Reflection: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of National Poetry Month

April 26, 2026April 26, 2026 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

As the final week of April 2026 unfolds, we find ourselves at a significant milestone—the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month. Since its inception in 1996, this celebration has grown from a national initiative into the world’s largest literary event, reminding us year after year of the vital role poetry plays in our culture and our personal lives.

A Month of Connection and Creativity

Throughout this April, we’ve seen incredible engagement across the globe. From the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day series to virtual events like Poetry & the Creative Mind, the reach of the written word has never felt more profound. This year’s official poster, designed by Arthur Sze (the 25th U.S. Poet Laureate), beautifully captured the spirit of the 2026 celebration. Isn’t it beautiful!

Final Week Highlights

As we close out the month, there are still ways to immerse yourself in the craft:

Poem in Your Pocket Day (April 30th): The month concludes with its most beloved tradition. I encourage you to select a poem that resonates with you, keep it close, and share it with a friend, colleague, or even a stranger.

Download this foldable from Poem in Your Pocket of three poems

It contains three poems:

Do not trust the eraser by Rosamond S. King
O Small Sad Ecstasy of Love by Anne Carson
This Morning I Pray for My Enemies by Joy Harjo

Reflecting on the Theme: Many this year have focused on “Land and Sea,” exploring our deep connection to the natural world through verse. Many of my poetry books from my first, This Tumbleweed Landed to my newest, Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry celebrate nature. Go to my website, https://www.laradasbooks.com to scope out which book might resonate more with you. Also, my FREE chapbook, Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey has poetry about nature too. I can’t help writing about nature because it’s a part of my heart.

Featuring Three Videos of My Poems & Mary Oliver’s

What a rich month we’ve shared with the videos of my poetry and Mary Oliver’s. Listen to my last two and Mary Oliver’s which has become my motto:

A Storyteller Forever

Childless

Instructions for Living a Life

Carrying the Spark Forward

While the official month ends this Thursday, the practice of poetry shouldn’t. Whether it’s through a daily haiku, attending local readings, buying one of my poetry books or simply pausing to appreciate the rhythm of your own thoughts, let the inspiration of this 30th anniversary carry you into May and beyond.

How are you celebrating the final days of National Poetry Month? I’d love to hear which poems of mine or others stayed with you this year.

Larada Horner-Miller photo - National — Sit outside this week and read one of my poems. Then tell me about it!

If you missed the videos of me reading my poetry, you can find them all at the following places:

My YouTube Channel
TikTok

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir audiobook cover

My Books · My Thoughts · My Writing · poetry

Day 12 – Instructions for Living a Life—Mary Oliver-Style!

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 Larada Horner-Miller3 Comments

“Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.”

~Mary Oliver, “Sometimes”

Mary Oliver’s Instructions for Living a Life resonated with my heart and soul the first time I read it. Because of that, I have quoted it at the beginning of both of my poetry books in the Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry series.

So I thought I’d share the Introduction to my new book, Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry.

Introduction With Instructions

Life’s all about paying attention and not letting the world pass you by. Some call it mindfulness. That’s a big order, but I see that’s what I did over the years with my poetry by being present and seeing the specifics in my life around me. Prior to writing poetry and taking note of my life, years escaped me! The poet arose in me, and this is what transpires: I write poetry when I’m happy, when I’m sad. I write about what’s important—and about what’s trivial.

And now you’re getting a peek into me. Not only am I sharing the vulnerability in my poetry, but in my life.

This is the second book of poetry in a five-book poetry series that chronicles my journey from 1986 to the present, showcasing both diﬃcult times and, ultimately, my most fulfilling era. It all changed at fifty-eight and my fourth marriage, but that’s much later, in book #5.

My first book in this series, Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, which covered my life in poetry from 1986 to 1998, won a Gold Award in the Global Book Awards and second place for poetry in the Next Best Reads Writing Contest, which felt so aﬃrming.

When I choose a title for my books, I consult my husband. I gave him the list of poems chronicling my life from 2000-2003, and he quickly came up with Time Measured Out. I love how this title captures not only the transformative time this was for me, but my playfulness in poetry, as well.

So much happened in the years this book covers, not just for me personally, but also globally. Because I worked as a middle school teacher, I did a lot of my writing during the summer, sitting in the passenger seat, my ex-husband driving down the road to the next square and round dance festival. The summers were my time to write, to travel, to get away from the crushing schedule of teaching, and to see our country near and far—and to dance!

