Yesterday was the first day of National Poetry Month. To celebrate I decided to challenge myself. I set two goals.

1. To read 30 poetry books in 30 days
2. To write 30 poetic forms in 30 days

Poetry books by a single author usually have about 100 to 165 pages. I’ve timed myself previously on how long it takes to read one. I found, it takes me about an hour up to an hour and a half. Not so daunting a task, however, finding the time to read is the issue. To achieve this goal, I made a plan to read in 15 minute increments throughout the day. For example, choosing to read during my breaks and while taking my lunch.

The second goal is the hardest. I chose to make it difficult so it would actually be a challenge. I could have chosen to write 30 days of poetic free verse, but I chose poetic forms. The goal requires me to write in a different poetic form for the next 30 days.

The poetic forms I chose are: the villanelle, sestina, nonet, elegy, kwansaba, haibun, ghazal, pantoum, tanka, rispetto, prose poem, sevenling, sonnet, paradelle, flamenca, gwawdodyn, kimo, senryu, tripadi, lai, minute poem, palindrome, tautogram, kyrielle, breccbairdne, ottava rima, katouta, interlocking rubaiyat, englyn cyrch and zappai.

These poetic forms span different parts of the world. There are some I am familiar with (villanelle, sonnet, pantoum) but have never written. Others I’ve written (nonet, senryu, tanka) and still others I’ve never heard of (englyn cyrch, kimo, tautogram). All I look forward to writing.

This is my first year attempting to do this, so wish me luck. If you want to join me, leave some of your own creations in the comments. I look forward to reading what you created using these and other poetic forms.

Thanks for reading!!