#NaPoWriMo - day sixteen

someone is always listening
it’s always raining somewhere
 
every meal we ever shared
ended with us in bed or in tears
 
you always warned me
my sins would find me out
 
i never thought they were sins
i only wanted a place to call home
 
which is always a cliché
and always the truth
 
i’ve forgotten
every conversation we ever had
 
or rather, i don’t remember
every word we exchanged
 
i wasn’t always listening
and always filled with longing

#NaPoWriMo - day fifteen

i’m tired of winter / winter wonderlands / the dead of winter / winter blues / the winter of our discontent / the thin ice / snowball effects / the pure and driven snow / breaking the ice / tips of icebergs / being out in the cold / winter solstice / nuclear / or otherwise

#NaPoWriMo - day fourteen

today i saw a ghost bird
the flock’s murmuration
a wedge in the air
shadows echoing
flight path and dance
 
i could not stop to mark its path
headed as i was in the other direction
 
i hoped to see it again upon my return
but the sky was empty
the fields covered with snow
it began to rain
and the birds waited in the trees
 
in the silence
ghosts are everywhere
nighttime or daylight

#NaPoWriMo - day thirteen

I chose for myself
this course of action.
I have no other
to blame.
 
All this time I have
remained hidden.
I feel no need
to prove my existence.
 
Do you remember my face?
Do you remember my name?
 
You will not find me
in the public square.
You won’t notice me
at the corner table.
 
Who will tell the stories?
Who will sing the songs?
 
I have written everything down
and hidden the letter.
It will be my only confession.
You may never read it.
 
Someone is always watching.
Don’t tell me what you’ve seen.
Don’t tell me what you’ve heard.
Just tell me my name.

#NaPoWriMo - day twelve

We moved from home to home.
We met in living rooms and kitchens
and bedrooms. We shared
meals and drinks and spoke
of life to each other.
We celebrated and danced.
We gathered around the words
and parsed out the meaning.
We asked the difficult questions
and left room for difficult answers.
We did that for years.

But we moved to new cities, new jobs.
Made new friends. Stopped writing
perhaps, beds shared with new bodies,
tables covered with new dishes,
new promises made. I hope
each of you still finds reasons
to celebrate, reasons to dance.
Maybe sometimes you remember us
sitting together on the floor.
Listening to poems, songs, stories.
Quietly drinking tea, lightly
nibbling on finger food and dainties.

I still carry those moments with me.
They still feel like home.

#NaPoWriMo – day eleven

the stories were
contradictory
 
there were many
witnesses
 
rumours of war and
rumours of war
 
so many theories
to discuss
 
so many ways to frame
the days’ events
 
we were told to
write it down
 
we were told
never to tell
 
the news is
up next
 
this just in-
terruption
 
please stay
tuned

#NaPoWriMo – day ten

It was supposed to be a conversation
but all they did was talk. In the midst
of all that talking I stopped listening.
 
What happens when you stop listening?
 
What happens when you run out of patience?
 
What happens when there’s no conversation
to be had? The questions die on the page.
The air is filled with static. So we wait.
 
We wait for a moment to insert ourselves
into the story. We wait for a moment and
take time to listen and breathe and look
for answers. There are only questions,
and the questions hang in the air.
Like dust. Like fear. Like expectations.
 
What happens when you have only questions?
 
You try to make your way through the fog.
You make room at the table for conversation.
You try to find your way to the right words.

#NaPoWriMo – day nine

i brought you roses
but you did not like roses.
none. red, yellow, white…
 
i brought you lilies
but you did not like lilies.
too perfumey. like they’re hiding something.
 
i brought you orchids
but you did not like orchids.
so predatory (though beautiful).
 
i brought you tulips
but you did not like tulips.
always twisting towards the light.
 
i brought you birds of paradise
but you did not like birds of paradise.
it looks like a murder weapon.
 
i brought you chrysanthemums
but you did not like chrysanthemums.
too arty. paint one instead.
 
i brought you my hands.
you opened them like flowers
and left them. emptied.

