listen - day 1

 

 

As I strive to become a better listener and to connect more with my sense of hearing, National Poetry Month 2026 finds me writing daily, handwritten, index card poems inspired by sounds and listening. I have begun a new notebook to collect the sounds I notice throughout the month, and I will reflect on them in short poems. My ears - and my heart - are open wide. 

 

I invite you to join me in this project, on any of my projects from the past 16 years, or on a project of your very own. To do so, simply write a poem each day of April in any way you wish. Share or don't share, as you wish. Your poems are your poems. Your projects are your projects. And if you wish learn a bit more about writing poetry, I welcome you to the short lessons in the tab above: COAXING POEMS VIDEOS - 2024.

 

Here is poem 1:

 

 

Students - Today's card poem is simply me thinking about why I chose listening and sounds as the theme of my National Poetry Month project this year. I do have many favorite sounds, and I do recognize that I can become a much better listener. Many of the best listeners I know...are the wisest people I know. It is interesting to think about listening - and writing - as paths to becoming more thoughtful.

 

I did make a couple of lists of rhyming words (with the help of a favorite tool, RhymeZone) to help me write this poem. And I have a feeling that I will enjoy the challenge of the size-limit of an index card.

 

To learn about many of the wonderful National Poetry Month projects happening online this April, visit the generous Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup. Enjoy the gifts that float into your ears....

 

xo,

a. 

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