April 12: One-a-Day in Celebration of National Poetry Month

by Jane Stahl

Recently, poets Phil Repko and John Yamrus joined me to record a "B Inspired" podcast episode. Both gentleman have brand-new books of poetry available on Amazon. Phil's is titled "Homestretch"; John's is titled "seriously?" The podcast episode will be available on your favorite podcast platform on April 17, 2026.

Their poetry styles could not be more different. Phil's reflects the influences of his education and career teaching high school English--especially the bards of British and American poetry and prose from the Anglo Saxons through the 20th century. Rich in content, poetic devices--simile, metaphor,  personification--analogies on full display--in an array of structure and format, he invites readers to his experiences and memories . 

John, the master of minimalism, brings the current moment and seemingly random people into focus in as few words as possible, provoking us to reflect on our own experiences, memories, feelings. We can't escape the reflection. 

We had a great time together.  And the event inspired us to poetry! The following day John sent me a poem he was inspired to write. I responded with a poem that his inspired in me. And because John gifted me with a copy of his latest book, my son read it and was inspired to write a poem of his own. All poems follow this message! 

she put one hand

on

top of

the other

and pulled

the skin smooth

and

looked at me

and said:

i used to be young once...

i used to be

young.

~by John Yamrus

---

So what’s next,

I wonder

How long will this body

let me do me?

I think of Helen,

not of Troy,

but the swan swallowed

by the dragon--

a few feathers

left around his mouth.

Bradbury’s image.

Look for her.

She’ll be back.

I, though, want to soar

Next time.

I want wings and clouds

And sun, always the sun.

~Jane Stahl

---

Bender

It was

Just

Another bender

Forced negativity

Bottled

Like

A monster’s brain

Or a vampire

They never

Saw

Their reflection

Or pose

In prose.

Their conversion

Washing

Hands,

Not feet

You

Could feel

It

Between the lines,

Behind the bow,

Held in a sling

It was

After all

Rock

And roll

We

All know

What goes

With

It

Power

Bender

JD Stahl (04/08/2026)

More News from Boyertown

• Two Easters… Julie Cordingley attempts to make sense of the dual dates for Easter.
• April 11: One-a-Day in Celebration of National Poetry Month In celebration of National Poetry Month, subscribers share their favorite poems.