Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing

Poetry Friday–National Poetry Month

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

Happy National Poetry Month, Happy April,

and Happy Poetry Friday!

For National Poetry Month I’m going to create a backyard bird inspired poem to post every Poetry Friday. I’m hoping that this will be the beginning of a second art and poetry bird book.

For more Poetry happenings, check out Jama Rattigan’s post at her blog Jama’s Alphabet Soup, where she’s sharing a Kidlitosphere Events Roundup with many poetry projects for National Poetry Month. One of these projects is the 2026 Progressive Poem, where a poet adds a line each day, it’s organized by Margaret Simon and originally started by Irene Latham. I’ll be adding a line on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Red-bellied Backyard Wonder

but barely any red
at least not on your belly—

But your brilliant red crown
caught my eye, and
your tap–tap–tap–
captured my attention.

Gosh you sure can move
speed-racer spinning across that branch,
scouting out a nest-perfect spot
perhaps to attract a mate.

Wish I could hang around
and commune with you more,
I’ll stop by again tomorrow
and see if you found your spot.

That 10-inch hole will take
a few weeks to carve out
and maybe you and a mate
will be co-chipping by then…

Au revoir
my fine feathered whittler…

Mosey on over to talented writer and poet, Matt Forrest Esenwine’s blog, Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme, where he’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Matt!

Koi at Lincoln Park, © 2014, Michelle Kogan, Greeting Card, Available in my Etsy Shop
Also available as a Giclée Print.

Happy Passover and Easter!

Posted in Cards, Holidays, Home, Nature, Painting, Plein Air Art, Poem | Tagged #ArtistPoet, #EtsyShop, #Giclée, #IreneLatham, #JamaRattigan, #MargaretSimon, #MattForrestEsenwine, #MichelleKogan, #NationalPoetryMonth2026, #PoetryFriday, #RedbelliedWoodPecker, #watercolorpainting | Leave a comment

Poetry Friday–Ovillejos & Crocuses

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

In response to my post last week, of crocuses being eaten by possibly rabbits or some other critter…A couple of crocuses are blooming, thriving, aren’t they lovely!

I’m sharing a poem from the Poetry Sister’s March Poem Prompt to write a Ovillejos, this was a good challenge, thanks to all! Briefly, if one can be brief in describing an ovillejos, here, basically is the structure:

• 3 sets of couplets, each couplet has in it’s first line 8 syllables, in its second line 3 or 4 syllables
• Following the couplets is a quatrain (4 lines with 8 syllables in the first 3 lines) and the last line of the poem combines lines 2, 4, and 6. The poem also has the following rhyme scheme: aa bb cc cddc, The first three couplets in the first line asks a question and the second line responds to it.

Be sure to visit all the Poetry Sister’s blogs, for their take on the Ovillejos: Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly. Find more poems from this prompt tagged with #PoetryPals.

Fall of America

Will U.S. citizens rise/act,
or all infract?

Will your friends bid adieu or care?
Best beware…

If democracy has vanished
all’ll be banished…

Life, justice, sucked out famished
by authoritarian state—
Hurry, act before it’s too late
or all infract, best beware, all’ll be banished.

Mosey on over to talented poet and author, Marcie Flinchum Atkins blog, where she’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Marcie. She’s also celebrating Twilight to welcome her brand new book, When Twilight Comes, that will be available March 31st. Many congrats Marcie!!!

Sharing another older poem and pic in honor of Marcie’s new book.

*Sunset Along Lake Michigan, Chicago,* © 2025 Michelle Kogan

MASKED MESSAGE

Skyward sailors
she paints a prophecy–
Luring us in with her
sun-set ochre, dotted light lavender,
and pale pinks peeking through.

But, look again …
she paints a double masked message,
grey-greens foretelling dark destruction.
Arise, and choose wisely,
your actions will affect all.

