Light and breezy – and no doubt a bit cheesy – in celebration of National Poetry Month. I’m traveling to meet a new grandson soon and then having a knee replaced at the end of April, so it seems a good time to take a break. I expect I’ll resume posting by mid-May and urge readers to revisit previously-posted poems while I’m away; links to a few of my favorites are posted below.

ABC ABC

Poetry need not rhyme
tho' young readers aren't sure about this,
and poetry was more popular when it did,

so it's absolutely fine
if rhyming brings you bliss;
rhyme all you like, then move to Madrid.
     _______________

INNOCENCE IS BRIEF

It's fun to watch the little ones -
kindergartners and first-graders -
put all their effort
into kicking the ball,
only to send it rolling downfield
for three or four feet.

By third grade
they are slide-tackling, 
fighting and swearing.
     _______________

DO THE RIGHT WING 

Would it be wrong
to post a sign reading
NO GRACKLES NEED APPLY 
near the bird bath,

and how is discrimination
against starlings acceptable
when even the house sparrow
is tolerated at the feeder?

And while I’m away . . .

. . . here are links to a few previously-published poems, which I invite you to revisit (or discover for the first time). There are plenty of additional poems to peruse as well, and feel free to leave a comment or send me an email if you are so inclined. Happy Spring!

Ten Years Sober: a poem of amends and gratitude. Lopez Taco House has the best cheese enchiladas in Michigan; don’t even try to argue with me.
Retail Worker Blues: I’m pretty sure I invented the term belly mantle.
Rod McKuen and 8th Grade English: on falling in love with poetry.
A Natural-Born Thief: like many others, I enjoyed watching birds during the pandemic.
Of Giants and Small Gods: a reminder that small acts reverberate through the ages.

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A New Poem Every Monday
(tho’ sometimes life gets in the way)

Joseph Neely, all rights to original material reserved