Something Ordinary

DAY 16 OF 30  | PROMPT BY tRESHA FAYE HAEFNER

"Listen, I want to tell you something ordinary."

- Brendan Constantine, "Story"

Often we try to sound clever in a poem, to create drama and interest. But if we start with a line like, "Listen, I want to tell you something ordinary" you have some permission to say anything, no matter how mundane or, well, "ordinary."

So, write about something "ordinary" but worthy of your attention. You can choose any topic. Think about moments that are mundane or even boring, like doing dishes, waiting in line at the grocery store, going to collect your mail. Write about it using heightened attention to sensory details. If you feel brave, use heightened poetic language too, including metaphor, personification, alliteration, assonance - whatever you want. But stick with the ordinary. Give it the attention its due.

Follow Tresha @treshafayehaefner or visit her at The Poetry Salon!