Posted in Home, Nature, Nature photos, Poem, poetry, Writing | Tagged #ArtistPoet, #MichelleKogan, #Ovillejospoem, #PoetryFriday, #poetrypals, @MarcieFAtkins, crocus, Haiku, Marcie Flinchum Atkins | 15 Comments

Poetry Friday–SPRING!!!

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

*Ferns and Crocus* Giclée Print, © 2016, Michelle Kogan, Available in my Etsy Shop

Well the rabbits have chewed my crocus’ down to the ground, two had beautiful flowers that were about to open. I sprayed them with that horrid rabbit and deer smelling spray, but I guess I needed to spray them again, ah well. I battle with the rabbits in my front yard as I’ve an open fence there, but my backyard is all fenced and wire clothed to rabbit-proof my garden. Perhaps I should plant some crocuses in the backyard…

Anyhow, Happy Spring, it’s finally come!!! 🦋 🌸 🐝

I’m sharing a couple spring-ish etheree poems, to remind mother nature that it’s Finally Spring! The second poem is from a prompt that Margaret Simon posted this week for her, This Photo Wants to Be A Poem Post, at her blog Reflections on the Teche. I didn’t get a chance to post my poem as I was teaching that day, thanks for the prompt, lovely image and your spring filled, bluebonnet poem Margaret!

PERSISTENCE

A
small root
sprouted up,
almost lost you
when main stalk jostled—
Carefully re-rooted
you’re steady and stretching leaves,
you’re self-supporting and stable
when it warms we’ll sunbathe together
you, me, and birdie friends to welcome spring…

© 2026 Michelle Kogan, draft

Bee
by blue-
bonnets brings
nature’s nurture
into our needy
hearts and opens visions
of sensibilities and
wonder, possibilities and
beauty in a small patch of time, if
we’ll only pause, breathe, and invite them in…

*Ground Bees* Greeting Card, ©2017, Michelle Kogan, Available in my Etsy Shop

Mosey on over to talented poet and author Tanita S. Davis’ blog, Tanita S. Davis so many books, so little time, for she’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Tanita! And yes, I agree, there’s just so little time…

If you live in Chicago, go and view our Chicagohenge and the wonderful light either at sunset or sunrise on an east west street. Our Adler Planetarium will fill you in.

🦋 🌸 🐝Happy Spring and Happy Spring Equinox! 🐝 🌸 🦋

Posted in Children's Illustration & Writing, Holidays, Home, Nature, Painting, Pencil Drawing, Plein Air Art, Poem, poetry, Quick Sketches, Sketchbooks, Writing | Tagged #ArtistPoet, #MichelleKogan, #PoetryFriday, #SpringEquinox, #SpringEtherees, nature, Painting, poetry, reflections, Tanita S. Davis, Writing | 13 Comments

Poetry Friday–VOTE

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

Next Tuesday, March 17th is Primary Day in Illinois, I just voted on my mail-in ballot, however it’s gong into a secure drop-box and not a US mailbox. Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about primary day, reading about candidates, researching candidates, listening to candidates, talking with friends and family, and all this brought me to my poem…

DEMOCRACY

On your mark, go…
are you ready
reviewed choices
sample ballot

Discussed with friends
on your mark, go…
debate with friends
reconsidered…

Mail in ballot
early voter
on your mark, go…
primary day

Trust in system?
vote your conscience
vote for children
on your mark, go!

Move on over to talented poet and writer, Linda Baie’s blog, Teacher Dance where she is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Linda!

Posted in Children's Illustration & Writing, Home, Poem, Writing | Tagged #4x4poem, #ArtistPoet, #democracy, #MichelleKogan, #poem, #PoetryFriday, #PrimaryElectionDay, #Vote | 13 Comments

Thinking About Spring…

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

*Narcissus,* © 2022, Michelle Kogan, pen and watercolor,
Available as a Giclée print in my Etsy Shop

I’m channeling Spring…
While in the midst of grading Midterm Exams, so I’m offering just a splash of a post.
Enjoy the raindrops if they appear in your neck of the woods…

BEFORE SPRING

let’s ponder on
that early morning Sparrow’s
consistent call

notice morning’s light
peeking under your shade,
waiting to wake you

rhododendron
begrudgingly drops her blooms,
she knows springs coming

perennials
meekly poke-through,
teasing us along

your restless want of
winter’s-end, will welcome
mud-luscious spring…

Mosey on over to talented poet and writer Karen Edmisten’s blog, The Blog With the Shockingly Clever Title, where she’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Karen!

