National Poetry Month Community Project Posts

by Holly Grieve, 2021

Ways to capture feelings, opinions, wistful or delightful thoughts into one.
Which can describe beautiful tulips blooming at dawn then day. The core of sweet songs, and meaningful advice.
But now only seems like threats, insults, and pleads. How could words be a simple sound for one.
But an inconsiderate offense in the eyes of another?
Nothing but a joke people say.
Until you’re the one holding everything inside.
Holding in so many feelings and thoughts of all kinds. That you cannot even put into words.
It feels like you’re holding your breath until everything is about to burst. Until you realize you are actually holding your breath.
To stop the noises you are making. That this time is not words but whimpers.
As sobs rip through your lips.
A wave of realization shocks through you.
Insults are to feelings as what a knife is to skin. Maybe you cannot control other people’s words.
But you have full control over your own. Words can be used as an ambush.
Or can be used as a defense. The choice is yours.

Anonymous, 2021

the piano keys click with every touch

the sound ringing through my ears

the curtain falls

it’s over

i get up from my seat

cheering

clapping

my parents must be proud

is this what i wanted?

fame?

never

i just wanted to touch the keys

alone

anonymous

by Allyson Hough, 2021

Heavenly summer, with daring carnivals,

And mouthwatering cotton candy.

Traveling to the tranquil beach,

And listening to the waves woosh.

Gaining a tan and relaxing,

While the sky slowly drifts into the starry night,

Summer, the endless, forever fun.

Experiencing bonfires while melting S’mores.

Stuffing your face with juicy, refreshing fruit,

In the magical, beloved summer.

Advancing to a brand new, thrilling destination daily.

Receiving perfect weather,

Like celebrating Christmas everyday.

Extended nights, staying up, and waking in the afternoon.

Summer, filled with chilly ice cream,

Dripping down the crispy, tan cone.

Scorching summer sand,

Scattering into simple seashells

Anonymous, 2021

The sky darkens as I look over the waves,

A storm is coming.

Racing over the miles of unkempt water,

Racing towards me.

The winds pick up,

Howling like a coyote,

Tussling my hair.

Looking out from the crow’s nest,

As the grey clouds sprawl across the sky.

The storm is racing towards us.

The thunder rumbles,

Shaking my bones,

And the waves churn below,

Caping themselves with white foam.

The rain starts,

First a drizzle dampening the deck,

Then a downpour.

The storm is unfurling its beauty and fear.

The sails straining against the northern winds,

Threatening us with their strength,

Their power.

Yanking in the ropes,

Battening down the hatches,

The storm is here.

The waves toss us across the ocean,

Throwing us from side to side,

Slipping and sliding to the prow,

Steering her away from harm.

Racing against time,

Squinting through the storm.

The waters tugging the rudder away from our destination.

Pushing the tiller away,

Trying to fight the oceans fray.

This is the thrill of being a sailor,

The excitement of a brewing storm,

And the strength to steer our ship from harm.

by Madison Grego, 2021

Nature, it’s a beautiful thing
it’s as peaceful as yoga it’s as crazy as cirus
at first it could be booming, and blustering and then be calm, and cool
when able to make the birds chirp when able to make the sky blue
is able to make the intense booming thunder is able to make the same bright sky cry as rain
that’s just nature
that’s just what nature wants to do.