April 2026 NAPOWRIMO Poetry and Paintings

Every April is a celebration of poetry writing and reading with NAPOWRIMO - National Poetry Writing Month. This year I wrote several poems every day, with at least each day taking inspiration from a different word in my new book of Christian Poetry “Stanzas of Grace and Light”. I shared these prompts in the wonderful poetry community on Instagram and was honoured to read poetry written by others inspired by these words.

…

April is also our wedding anniversary and guess who forgot which year of our marriage we were in. Thankfully I remembered before the actual day and so I wrote another poem for Mike's card, not that I'm sure he would have noticed. Anyway, since time doesn't flow backwards I'm sharing them both here for posterity if nothing else.

Happy anniversary 26

I don't think there's much we need to fix

Perhaps more holidays, which I'll obviously pick

And some treats in the mix

But all in all, I think with you I'll stick

Happy anniversary 27

Time with you is too good to mention

Sometimes almost resembling heaven

I'll stick with you through any tension

Even when you're buying tech with your pension

…

Witnessing sorrows

Despite thousands of miles

Elicits heartbreak

...

Painting is a challenge

Always something new to learn

Investigating angles and colours

Never resting on my laurels

Trying new styles and ideas

Ignites opportunities of relaxation

Numbing the pain of pain

Gratefully

...

Revisiting life

Exploring unexpected

Horizons

...

Acceptance is hard

Requiring faith, rest and peace

Trying every day

...

Explosions

Light up the sky

Notable peace

...

Sempiternal hope

Stretched to brink of existence

Life's endless dawn breaks

Life's endless dawn breaks

Supernatural wishes

Carried in pockets

Carried in pockets

Morning mist epiphanies

Sempiternal hope

...

A gentle blanket, soft and deep

Begins to rest as shadows creep

The weary world begins to sigh

As slumber calls beneath the sky

No longer does the busy day

With all its troubles hold its sway

A quiet peace, a sweet release

Where noises fade and worries cease

The tired mind now starts to drift

A precious, silent, calming gift

The muscles ease, the breath is slow

As peaceful, quiet moments flow

Just rest now soul, your journey's done

Until the rising of the sun

...

Softly rest enfolds

Dreams bloom in the quiet night

Peace for weary souls

…

Resting aching eyes

Ensuring they don't burn out

Valuing each day

...

Restless stillness aches

Within minds as much as bones

Invisible pain

...

Bloom bright from within

No matter where you begin

Embody your skin

Embody your skin

Don't try to change anything

Celebrate each spring

Celebrate each spring

Whatever you're offering

Bloom bright from within

...

Merciful manifestos

Envision enviable embers

Voicing violet voracity

Thickets tether tendons

Rusty runes restlessly rail

Blunting bright blues

...

Holding onto hope

When everything seems almost

Impossibly bad

There lies the nub of my faith

Surrounded by love and grace

…

I am not afraid

Terrified more accurate

When will peace arrive

...

Trusting faithfully

Along every winding road

Despite the blind bends

...

Shadows dance and play

The light will win eternal

No dark illusion

...

Words like paint, a canvas bright

To show the dark, to share the light

A gentle breath, a sudden storm

Inside the heart, a changing form

A whispered hope, a chilling dread

The thoughts that circle in the head

To let them out, a flowing stream

This writing is a waking dream

A space to bleed, a place to soar

To open up and ask for more

The highs that lift, the lows that sting

The voice that gives the words to sing

My inner world, now shared with you

A glimpse of me, in lines so true

...

April showers bless

Anxious hearts beating with stress

Blossom provides peace

...

Forbidden horrors

Cry out in desperation

When will there be peace?

…

Serene stillness seeks

Surprise sunflower special

Sensitive sighs soothe

Sensitive sighs soothe

Singing sentimental songs

Slow stones skim subtly

…

Each day starts special

Shaking off yesterday's pain

I try yet again

I try yet again

Quietly lamenting life

As birds sing love songs

As birds sing love songs

Sunsets summon restful sleep

Each day starts special

...

