Metaphor Dice

Many moons ago I received these metaphor dice from my friend Taylor Mali. I was/am supposed to give feedback. I JUST put them together today. I will send feedback after I see what we come up with. The pix didn't turn out well but I'm including them anyway, so you can see how I came up with the prompts. Your choice of three. One or all.

 1. A broken heart feels like an old guitar case.

2.The future gentle blessing.

3. Happiness is a duct-taped couch on the back porch in summer.

Apples and Oranges

From Tasha:

Apples and Oranges, Contrasts in Life

Favorite

From Linda:

WRITE ABOUT A FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TOY, MOVIE, BOOK, ETC. AND TIE IT BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY.

Place

 From Tad:

Write a poem about a place you haven't thought about in a long time.

Enter

 From Writer's Digest November chapbook challenge:

For today’s prompt, write an enter poem. We're entering a new challenge, a new month, a new poem, a new state of mind, a new candy hangover, etc. Maybe your poem enters a haunted house or enters into a conversation. Take enter where you wish.

Beauty by the Side of the Road

 From Tasha:

Beauty by the Side of the Road.  It's a poem I've been meaning to write myself for some time. This could be a virtual road or a real one.

Three! Three! Three prompts in one!

 From Linda.

Choose one or do all three.

• write a love love poem without using the word love
• write a poem about something bizarre that happened to you personally
• write a poem about anger and what you do with your anger

Things that don't exist any more

 From Tad: Write a poem about something that doesn’t exist any more.

Unity

 From William:

Unity and what it means.

....

From Victoria: Not everyone posts a poem every week, but our week to do prompts kept coming up too fast, so I am asking both of our occasional posters, Will and Winston, to do prompts also. I'm hoping it will get them to post more poems too. This is Will's first one.

Snap

 Vic's week:

Stole this from the Writer's Digest prompts:

For today's prompt, write a snap poem. The poem could be about a snap decision or a snap shot (as in photography). Or maybe your poem mentions snaps on a jacket, snap bracelets, or sugar snap peas. Of course, don't be afraid to go small and make your poem a snap to read as well.

Space ...

 From Sue:

Being an astronaut. 
Travel in space. 
What if you had to travel to Mars? 
Would you travel?

Pleasures

 From Tasha: 

Write a poem about something that pleases you or something that displeases you,  or even one or two about both.

The Week in Review

 From Linda (who damn well better post a poem this week):

Write a poem based on something that happened to you this week. It could be something life-changing or something that you feel is worthy of poetic expression...

The Breakfast Club

 From Tad:

Write a poem that has breakfast in it, or takes place at breakfast.

By the numbers

From Victoria:

Write a poem that has at least three numbers in it.

Seasons

From Sue:

Seasons
Of life
Of weather
Of spices
Of fashion

What speaks to you when you think of seasons...

Food

From Tasha:

For this week's subject please write about your favorite food, or if you prefer, your least favorite, or both, as two are allowed.

Bliss and Despair

From Linda:

Write a poem about the feelings total bliss and total despair, together in one poem... It could be a comparison or a story or anything.

Answer

From Tad:

Write an answer poem. It could be an answer to another poem, the way "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" is an answer to "The Wild Side of Life" ("I didn't know God made honky tonk angels") -- it could even be an answer to a song. Or it could be an answer to a letter. Or it could be that retort to something someone said to you, that you didn't think of at the time. I'll start off with something I've already written, try to also come up with something new.

Hobbies

From Victoria:

We all obviously love poetry here. So write a poem about something else you love. I mean someTHING NOT someONE.

Wet

From Sue:

Rain
Drizzle
Sprinkle
Downpour
Like love melt?

Horses

From Tasha:

Horses: Thoughts about them, favorite horses, even rocking horses are allowed! Or maybe horsing around!

A Different Dimension

From Linda:

Imagine you, but in a completely different life based on making a different decision that impacted everything else. A different dimension or different reality.

