2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 28
For the 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, poets write a poem a day in the month of November. Day 28 is to write a what blank poem.
Well, we're now four weeks in on this challenge. After today's poem, we've just got two more to go. So, let's go!
For today’s prompt, take the phrase "What (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 might include: "What a Fabulous New Poem," "What the Heck Is That," "What I Meant to Say," and/or "What Ever." Let's figure out what today's poems are going to be, shall we.
Also, a quick note on this month's (blank) prompts: You might've noticed a theme. After "How (blank)," "Where (blank)," "Who (blank)," "Why (blank)," and today's "What (blank)," you might be wondering where the "When (blank)" poem will appear. Well, actually, it already did as a Wednesday Poetry Prompt back in early September and can be found here. Also, this is a good time to remind people new to the site that we break lines together throughout the year on Wednesdays with the Wednesday Poetry Prompts.
Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. If you have a wild idea, follow it.
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Writer's Digest is celebrating our 20th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards with new categories and prizes. We’re looking for your best poems of 32 lines or fewer or un-published chapbooks 25 pages or fewer. Any form of poetry is eligible including epic, free verse, odes, pantoums, sonnets, villanelles, and even haiku. This is the only Writer’s Digest competition exclusively for poets. Win cash and an article about you in the July/August issue of Writer’s Digest.
(Note: This is completely separate of the November PAD Chapbook Challenge.)
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Here’s my attempt at a "What (Blank)" Poem:
“What's the Matter”
Even on my worst day
I can open a window
and hear the birds singing,
remember a moment of kindness:
the world can fall apart,
but it always finds a way to rebuild
and meander along as it does
and perhaps, I should too.
