Happy National Poetry Month, 2024
NOTE: On this third evening of National Poetry Month, I am waving my poetry pom-poms, tossing pink confetti, and sharing with you an alphabet poem including lines beginning only with the first thirteen letters of the alphabet. Thus, the poem is not an abecedarian which contains twenty-six lines—one for each letter of the alphabet. Since this week’s poem contains only thirteen lines, you will find the coined word “Half-abet” in the title.
As during previous months of April, I will try to post on the e-mail list of my writers’ group Behind Our Eyes, at least one new and original poem on each of the thirty days of National Poetry Month (NPM).
At last evening’s monthly Readers’ Workshop of Behind Our Eyes, I read the following poem.
Throughout the months leading to NPM and especially in April, I like to read books of and/or about poetry. From a small chapbook of poetry to a collection of the entire works of a poet, from a biography of a poet to a novel which contains some poems—try reading some poetry this month. Online, you may find a variety of poems read by a myriad of poets. Of course, you may introduce poetry to a child through some absolutely delightful rhyming books for children of various ages. Keep in touch with poetry this month!
An April Half-abet Poem
poem for the first day of National Poetry Month by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
April, April—mystical muse of this poetic season—
bestow on all my poet-friends
crystals of creativity,
dedication to the craft and artistry of poetry,
enough eloquent words for drafting elastic lines of poems,
fresh ideas to wax poetic for one full month of verse,
gauntlets to protect the writing hands,
havens or other peaceful places for writing without interruption,
inspiring content that will touch the souls and sod of readers,
joy while being on the Cloud 9 of Creation,
kindness in accepting both critiques and compliments,
loyalty in more fully understanding fellow poets and their poems,
magnolia blossoms to crown our Poets-of-the-Day until the month of May.
NPM WRITING CHALLENGE: Try writing a poem during the coming week. Perhaps, you will want to write a “half-abet” poem or the twenty-six line abecedarian. Whatever you write, I do hope that the experience makes you smile.
Best wishes for a Happy National Poetry Month!
Alice and Leader Dog Willow—the PAWet Laureate of NPM
April 3, 2024, Wednesday
alice13wordwalk 
Happy National Poetry Month, Alice!
I know this is a busy month for you and am looking forward to your blog as I become less resistant to poetry as the years go by.
A few weeks ago, Wisconsin PBS featured a two-nights program about Dante and his Divine Comedy. We both thought it was well done, and we learned a lot since neither of us had read it. At the conclusion of the 2nd night, I mentioned that PBS should have saved that program for National Poetry Month.
Of course, if not for your blog, I would never have known about National Poetry Month, so as this busy month for you begins, I thank you for the many things I have learned through your postings.
Hi, Sue–What a wonderful note of addition to this blog post at the
onset of National Poetry Month! Special thanks for your very nice
comments. I had not heard about the PBS program; perhaps, I will try to
catch it in a rerun.
Hoping the rain is over for a while! Happy NPM!
Alice and Willow