About a Place

From Tad:

Write a poem about a place that is meaningful to you. Choose a place you haven’t written about before. Make the poem be about the place, not why it’s meaningful to you.

Acceptable Losses

From Victoria: Write about acceptable losses.

Three things

From Sue:  As you read this (try not to cheat) select 3 items in your reach.

Place them in front of you and compose anything about them
- can they be on an adventure together?
- do they have feelings?
- do you have feelings about the items?
- if you had to describe them to a child or alien or blind person

Literally show us how odd the situation is. 

Spring

From Tasha:

It's really spring, at last, and nature is blossoming. Write about flowers, or flowering, use the metaphorical meaning, the actuarial physical or emotional, symbolic one...

Favorite character

This week's prompt courtesy of Linda:

• Take your favorite movie.
• Find your favorite character.
• Take on their persona.
• Write a poem, any length, any form about a day or some time in that persons life that wasn’t a part of the movie.

Geography

From Tad:

Write a poem that starts in one place (geographically) and ends in another,

... And who wants to be in the rotation to contribute prompts? The order will be whoever responds first.

PAD Challenge Day 30: Praise

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We’ve made it through from the beginning of the month to the end (and some have been here an extra 10 days on top of that). And for that, I am thankful. Here’s to another day, another month, and another year of poeming together!

For today’s prompt, write a praise poem. Praise your health or the taste of chocolate cake. Pen an ode to normalcy (whatever that is) or expound on the wonders of your favorite pen (for me, it’s either the Pilot G-2 or Pilot Precise V5). Have a favorite song? A favorite saying? Today is a perfect day to sing its praises.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 29: Total (blank)

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We’re almost there. Let’s do this.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Total (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles could include: “Total Madness,” “Total Victory,” “Totally Awesome,” and/or “Total Cereal.”

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 28: Look Back/Don't Look Back

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

Here we are: The final “Two-for-Tuesday” day today. And after today, only two more prompts to go.

For today’s prompt:

• Write a look back poem and/or…
• Write a don’t look back poem. Because some folks just want to keep their eyes on the road ahead.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 27: Massive

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

After today’s poem, we’ll be only three days from the finish line for this year’s challenge. Let’s poem on!

For today’s prompt, write a massive poem. The poem itself could be massive in size and length. Or it could take on a massive problem, describe a supermassive black hole, or praise a massive bowl of ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Whatever you write, I hope it’s a massive success.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 26: Change

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a change poem. This could be a poem about something that has changed or something that will change. Changing tires, clothes, or perspectives. Change left over when paying for something with cash. Feel encouraged to change it up today.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 25: Remix

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a remix poem. That is, take one (or more) of your poems from earlier this month and remix it. Make a free verse poem into a villanelle. Or condense a sestina into a haiku or senryu. Or forget form. Just completely jumble up the words…or respond to the original poem(s). As always, have fun with it.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write aa new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 24: Natural

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

With hindsight, this probably would’ve been a more natural prompt two days ago on Earth Day. Oh well, nobody’s perfect.

For today’s prompt, write a nature poem. Could be nature like trees, leaves, grass, birds, etc. Or your poem could tackle human nature. Another possibility is to look at the nature of technology or the interaction of planets around each other and the sun. Or well, the nature of poetry! When in doubt, just see what happens naturally.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge, Day 23: Social (blank)

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We only have a week of this challenge remaining. Let’s make it count.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Social (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles could include: “Social Distancing at the Grocery Store,” “Social Media Trolls,” “Social Club,” and/or “Social Distortion.” Heck, flipping the script to come up with a title like “Ice Cream Social” would totally work too.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 22: Quirk

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a quirk poem. The quirk could be a personal or human quality. Or it could be a quirk of fate.

PAD Challenge Day 21: Love/Anti-Love

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We’re three weeks into the challenge now, which means “Two-for-Tuesday” day today. This is the one I break out every challenge (alumni know which one I’m talking about).

