Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic Asides Blog

Okay, today is the final day of the poeming part of this challenge. Beginning tomorrow (if not already), you’ll begin the process of revising and assembling a 10-20 page poetry chapbook manuscript. … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Bonita Jones Knott, a poet I met earlier this year in Colorado at a writing retreat. Here’s Bonita’s prompt: Write a birth poem. Write a poem on the … Read more

Today marks 4 weeks in (with 2 days to go), and today’s prompt comes from Jonathan Edward Ondrashek. Here’s Jonathan’s prompt: Write a poem illuminating how it feels to stand up for … Read more

This month’s final two-for-Tuesday prompt comes from Paula Wanken. Here are Paula’s prompts: Write a hero poem. Write a villain poem.   Robert’s attempt at a Hero and Villain Poem: “Heroes and … Read more

We are really into the final days of this challenge now. I can’t believe how fast November has swept in and is trying to sweep out already. I hope everyone survived the … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Cameron Mathews. Here’s Cameron’s prompt: Write an opposite poem. That is, write a poem with the opposite perspective, conclusion, or form of a prior poem in the month. … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Beth Cato. Here’s Beth’s prompt: Take the phrase “The Truth About (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of … Read more

Today’s prompt is from Amanda Fall. Here’s Amanda’s prompt: Write a deep poem. The deep end of the pool. Six feet deep. Archaeology. Whatever you write, just dig deep. Robert’s attempt at … Read more

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m always so thankful for these challenges, and the community that’s formed around this blog. I hope everyone, whether you live in the States or abroad, has a moment to … Read more

We’re three weeks into this challenge! Today’s prompt comes from Bruce Niedt. Here’s Bruce’s prompt: Take a random list of five song titles – the source could be a shuffled MP3 playlist, … Read more

Today’s prompt, a Two-for-Tuesday prompt, comes from Sarah Bartlett. Here are Sarah’s prompts: Write a gathering poem. Write a letting go poem.   Robert’s attempt a gathering and letting go poem: “South” … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Madeline Sharples. Here’s Madeline’s prompt: Write a “Wheel” poem: of fortune, ferris, bike, auto – any kind of wheel. Even a big wheel and wheeling and dealing will … Read more

Today’s prompt is from Carol Stephen, and it’s a doozy. Here’s Carol’s prompt: Write a glosa. This involves an epigram of 4 consecutive lines from a favorite poet that the challenge participant … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Maxie Steer. Here’s Maxie’s prompt: Take the phrase “How to (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, … Read more

In case you missed it yesterday, click here to check an interview with me on the Poetic Bloomings site. Today’s prompt comes from Joseph Mills. Here’s Joseph’s prompt: Use the last line … Read more

Half-way through the month, and today’s prompt comes from Jared Davidavich. Here’s Jared’s prompt: Write a tradeoff poem. Could be an exchange, forfeit, or swap. Robert’s attempt at a Tradeoff Poem: “From … Read more

Two weeks! We’re two weeks into this challenge already! Today’s prompt comes from Catherine Lee. Here’s Catherine’s prompt: Write a stuck poem. Write about the struggle or the inability to move. Maybe … Read more

Today is a Two-for-Tuesday prompt, and they both come from Michael Grove. Here are Mike’s prompts: Write a letter poem. Write a recipe poem. Robert’s attempt at a letter and recipe poem: … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Jane Shlensky. Here is Jane’s prompt: Write about a piece of technology or engineering that does not exist but that should.  It could be a tribute to something … Read more

Today’s prompt comes from Rob Halpin. Here’s Rob’s prompt: Write a veteran poem, but instead of just a poem on what Veteran’s Day is about or thanking veterans, write from the veteran’s … Read more

Slept in a little this morning, but I’m ready to go now. Click here for the Day 10 thread in the forum. Today’s prompt comes to us from Linda Hofke. Here’s Linda’s … Read more

First off, click here to go to the Day 9 thread in the forum if the blog comments are too crazy for you. Today’s prompt comes from Sally Jadlow. Here’s Sally’s prompt: … Read more