Join | Member List | Member Profiles: A-L M-Z | Volunteer | #LITplease | Contests | Challenges | Workshop | *TheFavoritesProject | FAQ

Thank you for your patience for me running behind on Challenge 45. This challenge will run until the 22nd to try to avoid shorting you on time. So submit it by the 22 at 11:59 pm.

Ballads are not easy. Kudos to all three of the brave souls that wrote them! The featured entry for challenge #44 was Ballad of the Lone Prospector by *Antmuzik77. The rhythm and language were wonderful! I truly enjoyed reading it!

Try Challenge #45! I would love to see more participants submit pieces! So remember that if you do not like the current prompt but have an idea for one that you can message the Challenge Admin ~isabellakay with prompt ideas. Also feel free to contact her with any other suggestions you may have pertaining to challenges. Keep writing!

Sidenote: There may be a delay in the posting of responses to prompts, as some of you learned this past month. The administrator for this (me) is student teaching this semester and has VERY little free time, but I still make it a priority to post new challenges each month like always. I just can't guarantee I won't be a day or so late sometimes. Please have patience with me, I promise I'll do what I can. Just a few more months til graduation...

A new challenge will be added and the featured writer from the previous challenge will be announced between the 12-15 of every month. So if you want to be considered it's due by 11:59 p.m. on the 12th EST.

Even if it's too late to be in the running to be featured; it's never too late to submit a response to our challenges! It's a great way to work on your art and post it for others to see. Challenges are always open.

To submit your challenge, note us with "Challenge #___" in the subject line and a LINK to your submission in the body. We can only post linked poems.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
<sub>For older challenges now contained in our archive (#1 to #23) click here.

Unfortunately, our challenge list was getting too long for the journal to contain, so we had to move some into a spare journal. No biggee though, there are links on both journals to easily transition between the two!

The current PP admin for challenges is ~isabellakay. If you have a question or suggestion, feel free to ask and she'll be happy to respond! Make sure any note that pertains to challenges has the word "challenge" in the subject line, or she won't likely see it.</sub>
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Challenge #45
The holiday season has arrived. WAIT, don't turn and run assuming this will be the usual holiday prompt. I do want you to write about a perspective on the holiday festivities (i.e. what you do, how you feel, what it reminds you of, what you like, what you don't like). BUT I want you to write from a perspective completely far and different from your own. Create a character whose experiences, views, etc. on the holiday season is rather different from your own. Then write a poem from that character's perspective. The holiday season is full of sensory details, so I want that to be the secondary focus as you write. So step 1 - create a character. Step 2 - tell me the story of their holiday season and throw in some good sensory details along the way.

Challenge #44
I have been teaching Seniors about ballads from the Middle Ages. Write a traditional ballad. The topic can be modern or from the days of Old English. It doesn't have to be iambic pentameter, though that could be impressive. Some traditional elements you should aim for though are that:
1. Ballads often have sensational or tragic subject matter. The ones I have read recently are either historical/tragic (relating to issues of the time) or comedic/exaggerated. Go one of those routes.
2. Ballads use refrains.
3. Ballads leave out extra details. (As much as I love details, they are just not usually a part of the form)
4. Ballads often follow a question and answer format or dialogue.
5. Ballads are narrative.

Ballad of the Lone Prospector by *Antmuzik77
If it was me by ~emopau17
Of Shade and Seasons by ~seventysevenpercent

Challenge #43
This prompt was submitted by ~Darke-Angelic-Sins: Write as if you were a passed family member, friend, celebrity, pet or even a stranger. Some ideas would be what they want to say to certain people, why they died, or if there was something they would fix in their life if they haven't died, and fit the voice effectively. Include an animal of some sort.

