In the same way that Earth Day is everyday, poetry month is every month. Still, we do some extra special things in April, like attempt to write a poem a day and sometimes we use prompts from those who encourage us along the way!
There are several sites who encourage us this way, and my favorite is: NaPoWriMo
Here’s what the guru behind NaPoWriMo had to say today on the start of the challenge:
Happy Tuesday, all, and Happy April 1. Today marks the start of another National/Global Poetry Writing Month!
“If it’s your first time joining us, the process is quite simple. Just write a poem every day during the month of April. 30 days means 30 poems. We’ll have an optional prompt every day to help you along, as well as a resource. We’ll also be featuring a participant each day. And if you’re interested in looking at other people’s poems, sharing links to your daily efforts, and/or cheering along, a great way to do that is by clicking on the title of each day’s post. That will take you to a page with a comment section for the day.” (Maureen)
I enjoyed the prompt for today found here: April 1 prompt:
I found a musical term that was new to me: the Rescue Opera, defined on the Naxos.com website like this: “The term ‘rescue opera’ has been used to describe operas such as Beethoven’s Fidelio, dealing with the subject of rescue, particularly, after 1789, from political victimisation.”
I think it an extraordinary time to write a poem about rescuing people from political victimisation. So, I have made note of it and will circle back around. In the meantime, I offer a triolet (one of my favorite forms because it is only 8 lines). Not to be fooled, however, (even tho it is April Fools Day) as it is not as simple as it seems with two refrains and two rhyme schemes. Here the Academy of American Poets defines the form for you: Triolet. It is a short poem with two refrains which gives it a kind of song-like rhythm and in fact is related to the rondeau.
So, because my time was short today on day 1, I’m sharing my Triolet and holding on to that first prompt for another day.
Enjoy your month of April as time does fly!
Time: A Triolet
Where does the time go?
I can certainly fritter it away!
If I knew the answer would I show
where does the time go?
Or, would I stop the clock or make it slow?
As if by doing that I could hold the day.
Where does the time go?
I can certainly fritter it away.
Jacquelyn Markham (c.2025)
Poet Voice 