Today’s assignment is to write a poem about what is currently in your pocket book, purse or wallet. Yes, just like the Capital One commercials, I do want to know what’s in your wallet. But don’t try to add things to them just to make your poem interesting. Write about whatever you find in there and let the poem take its course. I believe one can write a poem of just about anything. And this being day 24, when we may start to slack off a little, I wanted an assignment that forces us to be creative again; to stretch us toward the finishing line. Who knows, it may be your best poem yet.
Today’s example is from a wonderfully simple poem by Richard Jones.
CHERRIES IN THE SNOW
Whenever I went searching
in her coat pocket or purse
for coins or candy
I’d find, crumpled, those small white tissues
covered with bloodred kisses….
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Happy Writing!
-Enzo (INKpals)
Poet Enzo Surin on April 24th 2011 in National Poetry Month
Today’s assignment is to write a poem about a dream. Sometimes I think poems read like a dream; you have a sense of familiarity though you’ve never experienced the people or the places in the poem personally. But how wonderful sometimes to have that lingering effect take hold of you. Unless of course, the dream was not such a pleasant one. Either way, you will end up with a wonderful poem. And sometimes, it can even lead to a very funny poem.
Today’s example is from a delightfully funny poem by Jack Prelutsky.
LAST NIGHT I DREAMED OF CHICKENS
Last night I dreamed of chickens,
there were chickens everywhere,
they were standing on my stomach,
they were nesting in my hair,
they were pecking at my pillow,
they were hopping on my head…
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Happy Writing!
-Enzo (INKpals)
Poet Enzo Surin on April 23rd 2011 in National Poetry Month
Today’s assignment is to write a bilingual poem. The poem could be in English and another language or you can choose two other different languages altogether. You can even use text message/IM language if you so choose. That would be a very interesting poem. I had a friend who wrote a poem using the type of language a reporter would use and his own voice. The point is to write a poem that breaks up your typical writing pattern. It can be a fun exercise or a frustration one. But it’s Day 22. Are you up to the challenge?
For the sake of keeping this assignment fresh and original, I will not provide you with an example today. Let your imagination do the work and your pen do the talking.
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Happy Writing!
-Enzo (INKpals)
Poet Enzo Surin on April 22nd 2011 in National Poetry Month
Today’s assignment is to write a poem about traveling. Whether it is to a local destination or one that is across the country, there is opportune time to write a good poem. Think back to a trip you took to that place and what it was like on your way there. Don’t focus as much about the place as you do on the act of traveling itself.
Today’s example is from another one of my mentors and friend: Major Jackson.
Indian Song
Freddie Hubbard-s playing the cassette deck
Forty miles outside Hays and I’ve looked at
This Kansas sunset for three hours now,
Almost bristling as big rigs bounce and grumble
Along I-70. At this speed cornfields come…
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Happy Writing!
-Enzo (INKpals)
Poet Enzo Surin on April 21st 2011 in National Poetry Month