Balancing the Books

If syllables were billable

And rhyme were punched in time,

Then poets would fill every phrase

With words to bring chips’ chime.

We’d mark the meter, count the clock,

And measure every sign.

Alas, the metaphor dissolves

Upon the bottom line.

c2018 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Image:

Theme art – adapted from public domain image

Still from Suspicion, 1941

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2017 A-Z Challenge theme reveal: Storybook illustrations undone from A to Z

Nickers and Ink joins the April A to Z Challenge and National Poetry Writing Month for another year. That means I aim to write and publish 26 poems (titled from A to Z), with new ones appearing daily (except Sundays) throughout the month. Thousands of bloggers and poets participate in these annual events.

Here’s my Nickers and Ink Poetry and Humor theme reveal for this year's April challenges.

Adapted by this user from vintage artwork.

  

Storybook illustrations undone

(A rhymed request on April's fest)

My pen I will prime,

As April appears.

Old drawings I’ll rhyme,

So lend me your ears.

I’ve chosen some sights

From sketches of old.

In blitzes and bytes,

I’ll swap what they’ve told.

The alphabet full,

From A down to Z,

My musings will cull,

For truth’s repartee.

Right or wrong,

Come along.

c2017 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Double back daily, so you won’t miss any of these poetic posts from A to Z. Comment, if you will, with a link to your own latest blog post.

• Bloggers’ bonus: How to leave a linked comment
• Super-simple linking (Bookmark this post.)

Happy A to Z and NaPoWriMo.

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To play write

Lines I’ll rehearse on the reason for verse.

To play write

(A sonnet for wordsmiths)

A few lines of verse may be spicy or worn,

With messages carried in careful concern.

As images pleasant or poison be borne,

The heart of the reader may rise or return.

What merit has mindset, if merely to please?

If ears be but tickled, what wonders be heard?

To captivate only, indulging to tease,

May fill only shelves, never souls, with the word.

A savory spirit with flavorful fun,

Yet still edifying, hits out of the park.

And stories with wisdom, artistically spun,

Are likely to leave a more permanent mark.

So pick up the pen, and aim past the sublime.

Perhaps you can touch someone’s heart with a rhyme.

c2016 by Linda Ann Nickerson

This poem was posted in response to these prompts:

31 Days of Poetry and Writing: Write about what this means to you – that time and light are kinds of love (17)

31 Writing Prompts: What kinds of items fill your bookshelf? (17)

OctPoWriMo: “savory” – with “edifying,” “pleasant,” “flavorful,” and “spicy” - SONNET (17)

Five Minute Friday: “park”

#OctPoWriMo  

Image/s:

Lady with Quill

Public domain

31 Days logo – created by this user,

including public domain artwork.

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. Please visit my Amazon author page as well.