 

#NaPoWriMo – day eight

that day you forgot

the most important thing

that day you forgot

a very important thing

that day you forgot

an important thing

that day you forgot

a somewhat important thing

that day you forgot

something important

that day you forgot

something somewhat important

that day you forgot

whether it was important

that day you forgot

what things were important

that day you forgot

why that thing was important

that day you forgot

the most important thing

that day you forgot

#NaPoWriMo – day seven

Tell me how you thought this would go.
We keep sitting down to make plans.
 
              can you create a song list, please?
 
The weather remains variable.
Spring still hasn’t arrived—it is a rumour only.
 
              i remember when it showed in august
 
There are so many things need repairing;
Somehow there’s always something missing.
 
              mockingbird, diamond ring, looking glass
 
There’s always one more thing.
Somehow there’s always more room.
 
              just add it to the list
 
We take so many trips to the mountains,
But the reasons are constantly different.
 
              you never climb the same mountain twice
 
I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
We will get there eventually, then rest.

#NaPoWriMo – day six

in the morning,
silence. and in the mourning,
silence. and then all the words
and what words
cannot say replaced
by touch. or maybe a meal.
or a drink with a friend.
 
and then how to be lonely,
or sad. or how to be,
or keep moving, working,
saying good morning, or
thank you. and it’s okay
to laugh again, or enjoy
another’s company.
 
we keep saying
we almost lost you and
we did almost lose you
but maybe we also found each other
in the speaking of loss
sitting next to each other,
skin frail and paper-thin.
 
we keep saying just get better
and “better” is a relative term
so we sit here together
in silence. we take turns
talking of the possibilities of loss
how it is a shadow in the room;
in every room, now.

#NaPoWriMo – day five

I wanted to write an “Easter poem.”
Something about resurrection.
 
I too often feel like a white-washed tomb.
Chiefest of sinners, me.
 
I too have found myself walking in a garden;
A single destination in mind.
 
I too have sat in stunned silence,
Shrouded in wonder, bathed in light.
 
I too have found myself in need of new words,
Another way speaking/ moving through the world.
 
I have had days of new beginnings
Emerging from the river with singing.
 
Fill my cup once more.
Remind me there is a thirst to slake.
 
Remind me that stones are worn away.
Remind of that each beautiful day.

#NaPoWriMo – day three

open the gates!

there is talk of processions

misplaced acclaim

what must be torn down

what must be built

*

all day i’ve been cleaning

house, yard, expectations

look at my hands

*

the path is never the same twice

nor the river

nor the trees

*

i will never trust you again

without exercising faith

there is talk of confessions

the power of names

*

the table is ready

everything just so

let’s keep things simple

talk of commandments

not of suffering

*

you should probably rest,

now

National Poetry Month 2026

Once again, National Poetry Month is almost here, and once again I will be attempting to write a poem per day.

In Canada the theme will be LAND & SEA. From their website:

"Mother Earth began with spirit — first water, then land — alive and sacred. To walk on the land and touch her waters is an act of respect and gratitude. Every stone, stream, mountain, and drop of water is a teacher; every breeze, a messenger. We are called to listen, honour, by giving thanks through acts with care. Speaking with water and land we acknowledge its life-sustaining gifts; carrying the lessons of the past into the future through ceremony.

This National Poetry Month, the League and NWIA invite poets and readers to explore their relationship with water and land — to write, reflect, and celebrate our shared responsibilities and the sacred bonds that sustain us all."

In the United States they are celebrating their 30th year of National Poetry Month.

I hope you will join me on this year's journey -- my 12th of original poems and 16th overall -- and let me know which poems you like (or don't), and why.

   

#NaHaiWriMo 2026 - the final batch

#NaHaiWriMo - Family

All that laughing
The way we take up space
All that weeping

#NaHaiWriMo - Soap

Look at my hands

How many ways are there

To get clean

#NaHaiWriMo - Pink

Shoes, dress, eyes, nose, mouth
Fingernails, eye shadow, jewel

Underwear, tongue, skin

#NaHaiWriMo - Teeth

Whenever they break

You feel it larger than life

All those small pieces

#NaHaiWriMo - Titanic

They tried to warn me
The idea of you is so large

I can’t contain it

#NaHaiWriMo - Witch

They said all the names.

Only some of them were secret.

Only some of them.

#NaHaiWriMo - X-ray

There’s no hiding.
We can see everything.

It doesn’t matter.

#NaHaiWriMo - Lace

We weave together.

Decorate empty space.

Your hands so nimble.