Songbird by ~Evil-laughterdotcom
Fireworks by ~vital-organs
Latency by ~Mavracula
Waiting by ~nrdcoyne
Alaya's Spirit by *Antmuzik77
Mother Left the Bird by *rlkirkland
Unsaid by ~dancinggirl53193
In Remembrance of Me by ~britbratsama
Just another stray dog by ~Kelly-anne-17

Challenge #41
It is the time of year for schools to be starting up, and I'm getting ready to fill teacher shoes (student teaching) instead of those of a student. Write a poem from the point of view of a teacher. I'm using the term "teacher" loosely here. It does not have to be a school teacher. It could be someone that teaches karate, a parent, a librarian, a friend... We learn things from others and teach others things all the time, sometimes without even realizing it. Also, I would like to see teachers that are either overflowing with pride or despair, depending on his/her student's actions.

The swifts by ~DamnThatKarma
C by ~Mavracula
Mother, Teacher by ~Babbyran
Everyday Tragedies by =Black-Rose-In-Bloom
Staring Board by ~Evil-laughterdotcom
Dear LaTisha by ~rugmanpuff

Challenge #40
Write a poem from the viewpoint of a wronged god. Perhaps you are benevolent (i.e. despairing, hopeful, forgiving), then again maybe you're not (i.e. angry, bitter, vengeful). Maybe you created a world and it didn't turn out how you wanted, maybe you're frustrated because some stubborn mortal just won't listen, maybe some other god screwed you over, etc. If you can't think of an idea, feel free to use an existing story and write from the viewpoint of a god from it (i.e. Poseidon's anger at Odysseus, Hera's anger at Zeus and the women he cheats on her with).

Plagues by ~pretty-yin
The Trickster by ~blazendragonmaster
Hope by ~Chikami-chan
Mockery of a God by ~imjustme213
Spoiled Brats by ~iznbodyzangel
The Remnant by *rlkirkland
Dice by ~Kaiiyra-Chan
Untitled Ballad by *Azuire
As I Lay Dreaming by ~Rosethorn225
The Serpent's Craft by ~schierzo-galliard
The Other God by *Aruchel
And it Rained Lightning by ~oneofthose-rachels
Earth Entry by ~ChellieBelle

Challenge #39

Dialogues. An important part of life and literature, but it has a tendency to run scared away from poetic form. The challenge is to attempt to use dialogue effectively and smoothly in a poem. The dialogue can be all or part of the poem. That said though, don't just include a line or two and move on - really try to integrate it and to make it a key part of the poem. The minimum number of speakers is of course two, but you're welcome to have several.

I Don't Want to Talk About It by ~isabellakay
Romanice Misunderstood by =marvintheparanoid
Words hurt by ~yael31
Identity by ~schierzo-galliard
Guided By Fate by ~waterbender-1-8-9
Stages by ~shadowgeist
Replacement by ~mariposakisses25
Well Met My Brother by *rlkirkland
Cold by ~hawaiianhulagirl
No ifs, ands, or buts by ~Babbyran
Forget-Not-Me by ~Dreamweaver38
Epic Weather by ~maxwerx
What do you see? by ~thespes
The Pianist Part II by ~fly-0008

Challenge #38

Your mission should you choose to accept it is:
Select a slam poetry video (YouTube has lots, I highly recommend the DefPoetryJam videos) or better yet watch a slam poet perform. Then take one of their ideas/topics or one of your own that that poem/poet made you think about. (Pick one that inspires you or stirs a strong response.) Then write a poem! Your response can but does not have to be a spoken word poem itself. Slam poetry is an under-appreciated form that often goes under the radar. So watch one and write. This one should be fun and you have a fair amount of freedom - so get to work!

P.S. In the author's comments provide a link to the video and/or a very brief description of the poem, the slam poet, and the poem's title. I also linked mine below as an example if you're confused.

"Like" Generation by ~isabellakay
My Lover by ~Rosethorn225
Fallen King by ~tashagladwell
It's the End of the World by ~maxwerx

Challenge #37

Write a humorous poem from the point of view of an object you would commonly find on a desk (i.e. stapler, pen, paperclip). Other than that you have free reign. It could be about their life story, how they got there, what they think of the person that sits at the desk, their desk friends, etc. Be inventive and silly! Cause some chuckles!

