Its April and its NaPoWriMo time – 30 days, 30 poems. Its great to be back and to meet acquaintances made during the previous NaPoWriMo challenge and new ones too. Wishing all those who are taking part in the 30 day challenge, ‘All The Best!’
Today’s craft resource is to write poems that provide the reader with instructions on how to do something. It can be a sort of recipe, like O’Neil’s poem. Or you could try to play on the notorious unreliability of instructional manuals (if you’ve ever tried to put IKEA furniture together, you know what I mean). You could even write a dis-instruction poem, that tells the reader how not to do something. This well-known poem by John Ashbery may provide you with some additional inspiration.
My poem for the day:
I finally decided to share it-
To let you in
Post the never-ending glares
deepening frowns and eternal stares
From mom and dad
And as if that wasn’t bad
Grandma and grandpa too
And they asked, “How do you do what you do-
Sit all day long and do nothing?’
So here it is : this little secret of mine
8.00 a.m- still early
I lie down a bit
Candy canes, chocolate factories
Furry dogs, snow; Dong, Dong – it’s 9!
Damn!
Beep! That’s a message
Fifty three on what’s app and nine on Twitter
Instagram has fifteen
And Facebook twenty!
Thumbs up, Hearts, Open mouths
Wait! Did they love my post?
No!
Change it back to ‘like’ then
And reply with a humble thanks
Oh! Just a thanks won’t do
A hug, a kiss…how many has the sender put?
Seriously…with so much love
God must be His happiest self now
Yikes! Its 10 a.m.; some more beeps
But wait…what’s that on the ceiling?
Up, down, in, out- Wow! What intricate work!
How does it do what it does?’
Deftly it spins
The beauty! Painstakingly makes
‘Wonder Woman’ will be here soon
One stroke and it’ll be part of the rubble
Oh, The poor soul!
Dong, Dong, Dong- 11 already!
Have I told you the secret?
First, I need to send a message
Snap chat
Or I’ll miss my streaks
Woah! That was close-
Kites swooping
Big wings, strong, gliding
One flap, turn and now they soar
Hawked beak and that watchful eye-
A rat for brunch perhaps or is it a squirrel?
Knock, knock…Mom’s at the door
A frown, “What have you been doing? It’s 12!”
‘Nothing,’ I mutter, stumbling out of bed
“Doing Nothing? For so long?”
A frown, a glare
You’ll have to wait
For the secret-
The steps to the art
Of doing Nothing-
Or did you just learn it?
I dedicate this poem to my younger teen who has truly mastered this art.
Copyright©2019.lifeateacher.wordpress.com. All Rights Reserved.
Hello Smitha, Kurian here; did you send whatsapp number for the Intermittent Fasting Group? Please send to my number +919400056031 or mail: jacobkurian@hotmail.com
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Will get in touch soon
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Please do. We have some good articles shared in the group
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Sure
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This is great fun Smitha, you’ve really captured the art of frittering time away 🙂
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Thank you Andrea…lol. I believe this is all my younger one could be doing cooped up all day in her room :). Because she simply says ‘nothing.’
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Don’t you think every step in doing nothing is also a step in writing a poem?
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I think the fact that there was nothing to do in my small town is what made me a close observer and therefore a writer.
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Well, I love the way you write…so if that’s the secret to your writing, then I’m going to let it be. Thank you Judy for sharing this. Gives me a lot of relief.
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I agree Judith. This poem was the product of the same’nothingness’ 🙂 Its so good to hear from you again.
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Wow. Nicely done. But…doing ‘nothing’ is something!
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Thank you Susanne😊. Well, my daughter would love your comment…something she’s been trying to make me understand😀
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Doing nothing is indeed an art…adults are usually too busy for it! (K)
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Absolutely…though I do wish she wasn’t as good as she is at it😀. Thank you for reading the post and your comment.
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Hahaha those people are masters indeed who master the art of art of not doing anything and yet keep themselves entertained. A good one Smitha.
Also I am so excited abput this NapoWriMo.
Ps: How have you been? Hope all’s well.
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Oh yes they are Moushmi 🙂 Its good to reconnect and good to know you’re taking part too! April flies past thanks to NaPoWriMo and the amazing prompts.
I’ve been good…How about you?
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All good on this side too 🙂
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such a light hearted poem Smitha. Welcome to NaPoWriMo 2019.
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Thank you Preeti 🙂 Welcome to you too! Its good to reconnect.
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Indeed Smitha. Feels good to be back. Thank you.
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Yes it does:)
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Ha ha! I loved this one 😂😂
Starting the month with a poem that makes one laugh is a great way 😀
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Hey…its so good to hear from you…my first reader on NaPoWriMo. Hugs to you Vands
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