Courage: keeping going when everything seems impossible

Hope: remembering courage is within you

...

Storms rage in your eyes

Thunder roars under your skin

Hope is buried deep

Hope is buried deep

But your pain creates fissures

Inviting release

Inviting release

Exploring new beginnings

Hope will be my guide

Hope will be my guide

Discovering angel songs

Listening closely

...

Fingerprints on my dreams

Enliven hearts with joy

...

Hopes for better days

Fading to black at sunset

Joy sparks the senses

...

Torn threads heal slowly

Surviving against the odds

Preparing for dawn

Painting the day in rainbows

Crimson sunsets glow brighter

...

Preparing the way

For those who follow behind

Leaving hopeful tales

...

Dandelion dust

Golden head fades modern ash

Seeds dance on the breeze

Seeds dance on the breeze

White puffball, a gentle wish

Offering blessings

Offering blessings

Clover stars tickle prisms

Tarnished love glimmers

...

Waiting patiently

Expectations increasing

Will tomorrow win

...

Waiting for quiet

For the light to grow more dim

At last giving in

...

Eternal echoes

Sing soulfully soothing songs

Delicate dreams dance

...

Graffiti sparkles

On walls singing with pain

Every mark a wound

Every mark a wound

Healing optimistically

Weeping willows watch

...

Darkness vanishes

As stars dance across the sky

Timeless messengers

...

Midnight starlight blinking blindly

Observed by those who choose to live wisely

Fading nebula signal across generations

Praying their plight will not be beyond vision

The trees whisper forgotten secrets in silence

Trusting earthly connections to share their truthful essence

Pebbles in the sand toss, turn and tumble

Repeatedly battered in a watery rumble

Tangled threads of emotions join in the motions

Desperate to be at one with the deepest oceans

From the tiniest organism to complex collaboration

Life is a miracle deserving of adoration

...

I trust you in the darkness and the light

In the noisy days and quiet nights

In the dreams and terrifying nightmares

I trust that you will always be there

I trust you even when I can't see you, especially when I can't see you

And I hope you trust me the same way too

...

Before darkness falls

Celebrating bright colours

Optimistically

...

Unlock mysteries

Prismatic technology

Perfecting dull sight

Perfecting dull sight

Lifts heavy blankets of grief

Quickening my pace

...

Mysterious lights

Dance in evening reflections

Severing shadows

Inviting eternal love

Peace awakens swallowed words

...

Despite ruptured storms

My heart will go on in faith

Hope eternally

Hope eternally

Shedding fears of darker days

Kintsugi shines bright

Kintsugi shines bright

Though time ticks insistently

Permission to bloom

Permission to bloom

Tongues of silent poets stir

Despite ruptured storms

...

Bees flirt wildly free

Lovesick blossoms grow jealous

Permission to bloom

Permission to bloom

A crazy contradiction

From stardust we came

From stardust we came

Ignoring our divine joy

Adventure beckons

Adventure beckons

You are not alone in life

Bees flirt wildly free

...

Sunrise songs of hope

Invite fresh celebrations

There's nothing to lose

There's nothing to lose

Each day a new offering

I hear a whisper

I hear a whisper

Drifting on the fresh dawn air

Love is everything

Love is everything

Eudaimοnia blessings

Eradicate pain

Eradicate pain

Connect with the world's seasons

Sunrise songs of hope

...

Grotesque ghouls graciously gush with guile

As we grieve for grumpy governors who guard gifted gilts

Grateful goddesses whisper gregariously

As we genuinely greet guiltless generosity

Holy homilies help harrowed handmaidens discover heavenly hubs of habitable happiness

…

Dear humanity

Are you listening?

Can you hear me?

I am here to advocate desperately

For decisions planetary

To be made carefully

Not selfishly for humanity

But considering the impact globally

On every species, naturally

So we can live collaboratively

Sustainably

Reflectively

Maybe then, eventually

We can live in harmony

Rather than evict you immediately!

