National Poetry Month Challenge

These days it seems like almost every month stands for something, but you can't blame me for getting excited for the ones that have to do with writing.

Usually, like any other fun day (Talk Like a Pirate Day, Chocolate Day, The birthday of the ice cream sundae) I don't actually participate, just smile and enjoy the fact that there is a day/month for that.

I'd like to change that though.

This month is National Poetry month, and poetry has been knocking on my mind's door over the past year asking why it is I haven't let it in lately.

I'm not really sure what it was exactly. I used to write poetry when I was a kid and teen. I even took a class in college and though I felt my poems were odd in comparison to everyone else's I seemed to do pretty well in the class and receive good feedback. But what was it that made me stop?

Was it the conventional academic idea "You need to pick a genre to focus/major in?" that made me feel I had to chose between poetry and fiction? Was it a personal realization that I had? For a long time I claimed I couldn't write poetry or I that wasn't very good at it. Did I have a negative experience I have forgotten?

In comparison to some poets I know I don't think my poetry could hold a stanza to theirs, but where did this insecurity involving my poetry come from and why did I stop writing it?

For that matter, it seems that everyone besides the poets themselves seems to have a very similar attitude toward poetry. They either view it as something they themselves could never attempt or as a very personal form of expression that is not meant to be shared with the outside world unless you're a "professional."

Part of the issue may be an overall general misunderstanding of poetry and what it is. I've had to face this head on teaching 102/152 Writing About Literature. Most of the Poetry section of the class seems to be focused on getting them to beleive that there are various types of poetry and that they might actually like it.

Though I have to admit my own insecurities may be getting in the way of this overall message. I invite poets like Adam Robinson and Latonia Valincia to my class because I know that, for many of the students, hearing a poet read, especially one as talented as either of them, is a rare or singular opportunity and because when they talk about poetry, even if they use similar words as myself, the students seem to suddenly "get it." The difference I beleive is in their passion for it. It is palpable.

(If you want to see what I mean, here is a video of Latonia visiting one of my classes. If you have the time, you really should watch all 5 ten minute parts, even though they hardly do her justice: Latonia Visits 152)

But just as important, I myself am not as engrossed in poetry as they are. I haven't drowned and been reborn in it as they or any other successful poet I know has.

So, in light of celebrating those odd months and days (after all they were created for a reason weren't they?) and in light of becoming more comfortable with a form that is out there waiting to be explored, I challenge myself and I challenge YOU to write a poem every day this month for National Poetry Month.

It's April 5th, so we are 5 days behind, but you can just start from now if you like.
I personally am going to try and catch up. It's the only way I'll take it seriously.

I will write the poems every day and I won't worry too much about revision, unless it happens while I'm still in the writing process or very immediately after.

Additionally, I will post my Poetry Month Poems here. Don't worry, I still make my sparatic normal posts as well.

AND I encourage you to do the same. Write a poem every day and SHARE it. Show it to a friend, post it to my blog as a comment! I'd love to see them. :)

And in the mean time, if you are looking for some inspiration or want to appreciate more "professional" poetry, a good fried of mine, Meredith Purvis -- who is also a beautiful poet (seriously you should check some of her stuff out)-- is posting a poem or poetry entry and reflection everyday for National Poetry Month. There is a link to her blog on the side of my page, but you can check her latest one out right here.

And now, without further delay, here are my first two poems for Poetry Month. I have 3 more to write today if I want to get caught up, but here's the start! (My first one feels super cheesy to me, but who cares. (Note: I know that I shouldn't say that given Purvis's latest blog, lol. But I can't help it yet!! If you haven't read that blog yet, you really should.)

"Forever"

Black on White
Pen on Paper
Ink as smooth as stone

the Chemicals may fade
this Sheet may wither
but the Words live on

Style and Soul
not paper


"Working Under Pressure"

Let's blame the ideas
for coming late, waltzing in past
the moment, the hour, the sun
Let's blame those imaginative sparks
for needing precise light
It's not me nor you
nor anyone who waits
for that last possible moment
to begin