For today’s prompt:

• Write a love poem and/or…
• Write an anti-love poem. Because some folks just aren’t that into love poems.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

NOTE: It's prompts like this that make me understand why Tad says he doesn't like the Writer's Digest prompts.Not only is it a lame prompt, he uses this one every *(#@$#@ year.

PAD Challenge Day 20: Isolation

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write an isolation poem. For many, this is a very real and present subject. And for me, I’ve found that social distancing and staying at home has actually made it harder for me to find the isolation my introverted soul needs to recharge—so I actually wake up before anyone else to get a little alone time. But isolation existed before COVID-19 as well. So there are plenty of ways to dive into this one.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 19: Six Words

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a poem that uses the following six words:

• bump
• embrace
• fixture
• howl
• lonely
• resolve

How did I come up with this list? Actually, it’s a tie-in to our Shakespeare Week that starts today, because the Bard is actually credited with inventing all six of these words. Pretty cool, eh? For sestina fans, I kind of intentionally made it six words for a reason. So let’s get writing!

(33 lamentable words coined by William Shakespeare.)

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 18: Message

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

After today’s poem, we’ll be 60 percent of the way through this challenge. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve got a better than 60 percent chance of making it to the finish line. In my case, I know not every day has been pretty, but I’ve got up and poemed—and that alone is something. So let’s keep at it.

For today’s prompt, write a message poem. You can decide the medium: Message in a bottle, postcard, or voice mail. Of course, there are text messages, telegrams, and letters. My wife loves to leave me messages on Post-It notes (and I love to find them). So write a message in a poem today!

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 17: Exotic

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write an exotic poem. Set your poem in an exotic locale. Or maybe write about an exotic person, animal, or technology. And remember that your everyday things may be exotic to someone else. Honestly, I’ve found poets are a breed of exotic creature whenever I’m in a room full of “normal” adults.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 16: The Last (blank)

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We’re now officially on the second half of this challenge. Let’s bring it for these last couple weeks.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “The Last (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles could include: “The Last Cookie,” “The Last Roll of Toilet Paper,” “The Lasting Impression,” “The Last Word,” and/or “The Last Starfighter.”

I guarantee this won’t be the last prompt of the month. So get your poem on today, and I’ll see you again tomorrow.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 15: Dream

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

Once we get through today’s poem, we’ll be half of the way through this challenge. Cue the Bon Jovi. And let’s jump in to this prompt.

For today’s prompt, write a dream poem. The poem can be a remembered dream. Or it could be a dream about the future (like getting out and about without worry again). Of course, some dreams are good, but there are nightmares too. So let’s get dreamy with our poems today. After all, Blondie said it best: “Dreaming is free.”

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 14: To Form or Not To Form

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We’re two weeks into the challenge now, and our second “Two-for-Tuesday” prompt falls on the 14th, which gets me thinking about sonnets.

For today’s prompt:

• Write a form poem (here are 100 poetic forms to choose from) and/or…
• Write an anti-form poem. I get it; some people don’t like forms.

If you feel like a form doesn’t quite give you direction for today’s prompt, write a poem about something with structure or form, or write a poem about chaos.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 13: Purpose

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a purpose poem. Many people like to have a purpose in life. Some folks do things on purpose. And yes, sometimes it appears there is no purpose to life’s events. Whatever drives you, I hope you’re able to pair purpose (or lack of purpose) with your poetry today.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 12: Spirit

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a spirit poem. Poets may write about a ghostly spirit. Or pen an ode to the spirits found in a pub or liquor cabinet. Of course, there’s also school spirit and the spirit of adventure. Personally, I like The Spirit of comics and radio fame. Let the spirit of poetry lead the way for you today.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 11: Control

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a control poem. That is, write about having control, losing control, or sharing control with others. Of course, I expect at least one person to mention the control key on keyboards. And well, y’all always surprise me, because I can’t control which direction everyone is going to go with this prompt.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 10: The (blank) who (blank)

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

Wow! So, we’ll be a third of the way through this challenge after finishing today’s poem. I’ve been super motivated by reading all the poems but also all the encouragement and kind words in the comments from poet to poet. Keep it up!

