Now that I have finished “The Mirror” (which I really hope you all liked!) I am preparing to celebrate National Poetry Month.  Every week in April, I will post at least one poem that I have written and the story behind it. 

Last year I did a Facebook Live reading every week. The short version is that it didn’t go over so great, so I’m going to try this instead.

I warn you, though, I am not a poet!  Here is a poem I wrote in 2004 for an art project (of all things) that sums up how well poetry and I go together:

“I Am Not A Poet”

I am not a poet
I don’t pretend to know it
I stretch and force words to work
(Aren’t I such a jerk?)

My poems have no meaning,
My poems have no rhyme,
My head is simply teeming,
‘Cause I’m running out of time.

Do you see what I’m saying?
Don’t come at me braying.
I warned you once:
I am not a dunce.

I am not a poet.

(See what I mean?)

I am going way out of my comfort zone here.  I write Christian travel romance, Christian living, and children’s stories.  Poetry is way out in left field for me.  I hope that by me sharing what I’m not as great at, though, it will encourage you to flex your muscles and try something new.

Trying new things can be hard and scary.  We might fear rejection or failure.  But we never know what’s going to happen until we try.  For anyone who ever watched Scholastic Production’s “The Magic School Bus” growing up, you may be familiar with Ms. Fizzle’s famous saying: “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”

I think my poetry’s gotten better as I’ve practiced (so hopefully that will be the most painful poem you read from me) but please know that I will make mistakes. Many of my poems will be messy. Some of the poems may be fairly dark, because I tend to only write poetry when I’m struggling with depression.

But I’m going to share these new, scary (imperfect and messy) things with you. Climb out on a limb with me here. Let’s see what happens! 

And while we’re at it… what new thing are you going to try?