Apr
12

NaPoWriMo Update #1

Nearing the halfway mark for the month and writing a poems a day, I had to make one big change to my routine. For whatever reason, I was dragging my feet to finish and post poems until the very last minute of the day. That was weighing me down as I tried to wade through the writing and reading that is supposed to be a pleasure.

Posting late mattered because I took it to heart and made it a responsibility to write a poem a day, right. So I had it to do and it was on my mind all day, each day. It popped up throughout the day, whatever I was working on, that I had this obligation yet unfulfilled. It created a measure of pressure and distraction that I decided to eliminate. Today was my first day being really early to post a poem, and it felt really good.

I’m so early today until I hardly know what to do with myself. I’m home early and trying to catch up on reading and other writing. For sure, I’m going to try to go to bed early to see if I can get up even earlier than my usual 7:30, hopefully to read more poems. The poems are really fantastic!

And there’s lots to read. Where I’m posting my notifications, at Read Write Poem, there are more than 200 writers posting their works and comments–daily!

I’m also visiting the places listed in my National Poetry Month section in my sidebar. If you want to read more, and possibly better poems, by all means visit these places and get reading.

One place I have to mention I came across a few days ago, is Poetic Mindset. This blogger introduces a poet a day. It’s an ambitions effort that I am enjoying immensely. You should check it out.

So, how’s it going? Have you changed anything big in your poem a day practices? Have you come across any interesting sites? Or are you doing anything unusual for NaPoWriMo? I’d love to hear about it.

Apr
12

Not Until it was Too Late

Day and night chanted the pots.
Beating the rhythms, spoons and forks
kept time. The phones rang in amens
to the chorus saying, “Yes, we agree.”
The seductive message bade me give in
against my better judgment.
“There’s so much at stake” I countered.

Having no interest in missing out
on either responsibility or a chance at fun,
I think they smelled my fence-straddled position.
“Try it and the cups will bail you out
if need be. Fear it not, all will work out
as you want.” Even the mugs hummed
their hypnotic assent.

It went on this way that they continued
their mesmerizing serenade,
whittling away my resolve, and I noticed
their unified stance was becoming my own.
Eventually I couldn’t tell the difference.

Still in a daze after days of relentless indoctrination,
I think I heard me giving my agreement.
“Okay, then,” and in I went for a swim.

In midair above the water with no way to un-jump,
I saw most clearly the true folly of my choice.

It was a month in an instant
as the heat swelled above the rolling waters.
I saw vegetables bursting through
the searing bubbling broth.
I could hear them now, saying
“No! Don’t come in, you fool!”

“Too late!” I managed before I slipped in.
And in the last bitter moment as the
hurt pained and sent me numb
before my head went under
I fully knew I was right to hesitate
and understood now my goose was cooked.

© 2010 Shari Lynne Smothers

This poem is for the napowrimo prompt #12, secret codes. Visit the post to see the details of this prompt.

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