Today’s NaPoWriMo.net prompt is based on the aisling, a poetic form that developed in Ireland. An aisling recounts a dream or vision featuring a woman who represents the land or country on/in which the poet lives, and who speaks to the poet about it. The challenge was to write a poem that recounts a dream or vision, and in which a woman appears who represents or reflects the area in which you live.

Sky-Woman on Suburban Drive

Spéir-bhean arrives at a dawn,

semi-blocked by garages and tall poplars,

50-year-old pines. Walks on winter discards —

gravel, sticks, a slop of grey snow.

Passes each bungalow, eyes which roofs

have shingles curled like night-out eyelashes,

which lie flat and fresh.

She can enter the dreams of those

brains still-at-rest. Bring calm or chaos.

Plant lilies or lay dragon eggs. Show

them how soft and warm it is, the bed

they inhabit. Whisper a reminder

it is just luck that you are where you are

and place a gentle finger on the forehead

that might form as tingle, or headache.

That might last while they have

their first sip of coffee and choose

what blessings to give or take.