Double Entendres by *rlkirkland
And Clippy Hates You Too by ~KittySquiggles
Diary of a Used Fork by ~Mistah-Binx
Hi, I'm Stapler by ~rugmanpuff

Challenge #36

I'm currently reading Inkheart, which was my inspiration for this prompt. Pick a quote from a book (minimum of one sentence long). Then run with a theme, idea, character, etc. that is brought up in that quote and create a poem based off of that. There's a lot of freedom and creativity to had here so take advantage and have fun with this one!

Kin by ~tashagladwell
The Ring by *rlkirkland
We Bring the Fucking Rain by ~ainekatt
Alba DeTamble by ~snwwhtkng
I Solved The Curious Case by ~rugmanpuff
Friends by ~checkminus4life
They Want to Be Found by ~Rosethorn225

Challenge #35

Write a poem about a person's first or last name. I want this one to be serious and have depth. Oh and no love poems please - I want you to think more outside the box than that.

Some ideas for start: why did there parents name he/she that, what does her/his name mean (in a dictionary, to others, to them, etc), what does his/her name sound like when a certain someone or anyone says it, what do he/she/others think of the name...or one of the hundred other possibilities floating around.

Akira by `GaioumonBatou
Contradiction by ~starrz-jsc
Milda by ~takaloy
Ode to Her by ~hawaiianhulagirl
Sorrow by ~Cinnabar-Red
Felicity by ~checkminus4life
The Greatest by ~LuciaDeMure
Ronald by *rlkirkland
Matt by ~Kelly-anne-17

Challenge #34

Write a poem about a person's least favorite month or season of the year explaining what he/she loathes about it. The form is completely up to you. It is also up to you whether or not the story is in first person and whether it is a work of non-fiction or fiction. For this one I'm mainly looking for two things:
1)raw emotion (don't think Harry Potter-esque angst, think bitter, sorrowful, etc) and
2) strong word choice.

December by `Drunken-Splice
Summer by ~SourPopsi
Tanka: Summer Once... by ~TocTicTocTic
Redemption by *aillesdors
XII by ~Mavracula
A Grievance Toward Winter by ~BeautyWillSaveUs
Cold Weather by =vampireknightfan
Autumn Angst by ~tobimashou
My Winterly Woes by ~Cinnabar-Red
February by ~isabellakay
My Bittersweet Winters by ~theanonymouslostgirl
Because of September by ~rugmanpuff
Winter Bah by *rlkirkland

Challenge #33

Write a lyric poem about an element of the holiday season that you strongly enjoy or detest. Lyric poetry refers to a usually short poem that expresses personal feelings. It often has a rhythm and set meter. A common but not necessary feature is a refrain which can be one line or several repeated throughout the poem.

My Little Elf by ~middleearthhare
Worn Out Christmas Songs by ~RSmiley
The Christmas Tree by ~GaiaTheory
Enough is Enough by ~re4p3r1
Those Blasted Little Bells by ~ainekatt
Kiss me Underneath the Misletoe by~qpidity101
From Mr. Whiskers by ~checkminus4life

Challenge #32

Write an ode to/about an inanimate object that means a lot to you since odes traditionally elevate/praise their subjects. You of course can directly include the object in the poem, but you are not obligated to say what the object is in the poem. The form contains 10-line stanzas rhyming ababcdecde, with the 8th line iambic trimeter and all the others iambic pentameter. Follow that as much or as little to the letter as you choose. This one is pretty traditional but I enjoy it :[link]

My lovely friend by ~imjustme213
An Ode to My iPod by ~RSmiley
An Ode to Meat by =nyxiathewarrior
WMD-Vaults by =marvintheparanoid
Moment by ~Pat9110

Challenge #31

Write a poem turning a tired old cliche into something new, inventive, dark, funny, or whatever other twist you feel like taking with it. We all get sick of cliches at times, but they have so much potential for being played with. So, go play! (If it isn't clear what pun you are toying with - consider putting it in your Author's Comments, so I'll know you followed the prompt when I'm picking one to be featured.)

