Back when Cindy taught at teen writing camp, one of their favorite activities was Story Stew. "We would call out an “ingredient” and one of the campers would supply it. When we had our seven words, we’d write a story or poem, trying to use each of the words. It was always surprising how different the stories were."

Poetry Challenge #49

Poem Stew

You can find ingredients for a poem stew yourself. If someone is nearby, ask them for the words in the manner of Mad Libs. Or find them in anything around you: books, magazines, newspapers, the room you’re in.) You will need two nouns (something you can see or touch, not capitalized if possible), a color, a place (not capitalized), an adjective (a word that describes), a verb (an action), and an abstract noun (a word that you can’t touch that names an idea: beauty, hope, justice, chance).

Here are some ingredients I found in case you need them: milkweed, laughter, mulberry, market, delicious, yearn, hope.

Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Start writing!

Don’t think about it too much; just do it.

Poem Stew Playlist:

*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge over 850 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. (This one is Cindy's.) If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.

• KELLY BENNETT •