Sunday, April 30, 2017

NAPOWRIMO April 30, 2017 Ode to a Broken Foot

I've done better in previous NAPOWRIMOs — been a better writer, or at least a better producer of a poem a day. So, I wanted to end the month with some sort of earth-shattering, deeply inspirational, soul stirring poem. Then, I took one step down in front of my house and put my foot through a black hole into a parallel universe called The Planet of Pain. The name of the injury "The Dancer's Break" in itself is poetic, inspiring me to write something I hope is something that can provide a fitting end to April 2017's National Poetry Month, as well as National Humor Month.

Yes, April, TS Eliot was right about you. Of course, as my birth month, you know I still love you.

"APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers."



Ode to a Broken Foot

The cruelest month was winding down
still reveling in her schizophrenia of
icy rain and humid sun
ramping up her influence equally
on poets, philosophers and punsters.
Taking aim on her own child
who has loved her despite her irrationality
having learned survival skills
in the shadow of alcoholics
using verse as the shield against
cold words and cold winds.
Yet, unprepared for the new twist
of fate and body on the bricks of home,
a rising cloud of pain 
amid the hyacinths and hostas
blurring the line between laughter and tears
with a plaster cast and a bright red nose.

©2017 Noreen Braman
 


Wednesday, April 19, 2017

NAPOWRIMO April 19, 2017 Listening Deep


Listening Deep

“Difficult as it is really to listen to someone in affliction, it is just as difficult for him to know that compassion is listening to him.  - Simone Weil

Words. Numbers. Paper.
Keyboard keys clicking.
Sailing the untethered mouse
over the edge of the desk.

Coffee. More coffee.
Crank the desk up and stand.
Four hundred steps
twice around the building.

Keyboard keys clicking.
More words. Numbers. Paper.
Reading, compiling, analyzing
Calibrating levels of distress.

All of it stopped to listen
to your words
even to your silence
we take a breath and just listen.

©2017 Noreen Braman

Monday, April 17, 2017

NAPOWRIMO April 17, 2017 International Haiku Day: Late Night with Stephen Colbert challenge

#LSSCHaiku

Comedy hero
Spins humor from daily news
Helping us stay sane.

©2017 Noreen Braman

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

NAPOWRIMO April 8-12, 2017 Why All Bets Are Off (and my poetry is delayed)


Case in Point

Out of nowhere
the rug was pulled out from under us
even though it was
an accident waiting to happen
suddenly no time to
batten down the hatches
or call off the dogs.

we are dead in the water
and haven’t a prayer
against someone being
economical with the truth
with all their ducks in a row
beating us at our own game
and killing the geese who lay the golden eggs.

©2017 Noreen Braman

Monday, April 10, 2017

NAPOWRIMO April 7, 2017 Little Lambs


Little Lambs

3 little lambs
cuddly, fuzzy, puffballs
innocent and unaware
running in the meadow.

3 little lambs
growing out of their lambskins
learning and experimenting
running up the mountain.

3 little lambs
only in mama’s eyes
gone far beyond the pasture
she waits for them at home.

©2017 Noreen Braman

Thursday, April 6, 2017

NAPOWRIMO April 6, 2017 The Ship of State





The Ship of State

leaky boats float
if bailing keeps pace with the flood
and the rest of the ship is sound
but
it won’t get very far with all hands
devoted to the Sisyphean task.
eventually, drowning
or jumping ship
is the only option.


©2017 Noreen Braman

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

April 4/5 2017 #NAPOWRIMO The World is breaking my heart

The World is Breaking My Heart

as if
my heart means anything
my distress means anything
my distant observation point protecting me.



as if
my horror changes anything
my crying changes anything
my quiet, stable life insulating me.






as if
my outcry makes any difference
my outrage makes any difference
my country disappointing me.


©2017 Noreen Braman





The World is Breaking My Heart


 

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

NaPoWriMo April 3, 2017 April Love

April Love

in the days of fearful Spring,
while praying for polio,
measles and pertussis to pass by,
the lovers awaiting their baby
blindsided by a sore throat
and hospitalization of father,
while mother labored unsuccessfully.


Finally birthing by surgery,
managing only to bring the daughter once
to father’s feverish bedside,
before convulsions and coma
and death by uremia
turned April love to May tragedy,
slipping right through her fingers.

©2017 Noreen Braman



April Love

as recorded by Pat Boone 1957

 
April love is for the very young
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one don't let her run away

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one don't let her run away


Songwriters
PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER, SAMMY FAIN

Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Song Discussions is protected by U.S. Patent 9401941. Other patents pending.


Sunday, April 2, 2017

Saturday, April 1, 2017

NAPOWRIMO APRIL 1, 2017 "Yes"

Welcome to The Cruelest Month, home of poetry and humor. Come along with me to explore both.

First up is a blast from the past, which seems to still be topical today.