A Family Portrait

Today's NaPoWriMo prompt: I challenge you to write a poem that takes the form of a family portrait. You could write, for example, a stanza for each member of your family. You could also find an actual snapshot of your family and write a poem about it, spending a little bit of time on each person in the picture. You don’t need to observe any particular form or meter. Happy writing!

I chose to do a blackout poem - one for each member of the family. (Does that count as 4 poems, I wonder?) For my source text, I used Storytelling & the Art of Imagination by Nancy Mellon (Which, by the way, is a fabulous book!)

The Brothers

The brothers bomb 
each other to bits
out in the wilderness.
They dig their holes
and make their plans,
knowing full well
there is no escape,

knowing full well it is miles 
to the nearest river.
They call up to the eagle,
each from their own holes,
and beg him: 
Tell us, what is it like
by the water?

Ode to My Ten Toes

One-eyed owls 

perched on a branch,

all with turquoise faces,

sisters singing a cappella,

a band of brothers, pacing.

Dancing partners,

long-time companions,

known since I was born,

smooth keys of a piano

on which I play my favourite song.

The end of the old road,

beginning of the new,

a landscape of mountains and valleys,

arrows pointing to the future,

I will travel with you always.

Secret agents

tracking every move,

in love with your disguises,

but when I find you naked,

you are full of strange surprises.

An illegal box 

of Cuban cigars, 

saved for a special occasion,

for that crazy party on the roof,

I won't need much persuasion.

Today's NaPoWriMo prompt: In keeping with the mysterious quality of the number 13, today I challenge you to write a riddle poem. This poem should describe something without ever naming it. Perhaps each line could be a different metaphor for the same object? Maybe the title of the poem can be the “answer” to the riddle. 

My feet seem to be the inspiration for today!