#aprpad - Day 30

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write an "after leaving here" poem
* * * * * * *

gap visit

classic wash leggings looked obsene
dark wash always skinny wouldn't button
medium wash real straight suffocated
medium tint sexy boot weren't available
faded medium long & lean were wrong and way wrong
but any wash of curvy fit

after leaving here
I'm destined for the treadmill

#AkataWitch - Chapter 8 - Red Stew and Rice

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. Jibaku keeps giving Sunny a hard time and Orlu suggests ignoring her. Do you think ignoring a bully really works?

2. Why is Sunny's mother being so secretive about her grandmother?

#aprpad - Day 29

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write an ode
* * * * * * *

Ode to the Line Break

Let's hear it for the pause
that comes from the line break
if you think a comma has flaws
use white space a line break makes
the place to make a brief stop
add it where you need a yellow light
a place where you need some blank
forget a sentence, give it a chop
place it where it feels right
pull them out your poetry bank

#AkataWitch - Chapter 7 - Night Runner Forest

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. If there were an audio version of this book, who would be the best person to do it?

2. Why doesn't Sasha use his juju powers to learn Igbo?

****Side note*****

I wonder if Fanta is Nnedi Okorafor's favorite soda...it makes a lot of appearances. I like grape Fanta the best. *You care.*

#AkataWitch - Chapter 6 - The Skull

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. In Sunny's book for Free Agents there is a passage about "Lambs" being "on a constant, unrealistic, irrational, and unnatural quest for perfection." Do you agree or disagree? Why?

2. Do you have any guesses why eleven P.M. is the best time for juju?

#aprpad - Day 28

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a "the world without something else" poem
* * * * * * *

The world without racism
was science fiction

thanks for the reminder
that it's really a fantasy

no longer held
in my hope jar.

#AkataWitch - Chapter 5 - Sunny Day

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. Do you think Sunny would break down and tell her mother (or someone else) about being a Leopard Person without the trust knot?

2. Sunny's mom is Catholic. Are the indigenous religions practiced more (or less) than those brought in by colonizers?

#aprpad - Day 27

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Take the phrase "In the (blank) of (blank)," replace the blanks with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem.
* * * * * * *

In the middle of the poem

Whir. Click. Click.
At the beginning
before the pen, pencil, and pad.
Whir. Kerchink. Click.
Still the beginning
words run without tripping.
Kerchink. Kerplunk.
In the middle
looking for the right direction
Kerplunk. Fizzzzz.
At the end
where the revision begins.

#aprpad - Day 26

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a leader poem
* * * * * * *

...but you knew that already

To get a Maryland driver's license
I needed proof
proof that I was born here
proof that I could legally work here
proof that I was a resident here

To be an educator
I needed proof
proof that I had the right degree(s)
proof that I wasn't a criminal
proof that I could teach

To be the leader of the United States
you need proof too
but you don't need to prove it to me
the checks & balances wouldn't have let you through
without proof

#AkataWitch - Chapter 4 - Leopard Knocks His Foot

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. If you had a spirit face, how would it look?

2. Do you think Sunny's mother saw her spirit face at birth?

3. Why do you think Chichi doesn't discuss her age with her Oha coven?

#AkataWitch - Chapter 3 - Initiative

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. What was your immediate reaction after reading that Sunny had fell asleep on Purple Hibiscus?

2. Do you feel that the United States has adequate initiation rites for young people entering adulthood? Which rites might you create?

#aprpad - Day 25

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a falling poem
* * * * * * *

Fall

leaves do
snow does
trees do
rain does
tears do
and I do too

#AkataWitch - Chapter 2 - Chichi

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. Sunny asks Chichi why she is so rude, but Chichi said "I speak my mind. That doesn't make me rude." Do you agree with Sunny or Chichi? Why?

2. Sunny mentions two of her favorite books. What were two of your favorite books as a teenager?

3. If you earned chittim for new things that you learned, how much would you make on an average day? Or...would you make more chittim than you make money?

#aprpad - Day 24

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a prayer poem
* * * * * * *

Please give me the courage
to live out my dreams
Please give me the courage
to follow my heart

Show me the path
where I'm suppose to go
Show me the path
that leads to happiness

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Ashe

#AkataWitch - Chapter 1 - Orlu

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.


Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. Is Sunny's teacher an abnomality in Nigeria, or the norm?

2. What would you have done in Sunny's situation?

3. Why do you think Chichi responded to Sunny so harshly?

4. Do you think the term akata is comparable to the n-word?

#aprpad - Day 23

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a quit everything you're doing poem
* * * * * * *

Quit everything and read
let it sink into your head
its got everything you need

let the language spread
stories seeping inside
it feeds you like bread

get ready for the ride
without leaving home
put everything else aside

#AkataWitch - Prologue

Do you have Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor? No? Well, don't wait any longer. You don't even have to worry about going to the bookstore to get it, because it's available for your e-reader.

Of course I have questions while I'm reading:

1. Sunny feels she confuses people. What do you think confuses people more, her being an albino, or being "Nigerian by blood, American by birth, and Nigerian again"?

2. Do you think Sunny feels more like an outsider in America or in Nigeria?

3. Sunny feels like her father hates her. Is there enough evidence (so far) to prove it?

#aprpad - Day 22

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write an "only one in the world" poem
* * * * * * *
Poems at Eleven

Sunny learned
the most powerful hour
for juju is eleven pm

I wonder
if powerful poems can
come magically at eleven pm

powerful poems
need the right words
and an enchanted pencil

#aprpad - Day 21

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a second thoughts poem

#aprpad - Day 20

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a message in a bottle poem
* * * * * * *

Stressed Backwards

Had to leave. Ran out of cupcakes.
The cat ate more than her share.
She’s hidden the others.
You can have this one.
Neither of us like creamy fillings.

#aprpad - Day 19

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a love poem
* * * * * * *

All poetry is about love
flip it, turn it sideways and split.
Still can’t find it? Give it a shove.
All poetry is about love
touch it, see who it’s thinking of
if it’s angry enough to spit
all poetry is about love
flip it, turn it sideways and split.

#aprpad - Day 18

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a Big 10 poem
* * * * * * *

A True Account of Talking to Mars on Phobos
after Frank O’Hara

Mars was brooding the way he does when he
has something important to tell me that
makes him uncomfortable. “Go ahead,”
I said, “I’m listening and sitting down.”
“You always know. I must be red,” he said.
It was a lame joke, but I still chuckled.
“In fifty million rotations around
your moon will crash into me and perish.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know how to tell him death would
claim me much sooner, so I feigned remorse.

#aprpad - Day 17

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a big picture poem
* * * * * * *

This poem is nearsighted
it can’t see the bigger picture
but its sense of smell is strong.

This poem is nearsighted
but the garlic and cayenne pepper
coming from the kitchen
certainly smells like love.

This poem is nearsighted
but it can smell the one ingredient
the world needs more of.

#aprpad - Day 16

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a snapshot poem
* * * * * * *

Baby’s Picture

Look as she sleeps, surrounded in peace
skin around her nose like crinkled bagasse
flattened pillow smashes, causing the crease
look as she sleeps, surrounded in peace
enveloped in a blanket of blue and cerise
delicate fist clenched, making the dream last
look as she sleeps, surrounded in peace
skin around her nose like crinkled bagasse.

#aprpad - Day 15

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a profile poem
* * * * * * *

Joi Browne

Wears the pink crown
coolest Browne girl around
Baltimore is my hometown

almost fourteen
favorite season is spring
listen to me sing
sometimes I feel in between

never shows up to class late
grades are mostly great
can’t go out on a date
but who would I chose as a mate…?

#aprpad - Day 14

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write an "ain't none of my business" poem
* * * * * * *
Creeper

The initial
curiosity
I accept,
but why keep
coming back when it’s clear YOU
are not welcome here.

#aprpad - Day 13

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write an old relationship poem
* * * * * * *

Missing Six

I wish my scale was on the fritz
and incorrect about my grown-lady size
too many of my pants are calling it quits

my college weight has met its demise
another part of growing older that I hate
not an admirer, I don’t pretend to disguise

never fathomed hauling around this weight
have yet to smile at the little white ten
I better exercise, before it’s too late.

#aprpad - Day 12

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a form poem
* * * * * * *

Digging my
finger in the hole
in the wall.
The gritty
flakes fall, still falling - familiar
rough, but comforting.

