Five Answers to a Question (2022 NaPoWriMo #18)

For those of you that have been following me, you know that I’ve been doing a couple of challenges this month in celebration of April being national/global poetry month.

First, I’ve been doing the #AtoZChallenge with a theme of “Seriously Silly Poetry” — this series will continue on till the end of the month. I do hope your enjoying some laughs as I’ve had a lot of fun writing these. I’ve actually already completed writing (and illustrating) them and I already miss the daily injection of silly thoughts from the writing process.

I’ve also been doing (and just completed) 13 poetic form prompts that were provided by A Different Perspective. I learned a lot from this exercise and very much enjoyed “stretching my mind” with all the new (to me) forms. I highly encourage you to check out A Different Perspective’s post to read and/or participate in the challenge which is open all month.

Needless to say, I’ve been a very productive poet this month and I’m not in the mood to slow down now. So with a little digging I found another series of poetry prompts being provided by NaPoWriMo.net – 30 Poems in 30 Days. The latest prompt is for 18 April, so I’m going to start with this one and then see how it goes as to whether I work to catch-up with the prior prompts or just carry on forward.

Prompt 18

Write a poem that provides five answers to the same question – without ever specifically identifying the question that is being answered.

NaPoWriMo.net

This sounds pretty interesting. Now I have to think of a (secret) question then wax poetic – hmm. Let’s see. Ok, I’m ready. Let’s go!

Five Answers to a Question

First, to understand.
Myself. You. Us.

Second, to accept.
The good. The bad. The everything.

Third. to forgive.
Myself. You. Us.

Fourth, to appreciate.
The hidden blessings, silver linings, and hard lessons.

Fifth, to love.
Myself. You. Us.

And when I stumble and fall, I find my footing, I stand and seek once again to understand. To accept. To forgive. To appreciate. To love. Myself. You. Us.

And when you stumble and fall, I lift you up, and while holding you steady I seek to understand. To accept. To forgive. To appreciate. To love. Myself. You. Us.

And if we both stumble and fall. We begin again at the beginning. Seeking to understand. Finding acceptance and forgiveness. Learning to appreciate. Learning to love. Myself. You. Us.

Well that felt good to express. What do you think? Can you guess what question I was answering? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Be well,

Monty

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