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I’ve been a bit careless today. You see, I took the day off (the kids got a snow day today), and I didn’t get my poem-prompt written this morning. However, I’ve still got a solid 30 minutes of writing time left, soooooo…
For this week’s prompt, write a careless poem. That’s right, a careless poem. It’s funny; I actually had this prompt planned out weeks in advance. Somehow, I must’ve known life was going imitate art–or vice versa.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Publish your poetry!
Get the most trusted guide to publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market!
Edited by Robert Lee Brewer, this edition of Poet’s Market includes articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Plus, interviews with poets and original contemporary poems. Oh yeah, and hundreds of poetry publishing opportunities, including book publishers, chapbook publishers, magazines, journals, online publications, contests, and so much more!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Careless Poem:
“Locks”
I forgot to lock the car
which means my mixtapes
are at risk
only no one listens to tapes
anymore & anyway
I meant mixdiscs
which few people even
listen to because they
can download their music
& no one listens to the same
stuff anymore anyway
& while I’m at it
I forgot to lock the gate
which means my backyard
is at risk
only no one plays outside
anymore & anyway
I forgot
to lock the doors to my house
which means my stuff & me
are at risk
only no one wants a box tv
or dvd player without hdmi
& I’m not
as valuable as I used to be
because who wants a worn out
father of five
who forgets to lock things up
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
After writing today’s poem, he’s suddenly paranoid that he really did leave everything unlocked, but he’s reassured that he has nothing much of value for folks to take anyway.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write a treat poem. I guess this could be a trick or treat poem, or a poem about treating yourself (or another person) to something nice. I entreat you to have fun with it. Perhaps, we could sign a treaty to make it official and then shout it from the tallest “treet”ops. Okay, getting a little carried away, but hey, that’s what Wednesday poems are for, right?
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Publish your poetry!
Get the most trusted guide to publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market!
Edited by Robert Lee Brewer, this edition of Poet’s Market includes articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Plus, interviews with poets and original contemporary poems. Oh yeah, and hundreds of poetry publishing opportunities, including book publishers, chapbook publishers, magazines, journals, online publications, contests, and so much more!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Treat Poem:
“treats”
tell me a secret
and let it rest on my mind
near all the others–
keeping my new prisoner
and hoping it won’t escape
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He just enjoyed/survived a five-day weekend that included an aircraft carrier, submarine, destroyer, tight sleeping quarters, and an ice storm.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For this week’s prompt, write a patchwork poem. Patches are literally everywhere–in quilts, on clothes, and hey, even bandages and tape are a sort of patch. Then, there are the patches we place on our hearts, souls, and spirits. Cabbage patches, patching through for communication, and the more one thinks about patches the more one realizes they are all around us, holding us together.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Publish your poetry!
Get the most trusted guide to publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market!
Edited by Robert Lee Brewer, this edition of Poet’s Market includes articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Plus, interviews with poets and original contemporary poems. Oh yeah, and hundreds of poetry publishing opportunities, including book publishers, chapbook publishers, magazines, journals, online publications, contests, and so much more!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Patchwork Poem:
“dress”
she wears a dress made of patches
& each patch on that dress matches
the feeling she got the first chance
that she gave him with each romance
he had with some other woman
because he came back a new man
at least those were his intentions
but they fell through as I mentioned
her white dress covered in patches
& each patch on that dress matches
all of her new second chances
to that guy whose love entrances
& she knows that he will wrong her
but she’ll hold out a bit longer
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He likes to write poems that rhyme…from time to time…while sucking on a lime…and listening to a mime.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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If you haven’t caught it yet, check out the results of the 2014 November PAD Chapbook Challenge. Then, get back on over here…
For this week’s prompt, write a disappointment poem. I honestly didn’t think about the timing of announcing the challenge results with this prompt, but there you go. It can be disappointing to not win, I know, but there are so many other ways to be disappointed as well (with presents, affection, attention, motivation, and so on). I hope this prompt does not disappoint.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Publish your poetry!
Get the most trusted guide to publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market!
Edited by Robert Lee Brewer, this edition of Poet’s Market includes articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Plus, interviews with poets and original contemporary poems. Oh yeah, and hundreds of poetry publishing opportunities, including book publishers, chapbook publishers, magazines, journals, online publications, contests, and so much more!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt a Disappointment Poem:
“jury duty”
i am happy to serve: so let’s get
that out of the way first thing, okay.
it’s just that i had plans this week,
you know, and really, it’s not like
i’m going to get selected, and anyway
there’s a better than good chance we
will be dismissed before lunch, because
that’s what always happens, and then,
you know, i’ve been here for nothing
and rearranged the stars and the moon
because the lawyers had to wait until
the last minute to finally sort things out.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He is married to a paralegal who is on jury duty today.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write a beauty poem. Think Beauty and the Beast; think beauty sleep; think airbrushed images in magazines, self-esteem, and selfies. Personally, I always think of the old black & white version of King Kong and the final line of the movie.