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “The (blank) Who (blank),” replace the blanks with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “The Runner Who Walked,” “The Scientist Who Decided to Make a Monster,” “The Poet Who Loved Me,” and/or “The Teacher Who Couldn’t Learn.” If you’d prefer to write about a thing instead of a person, feel free to replace the word “who” with the word “that.”

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 9: Ekphrastic poems

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write an ekphrastic poem. An ekphrastic poem is one that’s inspired by a work of art, whether that’s a painting, photograph, sculpture, or some other creation. I’ve included five ekphrastic prompts below. Look them over and choose one (or more) to prompt your poem today.

(NOTE: Click on the link above to see the images he posted. I personally HATE ekphrastic poetry, so I may not participate today or maybe find one of my own, but not sure how I'll post the image.)

PAD Challenge Day 8: Future

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a future poem. The future is a never ending well of worry for some. Others harbor a great deal of optimism. Still others see a mixture of awesome flying cars and terrifying robot overlords. Regardless of your outlook, I hope there’s a poem in your very near future.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 7: Lucky / Unlucky

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

We’re a week into the challenge now, and we get to celebrate with our first “Two-for-Tuesday” prompt! You can pick your favorite prompt, do both separately, or combine them into one poem. Your choice.

For today’s prompt:

• Write a lucky poem and/or…
• Write an unlucky poem.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 6 - Trapped

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

When we finish today’s poem, we’ll be officially 20% of the way through this challenge. Poem by poem, we’re building up some great first drafts. So let’s keep it going!

For today’s prompt, write a trap poem. There are physical traps—like mouse traps and bear traps. But people also sometimes fall into language traps or social traps. Many competitive types in business and various games try to set traps for their competitors. Of course, for every person setting a trap, there’s likely another person trying to avoid falling into traps.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 5 - A Moment

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a moment poem. The moment could be this very moment in time. Or pick a moment from your past and dive into it. It could be a huge moment or event in your life (or the life of another). Or you could share a small, private moment–like a walk at night or solitary adventure.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

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PAD Challenge Day 4 - A Wish Poem

From Writer's Digest Poem a Day Challenge:

For today’s prompt, write a wish poem. The poem could be about making a wish or granting a wish. It could focus on the fallout from a wish granted or denied. Or think up a wishful scene to share in your poem.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 3 - Follow [blank]

From Writer's Digest Poem a Day Challenge.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Follow (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Follow the Leader,” “Follow Me on Twitter,” “Follow Your Heart,” and/or “Follow the Light.” So many things to follow or not.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 2 - Space

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge - Day 2

Welcome to day two of the April Poem-A-Day Challenge. Anyone can show up for one day; it’s the people who show up for the second day who are really in this challenge to get their poem on.

For today’s prompt, write a space poem. Your poem could be about outer space or inner space. It could opine on the social spacing much of the world is currently doing. Or poets can write an ode to having the space to write or read or whatever. Honestly, I’ll be disappointed if there isn’t a Star Wars or Star Trek inspired poem today. Now, I’ll back off and give everyone plenty of space to write their poems today.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.

PAD Challenge Day 1 - A New Word

From Writer's Digest PAD Challenge

Today is the first day of the 2020 April Poem-A-Day Challenge! Each day, I’ll provide a poetry prompt and a poem to get things started. You can secretly poem along at home, or you can share your poem in the comments below.

For today’s prompt, write a new world poem. There are new worlds and there are new worlds. You could write a poem about discovery of an actual planet. Or maybe your new world is actually a state of mind—or a series of books! In a way, I consider each new challenge a bit of a new world. Let’s explore this one together.

Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt.