Czeslaw Milosz’s “At a Certain Age” is a fun poem. I love the idea of chasing clouds, the wind, people and pets for forgiveness and that ending image of the toad. I am too thin skinned to be a toad, more like a frog, skin slick and slime covered. But, yes, all along I was a frog sitting on my rump in the damp muck, perched and parched for kisses.
For the first prompt, write a confession in an epistolary (letter) poem or story and address your confessor directly.
For the second, write in prose or verse whose confession you need to hear. What penance, if any, would you assign?
The third prompt is to write a story about trying to confess, but, as with the poem, no person, no creature, nothing will listen. Nothing in existence or beyond can absolve you (or your protagonist).
For the next prompt, write an essay and use the poem’s title, “At a Certain Age,” for your own title, giving the poet credit.
The last prompt is to write a poem or story using the following list of words: “takers,” “succeed,” “order,” “immoral,” “conversations,” “vodka,” “prolonged,” “churches,” “noble” and “eyelid.”
Bonus prompt: write an ode (praise poem) to this frog or to its surroundings.
Bonus prompt: reflect upon poet Todd Dillard’s writing process/guide and write an essay about your own or a demonstrate it within a story or poem. Or create a meme for your own process and editorial guide. Have fun.
Good luck writing.