The goal of National Poetry Month is survival and after participating in three poetry workshops, reading at two events, attending another reading, writing poetry on demand, writing while kayaking on the Haw River, writing while taking the Poet’s Walk and hosting one open mic at a wine shop, my lovely audience pictured above, I can claim not just survival but a modicum of success. I produced 20 poems over the 30 days, my favorite appearing below. It will almost certainly appear in my upcoming chapbook, Milkshakes and Chilidogs and other food poems. Now I just have to put the poetic pieces together.

West End Wine Bar of Durham

The sweet melody
of the grape dances
with my tongue
as the aged Merlot
spins down my throat
leaving a bassline
humming with dryness.

Some wines are simple,
a solo acoustic guitar,
others a string quartet.
Serve me a symphony
of purple in a glass.
I want vintage Mozart.
I want Beethoven plucked,
fermented and poured.