So this month has not gone well. Family emergencies and unplanned out-of-state travel certainly do not make me more productive… But there is much to be grateful for. Even in decay, there is beauty; in a fall, movement and a change in perspective. I see the brilliance of the stars much clearer lying on the ground.

Here is another amazing poem by Danez Smith (whose most recent book is Don’t Call Us Dead), posted by the fabulous poet, Tara Skurtu (most recent book The Amoeba Game). Check out their websites for links to their poetry and other projects: Danez Smith and Tara Skurtu.

For the first prompt, use the first line “let ruin end here” as ghostline. Remember to erase the line after finishing your poem and give credit to the poet.

For an exercise prompt, replace every noun and/or verb in the poem with its opposite. For example, change the first line to something like “Forbid rebirth a beginning there / Forbid them vinegar.” This would be just an exercise: the resulting poem would be too much like its inspiration, but this is a good process to keep practicing.

The last prompt is another ghostline: use the lines “let him enter the lion’s cage & find” as the jumping off point for your own poem.

Good luck and keep writing.