Prompt: An Updated Myth

Write a poem that modernizes a classical myth. Rewrite the old myth in modern terms. For instance, Sisyphus is doomed to push a car up a hill forever. You may make yourself the classical figure if you like. (From The Mind’s Eye by Kevin Clark) Don’t forget: Poetry Society of Michigan is looking for poems that have turned out well from these prompts for a reading. Send to mme642@aol.com.

Elizabeth Kerlikowske



Here’s a clever example from the pages of Third Wednesday Magazine. (by permission from the editors).

Prompt: An Ekphrastic Poem

ekerlEkphrastic poetry: sounds complicated. It’s not. Ekphrastic art pays homage to another art form. In the case of poetry, we write a poem, taking our inspiration from a work of art. Use a painting or a photograph.

Do not spend any time describing the work of art. Enter it. Become part of it. Use details but let your imagination run amok in the art work. There is no right answer but your answer. – Elizabeth Kerlikowske

Below is an example from The Ekphrastic Review by one of our PSM members.