I thought it would be a great idea to have a lot of poets who may not know each other (or have not met in real life) to write a poem based on the same “assignment.” I like the idea of poets across the world writing a poem based on the same assignment. What intrigues me is how different the response will be from each person. Simple yet fascinating. If you want to do this, read on.

The assignment is to identify those themes, imagery, elements, phenomena that reappear in your life and/or dreams and/or writing. For instance, maybe you have a lot of moons in your poems. Maybe you think a lot about cars, sex, ponds, feet, fabric, etc. Whatever it is, let this guide you to write the poem. Use the “thing” as your title.

The poem is due one week from today. Please post a comment if you plan to play and definitely come back to post your poem or, if you don’t want to post the poem, to let us know you participated.

Thanks to Dana Roeser for this assignment idea. I think it’s such a good one; it’s interesting and leaves room for the mind to roam wild.