“Get curious. Go deep. Feel.
Explore.
Create new paths.”
Johanna Wright
It’s April 1st, the first day of National Poetry Month, the first full month of spring, and the first day of our first full month of quarantine. So it’s hard to say Happy 1st day of April as we ordinarily would. And yet, the blessing of our ability to connect through this amazing technology is something to be happy about. How lucky we are to have thousands and thousands of poems at our fingertips to read and savor and find comfort in.
Many poets of the Kidlitosphere undertake a poetry project each April. In the past I have joined in when I could, but haven’t ever committed to a project of my own before. And although figuring out how to teach online has a steep learning curve, I do have a bit more free time I normally would. So if not this year, when?
On a recent episode of the Ted Talk Radio Hour, Enrico Ramirez Ruiz, an astrophysicist who describes himself as a “stellar mortician,” explained that “we are all atomically connected, fundamentally, universally.” My aim is to focus on some element of the natural world and find those connections, and within them, find tolerance and understanding. Should be a snap, don’t you think? I have no idea where all this will lead, so thank you in advance for your patience. I’m sure there will be false starts and changes along the way, but isn’t that true of all adventures?
Today’s poem was inspired by “Lessons In Being Alone, From A Woodland Snail,” a recent episode of NPR’s podcast, “Short Wave.
Forest Snail
In the soft glow
of a quarter moon,
a solitary snails
glides through
the forest
on a trail of slime.
She finds a patch
of wild violets
and slowly munches
on fallen petals.
When she is full,
she withdraws
into the comfort
of her shell,
a ribboned reflection
of the moon above.
Draft © Catherine Flynn, 2020
If you’d like to read more, Jama Rattigan has generously devoted much time and energy to curate a page of links to many National Poetry Month projects.
Reading to the Core 
[…] out her first poem, “Forest Snail,” inspired by “Lessons in Being Alone, from a Woodland Snail,” a recent episode of NPR’s […]
LikeLike
Love that you’re joining in, Catherine & love that “a ribboned reflection/of the moon above.” Despite the anxiety of this time, finding April’s connection are going to be some of the joy found, like your discoveries in nature! Wishing special finds just for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the “ribboned reflection/of the moon above” brought such an image to my mind. And thinking of the shell as comfort is a helpful metaphor for our homes right now. I’m so looking forward to reading your poems each day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] . […]
LikeLike
[…] April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
Another nature poem that I love! I like how you went full circle with the imagery of the moon. I love the lines, “a ribboned reflection/ of the moon above.” All the imagery is beautiful. I agree with Elizabeth about the shell being a helpful metaphor for all of us, now. Nice alliteration and consonance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] . […]
LikeLike
[…] Aprill 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? Aprill 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] . […]
LikeLike
[…] April 23: An Earth Day ABC April 21: Nature’s Harmony April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 24: Save the Birds April 23: An Earth Day ABC April 21: Nature’s Harmony April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 24: World Penguin Day April 24: Save the Birds April 23: An Earth Day ABC April 21: Nature’s Harmony April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 26: A Paddling of Mallards April 25: World Penguin Day April 24: Save the Birds April 23: An Earth Day ABC April 21: Nature’s Harmony April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 27: A Northwoods Lullaby April 26: A Paddling of Mallards April 25: World Penguin Day April 24: Save the Birds April 23: An Earth Day ABC April 21: Nature’s Harmony April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike
[…] April 29: A Flamboyance of Flamingos April 27: A Northwoods Lullaby April 26: A Paddling of Mallards April 25: World Penguin Day April 24: Save the Birds April 23: An Earth Day ABC April 21: Nature’s Harmony April 20: Crowns of Moss April 19: Propagation April 18: At the Pond April 17: The Red Chair April 16: Dear Venus April 15: Listen April 14: Ode to a Tide Pool April 11: What Does A Bird’s Egg Know? April 10: Clusters of Clover April 9: Song of the Pink Moon April 8: Jewel of the Jungle April 5: Phantom of the Forest April 4: To Build a Nest April 3: Apple Cake April 2: Specimen April 1: Forest Snail […]
LikeLike