Are you on speaking terms with your imagination? How well do the two of you really communicate? When was the last time you, well, you know, “loved” your imagination?

Although you could argue that all writing involves imagination because you create something new, this prompt isn’t about business as usual. It isn’t about the status quo or any other horrible cliche about Life As You Know It.

This week, you will get very intimate with your imagination, and in the act you will use muscles you never knew you had.

Write a poem about something that doesn’t exist. Invent a season. Discover a new species. Dream up an object that will revolutionize the beauty industry. I’m not one for rules, so there really are none, except throw yourself into it. In order to succeed, you and your imagination will have to function as one.

You know those games where you try to win at lying? Use poetry like that. Try really hard to convince us about the truth/reality of your subject. Bonus points if you create your very own form (a pattern of rhyme or repetition) as a container for the piece!

If collaboration is your thing, or even if you just really want to mess with your fellow poets, use the comments section here to issue a challenge to the Read Write Poem public. Dare us to write this piece without using certain words or parts of speech. Double dog dare us to include a bizarre word that’s near and dear to you. I have faith that the challenges will be tempting and that many of us are serious enough about making out up with our imaginations to accept one or more of the challenges.

~Carolee.

Oh, and come back in the wee hours of Monday (CST) to tell all (anytime during the week). You know you want to.