Best wishes

The rest of the residents of planet earth.

...

Words cannot hurt you

Yet they can pierce your heart

Speak only with love

Words cannot hurt you

Until they spiral downwards

Share all your fears

Words cannot hurt you

Cycles of rumination

Cause silent damage

Words cannot hurt you

Building negativity

Language causes harm

Words cannot hurt you

Unless they command weapons

Negotiate peace

Words cannot hurt you

A lie we were told as kids

Words have great power

…

Dear Emma

I'm very happy to carry you around all day

To provide your body with comfort, support and movement

I appreciate your care for me on a regular basis

And I can even put up with being the favourite seat for your cat Socks

But....

Why do you never apologise

When you bump me into door frames, walls and all sorts of obstacles

You seem to think I have no feelings

No emotions

No pride in my appearance

But you're wrong

It hurts me when you blame me for your accidents

Your lack of skill, yes I said it

Please could you be a bit more careful

So that I can accompany you on all your adventures

I don't want to threaten you but...

Have you seen these self driving models

You might want to consider the future

I know you don't like heights

And I might just choose to drive you to the very top of a hill

And see how fast we can descend

With thanks

Your friendly wheelchair

...

Entwined Trinity

Three parts of a symphony

Loves eternally

Kindness prayerfully

Weaves within humanity

Waiting hopefully

...

I’m waiting for God

Under the weight of reproach

Do not forsake me

Do not forsake me

Your divine love sustains me

As I wait in peace

This is a haiku inspired by Psalm 69 at a YouBelong study on Maundy Thursday.

…

On the eve of the apocalypse

Will the air taste different?

Will feelings arise that we never felt before?

Will we hold too tight to stuff we love?

Or will we let go of expectation?

As we gaze upon the horizon

Wondering what we could have chosen

If we had been given different options

I'm pretty sure I'll be writing poetry

Always documenting my emotions

In order to let them leave my mind

Even if nothing is left behind

...

I have been both my wound and my remedy

A distraction in my serenity

The rot that's raw inside of me

Chaos within the stillness you see

The trigger in anxiety

A burden I try carrying lightly

But I've also been the love offered reliably

The prayer in despondency

The joy whispering quietly

The survivor in everything medically

The holy sewn through memory

The only version of me that I can be

…

Kohl smudges darken

As fistfuls of rage explode

Peace is the answer

Eye to eye we stand

Advocates on middle ground

Discovering peace

...

The bar descends, we bend so low

Limbo's youthful measure, a shifting line

Negative space exists where shadows grow

Peace offerings proffered, an invitational sign

Are the rules etched in shifting sand?

For each age to interpret with it's own grace

Is mutual language lost, so we don't understand?

Lost in the gaps between generational space

Is this life's dance, to constantly adapt?

As new norms are shared from currents deep?

Is it a silent test, beautifully wrapped?

While old souls share the secrets they keep?

Words evolve and change with the rising sun

An evolutionary web, forever respun

...

Do you fear the boys and men

Do you jump and dance for them

Do you think it's not "if" but "when"

Do you long for safety and zen

It's important to believe in you

Live the way that feels most true

Valuing friends who help you review

And keep you safe from the dangerous few

I wish we lived in a world of safety

Where women didn't need to walk more hasty

Whilst being accused of not being dainty

But this is the reality daily

We invite you boys to join our song

To grow into men who are morally strong

Calling out behaviour you know is wrong

Make the world a place where we all belong

...

Laughter lines lift eyes

Whilst weeping willows whisper

Whimsically wild

Whimsically wild

Stars pixelate the night sky

Echoes of the past

Echoes of the past

Tumble Tearfully and true

In shallow water

In shallow water

Every fear is just noise

Laughter lines lift eyes

…

Glorious chaos

Inspires creativity

In the heart of me

In the heart of me

My tortured soul demands rest

Unconvincingly

Unconvincingly

Words bubble before bursting

Circling frustration

Circling frustration

Colours dance in rainbow hues

Glorious chaos

...

