April is National Poetry Month. Poetry is how my writing life began. My mother was a published poet, and when she saw me trying to write poems too, she sat me down and taught me all about rhyme and meter.
Along the way I have written a few free verse poems, but I usually go back to the rhyme and meter I learned early on. It’s a comfortable fit. I can feel the rhythms in my head when I write.
I have had a few of my poems published, but I realized long ago my true passion is for telling stories. Yet, when the feeling strikes, I will still find the rhythm and jot down a poem.
Healing & Remembering Through Poetry
Last year, I shared on this blog the poem I wrote about the pandemic. It was a way to let my creativity take control over a situation that seemed out of control. I did the same thing after the 9/11 attacks nearly 20 years ago. My poem about the attacks ended up published in an anthology called Everything Prose and Poetry Too.
I have written poems for loved ones on special occasions, and I have written poems about loved ones after they’re gone. Several of those poems have been read at funerals. The first of those was for my father-in-law in 1990. My daughter made a copy of it in calligraphy to display in his casket.
One Family’s Prayer
I called it One Family’s Prayer, and it went like this:
We thank you, God, for Grandpa Ralph,
Our Grandpa, Dad, and friend.
Our sadness overwhelms us now.
His life has reached its end.
He’s done so much for all of us,
And never with reward.
He guided us and cared for us
And prayed for us, O Lord.
He offered us each thing we’d need,
No matter what it was.
An ear to listen, dinner out,
Or doughnuts just because.
He ached with us when we were hurt.
He felt with us each pain.
He cheered us up and made us laugh,
And tickled us insane.
We leaned on him when our strength failed.
His strength was always there.
And that’s what made his grim disease
So tough for us to bear.
He was Your special gift to us,
Of each of us a part,
On every day of every year,
This family’s soul and heart.
It’s hard to give him back to You
To join his cherished wife.
He takes with him a little piece
Of each and every life.
Dear God, accept our humble thanks
For giving us this man,
Who made our world a finer place,
And help us if you can
To find the words to say goodbye.
We know we’ll meet again.
Take care of him for all of us
And give him peace. Amen.
Before April is over, read a few poems or share a poem you like with friends or family. Happy National Poetry Month!
