napowrimo #9: paradise

by Carolee Sherwood

Describe your version of paradise. Is it a physical location? A mental state? A religious concept? You can write today’s poem as an ode, if you like. An ode to paradise itself or an ode to whatever takes you there: a plane, a faith-based practice, a lover, a dessert. Imagine the joy of paradise! The elation!

It’s OK, too, if you’re not feeling joy or elation. You’re working hard on this poem-a-day business. Your energy may be flagging. If paradise itself doesn’t pack a jolt of inspiration for you, choose a different path. Write about the stereotype of paradise: Why is it always assumed to be a warm, remote tropical place? Write about finding paradise in a place contrary to the traditional images. Do you delight in Manhattan? Or Antarctica? Or a classroom full of preschool children?

You may also turn and run in the opposite direction: Where is hell for you? What tortuous small town or big box store or reality television program sends you spiraling into despair? Take us there with you. Show us around.

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A note from “admin”: This month, since we’re all trying to write every day, we’re leaving the comments open with each prompt so you can post links to your poems as you write them. So, go ahead and write your poem, post your poem (with a link to Read Write Poem and a Read Write Poem tag, if you would) and come back to this very spot and share your link with us.

Of course, if you’re a creature of habit, you can always post your links at today’s “Get Your Poem On” post. Who are we to mess around with what works for you?

And don’t forget to go read the poems of others in this wonderful writing community. We’re all in this NaPoWriMo “mess” (ha ha!) together; let’s support each other in the insanity that is writing (every day)!

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50 comments to napowrimo #9: paradise

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