Poetry Challenge – Day 27

Welcome to Day 27 of my 30-Day Poetry Challenge!

Comment on today’s poem to win a copy of my poetry book, “(After) Confession… I’m giving away a copy every day. Scroll down below the poem for more details about this Poetry Challenge.

But first, congratulations, Teja, for winning a free copy of my poetry book! (I do a raffle from those who commented on yesterday’s post.) Teja, please email me and I’ll figure out how to deliver your prize: theresa.sapphire@gmail.com

Now onto today’s poem. Don’t forget to comment, and check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won!

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I could not resist the NaPoWriMo prompt for today: my daughter Gennie has had such a passion for the Rider-Waite Tarot for years, does amazing readings, has done a huge research project on it, and even made a really cool animation of the cards (scroll down below the poem to see it– it’s short and amazing). 

The prompt: pick a card (any card) from this online guide to the tarot, and then to write a poem inspired either by the card or by the images or ideas that are associated with it.

The Edge

Some would think it foolish
to admire this Fool
in his whimsical tunic, wide sleeves
agape, head tossed back, taking in
the brilliance of the yellow-sky day.
His golden-shod feet step forward
just inches away from the rocky cliff edge.

He looks sublime and oblivious, caught up
in the bliss of the moment, and yet,
the white dog yaps a warning, so he knows.
Doesn’t matter, he thinks. He knows himself,
white rose in hand, a satchel of what he needs,
and his mountain journey has led him here.
There have been grueling days climbing
and now the reward of this peak, this
glorious sun. The next step
is to walk off the edge of certainty
and trust what comes after. It’s his time
to fall or fly. He’s betting on flying, his
wide sleeves ready to turn into wings.
Maybe, and maybe not,
but he’s ready to step into the unknown
and try.

Me, I’ve never been much the Fool.
I grew up hanging onto railings, stepping
back, too anxious to be anything but safe.
I’ve traveled hard roads, but I long to climb
mountains, take more risks, trust in something
larger than my own tenacious grip. Lately
the pull towards “what if?” has been calling,
keeping my feet stepping forward,
one after the other, much more slowly
than the Fool, yet I keep going. What
will it be like to stand at the edge,
stomach swirling, legs trembling,
face lifted to the possibility
of who knows what
will come next?

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DETAILS:

• I’m writing and posting a new poem every day through the month of April (yikes!), for better or worse.
• AND, as a gift, I’m giving away a copy of my poetry book EVERY DAY this month. FREE!
• Sign up to WIN a copy of (After) Confession by just leaving a comment beneath the poem of the day.
• I will pick a winner every day in April! So comment every day for a new chance to win.

OR, you can purchase your own copy of (After) Confession for the new low price of $9.00 USD, shipping and handling included! Click here to read sample poems and purchase a copy.

April is National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.

This month’s posts are part of the  NaPoWriMo challenge — that’s National Poetry Writing Month. At NaPoWriMo.net, you’ll find links to other participating writers and their poetry. AND daily writing prompts for inspiration to write your own poems. Check them out.

I’m so looking forward to your comments–  it doesn’t have to be about the poem. Write anything, share the name of your favorite poet or poem, write about the weather, whatever! And thanks for reading.

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Photo credit: Pamela Colman Smith, illustrator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck; and Leio McLaren, courtesy of Unsplash.com

Video credit: Genevieve Alberti; music “Break the Spell” by Ellis Delaney