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Beauty Poem:
“cincinnati”
what others find dirty
i’ve often found beautiful
& so it is with you
with your dirty river
& streets littered with
trash & homeless
grimy rectangled houses
filled with drugs & gangs
& i’ll always wander
your veins even when
i sleep more than
a thousand miles away.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He was born and raised in Southwest Ohio (Dayton and Cincinnati), and he’ll always have a soft spot for Clifton, Over the Rhine, and the difficult-to-navigate West Side of the Queen City.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Today has been a weird day. I’ve been receiving entries for the 2014 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, and my online connection has been faulty at best. Plus, the kids didn’t go to school on Monday (making it feel like a Tuesday instead of a Wednesday). For some folks, this prompt may be dropping on Thursday instead of Wednesday–but I’ve still got close to 5 hours left here in Georgia. So let’s poem!
For this week’s prompt, write a resolve poem. People can resolve to do something. Then, they can test their resolve. Problems can be resolved, and detectives–I suppose–could re-solve a problem (or the world’s problems for that matter–wink, wink). So please resolve to write a poem this week and test that resolve.
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Resolve Poem:
“connections”
I resolved to get something done today,
but the Internet had other ideas,
namely to not work–so then I can’t work,
and when I can’t work I fill with ideas
for ways to get work done that never work,
because I’d need the Internet today.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
Happy New Year, everyone! Make a wish, steal a kiss, do whatever makes you feel good.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Today is the final day of 2014, and tomorrow is 2015. At least, that’s how it is in Atlanta, Georgia.
As such, this week’s prompt is to write a party poem. A lot of stuff happens at parties. There are people who are the life of the party, who crash the party, and who feel left out of the party.
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Party Poem:
“the three-year-old dance”
she says she wants to party,
but i don’t know how. i don’t
dance or drink or feel relaxed
around strangers, but she says
she wants to party. she says
she needs to party right now
& i realize she doesn’t need
to party; she means potty.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
Happy New Year, everyone! Make a wish, steal a kiss, do whatever makes you feel good.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Quick note: If you’re searching for a gift for a writer friend or family member, consider giving the gift of a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine. Click here for details.
For today’s prompt, write an excitement poem. Excitement can be a good thing, but excitement can often lead to very bad things. So whether you’re excitement leads to good results, bad results, or mixed results, I hope you’re excited to get writing today (and throughout the week).
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at an Excitement Poem:
“hands off”
when the boy gets excited, he starts to cough,
and it’s not long until the girl says, hands off.
but that boy don’t listen when he gets this way,
and it’s not long until the cops have their say,
because the girl was the light, the boy a moth.
when a person says, hands off, it means hands off,
whether you want to get frisky, sweet, or rough,
because it’s a person, not a toy to play
when the boy gets excited.
love if you will, though its restraint can be tough,
and listen when lovers say, that is enough.
a rebuke doesn’t mean your lover will stray,
only your hungry hands are too much today.
so listen: hands off means hands off means hands off
even when the boy gets excited.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He is excited that shopping and wrapping season is almost over. Happy holidays, everyone!
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
Find more poetic goodies here:
Quick note: If you’re searching for a gift for a writer friend or family member, consider giving the gift of a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine. Click here for details.
For today’s prompt, write a high poem. Now, I know the word “high” is a loaded one–so take it where you may. There are high temperatures, high heights, and other meanings related to high. You can even transform high into the greeting “hi,” which then leads down a whole new rabbit hole.
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a High Poem:
“high wire”
balancing is the same at 3 inches
as it is at 3 feet or 3 stories. the trick
is thinking 3 stories is 3 inches.
when i let myself, i’m still scared
of the dark. a corner conceals
a burglar or poltergeist. nothing’s
different, but i let my mind wander.
falling from 3 stories is much
different than falling from 3 inches,
but balancing is the same.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He is not a fan of heights or the dark, though both are fine for other folks. That said, he does like to write late at night and on airplanes–maybe to channel the anxiety?
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write a false poem. Emily Dickinson once wrote, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” That’s good advice, but these poems should descend with falsifying the intent. False documents, false names, false teeth, the balance of true or false, and so on. A revision to Dickinson, “Tell all the truth but not this week.”
