I've known Tanita Davis for a while now, ever since we were Daring Bakers around 2007 or so. Tanita is an accomplished and acclaimed Young Adult Fiction published writer, and she is also a poet. She and a number of her friends who are fellow poets, the Poetry Peeps, write poetry to a theme or a poetry form every month. Recently she invited readers, like me, to join in if we like. It's been ages since I attempted to write poetry, but this month Poetry Peeps decided, "in their infinite 2019 wisdom, that October was going to be a good time to explore a new type of poetry called Naani." It's a short form of poetry, somewhat like haiku. The name means 'of one and all' and the form needs to be 20-25 syllables total, so I'll succeed or fail in a short time.
Since the poem can be about anything, I decided to write about what has been hanging over me all month. No, not the elections, although they are important. No, what concerns me now is the fire danger here in Northern California, and all over the state. October each year has been full of wildfires. It used to be my favorite time of year, but not anymore. Maybe it will be again in the future. I want October to be wonderful! Here's my poem:
Jack O'Lantern orange
swirling flames,
obscuring smoke;
California's Fall new normal
Visit Tanita's site for her quite seasonal poem and for links to the other Poetry Peeps.
