Best April Poems
One April day when spring was in the air,
I stepped outside so I might relish it.
I came upon a cherry tree so fair,
beneath its limbs I was enticed to sit.
I fell to sleep inhaling fragrant bliss -
the vision of the tree still in my brain.
I dreamed one sweet, pink petal, like a kiss,
fell on my cheek, and soon there was a rain. . .
A rain of lovely silken blossoms! Then
they softly made a pile upon the ground.
Warm wind embraced me; that’s the moment when
I woke to pink resplendence all around!
I gleefully shook blossoms from my hair
one April day when spring was in the air.
May 16, 2019
O April
how I’ve longed for your return
to breathe new life
into this gnarled body..
for these roots to be unfettered
from the grasping earthen frost -
the past season of fanged nor’easters gnashed
me bare - leaving me mauled and dulled
alone with stiffened limbs
lifted to face
the hard glower of old man winter
with not a morsel of mercy to be gained
but April
now that you're here to share
the innocence of the daisy
and the honeyed scent of the sweet pea
I feel inspirited like a sapling young and tender again;
mild is the fog’s embrace in early morn
as I taste your sweetened rainwater
and gentle is the rhythm of baptizing
showers bathing dark days away..
and ever grateful is my grayed heart
as it begins to beat
with the fresh pulse of verdant rebirth
oh April
how easily you inspire
my shy imagination to fly
with the zephyr's muse
to expand my artistry
in an afternoon’s brushstroke of forsythia light
dreams once frozen now thawed and golden
eager to flourish in bloom
awakening the poetry
in a new leaf’s unfurling whisper -
a whisper that grows a praising wind-psalm
as choirs of bursting buds
celebrate revival
with a rustling alleluia!
star-shaped sails rouse in swishing sounds
their leafy lyrical breath one with the breeze
my green-laden boughs now a wellspring
of exuberant born-again voices
a thronging rejoice lifted
to the heavens on the whisk of the westerlies;
supple is my sweep and sway ‘neath
the soft-bellied skies of Spring
dear lady, April
how I revel in the glorious abundance of your Nature;
your nurture enlivens my humble woody being
and though gray may shade my weather-beaten heart..
evergreen is my soul
Susan Ashley
April 12, 2021
~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: April
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh
Take away the frost of winter,
rid the land of biting snow,
then who would praise the warmth of August,
how could April rivers flow?
Hush the deafening crash of thunder,
dull the flash of lightning's thorn,
and who would feel the calm of silence,
when the still of dawn is born?
Sow your seeds of evergreens
so that spring’s soil year-round conceives,
then who could reap the multi-colored
glory of October leaves?
Look beyond this thick façade,
you'll find four seasons in my soul,
but take away a piece of winter
and you'll leave me cut, unwhole.
written 4 Feb 1985
Gardens at Keukenhoff (Alouette)
As the tulips rise
With their sweet surprise
Fragrance permeates the air
Colors cover land
From God's divine hand
In these gardens we all share.
Such astounding views
Come enjoy the hues
As varied blossoms cascade.
Seek a bench to gaze
At the mirror maze
With lush tulips on parade.
2-19-19
Gardens Poetry Contest~Premiere Fourth Place~
Sponsor Chantelle Anne Cooke
The Alouette, created by Jan Turner, consists of two or more stanzas of 6 lines each, with the following set rules:
Meter: 5, 5, 7, 5, 5, 7
Rhyme Scheme: a, a, b, c, c, b
The form name is a French word meaning 'skylark' or larks that fly high, the association to the lark's song being appropriate for the musical quality of this form. The word 'Alouette' can also mean a children's song (usually sung in a group), and although this poetry form is not necessarily for children's poetry (but can be applied that way), it is reminiscent of that style of short lines. Preference for the meter accent is on the third syllable of each line
She sings in soft tones,
her magic exists beyond the obvious.
Listen closely to her wanting,
She is wrapped in a trancendent light.
A dreamer,
chasing white rabbits.
Grasping for the infinite,
with delicate hands.
A moth,
Dances within her luminosity.
Flying on yesterday's wings,
carrying smiles that are meant for tommorow.
Witness her as she waits to exhale.
A daisy chain,
tied around her wrist.
A future promise to be kept.
For within her spirit,
exists a burning passion!
She waits for one who is worthy,
of her consuming flame
Although she is unaware,
hers is a temporary sadness.
Happiness flirts at the edge of her dreaming,
waiting for an open window.
His shadow hidden behind frosted glass.
Shades of green,
turn brilliant yellow!
Buttercups dance around her feet.
Her laughter floats across the meadow,
as happiness runs to her open arms.
Together they skip, towards her apple tree.
For hers is a faith that trancends the temple.
Her spirit sought and found salvation.
He had been with her all along,
I can see it in her smile.
The rain has passed and sunshine now resides in her eyes!
My heart returns to you like spring
Awakening with April rain
As pale petals tenderly cling
To promises of daylight's gain
I turn to you like seasons do
Dewy and fresh from winter's rest
Seeding our love in rainbow hues
Green life misting our mingled breath
Your eyes, once shy, now warmly bloom
Vast meadows of poppy sweet red
Our future pledged on the perfume
Of roses from the day we wed
Once auburn, more silver does grow
Yet gleaming with color's recall
A blossom kept beneath the snow
You are my spring, summer and fall
Sakura breathing...
along an old stone footpath
children are laughing
Spring Cleaning
Springtime is a chance to start your life anew,
Dust off your pride and change your attitude.
Bring forth the hidden treasures, of your heart,
Don’t worry about the past that tore you apart.
Let the fresh air cleanse your soul, body and mind,
Release the inhibitions that have kept you blind.
Love yourself, for who you are and what you can do,
Never worry about what others think, it all about you.
