I admit I fangirl Emma Bolden’s writing, so it will be no surprise I am sharing another poem of hers. I love the imagery and precise control of sound, the depth within the often conversational tone, the unexpected turns, the ending.
If you would like to read the recent issue of Whale Road Review, a fabulous journal, here is the link: https://www.whaleroadreview.com/issue-40-fall-2025/
For the first prompt, write a list poem of the lies your body tells, or write a story or essay if you prefer.
The second prompt is to replace the last word with your own and build a story, poem or essay around the line “I’ve never/known a verb more terrible, more gorgeous than to,” remembering to erase that line afterwards and credit the poet in your title or with “After Emma Bolden.”
The third is to use the language and imagery of structures—buildings, bridges, cities, institutions, family relationships, etc.—and then show them breaking.
The next is a writing exercise: rewrite the poem replacing all the nouns and verbs with your own. If you find a line you like, use that for a starting point for a poem or story.
For the last, write a story or poem using the following word list: “centered,” “clot,” “sharpen,” “eye,” “translation,” “shelter,” “blank,” “shutter,” “bud” and “smooth.”
Bonus prompt: write about whatever this photo of a fake medieval castle built in the 1920s inspires, or if you need something more direct, write about the ocean looking in onto this courtyard and what it thinks about the invention of time.
Good luck writing and living during this fall.