I hope you are all keeping up with the challenge. Today did not go as planned. Yesterday’s poem was little more than a draft and today was dry as Saltine cracker in the desert. Since my well of words has dried up, let’s turn to photos.

All of the prompts will be based from the Fashion & Design exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, which I highly recommend, along with all of the other wonderful exhibits there.

For the first prompt, write a persona poem or story of someone wearing this dress, perhaps a modern siren or mermaid.

The second prompt is to write a poem or story about a god trapped in a dress. What blessings does this deity bestow; what is asked in return? Or just describe the dress and how it would make you feel wearing it.

The photo above displays the headdress of a ruler. Describe the country and disposition of the ruler. Or imagine the weight of that upon your head if you must always wear it. How do you move through doorways, along crowded streets and sidewalks, the world? How does it change your relation to others?

Write a poem or story about a conversation between these two mannequins or two people wearing these outfits. What are their perspectives, motivations or five-year plans?

These are created by Sebastian Errazuriz, 12 Shoes for 12 Lovers (The Gold Digger, The Heartbreaker, The Boss). Imagine what the others in the series look like and write a poem or story about these other imagined shoes and who wears them.

If none of the previous photos interest you, here is another possible subject for an ekphrastic poem or story.

Good luck writing! Have fun!