my head.

Last night I closed my eyes, instead

of listening to their tempo.

Last night I slept here, in your bed.

I wrapped myself ’round your pillow.

I woke to coffee, and sweet bread.

Today, I’ll sit by our willow.

I’ll write my rhymes for this rondeau,

and smile, remembering what you said,

and all our nights shared in your bed.

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:

Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #13:

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Last (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write the poem. Possible titles include: “Last Word,” “Last Card Catalog,” “Lasting Impression,” “Last Train to Duluth,” and so on.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-13

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POETIC FORM INFO:

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AUDIO FILE:

Blues (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD rondeau poem)

Poetry

I do not want to write today.
I want to sit. I want to sigh.
I want to watch the world go by,
to watch the rain and here to stay–

at this table, in this café,
and nibble on a slice of pie.
I do not want to write today.
I want to sit. I want to sigh.

I will not mourn, nor will I cry.
It’s not that I am sad that way.
My muse has gone outside to play,
and I am left here, warm and dry.
So, I will write another day.

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:

Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #10:

For today’s prompt, pick an emotion, make it the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles might include: “Happy,” “Sad,” “Angry,” or well, there’s a universe of emotions out there.

Here’s a list of some possibilities

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-10

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AUDIO FILE:

Escape to Neverland (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD rondeau poem)

Poetry

She said lost boys like her are free.
She smiled at me, offered her hand,
invited me to Neverland.
I asked myself how this could be.

She promised me that love’s the key.

This kind of thing happens, unplanned.

She said lost boys like me are free.
She smiled at me and squeezed my hand.

Behind her eyes I found the sea.

We flew and left behind dry land,

straight on till dawn, past two stars, and

I’ll never be the same — not me,
because lost boys like us are free!

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:

Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #9:

For today’s prompt, write a hide out poem. When I was a kid, we’d build “hide outs,” I guess from our parents or other kids. An assortment of criminals (fictionalized and real) have their hide outs. But maybe there are other hide outs, like a “man cave,” “she shed,” or the local pub. Heck, maybe it’s the library. Give it a thought, and I’m sure you’ll find the right hide out poem for you.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-9

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AUDIO FILE:

Doodle (a #NaPoMo #APRPAD rondeau poem)

Poetry

Let the ink and paper tangle.
Watch the black lines dance on the page
— Fred and Ginger on a blank stage —
twist and turn at every angle.

See that flourish? Watch it dangle,
like a tiger loosed from its cage.
See how ink and paper tangle,
As the black lines leap on the page?

It’s all noise, all bass and jangle–
scattered joy and unbridled rage,
stolen from the battles we wage.
Come and play and don’t act your age.
Watch the ink and paper tangle.

—–

#NaPoMo INFO:

Poetic Asides #April Poem-A-Day Challenge – PAD #8:

For today’s prompt, write a doodle poem. In my mind, I’m thinking of how I like to doodle when I’m talking on the phone or sitting in a meeting. I used to doodle in my classes when I was younger. So for a poem, I’m thinking this could start off as something small that stays small or builds to epic proportions. Doodle around a bit today. If needed, start by describing something close at hand or within your current field of vision.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-8

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AUDIO FILE:

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