Poetry Challenge #109-Dictionary Roulette

I love dictionaries! It’s an excellent way to procrastinate . . . and expand one’s vocab—always a good thing. Best, words lead to ideas…and actions! So grab a dictionary and let’s GO!

Here’s mine…show me yours!

If you don’t have a physical dictionary (Borrow a library copy or Go buy one!!! You should have one!!!), you can use a website such as m-w.com or dictionary.com and look for a list of words of the day.

Poetry Challenge #109

Dictionary Roulette

Yes! You can borrow my dictionary.

One of my favorite prompts when I get stuck with any writing is to take a dictionary, open to a random page, and write down the first word I see. Sometimes I roll three dice and open to that page. Sometimes I have someone pick a number between 1 and 948 (the number of pages in my favorite dictionary) and then another number between 1 and 68 (the average number of words on the two pages) and I find my word that way.

Using the Close-Your-Eyes-and-Point method, Roll-the-Dice method, Pick-A-Number method, find 5 words. Write a 5-line poem using all 5 words.

Pick 5 Words

Set the 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 1260++ 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.

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Poetry Challenge #106-Lobster Day

World’s Lobster in Shediac, New Brunswick

Yeah! It’s National Lobster Day! (Yes, there is such a thing.*) In honor of these claw-clacking crustaceans, write a lobster poem. But not just any lobster poem. 

Poetry Challenge #106

Lobster Day 

What comes to mind when you think of a lobster?

Is it the cola-guzzling lobster in Erin Moulton’s funny, heartful Tracing the Stars?

Diane Keaton’s  lobster scene from Annie Hall?

Pilgrimage to the world’s largest lobster?

Or, like me, the last sunset supper of the summer?

Drawing on that lobster experience (or one imagined), list seven words, one beginning with each letter of the word lobster. Use that list to craft a  seven-line lobster poem. In addition, the poem might include: a sound, a smell, a location, a texture, and the word “ruckus”.

Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Start writing!

Don’t think about it too much; just get cracking!

* More about National Lobster Day: “In 2014, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine drafted a joint resolution designating September 25 as National Lobster Day. Recognizing the men and women in an industry with a long and rich heritage, the proclamation celebrates the lobster from sea to table.” (National Day Calendar)

**Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 1250 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

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Poetry Challenge #105-Happy Birthday to You-Hoo . . . ever!

Happy Birthday! Every day is somebody’s birthday! Who do you know who has a birthday coming up soon?

Poetry Challenge #105

Happy Birthday to You-Know-Who!!!!

Can you write a poem to that person telling them why they’re special or what they mean to you?

Work on it until every word is exactly the one you want.

Do you want your poem to rhyme?

Do you want it to have a certain number of syllables on a line?

Is it a list poem or a story? You get to decide.

You can even give it to the person as a birthday gift!

Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Start writing!

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

Wouldn’t be much of a birthday without a song. Here Goes: YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY by the Beatles

 *Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 1200 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

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Poetry Challenge #102-Worker's Holiday

Labor Day, called by some the “Worker’s Holiday,” is celebrated the first Monday in September in the U.S. and was signed into law on June 28, 1894, by President Grover Cleveland.

Up until that time workers in America (including children as young as five) toiled twelve hours a day, seven days a week to eke out a living.

Child Labor laws in other places???

Nowadays, thanks to the efforts of those early labor movement organizers, we Americans take fairer work conditions for granted.

Poetry Challenge #102

Workers Unite for Worker’s Rights

For the sake of this prompt, let’s pretend we are one of those early labor organizers, making up a chant for the Labor Day Rally. 

According to Merriam-Webster, “a chant is a repeated rhythmic phrase, typically one shouted or sung in unison by a crowd.”  Chants are short. (One or two lines at most), set to a definite march beat. Often they rhyme.  

Hint: It might be easiest to find rhymes first. To that end list words that rhyme with labor, day, work, or others that come to mind when you think of Labor Day.

Ready, Set, March!

Set the 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 more than 1200 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

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Poetry Challenge #101-End of Summer

Sun Setting on Summer in WHB

It’s hard to believe summer is coming to an end. Long, sunny days are growing shorter. Nights are cooler. Trips to the beach or pool are less frequent (or maybe more…)

 What signs tell you that summer is almost over? Back to school sales? The one branch of red leaves? Geese flying overhead?

What do you do to celebrate the end of summer? Take one last swim or hike? Bake (or eat) one more pie? Have one more campfire and roasted marshmallow?

One last swim…

Poetry Challenge #101

Ode to Summer

 List some things you notice at the end of summer. Use the questions above to help you make your list. Think about activities that you try to do one more time or maybe some that you know are coming to an end.

 An ode is a poem that celebrates a person, place, thing, or idea. It often follows a certain pattern of number of lines or number of beats on a line. It’s usually short and tries to capture the emotion of the celebrated item. 

Choose one (or more) of the things on your list and write an ode to summer.

Set the 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 more than 1200 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

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Poetry Challenge #100-One Hundred Reasons Why . . .

Today marks the 100th 7-Minute Poetry Challenge! A 100-hand round of applause to those of you who’ve tried any—all—of the prompts. (All of the prompts are posted & waiting if you’d like to give them a go, or take a look back.)

Poetry Challenge #100

One Hundred Reasons Why . . .

If ours were a kindergarten class, we would each have brought a hundred of one ingredient: toothpicks, cotton balls, acorns, M&Ms . . . and mixed them up into some marvelous creation—trail mix, a wreath or maybe a Fruit Loop necklace.  As our focus is poetry, let’s do it with words: 

Using one of the following prompts, write a poem. And if you really want to celebrate create a 100 Word Poem! 

• 100 Reasons Why I Love __________________

• 100 Things I Want to Do Before I Grow up

• If I were making a 100 Memory Necklace it would include__________

Set the 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 more than 1200 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

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Poetry Challenge #99-It's The Berries!

Berries!

It’s berry season!

The Kingston Trio sang a song called “Raspberries, Strawberries” that you can watch here:

Poetry Challenge #99

Berries!

Which kind of berries are your favorite? I love blueberries and strawberries—especially in a strawberry rhubarb pie. I love walking through wild strawberries and smelling the sweet smell underfoot. And scratches are worthwhile for raspberries warmed by the sun.

Write a poem about berries—any kind, any form. I bet it will be sweet!

Set the 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 over 1200 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

Poetry Challenge #98-Beach Time

Huntington Beach—my Beach Time then

Summer is in full swing! For some this means CRANK Up the AC! For others it means bugs, or vacation, and for even more it means hot Hot HOT!

When it’s just “Too Darn Hot” there’s one sure fire way I know of to beat the heat: Head to the Beach.

Poetry Challenge #98

Beach Time

Beach Time is way more than just a thing to do. It’s a mindset. And best, it’s way Cool! So let’s get beachy!

Begin by listing whatever comes to mind when you think of a day (or night) at the beach. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

Frothy surf, bikinis, surf boards, sand, shells, waves, orange sherbet sunsets, coconut and cocoa butter, Gidget & Jeff aka Moon Doggie

Now you try:

Fine! If “sand in your pants” is what Beach Time means to you, go with it.

Create a poem using a many of those beachy words as you can. Here’s a little theme music to get you in a beachy mood: Da-na-nah-na-nah-nah-na…WiPE OUT!

Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Start writing!

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

Got Kids?

Get ROAR! a delightful new (free) magazine for kids featuring Poetry Lab, poetry prompts co-created by us*, just for kids.

*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 3 years ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. 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.

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