NaPoWriMo Day 22: Write a poem about something you’ve done – whether it’s music lessons…or learning how to change a tire – that gave you satisfaction, and perhaps still does.

Dear Reader,

My mother and I used to “play poetry” together, and after I moved away at age 16, we would sometimes write to each other in verse. She enjoyed experimenting with different poetic forms, and I would try to respond in whatever form she used. We never submitted our poems anywhere. As it turned out,  the first poem I ever had published was a tanka written in response to one of hers after her death. You can find it beautifully set below by Sue Niewiarowski—my partner in rhyme. (For more of my poems set by Sue click here.)

 Warm writing wishes,

Elizabeth

How to Choose Haiku

“Are you a goddess?”
bee asks cherry tree—and she
bursts into blossom.

“So, Mom.
What do you think
of my haiku?”
I ask into the air.
A bee answers,
by biting
the back my knee, 

like that time,
under the cherry tree,
when she taught me
to write haiku
by choosing to love
every single thing—
even the sting.

NaPoWriMo 2025

During National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo), I enjoy seeing what others are writing. If you're participating, feel free to share your link via the Contact form—I’d love to take a look.

This year, I hope to send a poem each day by email to eager readers who request updates. I may post some of them here. To reduce scrolling, I’ll clear posts at my discretion.

Warm writing wishes to all!