read write prompt: #22 speak freely

This week we welcome one of our participants at Read Write Poem who will be joining our prompt team.

At fourteen Ren Powell read Helen Hayes’ admission of having misinterpreted: “And the Word was God”. Feeling a kinship with Hayes — an awe of the power of words — Ren swapped her teen-angst poems for playwrighting. [...]

Posted by Ren on 04.09.2008 at 12:01 am// Tagged: Read Write Prompt, Ren , , , , , , , , ,


welcome to read write poem

Read Write Poem is an online gathering place for those who love poetry — and for those who suspect that, with a little nurturing, they could grow to love poetry. Whether you are new to writing poetry or have been writing for years, you are welcome here. If you don’t write poetry but love to read and discuss it, this is also the place for you. Read more about the project.


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      A different word or phrase will appear here each time you visit the site or refresh the page. Your current prompt is — rasp

  • random
    collaborating tip

    Visit a recent prose entry on another poet's blog. Find a poem in its text. (Be sure to ask permission first and then credit the other poet's musings in your final piece.)


  • random
    writing tip

    Stay grounded in detail. When you write, allow as much detail as possible into your poem. You can always cut back later. Try to build a poem in which the details do all the work.

  • random
    reading tip

    Trace the inspiration of your favorite poets. With a little bit of research, you can find out who has taught or inspired your favorite writers. Read those poets and then, if you find ones you like, trace backwards even farther. See how far back you can trace the artistic roots of modern writers and still recognize the writing style.

  • random
    poetry quote

    Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships. — Charles Simic