Greenbelters, these are your poets.  And no, they’re not the Hippie Poets Society but the competitors in a new poetry event sponsored by Friends of the New Deal Cafe.  The poets read their works at a fun reception for them at the New Deal, which event was timed to celebrate the National Poetry Month.  This latest project by the Cafe to promote the arts is called the Poetry Moment.

I Keep Forgetting

There is no need to understand the summer wind
as it prompts the trees to whisper their sweet rustling song
or the occasional turtle snout peeking above the surface
or the wood ducks asleep on the lake and still as decoys
in the mid-afternoon sun or the glorious roots of the oaks
as they reach down into the moist earth.
I keep forgetting to sit quietly, watch, listen,
before all this;
and the dragonflies mating in mid-air,
the tiger swallowtails meandering flower to flower,
the mallards feasting on the pale green algae
or the hummingbird who just now appeared
hovering a few feet in front of me and
drained the nectar from three hibiscus
as I held my breath.

More winning poems will be displayed throughout the year.    Poetry Moment is sponsored by the Friends of New Deal Cafe Arts (FONDCA) with support (thanks to County Council Member Ingrid Turner) with a grant from Prince George’s County.

The Poetry Moment stand in front of the New Deal.

Greenbelters turned out for the Poetry Moment reception, despite the gorgeous spring weather.  I love how this town supports creative endeavors!