*

Here we find regret.

Here we find forgiveness.

Here we find beauty.

*

You took all the swords,

Transformed them into ploughshares.

Magic takes time.

#NaHaiWriMo - Last

Despite everything
We keep collecting days

A necklace of hope

#NaHaiWriMo 2026 - the second batch

#NaHaiWriMo - Concrete

Your words were empty
I couldn’t understand you

I lost my footing

*

How do I hold this
Everything turns to dust
Burning my hand

#NaHaiWriMo - Bottle

You hold me so tight

Let’s try to find the words

I hold you so tight

#NaHaiWriMo - Oblivious

I thought we agreed
Never to lie to each other
Now we sit in silence
Our bodies in tension

#NaHaiWriMo - Plant

I once called this home

The weather keeps changing

Rivers keep flowing

#NaHaiWriMo - Magnet

The heat of your body
I tried not to look at you
My hands so empty

*

The shock of being seen
It was inevitable
You whispered to me

#NaHaiWriMo - Watermelon

Watermelon kisses

I thought I knew what it meant

So sweet and delicious

*

Will you join the dance

Until we’re covered in sweat

Bodies twist through space

#NaHaiWriMo - Heart

The language too fraught
Too many metaphors
Here is my heart

#NaHaiWriMo - Daffodil

You don’t want to know

Hands full of fear, grief, confusion

How to move forward

#NaHaiWriMo - Toilet paper

Always underfoot
I could have treated you better

Extended more grace

#NaHaiWriMo - Mathematics

We made so much sense

Every touch mathematical

I can’t figure it out

*

We can’t stop watching

Violence plus violence

A game of loss

#NaHaiWriMo - Costume

Wear your words like skin
You can try new ones at night
Which will stretch, which shine

*

Here is an adventure
So many things to discover
Not only pleasure

#NaHaiWriMo - Pigeon

As you cross the square

A river of feathers

An explosion of air

#NaHaiWriMo 2026 - the first batch

Here are the first seven days of poems for this National Haiku Writing Month.

Thoughts? Comments? Should I post them daily instead of a weekly summary?

Let me know!

 
#NaHaiWriMo - Boom
 
And just like that
Everything changed
And then didn’t
 
*
 
You reached across me
Grabbed a handful of grapes
Ate them one by one
 
 

#NaHaiWriMo - Toast

 

All the blessings

Upon blessing upon blessing

Quickly forgotten

 

*

 

And just like that

It was over without warning

Only your absence

 
 
#NaHaiWriMo - Ballet
 
Leaning into the air
Her path predetermined
Each step a knife
 
*
 
You told me clearly
I’m just here to hold you
You turn and return
 
*
 
It’s exhausting
All those costume changes
Everything unseen
 
 

#NaHaiWriMo - Broccoli

 

The texture of desire

How it is offered matters

It fills the mouth

 
 
#NaHaiWriMo - Star
 
You mistake sharpness
We see things differently
You mistake brightness
 
*
 
We turn our heads
Watching the heavens for signs
We just keep moving
 
 

#NaHaiWriMo - Jellyfish

 

Every embrace

Invites me through the veil

Pierces the flesh

 

*

 

The waves keep coming

You dance in the currents

Carried into the deep

 
 
#NaHaiWriMo - Rain
 
It rained in sheets
It rained until the basement flooded
It was everywhere
 
*
It rained all day 
Our room silent as you slept
It rained all night

#NaHaiWriMo 2026

February is National Haiku Writing Month, during which participants attempt to write at least one haiku every day (February being the shortest month).

As in previous years, I may or may not try the occasional "traditional" haiku, and hope you will allow me a little leeway to try some micropoems and to ignore the supposed 5-7-5 rule/ format.

There are many other intriguing waka forms that incorporate haikuic structures: katauta (5-7-7), sedoka (5-7-7-5-7-7), tanka (5-7-5-7-7), bussokusekika (5-7-5-7-7-7), choka (5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7-7), and haibun (a prose/poem with a haiku ending) -- and I may  try some of thos ethis year.

Perhaps some of you would be willing to join me for a renga (a collaborative haiku sequence with alternating stanzas of 5-7-7 and 7-7)?

Once again, I'll be using the februllage prompts as a starting point.

Feel free to join me, or at least follow along!