National Poetry Writing Month 2026, day 27: Instructions to the Reader

Instructions to the Reader

1: Prepare Your Mind

Reader, this set of stanzas will do you the most good

If you begin just having had something good

Happen. Kiss and caress a loved one, furry or smooth,

Or have a beloved snack, or remember

And tell yourself

Your favorite

Joke.

..

2: Affirm Your Worth

Read the next, italicized line out loud.

Today I am a powerful force for Good.

And, reader, you are powerful enough

To

Make

That

True!

..

3: Get Your Blood Moving

Your circulatory system saves your life daily.

It delivers oxygen; it feeds the kidneys and liver

So they can do their cleanups; it gives your brain

The lubricant of thought.

In the zone of 60 to 85 percent of your max HR

It does what it does best, and makes you better.

Make your vessels zing!

..

4: Ignite

There is something you know that I don’t,

And that is the Something in your life

That needs to be fixed or initiated or removed.

There is a baby step you can take

That may well act as spark to kindling

And flame up your involvement to make it happen.

TAKE that baby step, my friend!!

..

5: Talk To Me

I am here because I want to be a better poet.

You can help me with your criticism of my poetry

Delivered via comment

And I am eager to hear from you. I may not

Take your advice, but I will learn from it,

And, when I look at your own postings,

I will learn more about who you are.