listen - day 6

  

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.

 

National Poetry Month 2026 Poems 

April 1 - listening, listening

April 2 - clicking kitty

April 3 - spring morning 

April 4 - tea

April 5 - team

 

Here is poem 6 - 

 

Students - Yesterday I was visiting my mom who lives in a busier neighborhood than we do. I found myself pausing on her front porch, listening to the sounds of traffic and people going to and fro. This made me consider writing a poem about car sounds, but then, in the night I began thinking about other people-moving sounds, and loved the idea of writing about a train. We have friends who live right near the tracks, and they know the trains' schedules. Where we live, we only hear a long old sigh from time to time, when the wind and air are just right. I am thankful for this tuning of my sound-attention, to the habit my April project is developing inside of me.

 

I did have a writing helper today...Winnie of the clicky picky heels! Here she is atop my desk, such a good furry poet.

 

Winnie the Muse

Photo by Amy LV
 

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. 

 

Don't forget to listen to sounds that are close by...and sounds that are far away. All sounds are a part of your listening landscape. 

 

xo,

a. 

Please share a comment below if you wish.

Know that your comment will only appear after I approve it.

If you are under 13 years old, please only comment 

with a parent or as part of a group with your teacher.