The origin of the English word “April” lies in the Latin word meaning to open—aperit. In most areas of the northern hemisphere, April does feel like the first month of spring. For those born in April, the birthstone is the diamond which represents strength, eternal love, and purity. Sadly, I recently lost the diamond ring which my mother gave to me. Daisies are associated with April and stands for innocence, loyalty, and new beginning. I plant daisies in my garden each year because they are such cheerful flowers. The bird of the month for April is the duck, a cheerful and amusing creature. When I was a child, I had a duck named “Duckie” who had quite a personality and followed me wherever I went. As the energy of April brightens our days, may I begin to feel a sense of transformation and joy as the weather brings us the colors of spring. I have a large flower garden and look forward to its explosion of blossoms which—given our climate—usually occurs toward the end of May. At the moment, a few red, white, and yellow tulips are brightening my day.
My Writing Goals for 2026
Continue to develop my poetry and connections with other poets: Our area has a vibrant poetry culture with local readings, contests, and meetings. I participate in a critique group and attend as many readings as possible. I am pleased that I have been able to continue to expand my knowledge of and connection to more local poets.
BWA Poetry Circle: In March, the BWA Poetry Circle presented Valerie A. Szarek, an award-winning performance Poet, Native American Flute player, Artisan, and Shamanic Practitioner. Her poems are healing, accessible, present and political, and cross effortlessly between the seen and unseen worlds. She has published several books of poetry and a CD and has others in progress. Valerie also teaches monthly, soul-centered, writing workshops.
Cannon Mine Poets Group: I was unable to attend this group this month.
Continue to make progress on my draft novels:
Finish my first novel and query agents (IW): No progress
Finish my second novel (G): No progress
Continue to work on my third novel (PW): No progress
Continue to develop a network of kindred spirits in the world of writing and publishing:
Columbine Poets: I attended the March 13 in-person session and the April fourth online critique session. It is a fine group of poets. We present solid poems and provide each other with excellent feedback and encouragement.
Document my writing progress through my blog and post it on the seventh day of each month, one blog per month in 2026:
Today is April 7, 2026. I am posting my fourth blog for the year 2026. This year, I have been focusing on a specific poetic form for each month. I study the form and practice learning to write poems according to the form. I worked on sonnets in January, ghazal in February, and the villanelle at the end of March. A villanelle is a 19-line poetic form composed of five tercets (ABA) and a concluding quatrain (ABAA), characterized by strict repetition and two rhyming sounds. The first and third lines of the opening stanza alternate as refrains, closing stanzas 2, 3, 4, and 5, and ending the final quatrain. Here is my first attempt at writing a villanelle.
Winning Horses
Cold freezes my face; the racehorses neigh.
Their breath forms clouds in the frigid air.
Sunshine and shadow delight the day.
I enter the stalls to feed them their hay.
They snort and they stamp and throw me a glare.
Cold freezes my face; the racehorses neigh.
While they munch on oats, I brush down the bay.
I carry water and pat down the mare.
Sunshine and shadow delight the day.
We walk two miles along the way.
The team needs blinkers to cut down the glare.
Cold freezes my face; the racehorses neigh.
December is cold; I wish it were May.
I’d prepare my team for a show at the Fair.
Sunshine and shadow delight the day.
A halter class for each, if they would obey.
When they snort and stamp, it gives me a scare.
Cold freezes my face; the racehorses neigh.
Sunshine and shadow delight the day.
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