Introduction Continues with Instructions

In 2000, my ex-husband, Ted, and I bought a Four Winds Majestic Flyer Class C motorhome in preparation for our 2001 road trip to Alaska on the Al-Can Highway. I dubbed the summer of 2000 “The Majestic Flyer Summer,” after our RV, as we tested it out while traveling to dance festivals.

We spent hours planning our Alaska trip, and my excitement grew as we prepared. We traveled north to the Canadian border then followed the Al-Can Highway from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. The rough uneven roads made it an adventure for me, but Ted as the driver grew tired of it. But our journey didn’t go how either of us expected. We broke up in Homer, Alaska in one of the most picturesque spots, the ocean surrounding us. Ted took me to Anchorage to my cousin, then I flew home, leaving him to drive the RV back.

After our breakup, I sought refuge at the Santuario de Chimayó for the second time, but how diﬀerent my experience was this time compared to my first visit in 1991 (see book #1)!

My ex-husband and I tried to resolve our diﬀerences for seven more years, but our reconciliation didn’t fare smoothly. We did have some good times sprinkled in, but it was mostly trouble, chaos, and agony. We struggled until 2008, and I share our final breakup in book #4. Amid this, I continued to turn to poetry to make sense of life—my writing comforted me and helped me survive, and survive I did!

Introduction & Instructions Ends

Though there’ve been deep struggles in my life, my positivity always weaves its way through. In this book, you’ll see me repeatedly struggle with my relationship with my ex-husband and how I viewed myself because of it—a dysfunctional relationship at its worst! Yet I bounced back, resilient. If you’ve had similar experiences, resilience saved our lives!

The book will draw near its end with poems I wrote in celebration of my niece for her thirtieth birthday and, lastly, a tribute to my mom. Ending this book with my thoughts about Mom brings a smile to my lips and an ache to my heart! Yes, Mom, you end this second book—so apropos!

Just a reminder! Someone wrote this comment in a review on Goodreads about Was It a Dream?: “There were a few places where these poems felt amateur. In some ways that adds to the charm, but I can’t help wanting to poke at them and try to use one of the many tools we have to make poetry more eﬀective.”

Please remember this poetry series dates back to 1986, and I didn’t polish any of the poems. I wanted you, the reader, to see my progression through the years as a poet. Refraining from “fixing” them felt risky, yet I committed myself and you to this journey. And, yes—it’s been hard!

Step into my world of poetry, and don’t look back. You might decide to grab a seat and linger or even stay.

Finally,

These three short lines of instructions have become my motto in life. I always want to remember them and be sure and adhere to them—otherwise, I lose essence of the life I’m living! My poetry will direct me!

Larada Horner-Miller - instructions — First I have to pay attention!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 – $.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book or $3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Grief · My Thoughts · My Writing · poetry

Loss and Death: National Poetry Month Topics?

April 13, 2025April 13, 2025 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

For so many years, poetry about loss and death has comforted the grief-stricken. So, this week for National Poetry Month, I’d like to look at that poetic topic.

On Thursday, I attended a Celebration of Life of a dear friend and saw the juxtaposition of joy and sorrow in real time. Poets have done that for years.

So that led me on Friday to select the poem, “When Death Comes” by Mary Oliver as the inspirational reading for my meditation group as I led it that day. My emotions still ran strong with attending yet another service for a loved one. As we get older, that seems to be the norm. And when I need consolation in poetry for strong emotions, I turn to Mary Oliver’s sensitive and powerful poetry.

When Death Comes

When death comes 
like the hungry bear in autumn; 
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; 
when death comes 
like the measles pox

when death comes 
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, 
wondering: 
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything 
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, 
and I look upon time as no more than an idea, 
and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common 
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth, 
tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something 
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life 
I was a bride married to amazement. 
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder 
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened, 
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

—Mary Oliver

https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-102/when-death-comes

My Response to “When Death Comes”

In response to this poem and our meditation time together, I wrote the following haikus. Remember that a haiku is a three-line poem with 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second and 5 in the third. Traditionally the third line should hold some spice, some punch. That’s why in my fourth haiku below, I provide three choices. Which one do you like the best?

When death comes, I want

To be astonished with it!

To run—shout for joy!

When death comes, I will

See Jesus and run to him.

He will hold me close.

Finally, I will be

Home at last—where my heart is!

Familiar faces!

No longer do I

Fear death. It’s the gateway there.

I know many there.
It’s dying I fear.
My heart has been there.

Other Mary Oliver poetry about death and grief:

Love Sorrow from Red Bird
Ocean from Red Bird
No Voyage from New and Selected Poems
After Her Death from Thirst
A Pretty Song from Thirst

Yes, the topics of poetry span all of life and death. In my book, A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir, I address the loss of my parents in poetry, especially my mom.

