I ♥ Frederick (National Poetry Month challenge)

Today is the first day of National Poetry Month. I'm delighted. I love the way the brain works when it's reading poetry and when it's trying to write it - the same way it works when I'm painting - editing, distilling and reintroducing. I enjoy the challenge of simplicity.

Poetry. Problem solving. Words tied together sparingly - chiming against each other with a song called, true.

For the month of April I'm going to challenge myself to list a poem a day with a piece inspired by it.

I'll imagine Frederick is cheering me on...

the poet mouse who found art in everyday life. A twist on the fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper and a reminder that man does not live by bread alone.

Find a way to challenge yourself this month. Be brave. Here’s an idea.

slumming with the billboards

Alkonost, the Bird of Paradise, late 18th century

Like birds calling in the canopy, filtered by leaves and fractured sunlight, words bounce around click, tap, tap - release. Interesting. Some are let go like blood at slaughter, others sent out thundering like the hooves of the pony express, and then there are those that seem so precious - too precious to be slumming up against the billboards, but there they are and it's best to know the rules are different and be thankful they called back.

I know a few people who release the words - they're ornithologists creating aviaries, discovering new species, educating...releasing into the cacophony of the canopy.

Here's a catch and release:

The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion, and the tyranny of the dull mind forever threatens -- but our lives are not as limited as we think they are, all things are possible, laughter is holier than piety, freedom is sweeter than fame, and in the end it's love and love alone that really matters.

~ Tom Robbins, May 25, 2007

So, thank you to those who ensure our time online offers plenty of word watching.