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a False poem:
“false face”
-with a nod to PLD
we wear the face that grins and tries
to hide our thoughts & empty lies
because someday we hope we’ll see
the end to our humility
as one more unarmed person dies
& served up fast before our eyes
as all around we hear the cries
of i can’t breathe on city streets
we wear the face
wanting to figure our replies
but all we seem to find are sighs
when we dream all humans are free
god knows that’s what we want to see
hiding behind our alibis
we wear the face
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He hails from Dayton, birthplace of Paul Laurence Dunbar who wrote “We Wear the Mask,” which inspired today’s poem (among other things). He believes that if there was ever time for poetry, now is it.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Time to get back into the swing of the Wednesday Poetry Prompts. I’m sorry for the late prompt this week; I ran into some technical difficulties, which actually influenced this week’s prompt.
For this week’s prompt, write a difficulties poem. The poem could be about technical difficulties, or perhaps, financial difficulties, health difficulties, or relationship difficulties. We all have our own demons and hardships. This week’s poems can draw from that well.
*****
Ignite Your Creativity!
Jump start your creativity with four books, two tutorials, and a digital download–all discounted by 82%!
The whole collection runs $134.93 separately and is currently offered at only $24.49. Great gift–for yourself and/or others!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Difficulties poem:
“I Admit It”
I get pretty bent out of shape
when things don’t work. Like
websites and relationships,
but especially technology.
It’s sad, I know. I know, there
are people starving in other
countries–people homeless
and hungry in my own city–
and here I am venting about
data that can’t be coaxed into
displaying on a computer screen.
All the injustice, the depravity,
and here I am pushing my blood
pressure to new limits. And then,
it works, and I realize I’ve been
a fool, and the world shakes
loose its sadness and anger
before the next click of my mouse.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
For folks who have patiently been waiting for some next steps on the November Poetry Challenge, he wishes to let them know that a post is coming either later today or tomorrow morning–now that his technical difficulties are hopefully behind him.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write a same poem. I guess it could be the same old poem, but it could be a completely different poem that looks at a person or thing or system that is still the same. Or maybe a poem about how all people are the same. Or take the “same” concept and show how things are not the same. And that opens up a universe of possibilities.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Same poem:
“popsicle”
a popsicle does not stay the same
if you remove it from the freezer
especially on a hot summer day
when it immediately starts to melt
either on your fingers or within
its packaging that will eventually
contain sugary water and a stick
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He is a fan of popsicles, especially orange.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, you have two options:
- Write a love poem.
- Write an anti-love poem.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Love and/or Anti-Love poem:
“poem”
every word & image has a target
audience & every line break
is meant to entice & move you
to reach out for the next phrase
how i love you & ache for your
return that moment when you
lift me up & read yourself
into me what i beg you to do
when you find yourself
completely alone with me
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He began with love poems–so he always brings them along for every challenge.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “I’ll Be (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “I’ll Be Back,” “I’ll Be Late for Dinner,” and “I’ll Be a Monkey’s Uncle.”
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at an I’ll Be Blank poem:
“I’ll Be a Poet”
and pull the stars from the sky
before turning them into elephants
stampeding through the suburbs
or perhaps I’ll fall asleep & dream
of a house on fire covered in lightning
bugs that all ascend together
on cue & silently lift up through
the clouds that just as silently part
to reveal the fireflies as the stars
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He grew up chasing fireflies and watching sunsets turn into the night sky.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write an alone poem. Some people covet “alone time.” Others prefer not to be left alone. Many like a certain balance. But this doesn’t have to just be about people. Maybe a forest wishes to be left alone, or there is a product left alone on a store shelf (how the children’s story “Corduroy” begins).
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at an Alone poem:
“gadgets”
as long as I have my internet connection
& smart phone I have this feeling that I can’t
possibly be alone. I consider going into hiding
until I remember my faith & the fact that even
before the internet I was never alone & ditching
all my gadgets & connections won’t change that.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has moments when he feels alone–like anyone–but then he usually comes to his senses. He’s thankful for the community of poets here that help lift each other up throughout the month and year.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write a release poem. Maybe somebody’s being released from prison or a contract. Maybe a person is signing a release form. There’s emotional and physical release. Animals capturing and releasing other animals. Trees releasing leaves in autumn. And so on.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Release poem:
“in words, no”
but I’m afraid your actions have
provided enough reasons that I
feel you could never truly ever
care for more than money. I sought
the city for small examples of your
charity, but I found no release.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
His golden shovel today was taken from a fairly popular Christmas story (and since I can’t find the book, it may be slightly paraphrased). If you can name the story, you get one point. Two points if you can pinpoint the exchange.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, pick a direction on the compass, make it the title of your poem, and write that poem. North, South, West, and East are easy directions. Then, there’s Southwest, Northeast, and so on. Then, there are the directions that are completely invented.