Here’s one of my poems dealing with her death:

I Want You Back! Or Do I?

January 27, 2014

I stand at that mysterious wall 
between life and eternity 
and scream,
"I want you back!" 

I pound my fists.
I scream! 
I cry,
but nothing changes. 

You slipped
through my fingertips. 

I grasped. 

You were here one second 
and 
gone the next! 

Nothing I could do 
would hold you. 

Where are you now?
Sitting next to Jesus and Dad—
smiling
youthful
relaxed
happy! 

I hope so! 

I am earth bound— 
held in place 
by time and
my human existence! 

I now know more, 
realize there's more. 
There has to be! 

A small peephole 
opened into eternity 
at your death bed. 

Surprisingly, a small kernel of hope was 
born that day for me. 

Life ended here for you 
so quickly! 

Your shell of a body
lay limp and lifeless
in that hospital bed.
I saw your last breath,
but I also saw something else 
slight 
faint 

Relief for you! 
A passing 
A knowing
that you are gone 
from here,
but will wait for me 
there. 

In my solemn, desolate space, 
I will still cry, 
"I want you back!" 

But today I know
that 
I don't want you back— 

I want to join you 
there!

Larada Horner-Miller, A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir, (Horner Publishing Company, 2017), 193-195

Life, death and everything in-between—poetry addresses it all and comforts the soul. If any of you feel sorrow or grief today, I hope these verses touched your heart and gave you some solace and relief!

Finally,

do you have a favorite poem that addresses loss and death? Grief? Sorrow? Let me know so I can add it to my list!

My Newest Books

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Bounty from ACX United States

My Thoughts · poetry

April—National Poetry Month: Read & Listen to Poetry

April 6, 2025April 6, 2025 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

It’s National Poetry Month. I love April for a variety of reasons: spring in the air, a fresh spring snow storm yesterday of sixteen inches and poetry!

Yes, you all know I write poetry and prose. I love that combination and have used it in many of my books, but as of late, I have focused more on poetry. My favorite poet right now is Mary Oliver, and these words from her poem, Sometimes, have inspired and shocked me:

“Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell About It.”

~Mary Oliver, “Sometimes”

These instructions shock me because I have realized that’s what I do with my poetry and have done it for years. Right now, I’m working on Book #2 of my four-book poetry series that spans my poetry from 1986-2025. Yes, unconsciously I have followed her advice.

Because I’m in the recording mode, I decided to record Oliver’s instructions for living a life.

So I wanted to share some of my poems this week from recent book, Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry which is book #1 in my four-book poetry series.

Somehow, I let April 1 and 2 slip, but I recorded poetry the last four days and shared them on various social media sites, but today I’m only sharing two of my poems and recordings.

Two Poems from Was It a Dream?

Playing With Words

December 8, 1995

Catch a word
and drag it by the leg—

hold on tight. Don’t let go!

Hold on!
Don’t let it bite you— you might die from its

poisonous bite or worse—

YOU MIGHT WANT TO WRITE MORE!

The Laundromat

Spokane, Washington

June 18, 1998

Ingenuity of children
Big Brother sees it as a race car.

Mom sees it as a laundry basket on wheels.

Little brother takes advantage of

big brother’s imagination.

Down one aisle Down another

Little brother’s eyes glisten.

Smiles and giggles filled his face.

For a moment, it was a race car— they raced

and won,
but mom interrupted the fun!

“Boys, stop that!”

Finally,

I plan on packing a lot of my poetry in April, so I hope you’re ready for the ride—from my books. See—I have poetry in seven of my nine books, so I have a lot to choose from! Also I will share haiku I haven’t published yet, so April will be full!

If you’d like to sample some of my poetry, click on the link below!

My Newest Books

is my truth universal? e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Bounty from ACX United States

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Tag: Mary Oliver

Reflection: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of National Poetry Month

A Month of Connection and Creativity

Final Week Highlights

Featuring Three Videos of My Poems & Mary Oliver’s

A Storyteller Forever

Childless

Instructions for Living a Life

Carrying the Spark Forward

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections

Day 12 – Instructions for Living a Life—Mary Oliver-Style!

Introduction With Instructions

Introduction Continues with Instructions

Introduction & Instructions Ends

Finally,

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections

Loss and Death: National Poetry Month Topics?

When Death Comes

My Response to “When Death Comes”

I Want You Back! Or Do I?

Finally,

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections

April—National Poetry Month: Read & Listen to Poetry

Two Poems from Was It a Dream?

Playing With Words

The Laundromat

Finally,

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections