Kid’s Stuff

To say “I’m writing poetry!” can feel pretentious or intimidating. At least it does to me. First thought is, I need to don a beret and feathered quill. Second thought: Who the heck do I think I am trying to write poems?

To say “I’m writing poetry!” can feel pretentious or intimidating. At least it does to me. First thought is, I need to don a beret and feathered quill. Second thought: Who the heck do I think I am trying to write poems?

But after more than 900 days of trying, I’ve learned that my best poems come when I tell myself: “Nobody’s ever going to read it anyway,” and just have fun. Give it a try:

But after more than 900 days of trying, I’ve learned that my best poems come when I tell myself: “Nobody’s ever going to read it anyway,” and just have fun. Give it a try:

Grab the nearest picture book and turn to the last page, the last words. Use the last line of text as the first line of your poem. If you’d like, use the accompanying illustration as inspiration. Let the child in you run with it and PLAY!

Grab the nearest picture book and turn to the last page, the last words. Use the last line of text as the first line of your poem. If you’d like, use the accompanying illustration as inspiration. Let the child in you run with it and PLAY!

If you’re at a loss, here’s one of the most famous last picture book lines of all, from Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are :

If you’re at a loss, here’s one of the most famous last picture book lines of all, from Maurice Sendak’s

Where The Wild Things Are

:

. . . and it was still hot

. . . and it was still hot

Set the timer for 7 minutes.

Start writing!

Don’t think about it too much; just do it.

• Kelly Bennett and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge over 900 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.

*

Kelly Bennett

and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge over 900 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.