Welcome to Day 15 of my 30-Day Poetry Challenge!
HALF-WAY! WOO HOO! (sorry, just need to celebrate this little milestone…)
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, Pamie, for winning a free copy of my poetry book! (I do a raffle from those who commented on yesterday’s post.) Pamie, please email me your address so I can send 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!
* * * * * * * * * * *
The weather seems to be affecting my topics lately, as we are in the midst of a crazy mega-blizzard weekend in Minnesota, in April!
My Skin Forgets
When the snow piles high, burying the world
under Nature’s cold white blanket, I freeze.
My fingers are icicles, my toes nubbins
of numbness. I wear fingerless gloves
as I write, a 17th century poet huddling
around a candle. I too am buried, layers,
sweaters, blankets, tea mug in hands,
sure I will never, ever thaw.
I try to remember the feel of mid-July,
the blazing burst when stepping outside
of a/c heaven, how quickly it makes me
sizzle, wilts my will. Humidity waltzes in,
all sultriness and swelter, me sweating just
lying still, naked on my sheets, praying
the fan will have some effect. Skin glows,
radiates, bakes, parched, yearning for water.
How sometimes you are trapped in it, outside,
no escape, waving a paper at your face
for a breeze… This future-you will try to
remember how it felt to be so bone-deep
frozen in January, but can’t. Willing or
unwilling, we are always partnered
with this own Season’s sensual dance.
* * * * * * * * * * *
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.
**Subscribe to Pen and Moon to receive easy updates by email. See the Subscribe link in the sidebar>>> or at the bottom of this page.
Photo credit: Alex 6726 and Averie Woodard, courtesy of Unsplash.com
The prompt today was another difficult one.
The weather here is also cool for April, but being Texas it isn’t THAT cold. I can definitely relate to sweltering summers wishing it was winter, but I think I usually imagine summer in winter. I think I am better suited to the hot than the cold.
Some difficult prompts… if NaPoWriMo’s prompts aren’t doing it for me, I check out a few different sites. Or sometimes just have to write what’s in front of me (like the WEATHER here lately).
I’m sure in Texas you can relate to the heat more! We have such extremes here in Minnesota. The winter has its good moments, but I like the heat better myself too. Luckily there are many other good things about living here. 🙂
Wonderful, but I believe you wanted effect, rather than affect. As long as I am nitpicking, it is frozen icicle fingers in April that we are whining about.but I too have been honing my July images. I’m enjoying the absence of mosquitos.
YES! Thanks so much, Ann– I totally missed the effect/affect (and now changed it). As for the icicle fingers, I used poetic license to make the poem more relevant for future years too– it’s so unusual for me to feel this cold in April.
Yes! Jeanne and I were just commenting that soon we will be longing to be cold.
A few braved the weather this weekend, but we got snowed in at the AUW retreat and stayed an extra day. I really do appreciate the seasons in MN being different, but come on, Mother Nature! It is time for Spring!!
Yes, come on already! At least you were in a great place to be snowed in this weekend.