Celebrating Poetry Month

After reading Molly’s blog, Shallow Reflections about National Poetry Month, it only seemed fair to give Poetry some space in my own writing. You don’t have to write poetry to appreciate it. I am, however, a true believer that we all have some form of poetry in us. It can be lyrical and rhyming OR just free form and flowing. The great thing about poetry is that it can or can’t have rules – you chose the form or lack of form. Either way, poetry is a great way to work through pain or find a way to laugh…or just express yourself!

I tend to be a rhymer…not necessarily the best poetry to write if you seek to be taken seriously (although Shel Silverstein and Dr. Suess seemed to do quite well for themselves!) Here are some recent poems in a variety of forms to celebrate the month!

My response to Shallow Reflections

Maine is still in winter?
Surely you must jest
Yesterday was 90
If you only headed west

El Cajon is desert
Our plants all took a dive
And thirsted after water
Only the strong survive

But when I check the weather
As I ready for the day
Today is down to 80
A reprieve On its way

As your sitting in your sweater
I’m out in here with no sleeves
Since I’m perimenopausal
The heat still makes me grieve

So remember while it’s snowing
Here you could have heat
But as always, it seems better
Looking at another’s treat

So while you all have seasons
We’re in eternal sun
But in the middle of my hormones
It truly is no fun!

Shadow

Shadow – why do you plague me so?
When the mirror lets me hide?
I can see myself with just my face
Until I step outside

The area below my neck
Has been a “trouble spot”
Oh shadow – playing on the ground
You leave me so distraught!

Sometimes I think you like to make
Us bigger than we are
but the person standing next to me
Is smaller still…by far

You give me little choice, my friend
to keep self-esteem in place
I’ll come out only when it’s dark
and leave you without a trace

Down the Drain

Watching the water
Run down the drain
Taking with it
Dirt, impurities
And dead skin cells
Wouldn’t it be nice
If it was just as easy
To wash away
Insecurity, damage
And painful
Memories
But those have
A bond
Stronger
than
dirt

Words of Discernment

Lord, give me discernment
To know what should be said
if the words cannot be useful
Lord, keep them in my head

Sometimes my mouth runs over
Independent of my mind
My judgement simply lacking
Just a single step behind

You know what words are helpful
You know what words can heal
I know what words come quickly
I know how I may feel

Lord, give me some discernment
Give me guidance from above
Before my mouth runs over
And I hurt someone I love

Now it’s your turn! Give me a poem in your response!