Wanderings in the Dark

Courtesy of Pixabay - TemperateSage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luring me into the wonder of the
unknown the smell of the woods
hidden within bare branches are
white owls whose wings are lovely
fluttering in the mysterious dark
urging myself to move along and
quickly before I wander too deep

Writing a shovel poem from an Original Poem hosted by Grace
 here is the prompt:  Write a Golden Shovel poem.
*Choose a line from a poem that resonates with you.
*Build your poem so each line ends with a word from that line.
*Keep the words in order, forming the original line down the right margin

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening By Robert Frost 

final verse 

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

 

Harvesting Poems

Courtesy of Pixabay - RosZie

In the beginning a seed was planted
nurturing nouns, adjectives and verbs
verses and phrases were expanded 

Vines of thought; quick minds adapted
fragmentation thrown to the curb
in the beginning a seed was planted 

In the garden nothing taken for granted
writing about earth while birds chirp
verses and phrases were expanded

Lyrical poems from the heart enchanted
the melody a mystery it was never heard
in the beginning a seed was planted

In the garden time was spent meandering
searching for the meaning of new words
verses and phrases were expanded

hidden seeds remain UN-planted
a precious supply kept on reserve
in the beginning a seed was planted
verses and phrases were expanded

WD 2026 April Pad Challenge Day 30
For today's prompt, write a harvest poem. Some may remember that we started off this year's challenged planting seeds; now, it's harvest time. The harvest season is a time when some things end, but others continue, and there's plenty of reason to celebrate. And remember that you've been sowing all month.

Author's note:  I have successfully posted a Poem A Day for the month of April.  I used the prompts offered at Writer Digest  2026 April PAD Challenge

WD 2026 April Pad Challenge 

You can find them on my site  by clicking the labels at the end of this post. 

I selected the Villanelle form for my finale. 

A Pocket of Stars

Searching for a pocket of stars
the dazzling sun dips out of view
in the vastness nothing is truly ours
standing where a willow once grew

The dazzling sun dips out of view
after twilight is when magic happens
standing where a willow once grew
in the silence one begins to imagine 

After twilight is when magic happens
mythic constellations spring to life
in the silence one begins to imagine
somewhere a phoenix takes flight

Mythic constellations spring to life
in the vastness nothing is truly ours
somewhere a phoenix takes flight
searching for a pocket of stars

WD2026 April PAD Challenge Day 29 

For today's prompt, write a pocket poem. As usual, there are a few ways to come at this one. Write a poem about pockets, like the pockets made of fabric, but also other types of pockets (like pockets of space or pockets of information). Or, another option is to write a short poem that would easily fit in your pocket. 

Walk Amongst the Buffalo

 

Respect the buffalo way of learning
bring awareness into your sphere
who is in need in the journey

Share what gifts you have available
food, clothing, a message of hope

Perhaps, a song on a buffalo drum
can you hear the ancestors chanting
take only what you need…

Remain connected to the earth
with strength you can weather
life’s storms with grace

Walk in the spirit of gratitude
practice the art of humility that
the universe will provide

Unity is key to survival in
an ever changing world.... 

dVerse Poets Pub - Poetics
hosted by Mish
Your mission is to write a poem influenced by The Seven Grandfather Teachings in any way that you would like to approach the theme

I am deeply connected to the buffalo spirit.  I play a Native American hoop drum made of buffalo hide it has a strong voice that needs to be heard. I wrote this in respect of my drum and all it represents in my journey.

Peace and love.... 

A Place In My Heart

My poetic love song for you
written from a place in my heart
filled with lyrical gentle hues
singing the melancholy blues
my poetic love song for you
our story a treasured work of art
my poetic love song for you
written from a place in my heart

WD 2026 April PAD Challenge Day 28 

For the fourth and final Two-for-Tuesday prompt:

• Write a love poem and/or...
• Write an anti-love poem

Self Portrait and Beloved Fan

 "Self-Portrait With Accordion." by artist Guido Vedovato. 

 

 

Traveling outside the village limits
climbing the highest vantage point
here he plays  his heart's song
deep in his soul words never voiced 

his  dog and beloved fan,  listens
playing a squeezebox into the night
performing his art under the stars
here his inner passion takes flight

he enjoys wearing funky shades
sometimes he strikes a bluesy chord
hiding the tears that sometimes fall
she was the love he couldn't ignore

hobbling down the cobble-stoned path  
in the dawn man and dog head home
weary from the day they long to sleep
but, first his beloved fan needs a bone 

 WD 2026 April PAD Challenge Day 27

For today's prompt, write a fan poem. For me, I think about people who are fans of sports, entertainment, media, and other forms of celebrity. But there are also oscillating fans, ceiling fans, and hand-held fans. So let's "fan out" and "fan the flames" of our poeming today. 

Last Night

last night
glistening stars
disappeared behind rain clouds
natural cleansing no judgement

WD 2026 April Pad Challenge Day 26 

For today's prompt, take the phrase "Last (blank)," replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem 

I have been writing a poem a day to the prompts at WD 2026 April Pad Challenge  
It certainly has been a challenge but, I am getting closer to the finish line...yay

What Wonders

what wonders will come
under the green canopy
my paddles ready
steering into the unknown
what wonders come into view

reworking an older poem
WD 2026  April Pad Challenge day 25

poem from April 15  reworked into a Tanka (maybe)