With bartender Adam Stone out of the venue last night, our guest prompt was given by host and Boston Poetry Slam tumblr curator Cassandra de Alba.
True to form, Cass scoured the tiniest corners of the internet to come up with a whole passel of amazing prompts for you from Bernadette Mayer at UPenn. …
Did you notice that our recurring tipster, Adam Stone, was off duty last night? If you think that means you don’t get a prompt… Think again. Here are THREE prompts from the overachieving Cantab staff.
Adam Stone suggests: twenty-first century hints from Heloise! Write a poem about super-unusual lifehacks.
Bobby Crawford offers: unshopping, unpacking, …
Write a letter to your former self.
NO SPOILERS ALLOWED.
Write about a time you accidentally heckled someone.
OR write your response to a time you were heckled.
Consider all the objectifying, oversexed, or otherwise terrible poem permutations for the following title: “Ten Ways to Get in My Pants.”
Now write a good one.
Have you ever broken up with someone (partner, friend, family member) whose loved ones hated you?
Imagine a conversation where they tell you why. Imagine how they were right. Imagine how they were wrong.
Terrible people say things like “I don’t mean to be rude, but…” or “I’m not a racist, but…”. Turn these expressions on their heads by starting your poem with “I don’t mean to be polite, but…”.
Write a poem about something you often, perhaps even usually, write a poem about.
Now: insert Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Good luck!
Write about a shocking or embarrassing surprise, but focus on the least personal, least interesting detail.
Go somewhere public. Listen for a conversation you wouldn’t want to join; maybe it’s too intense, too personal, too weird, or too mundane. Now poem a poem where you insert yourself into the conversation.
BONUS PROMPT: Emily likes coffee. Write a poem about coffee.
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