#aprpad - Day 11

Poetic Asides prompt ---> Write a maybe poem

* * * * * * *

Maybe a Cupcake

Maybe I should have a piece of cupcake
a strawberry one, or vanilla please
that is moist and topped with coconut flakes

perhaps a red velvet, iced with cream cheese
I'd take small bbites to savor the flavor
they laugh behind the display case, such a tease

#aprpad - Day 10

Poetic Asides prompt ----> Write a never poem.

* * * * * * *

Without a pencil, life wouldn't be right
of course you need paper where you can "talk"
colorless it would be if I couldn't write

I would rather have pica and eat chalk
then to live without writing forever
never! Peck out my eyes then, like a hawk

#aprpad - Day 9

The Poetic Asides prompt is to write a time poem.

* * * * * * *
10:51pm


10:51 is the time where poems don’t grow
The poetry seeds have been pushed
deep into the soil
no amount of sunlight
or water
can make poems grow at 10:51

poems only ruminate at 10:51
You can see the poem
but don’t go near paper
even the seed will disappear

#aprpad - Day 8

I struggled with today's prompt, which doesn't surprise me. The requirement of the prompt was to write a poem about celebration, an I don't always celebrate enough.
* * * * * * *

little toe

it’s easy to not appreciate
the role of your little toe
until it’s injured and walking is labored

celebrate your little toe
your belly button
the soft skin opposite your elbow
moles, pores, veins,
even that weird piece of meat
inside your ear

celebrate all of you

#aprpad - Day 7

A "what if" poem was the prompt for the seventh day of aprpad (April Poem-a-Day). The poem I wrote is for my character Joi.

* * * * * * *

What if…
for Joi

she never transferred schools
she didn’t need help finding her classes
she already had friends
she didn’t sing soprano (next to me)

what if she never existed?
would I feel the same way inside
later?

#aprpad - Day 6

Today's poem will not be making an appearance. It's shy, plus I didn't follow the prompt. The poem is about my birthday though.

#aprpad - Day 5

There was a two-prompt option today. You could write a silly poem or a serious poem. I went for serious. Just kidding. If you are a Rick Ross fan you should recognize the parts he inspired.

* * * * * *

I Got a Poem
after Ricky Rozay

plenty poems, maybe forty-five
I got a poem in the car
hear them buzzing like a beehive
plenty poems, maybe forty-five
they sting and sing, sometimes they thrive
somebody lied, I’m not a star
plenty poems, maybe forty-five
I got a poem in the car

#aprpad - Day 4

The prompt for today was to write a poem about a person type, it was also suggested to use that person type as the title of the poem. Being a teacher, guess which person type demanded attention first?

* * * * * * *

Middle School Student

Six minutes left of class
five minutes
four minutes
three minutes
two minutes
packing up early

waiting for Mandy to locker walk
talking, laughing, being seen
Hi Suzie! Hey Lonnie! What’s up Angel?
Did I study for the math test?
(of course I did)
What test? I thought it was tomorrow.

Uhm, Ms. Butler
You know how I was absent yesterday?
Do I still have to take the test today?
Seriously?
(exaggerated sigh)
That’s why I don’t like her.

Whatever.

#aprpad - Day 3

The prompt for today was to imagine what the world would be like if you didn't exist, which was inspired from the movie It's a Wonderful Life. I got stuck on my poem, so I wrote a triolet.

* * * * * * *

Fish and Salt

The world would be the same without me
sun will shine, birds will fly, leaves will fall.
The moon would phase but you would not be
the world would be the same without me.
Fish and salt will still live in the sea
mountains will continue to be tall
the world would be the same without me
sun will shine, birds will fly, leaves will fall.

#aprpad - Day 2

The Poetic Asides prompt was to write a postcard poem.

* * * * * * *

Hi Dad,

I should call, instead of writing
despite not knowing what to say.

This postcard seems safer since
the distance isn’t what keeps us apart.

I wish you would write me back
a rectangular reminder of how you loved me…

#aprpad - Day 1

Alrighty then, so I'm participating in Robert Lee Brewer's April Poem-a-Day. It's just like how it sounds. You write one poem each day in April, which is National Poetry Month.

I wrote two poems today. One that followed the prompt and one that didn't. Neither of them am I proud enough to share, but both of them were about my character Joi Browne. Some of these April poems will surface on this blog, whether I'm proud of them or not. But not today.

Are you participating too?