Sailing softly through a quiet dream

As moonlight dances on the water's gleam

Diamond dots reflected in the bay

Encourage rest as waters sway

Stars brightly shine from a cosmic brush

No wind blows, there's a gentle hush

Then I wake to let the anchor go

Watching the universe softly glow

Imagining life in space, a tiny speck

No need to struggle, panic or trek

Among the stars I'm comfortably small

Part of everything yet nothing at all

...

When the night whispers your name

My heart flutters all over again

You are the anchor in my pain

...

I wish to forget myself again

To lose myself in my creative brain

And discover who I might become

When fear is overrun

By hope

To dream of opportunities

Unrestricted by physical limits

Then wake to new realities

Of a world made accessibly

Might this ever come true

What if it relies on you?

Would you fight for the human right

For equality

For everyone

For me?

You could be the cornerstone

Noticing goodness wherever you roam

Finding places who do the best they can

So we can start celebrating

Rating and frequenting them

...

Gritty

Morning dust

Stinging my eyes

That's why I cry

Honest

Honest

Feelings rise

Noticing glorious beauty

Within you and me

...

We wait quietly with baited breath

Glorious rebirth is upon the horizon

Yet we must stay in the moment

Collecting our thoughts and feelings

Silently contemplating life and death

This is a Gogyohka poem, a form of five lines each one a complete phrase on the breath.

...

Release emotions

Gently within tears of pain

You will love again

No need to despair

When you unchain melodies

Nature will lift you

Listen hopefully

Discover the light in life

Guiding your way home

...

Brushes and pens in creative hands

Can mend the world and bless the lands

No sword or bomb or battle cries

Can darken daffodils or fireflies

Each line sharing a peaceful thought

Will heal the wounds that greed has wrought

Each canvas speaks of forests deep

Where ancient secrets softly sleep

A sculpture carved of birds in flight

Symbol of love, truth and light

Painting streams both clear and bright

They chase away the darkest night

Writing with colours rainbow pure

Love for each other is this world's cure

Patchwork quilts stitched together

Symbols of peace on Earth forever

Creativity is an act of resistance

In the thick of it, not at a distance

Art will act where power has failed

Love the message bravely hailed

…

Dear nature….

I feel so disconnected

Discombobulated

Dejected

By the boundaries created

Erected

Injected

Which make my life bisected

Separated

Suspected

It seems my body is rejected

Not accepted

Or represented

As if I need to be corrected

Detested

Lamented

Regretted

Or even Terminated

I have learned to feel contented

Not needing to be fermented

Or endlessly Recreated

I don’t need to be tested

Every day I’m embracing my body

My humanity

Physicality

Naturally

Mentally

Spiritually

Knowing that God loves me

As me

Imperfectly

Naturally

Me

…

We know the truth of what's to come

Our planet has been over run

Greed and power, wants and needs

Stripped trees instead of planting seeds

Even today, we could halt the harm

But we keep ignoring planetary alarms

Thankfully the Earth will do just fine

……. What would you write for the final line of this poem?

...

I once selected pebbles, stones and rocks

To hold, study, collect and adore

The perfect flat shape to skim upon the sea

Bouncing many times trying to keep score

A rock with a hole, a precious find indeed

Celebrating beauty scattered on the

shore

Stones piled high, precariously

Is it possible to balance just one more

It often seems as if I borrow paper time

As I intertwine the present and past I explore

I am drawn there still, to gaze upon the sea

Upon those rocks my faith will restore

...

Holy rest

Helps me minimise stress

Whilst accepting that this is best

To help me recover my zest

...

I adore purple

I often feel blue

But inside I am red

I bleed just like you

.

Our differences are merely a societal illusion

...

Caught in the illusion of human equality

Power is dominated by a minute minority

The rest of us are an inferiority

Yet together we can bring change powerfully

...

Starlit visions dance

Gracefully across the sky

Overcoming time

Reflecting eternity

Foolishness ignores the signs

...

Mary in worship

Anoints Jesus with perfume

Holy devotion