Poetry Challenge #142-Can You Repeat That?
“Play it again, Sam!”
Today is not National Repeat Day! (What? Care to repeat that?) Today is not National Repeat Day. I repeat it is not the “day [officially] set aside for folks to ‘seek out activities and experiences’ to do over again. (Not on the list: Root canals and Nor’esters...)
Regardless of the day, this challenge begged to be repeated…and so we are. If you happened to have tried it when we originally shared it—over 4 years ago—then it’s been long enough.
Let’s do it . . . again!
As the saying goes “If it’s worth doing once; it’s worth doing again.” Or if you’d prefer Bogie: “Play it again, Sam!” (Even though, in Casablanca, he never actually said that.)
Poetry Challenge #142
Can You Repeat That? . . . “That”
Repetition can be used in poetry in many ways. You can repeat a sound like a long o sound or an l or t sound.
You can repeat a word several times in the poem like the word “bells” in a famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe.
You can repeat a phrase or a whole line. Or you can repeat a verse like the refrain in a song.
Choose a way to repeat from the list above and write a poem that uses some repetition.
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
just do it! just do it! just do it! just do it! just do it!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge about 3500 days ago. We like it so much, we couldn’t resist creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #141-Popsicles!
It rarely freezes in San Francisco, but boy, when it does . . . Grape Popsicle!
Here’s the story: in 1905, 11-year old Frank Epperson “was outside on his porch, mixing water with a powdered flavoring to make soda. Upon going inside, he left it there on the porch with the stirring stick still in it. That night something that rarely ever happens in San Francisco happened: temps dipped below freezing! The following morning, Frank discovered the drink frozen to the stick.”—NPR July 22, 2015
Popsicles are now as much a part of summertime as, well, the sun! Who hasn’t sat on the steps hot afternoons slurping ice treats? Trying to catch the sweet syrup as it dripped down your hand. Or maybe you’ve made your own popsicles, the way we did. We used to fill ice cube trays with whatever sweet drink was on hand: cola, root beer, Kool aid, lemonade—and yes sometimes grape juice—stick in toothpicks for sticks and wha-lah! What about you? What memories come to mind when you think of popsicles? What was your favorite flavor? Grape?
Poetry Challenge #141
Popsicle Daze
By way of bidding farewell to Ice Cream Truck season, write a Tongue Twister about Popsicles. A tongue twister is a phrase that’s hard to say multiple times in quick succession or sometimes even once.
ISally sells seashells by the sea shore and Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers are two tried trustworthy tongue twisters.
Tongue Twister Tips:
There are three key elements in the twistiest tongue twister: alliteration, consonance & confusion.
· Alliteration: words that begin with the same-sound. Lucky Lucy liked_____tricky twisters twist ____.
· Consonance: repeated consonants within a word or phrase. Think "pitter patter" “slippy splinter splitter”…
· Confusion: Fool the rear’s eye (with misspellings like this) and trip up their tongue with consonant combinations that are almost the same, but not… as in soldier’s shoulder or chains clang. And change the endings of words—s ending are really slippery.
With these elements in mind, begin by brainstorming phrases that come to mind with you say grape or popsicle.
Listen . . . I think I hear the ice cream truck now!
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge cartoons of Popsicle BRAIN FREEZE ago. We take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #140-ARRRRROOOOO! for Rescue Dogs!
Our daughter’s family adopted a rescue dog this summer—which means WE also adopted a dog, because where they go, Bucky goes. (She’s our second grandpup…I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…) Turns out, Bucky is a a bit of a chewer, and to my gardens dismay, a digger…luckily she is charming!
So, this one’s for Bucky!
Poetry Challenge #140
ARRRRROOOOO! for Rescue Dogs!
Write an ode to a rescue dog. An ode is short poem praising something. Think about what that rescue dog looks like, acts like, sounds like, anything that makes the dog special. Or maybe focus on that dog’s life before it was rescued.
You can write it to your dog friend if you want!
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
Along with writing an ode to rescue dogs, here are other ways to celebrate & share the “puppy love.” How’s about a big ARRRRROOOOOO Donny Osmond style! Here’s the link to Puppy Love
*Tails that Teach mission is to spread the word about how “rescue dogs become a part of the human family and increase awareness about the number of dogs in shelters.” Here are some ways you can help:
Volunteer at your local shelter. Taking dogs for walks, grooming and giving them plenty of affection improves their socialization.
