First Friday Poetry – April 2024

First Friday Poetry is our year long poetry challenge for 2024 . On the first Friday of each month, Linda and I (and anyone else who joins in) will be writing a poem of our choice – no themes and a photograph inspired by the poem or inspiring the poem.

Last year I wrote 30 word poems. I enjoyed the limitation, but this year I decided I needed a change. I am expanding to 48 word poems – in honour of 2024 (24 x 2!).

April is National Poetry Month and many people are participating. I have been following the daily posts at “NaPoWriMo“, where there are prompts and info on poetry writing. I had planned to write about the calla lily I received at Easter, but the prompt at this site intrigued me.

“Today we’d like you to start by taking a look at Alicia Ostriker’s poem, “The Blessing of the Old Woman, the Tulip, and the Dog.” Now try your hand at writing your own poem about how a pair or trio very different things would perceive of a blessing or, alternatively, how these very different things would think of something else (luck, grief, happiness, etc).”

This poetry prompt got me wondering how I could adapt my format (48 words) to this poem by Ostriker. I went with a pair of flowers and feelings of sadness/happiness.

Calla Lily vs Carnation

I am happy

said the calla lily.

My roots are anchored.

I’m watered often.

I heard them say

I’ll be transplanted

Outside, very soon.

I am sad

said the carnation.

My stem is broken.

My petals are turning brown.

It won’t be long

Before I’m

thrown out.

We hope that you will join us by writing a poem or two this year.

Don’t forget to check out Linda’s poem here.

Cheriee is joining us again this year. Here is her poem.

Hope to see you in May – first Friday in May will be May 3rd