National Poetry Day

October 15^th is National Poetry Day. Many writers’ groups hold events in their communities. Here in Sheridan, our monthly poetry group is planning a reading at the local senior center for the 20^th. If you’re not a poet but like poetry, you can still celebrate. Find an event in your community. Read a poem to yourself, a friend or family member, or even your cat.

There are many Websites that promote poetry. Your Daily Poem is one of them. You can browse the poems on the site and search for material by a particular poet. You can sign up to receive a poem a day via e-mail, and you can comment on the poems you read. Check it out at http://www.yourdailypoem.com

Now, in celebration of National Poetry Day, I’ll leave you with a poem. This appeared in Wyoming Fence Lines, an anthology of poems about borders: physical, mental, or otherwise. It’s one example of what happens when such boundaries are crossed.

BORDERS

The branches of the evergreen tree

on the other side of the fence are covered with snow.

A barking dog scoots over the fence and towards the squalid house,

skidding on the slippery ground.

The cat in the window sill squeals

and jumps to a nearby chair.

Her paw hits a vase of wilted flowers

that falls to the floor with a loud crash.

A shot rings out, signaling the canine’s demise.

That happens when borders are crossed.

Abbie Johnson Taylor, Author of We Shall Overcome

http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com

abbie@samobile.net