Shelters always need donations. Financial donations are always welcome. Most shelters have a list of constant needs, such as blankets, bleach, toys, treats, and leashes.
If there is room in your life for a rescue dog, consider adoption and giving one a forever home.
Consider fostering. Many dogs abandoned to shelters require some medical care or rehabilitation in a home setting before an adoption can take place.
Remember to spay and neuter your pets. Overpopulation is the number one reason shelters exist.
Trick your old dog into thinking it’s new with treats like these vitamins from topdogvitamins.com
Share your Ode to A Rescue Dog on social media, use #NationalRescueDogDay
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge countless dog years ago. We take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #139-It Jumped How Far?
As long as toad have been croaking, frogs (and kids) have been jump-jump-jumping!
And, every May 13th, in honor of Mark Twain’s first published short story, Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog (better known as The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County or The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County) folks have been celebrating frog jumping day.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, The longest frog jump record is “1.21 m (3 ft 11.64 in) and was achieved by Noa Möller (Sweden) at Palatset in Stockhom, Sweden, on 19 November 2011.” However, when I gave it a Google, the longest from jump on file is 21 feet, 5¾ inches, set by a bullfrog named Rosie the Ribeter in 1986. (If you, dear reader, can sort that record business out, keep us posted.)
Here’s what I know for sure: the 2026 Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee winner was 88-year-old Lillian Fasano, who won with a total jump of 19 feet, 2 and 1/4 inches using a frog named "Fuzzy.
Seeing a frog jump that far is surely the stuff of poetry!
Poetry Challenge #139
It Jumped How Far?
Let’s invoke the spirit of Mark Twain or Fuzzy by writing a hyperbolic poem about a long-high-far jumping frog, or a person who jumps like a frog, or a frog-jumping contest—creator’s choice.
Hyperbole means “gross exaggeration for effect” so we’re not talking tiny hops, make those frog JUMP!
See how many words for jump you can include in the poem. And don’t forget to add in a ribbit or three!
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just RIBBIT! (That means “do it!” in frog.)
Cindy Faughnan and I create began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge thousands of frog hops ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #137- XYZipppppper!
Two Part Question: 1. Did you wear pants or a skirt today? 2. How did you clasp the front closed?
If your answer to the second part was “I zipped up!” Then put on your party hat and let’s here it for Elias Howe!* the zipper inventor!
Elias Howe’s first zipper wasn’t called a zipper. When Howe filed his patent in 1851, it was for an “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” But …Howe never tried to market or sell his invention, so it wasn’t until 42 year later when Whitcomb Judson patented a fastener similar to but not exactly the same called the “Clasp Locker.” Judson debuted his clasp locker at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. But… people were too zipped up at that time to fathom doing away with button hooks and laces, so nothing came of it.
Finally, in 1917, a fella who worked at the company Judson founded, Gideon Sundback invented the “Separable Fastener.” Folks like it, but…no one knew quite what to do with it. Apparently, the trouble was all in the name. It wasn’t until 1923 when B. F. Goodrich tried the danged zipper as a boot fastener and coined the name that stuck. Which brings us to our prompt.
Poetry Challenge #137
XYZ: Xamine Your ZZZipppppper!
Back in my school yard days, whenever a friend forgot to zip his or her pants, we’d call out with a helpful XYZ! Let’s begin by doing exactly that.
By design a zipper is “two facing-rows of teeth that pull into a single piece by the slider.”
In honor of that clever fabric joiner, the zipper (which, miraculously, can withstand incredible amounts of pressure before popping open), let’s choose two different sets of words and —zip them—into a poem.
Begin with two words. But, just as zipping a snug pair of jeans isn’t easy, let’s not make this poem come together too easily.
Choose two words that do not seem at all connected. For instance: Tire & Popcorn; Carnival & Pencil; Snow & Tabasco. You get the idea.
Write each word on one side of a paper. Now, BRAINSTORM, list 5 or more words that relate to each of those words.
Weave, link, fasten—ZIP these words together into a one poem. Extra points for physically arranging the poem into a zipper shape on the page.
THE BIG ZIPPER
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
Ready! Set! X.Y.Z.
*That zipper isn’t the only thing about those clothes for which we have good ole Elias to thank. He also invented the sewing machine. Without him, instead of a closets & drawers full of clothes to choose from, we might be scrounging around in hand-sewn sacks tied with string—zip it pontificator, stick to the subject!
Gives new meaning to the term “Zip it!”
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge MORE THAN 8 YEARS ago! We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #136.5-Chuckle Challenge
When was the last time you had a gut busting laugh-so-hard-tears- were-running-down-your-legs laugh?
If you can’t remember, then I only have one thing to say to you:
“It’s about time you did!”
Why? I’ll give you 4 reasons (if you don’t believe me, ask the Mayo Clinic.)
Lowers stress hormones
improves heart and immune functions
burns calories
makes you feel better
Now get this…
““The average 4-year-old laughs 300 times a day. The average 40-year-old? Only four.””
Maybe, along with picking & flicking, graham crackers, and “punch bug” laughing is something our kids can help us do more often. And we can help them too, by writing funny stuff.
Let’s give it a try with a little help from author Julie Hauswirth who decided to up the funny factor with the third annual #2026 KidLit Chuckle Challenge. *
Poetry Challenge #136.5
Chuckle Challenge
To begin, rewind to the child you used to be—the one who laughed 300 times a day—and think about what used to make you laugh.
Or if that child is too buried in grown-up gobbledygook, take a minute or two to watch kids at play. What makes kids laugh? Just about everything!
Next: look at this list I copied off the Chuckle Challenge page. It includes lots of ways to add humor to our writing.
Now: Think of some funny words. Or a funny situation. Or best, both.
Kick your adult to the curb, put your silly hat on a write a poem.
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
the #2026 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge contest is open from 8:00am central September 10th-10:00pm central September 13th. Consider this the practice round. Click the website link for contest rules and past winners poems.
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge thousands of chuckles ago! We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #134-Your Inner Animal
Zoologically speaking, I’m a huge fan. If you’re response is “Boo to Zoo!” Have you been to a zoo lately?
Of the ones I’ve visited, and we seem to visit a lot, nowadays, most recently The San Diego Zoo, here’s what I’ve noticed: the animals in the zoo have not been captured ruthlessly. for the most part they are rescues. (Don’t believe me, read the signs.)
FYI: “The first modern zoo was established in the beauty of Vienna, Austria with the order of Emperor Francis I in 1752. It was created to viewing pleasure of the imperial family, but in 1765 it was extended to the public.”—via https://happydays365.org/zoo-lovers-day/national-zoo-lovers-day-april-8/.
While on the subject of the San Diego Zoo, one of the most interesting “Road Trip” books I’ve read is Lynda Rutledge’s West With Giraffe, non-fiction that reads like a novel.
What’s more animals are gorgeous, fascinating, interesting…all the ings.
Poetry Challenge #134
Access Your Inner Animal
Imagine you’re an animal at the zoo. (If you’re not a fan of the zoo, then for purposes of this prompt, channel Dr. Dolittle.)
Write a poem from that animal’s point-of-view. What does it see, think, feel? Who are its friends/enemies? When is dinner?
How would you describe the people looking at you?
What would you think they love based on the people they’re with or what they’re wearing or eating?
If you spoke the same language, what would you say to them?
For extra fun, see if you can’t use words that sound like your animal. Ssssay for instance, you are a python…
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
*This photo links to an article about the trip from NY to San Diego with the giraffes. Click: “How A Gift of Giraffes in 1938 Helped Make the San Diego Zoo.”
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge MORE THAN 3600 days ago! We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #133-Orange You Glad
Knock-Knock?
Who’s there?
Banana
Knock-Knock?
Who’s there?
Banana
Knock-Knock?
(Say it…)
Orange! Orange you glad I didn’t say “banana”!
There! Now that I’ve got that out of my system, let’s get to prompting! Because it’s baseball season—including Women’s Pro Baseball!And my family has gone Baseball Crazy! this prompt was going to be about something that makes you crazy. But then I read this poem by Lauren Cook.*
Maybe because an orange is round like a baseball, and throws like a baseball, and I used to bring orange slices to my children’s baseball/softball games, I immediately changed my mind. Maybe…
Even writing that, I know I’m fibbing. I changed my mind because this poem touched me in the same way a favorite Billy Collins poem “Litany” does.
Poetry Challenge #133
Orange You Glad
Choose a fruit from the bowl below, or a vegetable (not pictured) and write a poem inspired in some way by that fruit.
What ever else you may do, make it juicy.
Set your timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
*Lauren’s poem flew into my inbox courtesy of Rattle Poetry. Rattle posts weekly prompts, a weekly poetry podcast (well worth your time), and contests. Check it out!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge MORE THAN 3600 days ago! We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.