I am amazed by poets who can do so much with so few words (and of course by Paul Celan in general). I am sad that this poem is so relevant today in the US.
Btw, National Poetry Day is celebrated in UK on the first Thursday in October.
For the first prompt, begin with an image for the title that serves as a metaphor for which the essay, story or poem will expand upon.
The second prompt is to use the first line “What times are these” as a ghostline, erasing the line after the poem is complete and crediting the poet for your inspiration, or use the line as your title but still giving credit to Celan
The third poem is to write about what actions are now deemed crimes (in spite of established laws and previous norms) and what crimes by the state are now allowed. Make explicit what has happened here and elsewhere. Be as blunt as you need in a first draft after which you can decide—perhaps a few days later or weeks—what to cut. I believe there is a place for rage and stark protest as well as more oblique resistance to fascism and authoritarianism.
For the fourth, write about the transition from dog whistle to bullhorn, making the objects themselves shift and adapt.
Bonus prompt: write whatever this photo inspires.
Second bonus prompt (also from Kōke’e State Park): translate the shape of this lichen as if it were a word or message from one of its component organisms to another or from this symbiotic colony to us humans.
Good luck writing.