Haynes 1

Andrew Haynes
Anna Weber
EH 511-01
9/7/2020
Poem 2: Pick a Prompt
• Write a “leaping” poem— a descriptive poem that leaps from image to image. Concentrate not
so much on narrative here, but instead on vivid and surprising images that may or may not be
connected to each other.
• Write a persona poem, in which the speaker of the poem is not the poet, but is in fact someone
else— perhaps a famous person or historical figure.
• Write a poem in which the title asks a question. Then, use the poem itself as a response or
answer to the title’s question.
• Write a poem rooted deeply in place— either a place you’ve visited many times and know
very well, or a place you’ve only been to once or twice. You can even write about a place poem
about somewhere you have never been.
• Write a poem that recalls a dream you have had, either recently or in the past.
• Poem of address: write a poem of address to someone or something that angers you. It can be
someone you know personally (an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, a parent, etc.) or a public figure.
• Write a poem that begins with a command.
• Liar, Liar: write a poem in which not a single word is true. It may consist of lies about
yourself, or it could focus on fabricated historical events, laws of physics, or geographic
wonders.
• Write a poem that focuses on some thing or object that the world finds, largely, disgusting
(and generally not worthy of a poem). Think: cat vomit, worms, roaches, roadkill, etc.
• Write a poem that begins with a well-known line from another poem or work of literature. “It
was the best of times, it was the worst of time.” etc.
• Write a poem that is made up of only one sentence. Run-on sentence optional.
• Write a poem made up of rules for something that does not yet have rules written for it.
“Rules for wearing a top hat.” “Rules for breaking up with your boyfriend.”
• Write a birthday poem: a poem to someone on his or her birthday, OR a poem to yourself, on
your birthday.
• Turn on music that is only instrumental— no lyrics— and listen for five minutes, allowing
yourself to collect images based on the music. Then, write a poem based on one or more of
those images.
• Write a poem that defines who you are.
 Haynes 2

• Write a poem that incorporates, in some way, an element of pop culture— social media,
celebrities, current music, etc.
• Write a series of tweets as a poem.

Start:
Roadkill 18
Shall I compare thee to a squashed opossum?
Thou art more lovely and hygienic,
Though prepared right you both taste quite awesome
Won’t you join me for a roadkill picnic?

Nothing beats fresh squirrel stew and beaver steak

They’d rather be eaten than left to rot
The thought of them out there makes my heart ache
With me, you and roadkill will suffer not

We’ll always have food for our home table

And be able to save for happy days
When in rough times, do what you are able
A good life manifests in many ways

The Circle of Life is truly divine

Anything can pair well with some fine wine
 Haynes 3

Along with the poem, include a short paragraph where you explain why you chose the prompt--
what drew you to it? Were you pleased with the way the poem turned out? Did the prompt
unfold in the way you thought it might, or did it take you in an unexpected direction? Again, this
doesn't have to be an essay-- just a short paragraph will suffice!

• Write a poem that focuses on some thing or object that the world finds, largely, disgusting
(and generally not worthy of a poem). Think: cat vomit, worms, roaches, roadkill, etc.
• Write a poem that begins with a well-known line from another poem or work of literature. “It
was the best of times, it was the worst of time.” etc.

I chose the two prompts I did because they seemed fun! I’m not great with iambic
pentameter, especially with the stressed and unstressed part, but I like to think I can make a mean
140 syllable sonnet when I want to. I can admit that I’ve written a couple of cheesy love poems
in my day. I wanted to riff on Sonnet 18 because of my familiarity to it, but I also loved the
thought of writing about something generally not poem worthy. I’ve actually eaten roadkill quite
a few times in my life. I went to a 4-H Wildlife camp once where we did eat beaver steak,
squirrel, opossum, roadkill stew, and basically whatever they could find to cook and feed us. I
loved eating roadkill back then! I love eating strange meat and trying new things. I don’t think
roadkill is as disgusting as others do. I think it’s absolutely poem worthy! I think my poem is
kind of campy (pun intended), but I am pleased with myself. I hope you enjoyed it!