Howdy, Campers ~ and Happy Poetry Friday! (the links to PF and to my upcoming free poetry class are at the end of this post).
TeachingAuthors' topic this round is "Something New for the New Year" and it's my turn. But there's so much happening these days...where should I begin?Let's start with singing!
For years, I've run two folk music clubs: The Santa Monica Folk Music Club and The Beach Cities Folk Club. So many songs are poetry...and so much poetry can be sung.About a year ago, I approached the organizers of our local politial events, suggesting that our rallies needed music. Singing together in the midst of struggle brings joy and a sense of community to marches and rallies.
I've been the "music wrangler" ever since. We named ourselves The Resisters. My favorite feedback we've gotten after a rally is: "I come to these rallies to hear the music!"
And then, in January of this year, in the midst of danger and horrific violence in Minnesota, a beautiful thing took seed. Watch Anderson Cooper's 3 min and 30 second video to witness its growth.
Singing Resisance now trains groups all over this country (called Pods) teaching us that singing is resistance.
There are 18 singers in our pod. The number of singers who are available for any one event varies widely--once there were only two--and that worked out just fine. Our pod meets at my house, and today eight singers showed up for our last rehearsal before the March 28th rally
I am filled with joy. Most of the songs we will be singing are short and easy to pick up. One of my favorite songs is longer but also easy to learn. It's called SINGING FOR OUR LIVES, written by Holly Near. Watch Holly lead her crazy-beautiful 4 minute song
Now, let's talk poetry!
I'm thrilled to announce that one of my poems has just been published in
Here were the submission guidelines:
We invite original poems that reflect on the guiding principles of democracy—such as justice, equality, freedom, civic engagement, and the common good. Please avoid references to specific elected officials or political parties, as we are committed to maintaining a nonpartisan focus.
We welcome a wide range of voices, styles, and perspectives. Surprise us with something fresh—insightful, musical, memorable. We’re looking for poems that move us: make us laugh, cry, reflect, or see the world in a new way. Both free verse and traditional forms are encouraged.
Please submit one unpublished, original poem of no more than 30 lines, including stanza breaks, formatted to fit on a single page using Times New Roman with 12 pt font. Submissions with special formatting, visual elements, or artwork cannot be considered.
A panel including a former Poet Laureate, a University of Wisconsin Professor of Poetry, and an experienced editor will review submissions and make final selections.
Chosen poems will reflect the League of Women Voters’ commitment to nonpartisanship as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion.
So! I plowed through the file of political poems I've written over the years...and also wrote some new ones.
Then I chose six of my favorite poems and sent them to five important people in my life: my husband, my sister Lyra, Teri, the president of our local League, a dear friend who is not on the same page with me politically, and my best friend Bruce (who is also a children's author and poet).
I asked them to rank the poems first to last.
In a minute I'll post the poem for you, but it might help to know that I live in California, and for years I've been part of a task force in our community to teach people earthquake safety.
Okay, here's the poem my friends voted for, which I submitted, and which was accepted:
EARTHQUAKE
by April Halprin Wayland
She was ready.
On the shelves in her garage
were jugs of water,
cans of cat and dog food,
boxes of energy bars,
bandages, flashlights, batteries.
She was ready.
She stored sturdy shoes
beneath the bed
because in the aftermath,
when you're running to help someone,
broken glass will slash your feet.
She was ready...
but not for this.
Not for tornadoes,
green-faced warlocks,
prison guards,
or flying monkeys.
Still, she was glad
for the sturdy shoes
beneath her bed.
There wasn't time
for bloody feet.
She was off to save the world.
for the sturdy shoes
beneath her bed.
There wasn't time
for bloody feet.
She was off to save the world.
poem © 2026 April Halprin Wayland
Thank you, Marcie, for hosting Poetry Friday this week!
Oh--I almost forgot!
Come join my next 3-hour free class
on the first day of Poetry Month, April 1st 2026:
Enrollment ends soon...classes fill FAST. Why?
Because UCLA Extension offers 3-hour classes for FREE!
Do I still get nervous when my classes begin? You betcha.
But the moment I know my students and I are in that flow--that's the Great Gift.
Note: this is a basic workshop for absolute beginners.
💓Thank you for reading this post💓
Now, it's your turn. What's something new in your life this year?
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