Don't You

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Don't you (blank)," fill in the blank with a word or words, and make that the title of your poem. Then, write a poem using that title. Example titles could be "Don't you forget to turn off the lights," "Don't you tell me what to do," and "Don't you laugh." There are many, many, many possibilities with this one.

Don’t you think?
Don’t you dare!
Don’t you want?
Don't you agree?

Don't you believe it!

No, I don’t!

Don’t you come in here!
Don’t you go there!
Don’t you watch that!

Don't you talk back to me!

OK, I won’t

Don’t you tell me not to
Because I will.

Don't you forget it.

Don't you just love it!

Farewell Poem

For today's prompt, I want you to write a farewell poem. After all, we are saying farewell to another wonderful National Poetry Month. Say farewell to this month; say farewell to a vacation spot; say farewell to a bad relationship; say farewell to work; say farewell to school; say farewell to saying farewell even. Hopefully, I won't be saying farewell to you; please stay in touch and let me know of your successes as we keep poeming toward the horizon.


I will never say good-bye
only au revoir
or “So Long”

Good-bye is so final
I don’t like it!
For we are friends
and friends, true friends
never part.

We will meet again
and it will be a joyous
occasion.
For we are friends, true friends
and we can never be separated

Good-bye does not resonate
with what we have.
Our friendship is more
like family
more than friends
something much, much more

So I will never say good-bye\
only au revoir
or “So Long”
or maybe “See you soon.”
Good night Sweet Prince –
Farewell!

April 29, 2009

For today's prompt, I want you to title your poems "Never (blank)" with you filling in the blank with a word or phrase. Then, write a poem based off your title, which could be "Never look both ways when crossing the street" or "Never blush in public" or "Never ever" or "Never write a poem with the word never in the title." You get the idea, right?


Never ____________

I am supposed to write a poem
and fill in the blank..
But you know I can’t think of a thing
that goes with never.

I could say Never again but there
is always a chance that it will repeat itself.
I could say Never go there but
as soon as I do that is just where I want to go.

My friends tell me Never trust that person
but I always want to see the good and trust
so I get hurt.
That is not fun but I don’t seem to learn.

Some folks say Never say Never
but there are things I will Never do –
Climb a mountain, dance the tango
write a book ( I suppose I could do that)
or win the lottery – (I hear you have to buy a ticket)

So while I have thought about several things I will Never
I guess the main thing is to write a poem.
I think I just did it.
"Quoth the Raven, Nevermore."

Never mind.

Sestina

For today's prompt, I want you to write a sestina. (Click here to find out the rules for sestinas.) So start figuring out your 6 end words and get writing.
But wait! Today is Tuesday, so you have one other option. You can write a poem about the sestina (your love, hate, frustration with, etc.).
Whether you decide to write a sestina or write about sestinas, remember to have fun. We're almost done!


A -rescue
B - magic
C - predict
D - house
E - computer
F - fathers

Last week I needed a rescue
It was going to take a lot of magic
and it would be hard to predict
if I could get off the roof of the house
I had my pocket computer
but did not have the numbers of my fathers.

Mother was married twice so I have two fathers
surely they would save me with a rescue
and it wouldn’t take any magic
but I could not predict
if they could find the house
after I dropped my computer

No one could predict
if I could even contact the fathers
and it was an enormous house
from which I needed a rescue
perhaps I could use some magic
to recall my fallen computer

I looked down to spot my computer
I was indeed in a predict(iment)
And I needed something besides magic
to get in touch with my mundane fathers
so at least one of them would come to my rescue
and get me off the roof of this damn house

This enormous big crummy house
where I had climbed to the top with my computer
and now we both needed a rescue
How will it end do you want to predict
will they come do you think, the fathers
or will it take some major magic


I began to conjure some minor magic
I inched slowly down to the side of the house
I looked below and saw them – the fathers
one of them held the computer
But no one could predict
If I would be saved and no longer need a rescue

For the-rescue didn’t need any magic
And you could not predict that a fall from the house
would cause the computer to signal the fathers


II

Not to crazy about this prompt but I finally did it. Whatever!
I got it written but will not try a sestina again - never!

April 27, 2009

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem of longing. You or someone (or something) else should be pining for someone or something. Maybe a cat is longing to get outside the house. Maybe a teenager is longing to get away from his or her small town. And, of course, there's always the longing poem of love.
*****************************************************

I cannot tell you for what I long
it’s a secret
Having something to desire
is what keeps me going

but if I told you for what I yearn
you might think me silly
or foolish
or worse
you might laugh

So I will keep it close
in my heart
and maybe someday
it will be mine.

April 26, 2009

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem involving miscommunication. It can be miscommunication between two people or misinterpretation of some sort. I will leave it up to you guys to deal with it however you want.

I guess I misunderstood
I thought you wanted to be friends
But your actions have proven otherwise
So, I guess I was wrong.

Friendship works both ways
It is a give and take
but take is all you do
I guess I am through giving

Goodbye.

April 25, 2009

For today's prompt I want you to pick an event and make that event the title of your poem.

Hello Jay!

The little one made it an event
I was coming for a visit.
She spotted me
all of a sudden
running from the flower bed/garden
yelling my name
Jaaaaaaaaaay.
I was greeted and it was an event!
An event I look forward to repeating
over and over
and the Hi-fives when she got to me
weren’t too bad either!

All too soon the event has passed and
she goes back to watering the flowers.
Not knowing that she is the most beautiful
flower in that garden.

April 24, 2009

For today's prompt, I want you to write a travel-related poem. It can be human travel, the migration of swallows, the trafficking of drugs, etc. Some sort of movement from point A to point B.

Every year it is the same
Planning starts in the dead of winter
Lists are made
The reservation was made last year as we left
You can feel the excitement as we get closer to the day

We migrate to Minnesota in the summer
There is a lake there where our friends gather
Family is there also.

Mother lives for the one week, then two and finally three
weeks amid the pines and birches
on the shores of Leech Lake

You can see the far away look in her eyes
as she contemplates sleeping on the porch
raising up to look out at the lake
listening to the loons.

I collect a lot of books to take. Paperbacks and
there is a visit to the library to take some more out.
The car is prepared. Sometimes we take a friend along with us
but it is always my mom and my sister and me.
(Once we waited until sunrise so my sister’s girlfriend could see the
scenery – she spent the entire trip reading comic books)

We have the route memorized but I still get a Triptic
I need to get some benefit from my AAA membership.

We drive past farms (with white cows that my mother and sister think are sheep)
and a myriad of lakes (but they are not “our lake” )
Through the twin cities – that is the time Mother always starts to mess with the paper
and read it. Thus making me even more nervous as I navigate the always heavy traffic

The closer we get the more excited. Mother starts to sing “We’re on vacation, in the summer time!” She is happiest on the way up to the lake

and at the lake

Then, all to soon it is over and we have to retrace our trip.
This time the scenery is viewed through tears.
Except for me. I am usually ready to get back home.
Gradually we think about the air conditioning we have done without
the comfort of our own beds
and the friends we have left behind.
We “post-mortem” the vacation all the way home
and for weeks afterwards. And yes – the reservations were made
before we left
so we would be able to do it all over again.

It seems like it is always the same
but it isn’t. It is warm and comfortable and cozy
just like an old slipper
We like it that way.

Work

For today's prompt, I want you to write a work-related poem. Work doesn't have to be the main feature of the poem, but I want you to "work" it in somehow. And remember: There are different types of work. Of course, there are the activities that gain you fortune and fame (or not), but then, there's also housework, exercise, volunteering, etc. I'm sure you'll "work" it out.

“What do you do?”
Someone always asks me that.
I tell them “Nothing, I am retired.”
(Actually I am just tired)
Then they want to know what I did.
Well I did lots of things; I traveled, I went on vacation
But I understand that what they want is to know how I made my living.

“Well,” I said, “I was a teacher.,
an elementary teacher.”

Immediately I am hear;
“Oh, wow, you are brave.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”

What they don’t know is that I should be thanking them
for sharing their kids with me.
You see I don’t have any of my own.
But over the years I have had hundreds of them

I was a tough teacher, because I wanted my “kids” prepared to do their best
“The Middle School is a snap once you’ve had Simser.” said one boy.
That was a high compliment
(Though he might not have meant it that way.)
That told me I was doing my job, my work.
But it really wasn’t work - It was a joy.
I will always be grateful that I was allowed to be a teacher.
My work.