Posted in Children's Illustration & Writing, Haiku, Home, Nature, Painting, pen sketch, Plein Air Art, Poem, poetry, Quick Sketches, Sketchbooks, Writing | Tagged #artist, #EtsyShop, #Giclée, #haiku, #MichelleKogan, #MichelleKoganFineArt, #Narcissus, #naturelovers, #poet, #PoetryFriday, #Spring, #watercolor, #Writer | 16 Comments

Poetry Friday: Response to Arthur Sze Poem & Cards

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

*Yellow Rose,* © 2017 Michelle Kogan, pen and watercolor

I’m joining the Poetry Sisters prompt for February to write in response to a poem by our new US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze. I wrote in response to Sze’s poem AT THE EQUINOX. This was a tall order, but a good intro into Arthur Sze’s poetry. Thanks Poetry Sisters for your prompt! Be sure to stop by the Poetry Sisters blogs and read their poems too: Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly. Find more poems from this prompt tagged with #PoetryPals.

I’m thinking about Spring, and more…

At Last Equinox…

Though tideless, Chicago revels in sun-kissed sunsets
of breathless radiance,

and when rain trickles down
it shimmers and shines on flora floors.

Fire-flies light up lawns and mother-moon nods
spreading her equinoxing bath on all.

We look to stars and you
mother-moon
to help us renew a lost vicissitude.

Emerging from the mud flats,
I spy Sappho scribing away, and

sending waves of wonder
and perseverance.

We link arms along the shores
of our bold city

in support of humanity here and afar,
and begin to shape the mis-shapen

with Rosa Peace tea roses flowing amongst our arms…

And with Spring on its way… I’m sharing some Holiday Cards from my Etsy Shop for Easter and Passover.

*Spring* *Bluebells and* *Bee* Passover Card, © Michelle Kogan, pen and watercolor.

*Cottontail and Eggs Easter Card*, © Michelle Kogan, watercolor and watercolor pencil.

Mosey on over to talented writer and poet, Margaret Simon’s blog Reflections on the Teche, where she is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Margaret!

Posted in Cards, Children's Illustration & Writing, Haiku, Holidays, Home, Nature, Painting, Plein Air Art, Poem, poetry, Writing | Tagged #artist, #EasterCards, #EquinoxPoem, #MichelleKogan, #PassoverCards, #PenandWatercolor, #poet, #PoetryFriday, #Writer | 16 Comments

Poetry Friday–Beginning with a line from Walt Whitman

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

*Autoportrait a la lettre* (Self-portrait with a letter), Gwen John, 1907-09
Watercolor and graphite on paper 8 7/8 x 6 3/8 inches

A few weeks back Susan Thomsen from her blog, Chicken Spaghetti invited us to write a poem beginning with this last line of Walt Whitman’s poem “Song of Myself,” I stop somewhere waiting for you. She also wanted us to write in the style of a poet that we were spending time with. I’ve been spending time with the British Artist, Gwen John, while reading a book on her and her artwork, Gwen John Art and Life in London and Paris, by Alicia Foster. I decided as Gwen John was a very literary person also, and I am so enjoying the book to write the poem about/to Gwen John. Thanks Susan for offering the prompt, hope my slight variation fits in.

Dear Gwen John,

I stop somewhere waiting for you

Between your mottled backgrounds
soften-edge figures
lost in their thoughts, and
reminiscent of Vuillard, Bonnard, but all you.