Embrace the earth elements and the comfort they bring,
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the results, of your spring cleaning.
Written : © 3/21/16
Deadline: 4/13/16
Finalized: 3/24/16
Submitted for: Second Chance #3
Sponsored by: Broken Wings
Crazy wind whispers
Into the ears of ‘champa’
A light scented Indian flower
Trees are full of them now
Your love in each and every bough
The breeze is cool
Because it is spring
Because it is south wind
Because everywhere is hue
Because it is warm with you
Blue hills and green plains
My room at sixes and sevens
Red bellied wood peckers drumming
Rhythm in feet nimble
Your twinkling eyes with dimple
Our roads are tremendously red
Ashok Palash and Gulmohar
They call it flame-of-the-forest
Love in red supreme
With you in extravagant dream
Books in eloquently colorful blurb
Beauty steps in every curve
Invitation in every nerve
The spring below and spring above
Your healing love
Goes away alas the days
Of dance in soul in warm sun rays
Goes away your ocean gaze
Life in a twilight haze
Your beautiful craze
Ah if I could have turned the clock
Holding your hand in a Gulmohar walk
Only our hands and feet would talk
Around the clock arm in arm
In your beauty and charm
Alas that is not to be a thing
Our time is as short as the spring
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 18, 2016
Butea Monosperma or Palash is a species of Butea native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of India and Asia.
Saraca asoca ( the ashoka tree, literally ‘sorrowless’), belongs to the Caesalpinioideae subfamily of legume family, of Indian sub continent.
Gulmohar or Delonix Regia, grown in many tropical parts of the world, called FLAMBOYANT in English, is a striking sight for its vivid red/vermilion/orange/yellow flowers and bright green foliage...Wikipedia
Longing in lowly light of longer days
by which a summer wilts paternal dreams
and browns the loitered heaves of yellow spring:
the budding void that stamps an empty swing
seen swaying golden locks ungated beams
my own Begotten streamed in greener dawn
where fussy forums for an April fawn
allay no muttered march on mother’s May.
Persistent blades unsheathe the sprawling grass
beneath the blue release of silver dew -
an inch overgrown, as inch shrouded cool
billows: arisen reeds from dizzied drool
showing flashes of reincarnation
cured by the rose (or purple carnation)
4/4/17
April Showers (Anacreontic Verse)
Putting the blame
on global warming
winter felt the pinch
rain was scarce
and spring arrived
lamenting its luck
unable to twirl
in habitual gown
of green satin
shyly tiptoeing
keeping a low
profile, feeling blue;
the wind intervened
encouraged her
with soothing words
to wait patiently;
providentially
dark clouds came
unexpectedly
and April showers
quenched thirsting soil;
spring breathed
in relief, able
to look ahead
unashamedly
in the knowledge
that May would
come, parading
delightful flowers
in abundance!
--------------------------------
Contest: Anacreontic Verse 3
Sponsor: Edward Ebbs
Placed 3rd
Ave-Maria hymns lift you in flight
to Heaven’s gate apt angel does ascend
and follows lantern's light predawn of night
on glide of song and blessings she does wend.
On April morn in skies of blue as you
besprinkle crystals from your seraph’s wings,
by mourning noontime snowfall does ensue;
a smoothing swaddle soothing harmed heart-strings.
In diamond-dusted frosted filigree
so sparkles soulful kisses you bestow
for scintillant reflective reverie
your glistened gift you send in silvern snow.
Beloved mother, sainted entity
you hush my cries with snow’s serenity.
**
T~ This is for all the great master poets of art.
H~ Having the skills, the words, and the smarts.
E~ Emotions you've captured, the thoughts you provoked.
P~ Pouring your heart out with a pen in your hand,
O~ Orchestrating your words like no one can.
E~ Elizabeth Browning, Dickinson, Shakespeare, and Poe,
T~ Twain and Frost - these great ones you know.
R~ Reflecting on their works, that have brought us to tears.
Y~ Yes, yearning for more, we felt all their fears.
M~ Masterfully crafted their words - they can fool,
A~ An artist on paper, their pen is their tool.
S~ Strategy, playing with rhythm and rhymes,
T~ Touching our hearts and enriching our minds.
E~ Experts and masters, their poems live on.
R ~Reflecting on your memory now that you're gone.
S~ So, thanks for your poetry. I leave with this thought, "How do I love
thee?" *
Acrostic ~ Rhyme
4 - 19 / revised - 4-4-22
* How Do I Love Thee? is a Sonnet
written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Acrostic Poetry Contest ~ 4/19
Sponsored by: Family Friend Poems
~ 1st ~
The month of April is designated as National Poetry Month.
This poem was written in honor of well-known poets.
When snow came in April of her last year
Falling like lovely disappearing gifts
Glimpsing, faintly, an alabaster deer
She kept watch as shadows landed in drifts
Scattering ice across tender pink stems
Falling like lovely disappearing gifts
And gave thanks to the fitful gods for them
Knowing she would not see that November
Scattering ice across tender pink stems
He held away his grief's gray ember
As silence, travelled long without her songs
Knowing she would not see that November
Her grave faces the west, where she belongs
Now he views white skies with nostalgic eyes
As silence, travelled long without her songs
She called it a prophecy in disguise
When snow came in April of her last year
Now he views white skies with nostalgic eyes
Glimpsing, faintly, an alabaster deer
4/15/22
Original Terzanelle Contest
Sponsor: L Milton Hankins
Placed 3rd
i can remember the day
first met with you
i saw the blue deep eyes
that was the day
fall in love with you....
i can feel you around me
when you are not there
you are my oxygen
i can breathe lively here
in love everything is fair......
my heart beats for you
my sleep dreams for you
my sound sing for you
just wanna to say
i love you....