I love this poem—its generosity and perseverance, its imagery and world building. Perhaps this is what I need to say and to hear right now. If you want more poems by Kim Deyn, check out their website.
For the first prompt, build the poem’s opening as descriptions of your friends or family members or lovers. Notice the strong first image with subsequent layering of similes. Choose whomever you would save if you could and would ask they do the same for you. Be careful not to copy the original’s syntax and imagery too closely, and credit the poet for your inspiration.
For the second prompt, use the line “Who am I to fling open the curtains?” for a ghostline, using it as the starting point and then erasing it. Again, give credit to the poet or perhaps include “ghostline from Kym Deyn” in your title.
For a third prompt, reverse the original poem’s order, beginning with an image of the rescue—from a burning building, a flood, some disaster, or mythological horror—and adding one person or group of people you would save. How many can you bring with you into light and safety?
The next prompt is another ghostline, this time using “What use am I against your own sadnesses” to jump off from. For this poem, play around with who the “I” and the “you” are.
Bonus prompt: write an ekphrastic using this mural from Twin Falls, Idaho. Where does the woman here lead you?