A Four-Letter Word (A Poem for Day Three of PAD)

Today (day three) is a Two-for-Tuesday prompt, which means you can pick one prompt or the other, do both separately, or mix both together. Do whatever makes you feel good. Here are the prompts:

1. Write a stop poem.
2. Write a don’t stop poem.

Are the Signs Confusing?

A Four-Letter Word

It was a tiny ex-
     pression meant
to control flow
and indicate right-
of-way.
He said go.
She said no.

*****


[Please note that all prompts have been copied from the Writer's Digest Poetic Asides website.]

Framed (A Poem for Day Two of PAD)

Here is the prompt for day two of PAD: For today’s prompt, write a portrait poem. You can use an actual portrait to write an ekphrastic poem. Or think up an image from real life. Or fake life. Or don’t be so literal; instead of writing a poem that describes a portrait, use the poem to frame a moment or lifestyle or whatever. By the way, how many times did I type “or” in this paragraph?

His Family Portrait is Empty

Framed

He’s a fight
that broke out
after a kiss and make up.
He’s a rescue mission
with no survival guide.
He ponders his demise
each morning
while dressing
nine to five.
His dreams
were arrested,
given twenty
to life.

*****

[Please note that all prompts have been copied from the Writer's Digest Poetic Asides website.]

Subjective Hearing? (A Poem for Day One of PAD)

It's time for the April PAD Challenge again! Here is the prompt for day one: For today’s prompt, write a secret poem. This poem can reveal a secret, incorporate a secret activity, or involve any other secret interpretation. Poem written in code (acrostic, anyone?) or with double meanings.

There Was No Evil to See, Hear, or Smell

He Wasn’t Ignoring You

It’s no secret
she still whispers
I love yous in her mind
to comfort herself
for being unkind—for leaving
him behind—because (she didn’t know
at the time) he wasn’t snubbing
or sneering but simply
hard
of hearing


*****


[Please note that all prompts have been copied from the Writer's Digest Poetic Asides website.]