And finally, April came to an end and I managed to clock in 58 poems (as two poems fitted a prompt from both the groups I was participating in). This year, I remember feeling exhausted within the first week- the kind of feeling when you feel you’ve churned out everything you had to and there’s nothing more to give. My daughters reminded me it was just one week and that’s what’s supposed to happen at the end of three weeks. So, I spoke nothing more about it and prayed that I’d be able to complete the challenge. In case you’re thinking, ‘praying for such a silly thing,’ let me explain. It’s about the discipline and the promise that you make to yourself that you’ll complete the challenge. It’s not for anybody else that you make it but to yourself. I’m sure that’s how all those who participate in NaPoWriMo feel and they do it year after year religiously.
This year, we had another set of amazing prompts,thanks to the host, Maureen. You think there’s nothing more to learn but Maureen manages to come up with something more, making the 30 days challenging, fun and exhausting all at the same time. This year, again, I made some new aquaintances, who I hope to stay connected with- and so my world expands by a few more beautiful souls.
I’d like to thank all those who read my poems, wrote back and cheered me along the way. If not for you (I mean it) the journey would have been nothing more than an exercise. A shout out to Cheryl, Andrea, Robbie, Sonia, Harmony, Romana, Selma, Gloria, Kamal, Punam, Manja, GS Subbu and Garima from Expressions Expresso (whose link I’m unable to connect to) for helping me reach the finish line. You made the journey sweeter. I’d also like to thank my friend, Vineetha who makes sure to read my posts, no matter how busy she is. There were others who are not on WordPress and therefore I am not linking their blogs here.
This year’s NaPoWriMo was all the more special because my poem, ‘Adapting’ got featured.
Last, but not least, I leave you with this beautiful cento poem that my dear friend, Manja wrote on the last day. A cento is a poem that has lines from poems written by different poets. Manja took a line from each of a few fortunate poets (including mine) and strung it together. Do give it a read to see how many beautiful ways are there to connect people together across the distance. I’m sharing a few lines from her poem as a teaser.
April Magic (cento) A poem to write in the moonlight. Where to start on this page?1 Do not always choose the prettiest words.2 Better roll. Who wants to gather moss?3
An update for all those who read me regularly, you may have noticed a change in my blog’s appearance and sadly, the change isn’t good. But, that’s because the theme I used for WordPress had ‘retired’ (those were the words it gave me) and I tried changing it. Only, I messed it up and it will take time for me to fix it up, given how technically challenged I am. So, please bear with me.
For those with whom I have got connected only recently through poetry, I will be sharing the remaining 28 poems I wrote in April, during May. It would be wonderful if you stayed.
Thank you again very kindly for reading me as I rambled along. I truly appreciate you being here. Wishing you all a wonderful rest of the year and a lot of writing, dreaming and all that your heart desires.
Love and Light,
Smitha
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