National Poetry Month

Inspired by Black History month, The Academy of American Poets worked with a variety of interested parties including teachers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and of course poets to figure out the many ways poetry could be celebrated. They concluded April was a great month for the celebration, and on April 1, 1996, President Bill Clinton proclaimed April to be National Poetry Month.

Following the Academy’s lead, Writers’ Morning Out has posted a poem-a-day during April since WMO’s inception in 2010.

“Rose Garden” by Sam Barbee

Arid days, you let me water herbs and beans.

Leaf bellies and blooms wet and revealed.

A laden vine shaken unnerved by muscled wind.

Disallowed to reap: too soon; too late,

or misjudge rot. Even when I spot danger,

or limitless sour curling past dawn.

A terrible victory, half-lies decided.

If I prepare for the savage reive,

I leave time for grieving ravaged days.

Without fear of freeze and rot,

I will plant roses and tend them well.

Random color – perhaps your favorite blush –

budding flicker to thrill you

in afternoon rain. Thaw you, remind

how half-harvest leaves us hungry

through days of petals, shadow-less

as they twist and fall. Thorns to find blood,

yet bringing fragrance only they can bend.