Re:versed, Again

dazed by days of prose
april comes showering poems
state reversed by verse

Poem, Day 1

Originally posted on 4 April 2013

Today is the first day of National Poetry Month! In fact, this April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. It has grown to become the “largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.”

To join in the celebration, new and favorite poems will post here throughout April—possibly every day! I call my poetical alter ego Ava Wood and plan to tap into that voice to produce new poems this month. Each year, I relish the challenge of creating poetry, like the haiku above and like this and this and this. — VF

National-Poetry-Month-Logo-2

equinox

Today marks the vernal equinox and first day of spring—a beloved time of year. Perhaps because my birthday comes along with the season, the arrival of springtime happenings (greenness, jonquils, morning bird songs, warmer weather, budding trees, brighter days) is a source of supreme delight. Conversely, fall is my least favorite season. This is evidenced in the poem below, written exactly six months ago on the autumnal equinox.

fading daylight hints its approaching

the rustling cues my lament and loathing

hustled, leaves surrender verdant hues

a pall befalls every branch in view.

its cooled breath, a cause to brood

déjà vu dreading of a bluest mood.

never ushered, seemingly flung in

the season liked least of them

alas, here again: autumn.

ava wood

autumn leaves

The Fall

tumbling into fall

since summery slip, head then heels

rose to see love go

— ava wood

VF photos in the gardens of Duke Mansion, during its centennial.

Deeply Green Day

deeply green day, kept

before summer yields her reign, 

pressed, bottled, to sip.

— ava wood

Awash With Wisdom

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O, I say take care.

When longed for boats land harbor,

hardships, too, sail in.

— ava wood

Turns Around The Sun

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moment sublime, smile 

compose dog day sunlit gaze

tick! time is tender

— ava wood

These Times

My mind, spinning,

the heart, quickening,

both fixed on the kin,

the Christian 

brethren,

the American

countrymen

and women

of the Charleston

killing’s

victims.

Amen.

— ava wood

soul of philanthropy quotes_times that try mens souls

pretty petals: poem + pics

clouds snowy bright ride

across skies seldom bluer

beneath petals preen 

— ava wood

VF photos from opening day (May 31, 2015) of the Mellichamp Native Terrace, a new part of UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens that displays native plants in a home landscape.

Bursting

Witness God’s green work

Entrust your seed to the earth

Bloom, bloom, blossom burst

— ava wood

 

 

A Most Cherished Gift

luminaries2 at JCSU_Feb 20 2015

of all things to give
among the most cherished gift
is simply a chance

— ava wood

luminaries at JCSU_Feb 20 2015