Today’s #NaPoWriMo prompt invited poets to explore identity through negative space—by writing about why we’re not a particular work of art. Inspired by the chaos of creativity and the myth of structure, “Why I Am Not a Symphony” uses humor, absurdity, and fictional history to paint a raw (and slightly ridiculous) self-portrait in sound.
Why I Am Not a Symphony
I do not move in movements.
I crash in static bursts—
like a microwave with stage fright,
a marching band trapped in a laundromat.
A symphony has structure,
measures to mark where it’s safe to feel.
I improvise grief
in E-flat minor,
then forget where I put the chorus.
They say Mozart wrote his fifth
while upside down,
legs tangled in a chandelier,
dictating to pigeons trained in harmony.
I tried that once.
Only the window broke.
No, I am not a symphony—
too prone to solo,
too loud for subtlety,
too human to loop back neatly
to where I began.
April is National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate the power of language and the music of the soul. Poetry, like music, offers a space for reflection, discord, and catharsis. To honor this month, I wrote “Chamber Requiem (con disastro),” a piece inspired by the strange beauty found in imperfection. Using the prompt “play terribly,” the structure of chamber music, and the word bones, I composed a poem that reflects the fractured harmonies of grief and memory.
You can discover a wide array of poetic voices taking part in National Poetry Writing Month by exploring the hashtag #NaPoWriMo across social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. You’ll find writers of all backgrounds sharing their daily verses, prompts, and reflections throughout April. For a more curated experience, visit www.napowrimo.net, the official hub for the NaPoWriMo community, where a new prompt is posted daily along with featured poems from participants around the world. It’s a beautiful way to connect with fellow poets, spark creativity, and immerse yourself in a month-long celebration of poetry in motion.
Read more poems from National Poetry Month #NaPoWriMo