Welcome, art enthusiasts and wordsmiths alike, to another episode of Create Art Podcast! We are diving headfirst into the enchanting world of poetry as we celebrate National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo). This annual event, which takes place every April, encourages poets and aspiring writers around the globe to embrace their creativity and commit to writing a poem each day for the entire month.
The Beauty of National Poetry Writing Month:
NaPoWriMo, similar to its prose-centric counterpart National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), is a celebration of the written word and the boundless creativity that can flow when one dedicates themselves to a daily practice. Poets of all levels of expertise are invited to take part, from seasoned wordsmiths to those just dipping their toes into the vast ocean of verse.
Create Art Podcast has always been a haven for artists to share their creative processes, and NaPoWriMo offers a unique opportunity for poets to reflect on their craft. With a daily commitment to producing poetry, participants discover new facets of their writing style, experiment with various forms, and explore uncharted emotional territories.
Today, we’d like to challenge you to write a poem that plays with the idea of a “tall tale.” American tall tales feature larger-than-life characters like Paul Bunyan (who is literally larger than life), Bulltop Stormalong (also gigantic), and Pecos Bill (apparently normal-sized, but he doesn’t let it slow him down). If you’d like to see a modern poetic take on the tall tale, try Jennifer L. Knox’s hilarious poem, “Burt Reynolds FAQ.” Your poem can revolve around a mythical character, one you make up entirely, or add fantastical elements into a real person’s biography.
The Sprelly Man
12 April 24
Peanut allergies be damned
Let me tell you the tale of one
Who has thrived in what some call
The dark ages of these legumes
Bright and colorful is he
Tasty and smooth is his body
When left to long
He splits into oil and mass
Don’t leave the Sprelly Man in the cupboard too long
Take him out daily
For your source of protein
And sweetness
Pair him up with his dear friend Pineapple Jelly lad
Spread him all over the best bread money can buy
And you too will change your religion
Or at least your thoughts of the simple PB&J sandwich
Sprelly man wants you to be stronger
Happier than you have ever been
Sprelly Man is looking out for your best interests
Better than a high school counselor
I met the man of Sprelly long ago
His beard was blacker than a new moon night
Deeper than the ocean
More manly than he had a right to be
We talk about his exploits
When I patron his store
A place of...
