April

NaPoWriMo – Day 22 (Impossible)

~ Unwrithings ~ 5 Comments

Today’s National Writing Poetry Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Take one of the following statements of something impossible, and then write a poem in which the impossible thing happens. 

I read this prompt first thing this morning so I could ponder it all day and brainstorm an idea by nightfall. But alas, nothing has come to my mind yet so I am winging it! I chose the “The stars cannot rearrange themselves in the sky” statement.

I always saw the stars as scrambled in the sky,
until I saw them through your keen eyes.

You pointed out Orion,
with his belt of three stars in a row,
and the Big and Little Dippers,
with their handles and bowls,
and The Twins, two stick figures,
with their arms stretched far,
and The Bull with his v-shaped face,
found first by locating the large red star.

It seems stars can rearrange themselves,
I’ve seen it so myself,
I wonder now, what else I’ve missed as remarkable,
because of what I thought impossible.

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NaPoWriMo – Day 21 (Myth)

~ Unwrithings ~ 4 Comments

I cannot believe we have hit the three-week mark of National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo)! Woohoo! Reading the seriously amazing responses others have to the NaPoWriMo prompts really inspires me to keep at it.

Anyway, today’s NaPoWriMo prompt is: Write a poem that plays with the myth of Narcissus in some way.

I liked the story of Echo in the myth and I originally wanted to do a longer piece for this prompt. However, time is limited so I’m going to go with what I have in my head right now and write more at a later date!

I once asked,
“Why do you love me?”
You said simply,
“Because you love me.”

Your love only an echo of mine,
And sometimes,
I don’t know if I have enough,
for the both of us.

MikeWaterfall

NaPoWriMo – Day 20 (Rebellion)

~ Unwrithings ~ 2 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Write a poem that involves rebellion in some way.

They told us to burn all the books, so we did,
But we rewrote them bit by bit.
We etched letters into stones,
Wallpapered words to our homes,
Scratched lines into trees,
Tossed tales into seas,
And whispered passages into the breeze,
Until Earth itself became a scroll,
Of all the stories ever told.

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NaPoWriMo – Day 19 (Erasure)

~ Unwrithings ~ 1 Comment

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Write a paragraph that briefly recounts a story or scene. Now try erasing words from this paragraph to create a poem or, alternatively, use the words of your paragraph to build a new poem.

I decided to use the paragraph from my Haibun I wrote earlier in this challenge. Here is the result of erasing some words to create a poem.

Wild sky
burning stars
smelling like
melting dust
hissing across
rocks until
dissolving
in the sun.

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NaPoWriMo – Day 18 (Response Poem)

~ Unwrithings ~ 2 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt: Respond to someone else’s poem from the bottom up.

I selected a poem from Whisky Words & a Shovel I by r.h. Sin. I bought this poetry book a few weeks ago, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I enjoyed opening it up for this prompt! I ended up only loosely using the source poem though.

My heart will stretch thin
(like dough expanded with a rolling pin)
I will knead my love
until it is enough
for you.

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NaPoWriMo – Day 17 (Anecdote)

~ Unwrithings ~ 2 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Write a poem re-telling a family anecdote that has stuck with you over time. 

A special thanks to my dad for writing this poem with me! 🙂

From the day he took his first breath,
“Bob,” is what everyone exclaimed.
He had no reason to question his name.

Until, “Nugent,” the teacher called,
On his first day of school.
Everyone snickered and ridiculed
the poor lad, with a name like that.
Is it any surprise, that no one responded,
when the teacher prompted?

So imagine my dad’s chagrin,
when the teacher looked at him,
and explained,
“Nugent is your first name, Bob is your middle.”
With a sense of  gloom,
my dad’s nom de plume,
became the subject of this drivel.

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NaPoWriMo – Day 16 (Play)

~ Unwrithings ~ 6 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Write a poem that prominently features the idea of play.

Squeaky toys, plush dolls, and tennis balls,
I will chase after them all.
Toss a stick, and I’ll fetch it quick.
Launch a Frisbee, and I’ll run for it happily.
After all, my favorite thing to do,
Is bring all these items back to you.
So take a break and play with me,
We’ll have fun, I guarantee.
Just make sure your throwing arm is strong,
Because I can catch things all day long!

emma

NaPoWriMo Day 15 (Villain)

~ Unwrithings ~ 2 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Write a poem in which a villain faces an unfortunate situation, and is revealed to be human (but still evil).

The Big Bad Wolf stalks Little Red Riding Hood,
hungry for her home-baked goods,
and hides under the covers in Grandma’s house,
ready to play cat and mouse.

But could it be, he just feels alone,
and needs a safe, warm, and cozy home,
with a tender nana who serves up tasty treats,
after all, everyone’s got to eat!

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NaPoWriMo – Day 14 (Dreams)

~ Unwrithings ~ 4 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: Write entries for an imaginary dream dictionary.

Teacup

To dream of a teacup means you need to make amends,
unless the teacup is chipped, then you need to make new friends.

Hammer

To see a hammer means you need to work harder,
unless the handle is broken, then you need to work smarter.

Seagull

To dream of a seagull means you feel free,
unless the seagull is eating, then you feel hungry.

Ballet Slipper

To see ballet slippers means you are poised,
unless the slippers are untied, then you are annoyed.

Shark

To dream of a shark means you feel like a boss,
unless the shark is moving in circles, then you feel lost.

Wobbly Table

To see a wobbly table means you want to be on solid ground,
unless you are sitting at the table, then you want to be unbound.

Dentist

If you dream of a dentist, you are behind on your cleaning,
unless you are the dentist, then your dream has no meaning.

Rowboat

If you see a rowboat, expect smooth sailing ahead,
unless the rowboat is rocking, then expect to be sick instead.

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NaPoWriMo – Day 13 (Familiar Phrase)

~ Unwrithings ~ 2 Comments

Today’s National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) prompt is: We challenge you to write a poem in which the words or meaning of a familiar phrase get up-ended. 

Idiom: Close, but No Cigar

A story hangs on your shoulders,
thick in the air.
The words catch at your fingertips,
you know the story is there.

Percolating, circulating, accelerating—
Until,

There is a spark,
that ignites the stick,
that writes the story,
that sets the paper on fire.

Idiom: To Hit Rock Bottom

The only bottom I’m reachin’
Is in this bottle I’m drinkin’
And I’m thinkin’
That’s not what you’re meanin’

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