Kelly Bennett 12/17/25 Kelly Bennett 12/17/25

Poetry Challenge #101-Topsy Tervy Christmas

I don’t know about you but I am FREEEEEEEZING!

And I’m dreaming…already…of summer and winter’s just getting started. Imagine, December 21st -ish the shortest night of the year here in the North will be the longest day of the year in the South.

Speaking of the other side of the world: if we were in the Southern Hemisphere, instead of singing about “chestnuts roasting on a open fire” and “riding through a winter wonderland…” we’d be “sunbathers toasting ‘neath a bright orange sun” and “jet skiing through a surfer’s paradise.”

Wonder how much a ticket to Australia, Bora Bora…Jamaica maybe…

Poetry Challenge #101

Ode to a Topsy Tervy Christmas

Imagine turning this holiday season upside down.

Either by zipping off to the opposite side of the world and celebrating the holiday there—on Safari or a sunny beach somewhere south.

Or by upending your holiday traditions and doing things upside down and backwards.

Write a poem about it. Have fun. Be silly! Sprinkle in some holiday magic dust.

Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Start writing!

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

The Kranks tried to do just that. Watch how that turned out…

*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 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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Kelly Bennett 8/21/19 Kelly Bennett 8/21/19

Poetry Challenge #101-End of Summer

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?

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.