This NPM, I am writing acrostic poems using words from the Banned Words List at the Pen America Website. You can find my poems each day on Poetrepository, IG stories, and BlueSky.
But today is special. This is a Poetry Sister Challenge Day, and this month we are writing in conversation with a vintage photograph. I chose to have a conversation with my father as a young man, and ponder everything that happened in his life after that moment was captured, up to and including my very own now.
Every single one of the “banned” words on the Pen America list is ridiculous. The whole list is ridiculous. You can’t erase words; you can’t erase history. We ARE our history. We exist. And we will keep talking about all of it. We will keep making art about and with all of it. Here’s mine so far:
April 1 Diversity
April 2 Climate Crisis
April 3 Transgender
April 4 Biases
April 5 Activism
April 6 Community
April 7 Pronouns
April 8 Gay
April 9 Hate
April 10 Elderly
April 11 Identity
April 12 Promote
April 13 Female
April 14 Belong
April 15 Minority
April 16 Activism
April 17 Measles
April 18 Victim
April 19 Accessible
April 20 Autism
April 21 Barrier
April 22 Equity
April 23 DEI
April 24 Definition
Heidi has this final Poetry Month Poetry Friday Roundup at my juicy little universe.
Here are the conversations the rest of the Poetry Sisters had with the vintage photo of their choice:
Liz @ Liz Garton Scanlon
Tanita @ {fiction, instead of lies}
Laura @ Laura Purdie Salas
Tricia @ The Miss Rumphius Effect
Sara @ Read Write Believe
A(nother) Year of Reading 
What a photo! It kind of reminds me of the old Shoney’s Big Boy, haha. How wonderful to have this picture, and as you say, time to reflect upon how this history became today.
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I love the stance – feet wide, hands on hips, confidence ready to take on the world. He probably didn’t even think about that or intend it. Just a man having a good moment. A luxury to linger in that moment, indeed.
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Wonderful poem and photo. Definitely a Superman stance. Love it!
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Historically is banned? Yep, that is a ridiculous list. I love how you captured your father in this poem, his Superman confidence and all he was then to who you are now. I’ve had my father on my mind this week, three years since he died. I have a wonderful picture of him I should write about. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Mary Lee, your National Poem Project has kept you busy. I enjoyed today’s poem and love the photo of your father. Your last four lines are wonderful. The way the superman pose was captured makes your father look like a solid giant. I looked up the banned list and was shocked by the words that were on the list.
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Mary Lee, what a wonderful idea–an ekphrastic acrostic about your dad–Historically you are a part of this confident stance. Beautiful. Thank you for your commitment to making art and talking about all of it! Yes, history cannot, will not, be erased.
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I love this project of yours and am glad to learn you are posting on Bluesky. I’ll like seeing them there. Agreed that the idea of banning words is ridiculous. And remembering history is so important. I love that you brought out that Superman image!
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I love how you’re using the insanity to fuel your creativity. The photo of your father is wonderful, and the superman comparison so apt. He exudes capability and confidence here! I really loved “…with sleeves/ Rolled up/In order to get the job done.” Your ending line is perfect.
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I haven’t read them all, Mary Lee, but this one is definitely my favorite so far, perhaps because it IS so personal. What a fantastic photo, to start with, and the way you juxtapose towering and ordinary, and then acknowledge the luxury you’ll always presumably have to linger on YOUR father’s part in history while other fight to avoid erasure…it’s a towering poem in itself that I forgot was an acrostic. It’s my loss not to have kept up with your poems every day. I hope I’ll be able to visit the Repository on Sunday…
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What a GREAT photo. I can see your smile there. This April project has grown legs. I’m always amazed at the word that has been selected to be scrubbed…but then, seeing it transformed by your imagination and pen. Wow. I’m impressed and awed. So is your Dad…see? Right there in the photo.
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Powerful poem and image Mary Lee, I love the energy in his stance and smile, the rhythm and sounds in your poem and all bringing you home/culminating in your last line, thanks!
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Such a great photo and poetic tribute!
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What a great photo and poem, Mary Lee. So much love in those last three lines. Also, just seeing your list of those banned words piling up is so powerful!
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I LOVE that the angle of the photo is/would have been a child’s view! Superman, indeed. (By the way, your whole series, clawing back (ridiculously)(unbelievably) forbidden language is so moving and empowering. Thank you.)
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I keep getting error messages, so here’s hoping this comment goes through. Hopefully the 3rd time is the charm!
I love this photo of your dad. It reminds me of the illustrations I’ve seen of Paul Bunyan, sleeves rolled up and working. What a lovely moment to capture your dad and your memories of him. I’ll bet he was a super-man.
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Fabulous photo, Mary Lee, and amazing use of the word “Historically”! Well done!
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