Sushi by ~UnfeelingAlloy
Just One More by ~Nastaciakaye
Perpetual Madness by ~alcheme
To Touch the Sky by ~poetoffire
Endless by ~Persephone-9
Beholden by =Prosaic-Scriptor

Challenge #30

Write a poem about the end of a world with lots of sensory details. Key word is "a" world. Use your imagination.

One Last Night by ~DarknessUnknown
Conversations With Him by ~meathear8
The Suicide: A World's End by ~middleearthhare
Freedom: World With End by =marvintheparanoid
Eternity Shattered by ~Filosofia
Worlds End by ~TheBloodWriter
Disc World by =willowinsanity
Apocalyptical Beholder by ~InfernalFaith
Lapse by ~LuciaDeMure
End by ~purplegreed
The World Yet to End by ~GaiaTheory

Challenge #29

Write a poem from an animal's perspective (wild, not domesticated) where the creature is observing a common human foible.

Mentality by ~LJapan-fan
The Beast of Steel by ~drewarts
Lord of Winds by *Silvercharmed
The Hunk of Metal by ~hawaiianhulagirl
Good Night by ~rugmanpuff
Hunter Hunted by ~shadowgeist
Tyger by ~TheBloodWriter
Observations of a Black Snake by ~Rosethorn225

Challenge #28

What puzzles you? What fills you with confusion? What makes your forehead scrunch up when you think about it? It doesn't have to be a big thing. It can be as wide as global warming or as small as an 'on' button, but whatever it is, write about it.
From the PoetryPlease archive

A Puzzling Question by ~eleaphotogirl
Scrutiny by *aillesdors
After-life by ~LJapan-fan
Tormenting Passion by ~Zia-AAR
Catching Up by ~juan-pablo
Endless Puzzle by ~lunar-tic
Increased Sounds by ~whydoidothiseveryday
Gone stale by ~isabellakay
Questions by ~mens-agitat-molem

Challenge #27

What would you put in a time capsule? Write a poem about the items you would put in a time capsule and why.
From the PoetryPlease archive

My Time Capsule by ~Blanzeflor
In Time by ~1mp0rt3d

Challenge #26

Create a poem in the form of some kind of official document. For example: A love poem in the form of a traffic ticket.
From the PoetryPlease archive

Resuming Poetics by ~isabellakay
You Have Been Served by ~revell

Challenge #25

Write a short poem about what would happen under a blue moon.
Suggested by ~TwilightLavender

Silver by ~Nastaciakaye
Starry Nights by ~Aavis
Ze Receiver by ~Aavis
Heaven Within by `TerrorCookie
Once at the Blue Moon ~middleearthhare
A Hand to Reach the Skies by `leoraigarath
Midnight Mermaid by ~LJapan-fan
The Spider by ~christania7
Untitled by ~VanyelFirestorm

Challenge #24

Write a poem under 30 lines that includes a butterfly, a cloud, a train and an obsession.
Suggested by ~zBird

A Non-Existed We by ~DEbree93
A Good Butterfly by ~isabellakay
Nothing by `leoraigarath
Cover Version: Cutt Off by =marvintheparanoid
Curiosity by ~Fogu
Burned or Bright by ~SourPopsi
rain-clouds may come by ~chaosmakir
Gathering Ideas by =BobSmith006
To Capture a Train by ~writerinartistscloth
Smoke is All That Remains by ~Thoughtblade
Blinded and Bound by Hope by ~upsidedownmartyr
Caught by =RedEarthofTerra
Freedom Never Boards The Train by ~Darke-Angelic-Sins

The Winter Rose CSS was created by =trashydragon.