2023 April PAD Challenge: Day 27
Pulling back the curtain just a bit, I always get all my prompts together before the month starts. As you may know, it's challenging enough to write a poem each day; trying to devise a prompt on top of it is a bridge too far. That said, I do leave room for making adjustments during the month, whether they're from me or other poets. And today's prompt was actually suggested by long-time PAD-challenger Bruce Niedt. Looking at my schedule, I picked day 27, and he let me know that's actually his birthday. So hooray, serendipity! And happy birthday, Bruce!
For today's prompt, write an anapodoton poem. An anapodoton is an unfinished phrase that a person can fill in the blanks, phrases like "When in Rome," "If life gives you lemons," "Speak of the devil," and "Where there is a will." For many (if not all) of these, you probably filled in the second half of the phrase, because you know it so well.
So write a poem either responding to, playing up, or subverting a popular anapodoton. Personally, I think it would be fun if poets make the titles of their poems an anapodoton before jumping in and poeming.
Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them.
Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a free new account, verify your account on this site below (one-time thing), and then comment away. It's free, easy, and the comments (for the most part) don't require manual approval like on the old site.
*****
Get the writing bundle everyone's talking about (or at least should be talking about): The Writing Poetry Bundle! This bundle includes the digital guides The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets and Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming; plus, four OnDemand webinars focused on the craft of writing poetry.
*****
Here’s my attempt at an Anapodoton Poem:
"if the shoe fits"
it still may not be your shoe
especially if you didn't pay for it
i'm just saying that when i go
looking for shoes at the store
they don't always have my size
& i assume that's because
there are other people who
could comfortable slide
their feet in my shoes
but they're still my shoes
if at first you don't succeed
try changing your approach
because the shoe may fit
but it doesn't necessarily
mean you have to wear it
& anyway the devil is always
in those specific things
that people talk about
but not everyone cares
to think about all the time
