Hello on Day 4 of NaPoWriMo2022 and #AtoZ Challenge. I didn’t know I would enjoy writing on prompts. I had fun doing this one today. Hope you have fun reading it too. I haven’t been able to follow the prompts completely, taking my own digressions, but I’m happy making some poetry.
Today, we were challanged to write a poem . . . in the form of a poetry prompt. If that sounds silly, well, maybe it is! But it’s not without precedent. The poet Mathias Svalina has been writing surrealist prompt-poems for quite a while, posting them to Instagram. You can find examples here, and here, and here.
My attempt for the day is tentatively titled ‘Dive in for Once’
- Put aside the ladle
- Take the chair at the head of the table
- Bend your head over a paper towel
- Forget to stir the watery dal*
- Think of a mellow poem instead
- Dig your teeth into its softness
- Close your eyes and meditate
- Dive in for once, don’t hesitate
- Forget the routine, ignore the doorbell
- Drink down its juice with a loud slurp
- Transgress those boundaries, you’re allowed to burp
- Chew noisily; it’s NOT a man’s territory
- Now fold the paper towel with blotches of ink
- Allow the poem to rise and sink
- Take it slow, let it cook
- Put it out after a second look
- Serve the dal, blackened and burnt
- To scrunched up noses offer a fruit
- Or, better still, sing to them the latest poem, rustled up in the kitchen right before a submission.
*dal – lentils
How did you like this fun poem? I love the writing of poet and friend Ermelinda Makkimane. I am in love with her ‘How to eat a mango’ which appeared in The Kali Project. My poem today has reflections of Linda’s words. ‘The Kali Project’ also features two of my poems.
This post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z
Yes to : “you’re allowed to burp” and the serving of a freshly prepared poem for dinner—Revolution!! Here we come.
Such a great offering Sonia. Cheers.
Thanks Arti.
Well done, Sonia! The poem was playful and sensible.
Thanks Kalpana. Glad you enjoyed it.
It’s really a fun poem! Enjoyed reading it. It’s fascinating the way you are experimenting with different formats.
Haha loved the poem. What a smartt way to write it. Let the dal be burnt…enjoy meaningful things in life which make u happy is gist isn’t it? Seriously we make so much fun on dal…and food and cooking and whose territory is what who decides it?
Lovely coming by ur blog.
Dropping by from A to Z http://afshan-shaik.blogspot.com/
I meant fuss not fun 🙂
Thank you.
I love this poem! It’s great fun yet with an underlying important truth.
I enjoyed writing it Liz.
The enjoyment came through loud and clear!
What a fun poem! I didn’t think the dal would get burnt. But yes it did. And so what! 😄 The pen serves you well.
Yes!
Oh what a fun poem!! and the bit about letting the poem rise and soak , just awesome!
Thank you
haha, this was such a fun read. Definitely I’d end up doing, even unintentionally. Another great poetry form and nicely executed 🙂
Thank you
That was a fun read! I loved this prompt but last 2 days have been busy. Going to dive into this one today
Waiting for you to dive in!
That’s a unique way to write a poem. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Also loved your cooking and serving the poem. Happy writing
Deepika
Thank you so much. It was fun doing it.
Ha ha ha. Surrealist indeed. Allowing the poem to rise and sink and letting it cook slowly is great.
😊😊
A reminder to so many of us…much needed !!
Oh yes!