Big/Little Secret {poetry prompt}

Okay, so it’s not really a secret because I’ve shared it before. But here it is:

There is always something to write about.

Yes. There is always a prompt waiting there for you in midair, should you need to press the “Prompt Emergency” button.

What is it?

The answer is in the questions.

Okay, I’ll stop being cryptic and give you what you came for.

Ahem. Commence Fanfare.

Dun, dun-dun, dun! It’s Six Questions. Yep, I’m talking about the basic six. The ones we turned into a how-fast-can-you-say-them-all challenge in the third grade while waiting in line for recess:

Six Questions: Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?

I’m serious!

Try one.

Instructions:

  1. Choose a basic question. It can be random if you don’t have a particular one that stands out to you.
     

  2. You can choose all of them if you want to write about how they help you do life in a general sense. Or start with one, and be specific. For example: “Why… do I need poetry in my life?” “Who… do I look to for guidance and inspiration?” “Where… do I dream of putting down roots?”
     

  3. Once you have selected your basic question and added specifics, it’s time to begin your poem. You can approach this from two different angles. One would be to use poetry to form an answer to your question. The other would be to make the poem a creative way of asking the question. (This can be helpful when you need to ask that which does not have a clear answer. Make it a prayer for guidance, perhaps.)
     

  4. When you publish your poem, please add it to the link-up at the bottom of this post.

As per usual, I would like for us to stick with first draft writing. This is about practicing building poetry skills, not about proving our ability.


Example:

Putting Down Roots

Where do I dream of putting down roots?

Always have I craved a home of my own

A house with large windows and sunlit rooms

Ferns and ivy growing in pots along the wall

A roomy kitchen with open invitation to stay

A welcoming presence speaking life and rest

Bright, cheery colors to inspire the morning

Bread baking, cider steaming, butter softening

All a worship of the divine through ordinary senses

The music of kindness embracing each room

And spilling out into the garden toward a spacious yard

Made just for children and laughter and campfires

And joy.

 
Jamie Bagley