Since 1996 spring has become associated with poetry. That’s the year the Academy of American Poets established April as National Poetry Month.
This season does lend itself to getting creative with words. So before we turn the calendar page to May, let’s celebrate spring–with poetry.
To begin, allow Ralph Waldo Emerson to inspire:
In addition to those grand changes around us, we often find delight in minute pleasures as well. The following cinquain resulted from a small moment at our nearby nature center.
Beetle,
dotted and domed,
Pausing, watching, preparing
To fly away on hidden wings.
Lady bug
Delight is found in humor also. God had fun with us Midwesterners last week, supplying a day of outlandish weather. To celebrate I tackled a poetry form called nonet (non’-et): nine lines starting with nine syllables in the first and descending in number until the last line only includes one syllable.
April 21, 2021
Sun and Snow engaged in tug-of-war.
At dawn, Snow controlled the landscape,
Cloaking every blade and branch.
But Sun fought valiantly
And gained back her ground,
However, Snow
returned! Yet . . .
. . . spring Sun
Won!
Sun and balmy breezes of April send many out to their gardens, preparing for May planting while dreaming of what’s to come:
Come fall however, our gardens will fade to pale stems and dried petals. “The grass withers and the flowers fall,” wrote the prophet Isaiah (40:8a). “But,” he added, “the word of our God endures forever” (v. 8b).
In celebration of the eternal spring of God’s Word, I experimented with the pantoum form—a poem that includes four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each become the first and third lines of the next. The last line of the poem is often the same as the first.
Growing in God’s Word
Thank you, Father, for the delights of scripture!
Your Word refreshes my soul.
Your promises produce security, hope, and comfort.
Your truth sows wisdom, encouragement, and strength.
Your Word refreshes my soul.
Understanding develops contentment.
Your truth sows wisdom, encouragement, and strength,
And diligent study causes my spirit to flourish.
Understanding develops contentment.
Your Word abounds with wonderful things,
And diligent study causes my spirit to flourish.
Thank you, Father, for the delights of scripture!*
* * * * * * * * * *
I praise you O God for Spring, its delights of birth and life that feed our souls. I praise you also for your Word, its delights and depths that provide the nutrients for a fulfilling spiritual life. May I send my roots deep into your truths.
*Psalm 119:24; 28 AMP; Ephesians 1:13; Psalm 119:14; 50 NLT; 19:7; 119:28 NLT & NIV; Proverbs 19:23; 119:15-16; 119:18
Photo credits: http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.hippopx.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com.
From the Inside Out 
I absolutely loved your poems, Nancy! I dabble in poems here and there, and have put some on my blog, but I really need to branch out and try these different types of poems you’ve featured here. Need to challenge myself.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Poetry definitely takes me out of my comfort zone, but I do enjoy playing with words in new ways!
breathing in poetry thanks to you!
How many inches of snow did you get, Jean? I’d say we awoke to about 3″ last Wednesday, and then perhaps an inch or inch and a half in the afternoon. (Of course, the first 3 ” were gone by then!)
From one word-love to another … this is so beautiful, Nancy… Thank you for sharing your gift with us. I so enjoyed your play with words … “Delighting in God’s Word”
Thank you, Heidi. Your kind words mean much–poet extraordinaire that you are!
Three cheers for lovely photos and adventures in fitting words into new forms! A fitting swan song to National Poetry month, Nancy. Thank you!
Three cheers from you is especially heart-warming–considering you’re a published poet! You are generously gracious, my friend!
What a lovely tribute to the blessings of Spring! I had never heard of the nonet and pantoum types of poetry even though I took a poetry class at our Ohio State branch here in Mansfield. I love learning new things! Your examples are beautifully rendered.
Thank you, Cheri. I discovered nonets on the internet and the pantoum at a writers’ retreat a number of years ago. Though I would never call myself a poet, I do enjoy playing with words, as I told Martha above. Kudos to you, though, for actually taking a course!
Beautiful poems! The nonet and pantoum types are lovely. I’m just hearing about pantoum for the first time.
So glad you found beauty here, Chris. As always, I must give God the praise for helping me find the words and the best places to put them within the confines of the poetry pattern!
Wow, Nancy!! I especially love your “ Growing in God’s Word”… so packed with truth!! I’m so thankful for the impact you’ve had in my life teaching and training me in the preciousness of God’s Word and the importance of my daily quiet time with Him!! ❤️ I praise God for your mentoring me over so many years!!❤️
And I praise God that you have been a woman after God’s own heart from the day you accepted him as your Savior! Few soak themselves in his truth as faithfully as you have all the years since (nearly 40 now). I thank God every time I pray for you and your precious family, that he brought us together at North Church and then led us into ministry together–twice!!
Nancy,
Enjoy this wonderful season. Hey, I wonder if I can send an image from our garden? First blooms. It works! Thanks,
Gary
I am indeed enjoying the season, Gary. Today is cool but bright and sunny. Then again, I enjoyed yesterday too–the rain and cozy clouds. (It helps when you don’t have to go out in the wet weather!)
Very refreshing!! Loved your poem on the snow and sun “battle”😉
Thanks for sharing all of these!
And thank you for reading them all, Alicia!
Beautiful Nancy💖
Thank you, Cindy!