As always, Lucille Clifton amazes—so much beauty in the imagery and depth in the language.

For the first prompt, describe the muse/god/goddess that sends inspiration to poets and writers generally or to you specifically. Is this being a kind one? If not, why?

The second prompt is to write the invocation to summon inspiration or the poem/story as a whole. Or if you prefer, write it as a recipe or a mathematical equation. What does the poem/story make or solve for you?

As cited in the discussion about the poem, Lucille Clifton stated: “I don’t write out of what I know; I write out of what I wonder. Poetry and art are not about answers to me; they are about questions” https://poets.org/poem/poets-their-bassinets. How that statement conflict or build upon the common adage to “write what you know”? Btw, I recommending checking out the other interesting statements made by the poet’s daughter. Write an essay, poem or story on what you wonder.

For the final prompt, write a poem or story using the following words (or their variations): “dream,” “baby,” “globe,” “smiles,” “report,” “innocence, “believing,” “whimper,” “use” and “terrifying.”

And now to celebrate wonder, here is a bonus prompt: write about these imagined creatures—or similarly unnamed ones—such as the hornless whisperer for the existing horned screamer or the angelic morninglid for the satanic nightjar (yes, this is an actual bird). And check out the artist’s Patreon for more comics: https://www.patreon.com/birdandmoon.

And a bonus, bonus prompt: write an essay, story or poem (perhaps an ode) celebrating Thomas the goose.

Here is more information about the life and love life of Thomas: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43054363.

Good luck writing! Have fun!