Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt is to write a poem for a particular occasion. And the Poem-a-Day prompt is to write a thought poem.

The occasion prompt inspired me to head over to National Day Calendar and see what kind of National events and “days” are happening. I was surprised by what I found.

Today is:

• National DNA Day
• National East Meets West Day
• National Hug a Plumber Day
• National Telephone Day
• National Zucchini Bread Day
• National Pet Parents Day

With that many special occasions that I won’t be celebrating for just one day, I thought I would look at what this week will be, and found:

• National Work Zone Awareness Week -April 26-30, 2021
• National Infant Immunization Week – Last Week in April
• Gathering of Nations (Pow Wow) – Last Weekend in April
• Administrative Professionals Week – Last Full Week
• National Princess Week – Last Full Week
• Sky Awareness Week – Last Full Week
• Every Kid Healthy Week – Last Week in April
• Preservation Week – Last Week in April
• Medical Laboratory Professionals Week – Last Full Week in April

A few of those got me thinking. National Work Zone Awareness might be difficult if you are observing Sky Awareness. And Every Kid Healthy may conflict with National Princess Week. However, Sky Awareness could combine with Princess Awareness if you see castles in the sky, and Medical Laboratory Professionals can be appreciated for keeping Kids Healthy and Infant Immunization. Lots to think about, but I’m kind of stuck on Sky Awareness Week. The idea that people might only be aware of the sky for one week in April is interesting and surprising. 🙂

Nephelococcygia and the art of sky awareness

It’s finally here
the nationally recognized week
I’ve waited for all year

Those seven days
to lay down outside
and shift my gaze

up to the sky
and become aware
of things that fly

like jets and seaplanes
eagles and ducks
pleasantly observed until it rains

and clouds in layers
creating shapes
for nephelococcygian players

shifting and forming
fantastical beasts and faces
and castles before the storming

when I’ll run inside
but still be aware
the sky will abide

above and at week’s end
when awareness shifts
back to the earth to tend

sky unobserved like a falling tree
in the forest, eyes closed
no clouds to see

for another year
of head-in-sand
sky-falling fear