Category Archives: Uncategorized

Challenged to write a poem that begins with a line from another poem (not necessarily the first one), and then goes elsewhere with it, I chose to use a line from the suggested resource of the day. I’d not read much Robert Burns prior, so it was an ironic pleasure to be reading his nationalistContinue reading “Away wi ye!”

Today, we’re challenged to write a poem about, or involving, a superhero, taking our inspiration from these four poems in which Lucille Clifton addresses Clark Kent/Superman. I’d already decided on the subject of my poem before I read Lucille’s “My Mama Moved Among the Days” which I took as part of the prompt, even thoughContinue reading “Hebat Ibu”

Today’s prompt, to write a poem about two incongruous things engaged in a fight did not inspire me at first; I’m too tired of all the fighting going on to enjoy writing about it. I think my responses below explain why …. Politics; “let’s fight!”Ennui; “I can’t be bothered.”Apathy; “I win”.…. Soon I will beContinue reading “Rest in piece”

The test for today is to write a poem the focusses on and repeats the name of a colour. I chose my colour for the uplift it offers each Spring and opted to use shades rather than duplicate the one noun. …. Outside the greenhouse, the glum grey, cold light of a November afternoon dimsContinue reading “Jaune Billet Doux”

Our optional prompt for the day challenges us to write a poem that recounts a historical event. For some time, I’ve been fascinated by this photo. The raw emotions on display from the characters involved made me look into it and learn more. In 1967 Kathrine Switzer became the first registered woman to run theContinue reading “Run”

Today’s prompt puzzled me somewhat at first. We are asked to consider what we are haunted by, or what haunts us? We then had to write a poem responding to this question. Then change the word haunt to hunt. My mind initially sprang to the darker side, that of sad emotions and events and challengesContinue reading “Tally Ho!”

Today’s quest – to write a poem in which the speaker expresses the desire to be someone or something else and explains why. Two possible models for are: Natasha Rao’s “In my next life let me be a tomato,” and Randall Jarrell’s “The Woman at the Washington Zoo.” I really liked the latter one, youContinue reading “Dear Lord”

Today, we we’re challenged to write a poem that is inspired by a piece of music, and that shares its title with that piece of music. For examples, we were offered A. Van Jordan’s “Que Sera Sera” and Adrian Matejka’s “Soave Sia Il Vento.” In recognition of the football team I used to follow achievingContinue reading “Yellows”

Today, we are asked to write a poem in which we closely describe an object or place, and then end with a much more abstract line that doesn’t seemingly have anything to do with that object or place, but which, of course, really does. The “surprise” ending to this James Wright poem is a good illustration ofContinue reading “Soup student”

Today we are given stamps as food for thought. I could have waxed lyrical about my days in The Stamp King shop, sharing beetroot sarnies with Derek while rummaging through boxes of stamps looking for flowering birds of paradise, but I have a full day ahead and little time to ponder, so I selected aContinue reading “Stamp of affection”