As promised in my last blog post, here is the second set of poems I’ve written for the 14th annual Poem-A-Day Challenge as organized by Writer’s Digest. Even though every day has its own unique prompt, I am focusing on “travel” as an overarching theme because I’ve missed traveling so much this past year.
Day 6 PAD Prompt: Today is the first Tuesday of the month which means it’s time for our first Two-for-Tuesday prompt. You can pick one of the prompts, combine prompts, or write one poem for each prompt. For this Two-for-Tuesday prompt: 1. Write a change poem and/or… 2. Write a don’t-change poem.
CHANGE “Change is sometimes the same as rest,” A bookseller told me, And who am I to quibble with Such keen philosophy? Yet, change churns like the wild riptides; Rest idles like the shoals. Can such converse occurrences Be interchangeable? For change does rent, and rest does mend. One settles; one upsets— If change must come, then I desire A change disguised as rest. Poetic Form of Choice: The Style of Emily Dickinson © 2021 F. E. Greene
Day 7 PAD Prompt: Write a villain poem. You could write a persona poem from the perspective of a popular villain (like Count Dracula, Thanos, or Dolores Umbridge). Or write a poem with a person doing a villainous thing (like eating the last piece of pie or littering).
OFF-PEAK FAUX PAS Plenty of seats upon the train; You claim the bay for four Though you are traveling alone, And I am with three more. Poetic Form of Choice: Ballad quatrain © 2021 F. E. Greene
Day 8 PAD Prompt: Write a metaphor poem. A metaphor is when something is something else (I am a tree). Take a moment to consider possible metaphors and then poem them out.
LONDON An old friend too rarely seen yet known so well; you tell stories of conquest, disaster, victory; I sit at your feet savoring those tales in your ancient voice. Poetic Form of Choice: Modified haiku with syllable count of 3-5-5 © 2021 F. E. Greene
Day 9 PAD Prompt: Write a persona poem for an inanimate object. A persona poem is written in the voice of someone (or in this case something) else – a pair of scissors, a picture frame, smart phone, or another inanimate object.
LOST LUGGAGE I don’t mind the wait. I’m used to it. Most days I sit in your closet wedged between shoeboxes and workout equipment. (Bit dusty in there, I’ll admit.) So, this change of venue is, frankly, refreshing although I’m sure you’re anxious for us to reunite. After all, you have plans tonight, and that little black dress won’t wear itself. Until then, I’ll be on this shelf. I feel certain the airline will sort things out, and I’ll join you at the hotel before your dinner reservation. (It will be nice to see another location.) Poetic Form of Choice: Free verse with internal rhyme, assonance, and consonance © 2021 F. E. Greene
Day 10 PAD Prompt: Take the phrase “Get (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Get Smart,” “Get Incredibly Overwhelmed by the Beauty of Spring,” and/or “Get This Poem Written.”
GET AWAY FROM IT ALL Isn’t that the bottom line? Leave it all behind. Unwind. Pack only what you need – no assignments or deadlines no one more thing before I go… Just winding shoreline drives along the coast – away from that host of inconveniences saturating your bandwidth – no let me check my messages… Ocean on the left, sunset overhead reminding you of the infinite – the unsaid. What’s familiar ceases to interfere with what lies before you and what is right here. Poetic Form of Choice: Free verse with internal rhyme, assonance, and consonance © 2021 F. E. Greene
F. E. Greene 