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Today Is Seriously Your Last Chance to Enter!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. And the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well, though only if you enter.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Direction on the Compass poem:
“North”
i was born in an ice fort
guarded by snow men
without the luxury of
a princess to let it go
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He loves all the directions on his compass, but one his all-time favorite moments was when one of his boys said, “Daddy is my compass.” That thought guides him to this day.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “I’ll Never (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write the new poem. Possible titles include: “I’ll Never Write an Excuse Poem,” “I’ll Never Go to Disney World,” “I’ll Never Tell a Lie,” or “I’ll Never Understand People Who Like Rush.”
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I’ll Never Be Able to Pick Your Poem If You Don’t Enter!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. And the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well, though only if you enter.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an I’ll Never Blank poem:
“I’ll Never Remember”
the combination to the lock on my high school locker
but I still know my first phone number from kindergarten
and maybe many of the kisses I’ve had over the years
though nice on their own have blended into one long
French kiss ether but that first time I kissed my wife
in the parking lot our hands holding our unbuckled
seat belts as planes arrived and departed from Dayton’s
International airport is something that will always stick
or if I reach a point at which it does not then may I
lose touch completely with the ground and reality
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He remembers the moment like it was yesterday, the moment his life twisted down a new and wonderful path.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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Thank you to everyone who submitted a terzanelle! This form was a fun read and tricky to decide upon a winner.
My initial short list included 30 poems, but I cut it down to one winner and 10 finalists. This time around, that winner is Jane Shlensky for her poem “Food Chain,” which won me over with its images, its lyricism, and the thought of connection and observation.
Here’s the winning Terzanelle:
Food Chain, by Jane Shlensky
An ibis settles on the shoal–
white plumes in shallows, standing still
until the fish forget his goal
to make of them his morning meal.
He’s in the moment, focused, clear,
white plumes in shallows, standing still.
He does not see me watching, near;
he stares beneath blue mirrored sky.
He’s in the moment, focused, clear,
reflected in the water’s eye
where languid fish seek smaller prey.
He stares beneath blue mirrored sky,
then strikes and pulls a fish away,
joining a chain that holds us all
where languid fish seek smaller prey,
in answer to a primal call.
An ibis settles on the shoal
joining a chain that holds us all,
until the fish forget his goal.
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Win $1,000 for Your Poetry!
Writer’s Digest is offering a contest strictly for poets with a top prize of $1,000, publication in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market. There are cash prizes for Second ($250) and Third ($100) Prizes, as well as prizes for the Top 25.
The extended deadline is November 21, so enter today.
Click here to learn more.
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Here is the Top 10 list:
- “Food Chain,” by Jane Shlensky
- “Before the Fire Burns,” by Susan Schoeffield
- “Motel, You in the Window,” by Barbara E. Young
- “Enchanted Exile,” by Daniel Ari
- “Under the Milky Way,” by William Preston
- “Untitled,” by Joshua
- “Ringside,” by Taylor Graham
- “Repaired,” by Bruce Niedt
- “Fractured,” by Tracy Davidson
- “Calling Orion,” by Laurie Kolp
Congratulations to Jane and everyone in the Top 10! And thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and comment on each others’ poems.
I’ve been working through the gogyohkas and hope to announce the winners of that challenge soon. In the meantime, watch for the next poetic form and poetic form challenge.
Also, be sure to read through the 200+ comments from the terzanelle challenge. Click to continue.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He loves hosting, reading, and judging these challenges.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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I’m not sure how November always gets away from me so fast. Maybe it’s the beginning of the Market Book cycle; maybe it’s this challenge; but November often seems to be nearly over before I get my bearings on the month.
For today’s prompt, write an excuse poem. People are full of excuses–I’m no different–and sometimes they’re valid; other times, not so much. Write a poem about making excuses, listening to excuses, or hey, maybe excuse someone for making them.
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Quit Making Excuses! Enter for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an Excuse poem:
“out”
i used the last one an hour ago
on my homework that did not
materialize when i had hoped
it would and now here you are
asking me where i was when
you waited all night & avoided
dancing with the guys who
asked & there were many
because you were saving
your dancing feet for me &
me alone & i know i’ve used
them so often in the past
but i’ve completely run dry
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He knows all about excuses from first-hand experience and realizes they’re often lacking. His five little poets often remind him that excuses are not the same as making good choices and performing the right actions.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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It’s a Tuesday, which means we’ve got two prompts today:
- Write a sweet poem.