Haiku

Here are the two prompts for the day (you only need to choose one, unless you're all about pushing yourself to the limit):
1. Write a haiku. The haiku is not just a form but a genre of poetry. (Click here to read more about the haiku.) People sometimes go into writing a haiku and end up with a senryu or a faux-ku, but it's all good (and all poetry).
2. Write about the haiku. I know there are some poets (in this very group even) who are anti-form. So, I'm giving them the option to write their anti-haiku manifestos. Of course, if you pay attention to this 2nd prompt, it doesn't need to be anti-haiku; your poem could be questioning or even praising the haiku. Or something.


Warm sun on my face
Gentle rain falling slowly today
Daffodils are blooming

Poem of Rebirth

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem of rebirth. There are many different types of rebirth available, including the changing of the seasons, the beginning of the day, religious or spiritual rebirth, a reconfirmation of good in people, re-learning how to love, etc. So think on it a bit, and create a stellar rebirth poem.


If you plant a seed it grows
Life flows

But is it a rebirth or something new
That grew

Renewal is constant – but it’s not rebirth
Even so it proves its worth

A change but not the same thing new
It is different – that’s true

But a rebirth must change me
to sluff off the old and set me free

So now I sit and contemplate
Rebirth – Renewal, which is my fate

I want to be better, I want to do good
To try for the best is what I should

But if I can’t accomplish that
Karma will return me as a cat.

Anger

Today's prompt is to write an angry poem. That is, a poem about someone or something that gets angry. Could be a person, animal, or even them there angry clouds. As usual, I'm excited to see which unexpected directions y'all take with this prompt.

I seem to need to be punished
or cast to the outer darkness

No Jesus to “save” me from you
my angry “God”

I tried to be better but something
has you upset with me

I guess I deserve it.
I am such a worthless being
that you must yell and scream and swear at me

I am devastated
but there seems to be no way to make amends
I will never be able to love you again

I guess if you were really God
there would be no need to try

Anger begets anger
Whatever I did you have done worse
So now I am angry with you!

Who will save us from each other?

April 18, 2009

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem with an interaction of some sort. The interaction does NOT have to be between people, though it can. For instance, you could write about the interaction between a bee and a flower; or an owl and a field mouse. Or just write about a traffic cop getting into an argument with a speeder. Just as long as there is some sort of interaction going on.


The baton was raised
we waited

First a high note
broke through the silence
joined by others
not a cacophony but
a symphony.
a beautiful rendition
of the composer’s
vision.

one, two, three, four
arms waving around
instruments relate and interact
one with another
they dance, they play
together now
in unity

we watch,
we listen
our spirits soar
from overture to coda
we are enthralled

They play
we listen
they sing to us
in the language of music
and we listen with the language of soul

Wordzzle/A Poem A Day

No time today so i had to combine Wordzzle and A Poem A day - Phrog will return next week.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem with the following title: "All I want is (blank)," where you fill in the blank with a word or phrase of your choosing. Some example titles, then, could be: "All I want is to eat fried chicken"; "All I want is world peace"; "All I want is for everyone to tell me I'm beautiful"; or "All I want is a handful of quarters."

All I Want is a Multi-purpose Poem

Two days after income tax day and I need some chicken noodle soup

either that or a hug from everyone in the group

For seventeen days I’ve been writing poetry

sitting around underneath the flowering plum tree

I think I have bats in the belfry for taking this on

The Salamander Sisters to the art festival have gone

They entered in a contest to jump rope in a group

while singing the song loopity loop

They’re sipping some organic tea

and singing to a wench who looks like me

(ugly woman)

She and her lover have joined a book club

they each brought a book and some Dutch Treat grub

She wore diamond earrings

and tigers on pins for bling blings

The cow jumped over the moon was the name of the book

They’ve read the prefix – it is about a paragon of virtue who was a crook.

Now they are finished with dinner and the book

This week's duties I did not shirk.

RED

For today's prompt, I want you to pick a color, make that the title of your poem, and write a poem that is inspired by that color.



