Pen & Prosper Honors National Poetry Month

"How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways..."

There are many reasons to love poetry. From the depths and heights that we experience from reading the works of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, to the powerful thoughts penned by Maya Angelou.
Poetry feeds the mind, soul and spirit.
As a wise man once wrote: "

---

"I believe the world is beautiful, and poetry, like bread, is for everyone."

-Roque Dalton

But for me, there's even more. Poetry was my "first love."

Long before I became a blogger, decades before I began my career as a relationship columnist for both online and print publications, I wrote poems.

 

As a teenager, poetry helped me to cope during an awkward and confusing period; it allowed me to have a "voice."  An added bonus here, is that I have also met and made many lovely friends as a result of our mutual interest in this ancient art form.

In the evolving years, I've even published several poetry books and won various writing awards along the way. 

 

Today, in honor of National Poetry Month, (read more here): 

https://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/home

 

I'd like to share a few personal pieces that I have written.

I hope that you enjoy them. Feel free to share your thoughts by way of the comments section.

Have a great week ahead! Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

RESIDENCY

Despite the crime,

Despite the grit and grime,

Despite the rhetoric

Challenging his citizenship,

Let the records show

For all the nation to know

For future generations,

And history’s preservation,

That the 1^st Black President lived here,

The home of Home Run Inn Pizza,

Buildings tall enough to kiss God,

Frigid winters,

And hot Jazz spots,

Notorious politicians,

 

The backdrop of fabulously famous writers,

Oprah’s former stomping ground,

Chicago,

More than a “toddlin’ town”

It’s called home for millions,

Where greatness hangs its hat,

A mecca for movers and shakers,

A great source of pride…

RELATIONSHIP WISDOM

 

Don’t think twice,

Love yourself

First,

Confidence breeds

Respect,

Never settle for less,

You deserve the best.

Life is long,

Marry smart,

Pray strong,

Life is short,

Cherish the moments…
 

DEEP PURPLE

(4 the Singer formerly known as Prince Rogers Nelson)

He left the party early,

Dressed

In purple wings and glitter,

Causing time to stand still,

Like 1999...

Then the music stopped

For all of us,

Leaving hearts

Of purple tears,

　

Forming

Purple Rain

Purple Rain…

(C) Jennifer Brown Banks

Thoughts? Comments?



Image Credits: Pixabay.com