- Write a sour poem.
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Running out of Time for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at a Sweet and/or Sour poem:
“Thai”
I love to eat Thai food,
because it tastes so good.
I love the sweet and sour
chicken with the sauce poured
over veggies and rice.
Mmmm. Thai for lunch sounds nice.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He really does love eating sweet and sour chicken at Thai restaurants. He also favors writing rhyming poems when he’s not sure what to write. The rhymes get his brain turning, especially on cold November mornings.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write an afflicted poem. Someone or something that is afflicted is someone or something that is in a troubled, injured, or humbled state. Or distressed to the point of constant suffering and anguish. In other words, the perfect poem for a Monday, right?
*****
Running out of Time for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an Afflicted poem:
“Ultra-Ham”
I have a bad habit of singing random songs
and making up new lyrics–partly because
it’s fun to do and partly because I have a bad
memory–like the Ultraman theme song might
turn into the Ultraham theme song and “Singing
in the Rain” might turn into “Singing in the Pain,”
and it’s really cool at times, but not so cool at others,
especially when I’m trying to focus or be serious
or care about the feelings of others, but then,
I’m afflicted by the smooth voice of Barry White
singing “I Can’t Get Enough of Your Blood, Baby,”
because he’s a vampire, right? And well, it’s sort
of a pain to have to explain the joke when it’s not
even the day for the explanatory poem prompt.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He doesn’t always know what to put in this paragraph, but he still likes trying to change it up from post to post, because, well, why not? He has a sense of humor that only some get, and he’s fine with that.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write an explanatory poem. Back when I took dozens of creative writing courses in college, the mantra was, “Show, don’t tell.” Well, today’s prompt is sort of different–in a way–in that it’s a tell poem, or explaining poem, though how and what you explain may vary a great deal.
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Submit a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an Explanatory poem:
“I’m not sure how I got here”
I mean, it started with an arcade game over
before picking up Tetris on my Game Boy,
which I played under cover of my blanket fort
wondering about Thor (new and old versions)
and numbers. Now or later, I will dream about
being blinded by the moon and bomb cyclones.
Ultraman doesn’t have these kind of troubles,
or maybe he does–I don’t know. The point is
that I think I’ve been here before in this car–
the back seat–fighting with my siblings, even
though we had the “no fighting” option at our
disposal, and we’d fight over everything,
especially who would be the leader, though
we were always followers–in the back seat–
with our “holey” pants, and speaking of who
set the house on fire, you sure look nice today.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He often has no idea what he’s going to write for these prompts before he writes it. And it often shows. And that’s all right. And it’s fun.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Holy (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. I like to think of this as the “Robin prompt” from the old Adam West Batman shows, because Robin would always make exclamations that began with “Holy,” including “Holy Barracuda,” “Holy Happenstance,” “Holy Rats in a Trap,” “Holy Homicide.”
*****
Submit a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at a “Holy (blank)” poem:
“Holy Poetry Prompt”
Some come easier than others, and then,
there’s still the poem to write. Holy get
started! There is that moment when the mind
searches itself for an idea or some
hot potato memory that bounces
in and out of focus. Holy lack of
tunnel vision! There are times I want to
capture the entire world and every deep
emotion I’ve ever had. But holy
abstraction! I don’t know how, don’t know how.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He loves older television shows (and movies), especially ones that don’t take themselves too seriously. Favorites include the Adam West Batman, Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, and The Munsters.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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I know many have been able to post with no problems, but if you are having issues–because I’ve received a few reports–please send me an e-mail at [email protected], and we’ll work to get it resolved.
For today’s prompt, write a follow poem. In middle school, I remember running for student council and my campaign manager said something to the effect of, “Vote for Robby, because he’s a follower, not a leader.” First thing, yes, they called me Robby in middle school. Second thing, yes, I did not get elected. Third thing, yes, this story is completely personal and pointless. Don’t follow my example.
*****
Submit a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at a Follow poem:
“Follow the Leader”
He talked the loudest and knew how
to snap his fingers, so of course
he was their leader, and they would
follow him everywhere, which was
usually nowhere, but it
didn’t matter: He said, “C’mere,”
and they’d come. He’d say, “Jump,” and they’d
ask, “How high?” Which was their downfall,
because when he stomped to the top
of the highest building in town
and tried to see if he could fly
all the others tumbled after.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He believes in following your dreams, following your gut, and following one good line with another. And, then there’s Twitter. Speaking of which…
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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