Red

red hot
passion
red anger
violent passion
red the color of passion

blood red
seeing red
that barn is red

red
love
a red, red rose
gentle
touching my heart
red heart
chocolate covered cherry
cherry red
red the color of love

if it is red it has to be good
better red than dead
little red hen
little red riding hood
the red bicycle
red the color of life

red.

The Street Not Taken

For today's prompt, I want you to take the title of a poem you especially like (by another poet) and change it. Then, with this new altered title, I want you to write a poem. An example would be to take William Carlos Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow" and change it to "The Red Volkswagon." Or take Frank O'Hara's "Why I Am Not a Painter" and change it to "Why I Am Not a Penguin." You get the idea, right? (Note: Your altered poem does NOT have to follow the same style as the original poet, though you can try if you wish.)


The Street Not Taken

Two streets, which I could travel down
I can’t choose which way to go
On my face there is a frown
I imagine myself a clown
Maybe I’ll just go to a movie show.

What is playing on the movie screan
Is it in the paper the movies to see
Gee, to most of them I’ve already been
I have even see The Color Green
Oh, I can’t go I have only dollars three.

So now I’m back and a street I’ have to choose
That one has stores places to shop galore
What the heck do I have to lose
Perhaps I could go and look for my muse
I just have to go there and open the right door

But the other street is tree lined and green
Peaceful, tranquil, a place of peace
A quiet spot where strife is not seen
A place for resting with plenty of space
I took that street with style and grace

Two Prompt Tuesday

Today is Tuesday, which means two prompts.
First prompt: Write a love poem.

Second prompt: Write an anti-love poem.
Hypocrites

We love you
But we hate you

That is the message

Homophobic ministers (?)
secretly meeting with “masseurs”(?)
doing drugs.

We love you (yeah right!)
but we hate you

You have a choice (yeah right!)
So choose something else

Chose what we want
not what you are.

We call you damned
and our followers beat and kill you

but that is all right
because - we love you

Yeah, right

My Hobby April 13

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that incorporates a hobby (either yours or someone else's). That's right: Now is the perfect opportunity to write about your comic collection or your scrapbooking activities. And for the purposes of this challenge, I also think activities such as fishing, running, bowling, photography, birding, and gardening count as hobbies.

I am a collector,
Not for me the stamps
or the baseball cards

No, I collect people.
I look around me and I find interesting ones
Ones with big smiles and
beautiful laugh lines
sparkling eyes

The ones with craggy faces
a road map of life between their ears
Ones who show that they are caring
loving, holding folk.

Others who are self-satisfied
righteous egomaniacs
out only for themselves
who put people down don’t
make it into my collection.

I toss them out

but the others,
those I keep and cherish
clean them off and love them
I hold on to them and take them
with me where ever I go.

That is the nice thing about collecting people
The collection never gets too large
you can take it with you where you go
and it is actually
not heavy.

In fact just thinking about my collection of people and friends
brightens up my world and my universe.

The Suit

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about an object (or objects). Though you don't have to confine yourself to straight up description, I do want you to focus on object and/or make it a central piece of your poem. One of the more famous poems of contemporary literature does this wonderfully in William Carlos Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow."

Hanging in my closet
Is a suit.

I hate to wear it. I much prefer the sport coat
or just a shirt.

The suit is for weddings
and funerals.

I wear it to meetings where I have to look nice.

I really prefer to leave it hanging there
on its own wooden hangar
next to an old sweater.

We put our suits on to match others
I never liked conformity. I like to be different
but the suit is there when I have to fit in.

Even though I will probably never fit in.
So it hangs in the closet

dark
foreboding
uniform of conformity

but then I guess
jeans and a sweatshirt
fit that category also

Maybe I’ll just go naked.

Friday

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about Friday. Do you like Fridays? Despise Fridays? Of course, you can also write about something that happened on a Friday--or write an ode to Fridays. Or, as you know, I'm all for seeing you attack this from an angle I haven't thought of yet.

Friday
Good Friday
My "take"

Not sorrowful
Not a day to mourn

Friday
The day Jesus taught us
How to Love.

"Take care of my Mother"
He said to John
"Father Forgive Them"
"Today you will be with me in Paradise"

He came to show us God's Love
That God IS Love
He did that on a Friday

Blessed Friday
Good Friday
I rejoice
I love
Because He Loved.