In-between the absent visits of Rodin
the conversations and poetry of Rilke
the many philosophers and artist’s
you lined your library with

But between your many small yet
deeply-felt portraits, still lifes,
gouache, watercolor, and mostly oils
I’ll stop again and again and
wait for you…

Here’s a short article from a recent exhibit of Gwen John’s paintings: Gwen John: Art and Life in London and Paris

Mosey on over to talented poet and writer, Susan Thomsen’s blog, Chicken Spaghetti, where she is also hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Susan!

Posted in Exhibits, Home, Painting, Pencil Drawing, Poem, poetry, Writing | Tagged #artist, #ChickenSpaghetti, #GwenJohn, #MichelleKogan, #painter, #Poemofaddress, #SusanThomsen, #WaltWhitman, #watercolor, #Writer, reflections | 16 Comments

Poetry Friday-Calm & Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

Poetry Friday Bringing Some Happiness!

I was going to share a poem I wrote connected with the politics of the week, but decided to pause and bring in some lightness to calm much of the darkness around.

SOME SOLACE TO SOAK IN…

I can hear

the solitary song of
mourning dove
perhaps calling
to its mate

the chirry, chirry, chirrup
of sparrows
contemplating
their next brood

my indoor plants
aaahhhing
from their watery-meal
last night

my pencil
softly-scratching away
happy to fill a page
filling us both.

I can feel

my breath slowly-slowing
my breathing becoming deeper
a temporary sense of calm
in our daily chaos…

P.S. Valentine Cards are over in my Etsy Shop, waiting patiently to spread some Love, Care, and Joy!

💙 Happy Valentine’s Day! 💙

Mosey on over to talented, poet, author, and artist Robyn Hood Black’s Blog, Life on the Deckle Edge where she is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Robyn!

Posted in Cards, Children's Illustration & Writing, Holidays, Home, Nature | Tagged #EtsyShop, #PoetryFriday, #Valentine'sDAY, artist, birds, calm, MichelleKogan, MichelleKoganFineArt, nature, Poet, Solace | 15 Comments

Poetry Friday–February Mums and Pause…

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

*February* *Mums,* WIP, © 2026, Michelle Kogan, pen

Happy Poetry Friday!

Busy week, short post, taking a pause with my OLW Pause.

a partial pause
fills soul with solace, preps us
to pick up pieces…

Mosey on over to talented poet and nature photographer Molly Hogan’s blog Nix the Comfort Zone, where she’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Molly.

Posted in Children's Illustration & Writing, Haiku, Home, Nature, pen sketch, Poem, poetry, Writing | Tagged #artist, #Chicago, #FebruaryMums, #haiku, #MichelleKogan, #Pause, #Pen and Ink, #poet, #PoetryFriday, #Solace | 17 Comments

Poetry Friday–Tricube Poem Prompt-Remembering…

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

*Finch, Sunflowers, and Rose Mallow,* WIP, © 2026 Michelle Kogan, pen and watercolor

Poetry Friday–Remembering

For my post today I’m remembering the many lives lost in the hands of ICE who should be with us. To find out more about some of these recent heroes, The Guardian has this article, Eight People have died in dealings with ICE so far in 2026. These are their stories

Thanks to the Poetry Sisters for providing a January prompt to write tricube poems, I used this form for my poems in efforts to keep my words succinct. The tricube has three syllables per line, three lines per stanza, and three stanzas per poem, no other structure or theme. Be sure to stop by the Poetry Sister’s blogs and read their poems too: Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly. Find more poems from this prompt tagged with #PoetryPals!

Democracy Collapses

Forty-seven
training days
bounty boom

ICE KILLING’S
crimes without
consequence

Congress cease
dictator
killings now!

TRUMPED-UP TRUMP

False promise
blind belief
hoodwinked peeps

Collision
destruction
right wronged, pause

Supreme Court
unhinged, king
tariffs on…

And one more with a slightly lighter focus.

Winter’s curse

subzero
relentless
bitter cold

Settle in
bundle up
keep going

Remember
spring dreams now
forever

Mosey on over to talented author and poet Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s blog The Poem Farm for she’s hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Amy!