"Oh, Kaye!" Celebrates National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month.

"This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture."  Read more here - https://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/home

For the past few years, including this year, I've tried to remember to post a poem at my Meanderings and Muses every day and have found it to be one of my favorite things to do.  

Seeking out new poems and new poets brings a little light into my life.

I spend a lot of time, like many of you, frustrated by events we seem to not have much control over.  World events, political events, even those things closer and more personal right in our own homes that seem to try to knock us down once in awhile.  And I rant about those events by writing about them at my Meanderings and Muses quite a bit.  Writing is a saving grace for me.  I know it is for a lot of us.

I try to temper those rants with some "feel good" pieces, and I think that's how the annual poetry posts came to be.

So.

In celebration of April - National Poetry Month - I'd like to share one of my favorite pieces of poetry with you -  - - -


Variation on a Theme by King David

Praise to you!
Praise to you my snappy love!

Praise you in clean socks on a Queens-bound
train; praise you
for your famous avocado
sandwiches; Praise you from Brooklyn to blasphemy!

I've called the mayor to praise you; & a third-
base coach; even
that no-neck accountant
who doesn't have the decency to nod hello
has agreed to praise you!

Praise you with bongos and fine fancy
tea; praise you
with rhumba, tango & marmalade; praise
you with your knickers at your knees!

I praise you on Flag Day, & on whichever equinox
allows for the balancing of eggs;
I praise you with eggs!
Brown ones & jumbo & Faberge Tiffany blue!

On the white of your wrist I praise you;
on the vacuumed throw rug; I praise you full-
page on Sunday! With faxes
& foxgloves & brushed cotton sheets;
with sky-write & timbrel &

wink! Let every soul
in the Battery Tunnel honk
her horn to praise you! Praise you
with ripe limes & wrestling mats;
praise you tax-free with agates and tin foil
& all sparkly things!

Praise you with foggy spectacles and Wisconsin green cheese!
Praise you to the afternoon of orthopedic sneakers;
praise you from poinsettia to piccolo!
Praise you & praise you & praise you!

My love,
from Brooklyn to blasphemy I praise you!

-- L. B. Thompson

How about you, Dear Reds, is there a piece of poetry that has a special place in your heart?  One you go to at particular times for solace, or even "just 'cause?"  A favorite piece you'd care to share?