Every Month is Something Month

February is African History Month. June is Pride Month. April gives us two causes for celebration.

In honour of Autism Awareness Month, I offer this guide to internet safety for people with autism.

In honour of National Poetry Month, I suggest The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets Who Teach edited by Behn and Twichell, as a great source of inspiration for aspiring and established poets. The poem I had published in the fall grew from an exercise that began with reading “In the Waiting Room” by Elizabeth Bishop. (It bears no resemblance.)

In honour of both Months, I share with you an exercise from The Practice of Poetry in which I describe my grandson as a young boy entering a room. Maybe someday I’ll see if I can turn it into a poem.

HE STOOD IN THE DOORWAY

of the farmhouse parlour, barely taller than the doorknob, holding the tide clock, its face reflecting his blond hair, blue eyes beaming.

Nothing in the house he wasn’t capable of removing from its rightful — to the neurotypical — place: the handle off the wood stove, the box of tampons under the sink, the tide clock from the kitchen wall.

On the balls of his feet he stumbled into the parlour, gripping it tight with pudgy hands, saying his one-note No no no and something only his parents could understand.

I hope we can all be finding ways to celebrate poetry and autism awareness year round!

Image designed by Freepik.