Oddly, I had some time this morning to write. I should be cleaning up the feathers my dogs strewn all over our living room in their destructive play with one of our pillows, but you gave me a reason to put off that chore for just a couple more minutes.
Oh, Briana. That's just beautiful. "Please see me/My specific needs/My humanity/through a lens of curiosity....You will have to fly blind/Parenting me." All those lines. Right to the heart. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Two actual requests came to mind from this prompt, one from each of my sons. I apologize in advance if these are too raw, but they are rooted in my story, whether I want them to be or not.
Whew. No apologies necessary for the rawness. Simple and poignant. I love that you are willing to bring your story into the light and draw beauty from it. Thank you for sharing this, Charis.
Wish I could say Let's go for it. But this morning has already awoken the *I'm not good enough* old thoughts in my head . Until I can banish those demons, I will stay on the sidelines
I'll never throw shade on those standing on the sidelines, Andrea. And thanks for your honesty. You actually bring up a struggle that I think almost every human is familiar with. And I've got some thoughts on that, which I'll share next week. But until then, I'm offering this one statement: "You, Andrea, are good enough." And I'll leave it at that. Hugs to you, friend.
I love this idea, Maile! Thank you so much for offering a supportive nudge for those of us who often need a "kick in the pants" to get down to the act of creating. I recently participated in a few free author-led writing workshops at a local library, and I have to say I was truly surprised by how helpful it was to have creative prompts to get my writing juices flowing. So I'm looking forward to future prompts from you.
As a mom of three adult sons, I really felt sparked by this month's prompt. And I enjoyed reading your poem ... it brought to mind my own efforts to connect with my sons now that they're grown, leaning into their worlds whenever there's an opening like that.
Meantime, here's my effort for this month. It's short ... I was inspired by the short poems in Billy Collins' Musical Tables and enjoyed trying to follow a model of sorts. One note, I placed asterisks as place holders to separate stanzas because I couldn't get Substack to cooperate otherwise.
Beautiful, Lauren. I love the succinctness (is that a word?) of this piece. Every mother knows this moment and you've brought beautiful language to it. Thank you.
Thank you, Jenny. Still so proud of that award after all these years...even though I lost at the next tournament--ha! There are highs and lows in every creative journey!
I’m in. And something started stirring as soon as I read the prompt. Have to tend to other fires and then will fan these flames. It might even be what I need to get my own Substack off and running!
LOVE this idea, Maile!!! I pretty much avoid my email and app notifications right now. Will this prompt happen in the same date every month (e.g., the third Thursday, or the 20th, etc.)? If so, I’ll set a calendar reminder to check for the prompt post!
Amber, I hadn't even thought that far ahead, but I love that idea! Yes, let's say the third Thursday of each month we'll have The Hatchery prompts. Thanks for helping me get organized! (And also, it's SO GOOD to hear from you!!!)
I actually have an idea for this first prompt…first time I’ve had an idea for something to write in YEARS…I was hoping to work on it this week but it doesn’t look like it will happen until next week. Here’s hoping life (well, death, actually…and my mother’s financial and health crises) doesn’t best this one out of me too. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ugh. Life does have a way of trying to strong arm us away from our creative outlets. Praying you will find the Nooks and Crannies in which to write, friend! Hugs to you!
Oddly, I had some time this morning to write. I should be cleaning up the feathers my dogs strewn all over our living room in their destructive play with one of our pillows, but you gave me a reason to put off that chore for just a couple more minutes.
Here is my response to your prompt
A son’s request
Please see me,
My specific needs
My humanity
Through a lens of curiosity
Instead of your own insecurities
That I don’t perform or conform
According to the norms
Of society
Please see through my behaviors
To my why.
I try to tell you
I’m not the same
I’m in pain
And even disdain my own
Essence
Unable to escape
I mask to stand fast
Amidst the waves
That crash and crush
My identity
Please see me and
Thousands like me
Who don’t fit categories
Of normal, typical,
Customary
I am a custom,
One of a kind
You’ll have to fly blind
Parenting me
I come with no manual
No formula will fix me
I don’t need to be fixed
Just loved and seen
Oh, Briana. That's just beautiful. "Please see me/My specific needs/My humanity/through a lens of curiosity....You will have to fly blind/Parenting me." All those lines. Right to the heart. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Two actual requests came to mind from this prompt, one from each of my sons. I apologize in advance if these are too raw, but they are rooted in my story, whether I want them to be or not.
One Son's Request
Please forgive me, I
am sorry I could not love
you enough to live.
We did.
The Other Son's Request
Please, please promise me
you won't let this deep, deep grief
destroy your marriage.
We do.
Whew. No apologies necessary for the rawness. Simple and poignant. I love that you are willing to bring your story into the light and draw beauty from it. Thank you for sharing this, Charis.
Wow, Charis, raw but profound and moving in their simplicity. I’m so sorry for your loss and pain.
Thank you, Lauren
Wish I could say Let's go for it. But this morning has already awoken the *I'm not good enough* old thoughts in my head . Until I can banish those demons, I will stay on the sidelines
I'll never throw shade on those standing on the sidelines, Andrea. And thanks for your honesty. You actually bring up a struggle that I think almost every human is familiar with. And I've got some thoughts on that, which I'll share next week. But until then, I'm offering this one statement: "You, Andrea, are good enough." And I'll leave it at that. Hugs to you, friend.
I love this idea, Maile! Thank you so much for offering a supportive nudge for those of us who often need a "kick in the pants" to get down to the act of creating. I recently participated in a few free author-led writing workshops at a local library, and I have to say I was truly surprised by how helpful it was to have creative prompts to get my writing juices flowing. So I'm looking forward to future prompts from you.
As a mom of three adult sons, I really felt sparked by this month's prompt. And I enjoyed reading your poem ... it brought to mind my own efforts to connect with my sons now that they're grown, leaning into their worlds whenever there's an opening like that.
Meantime, here's my effort for this month. It's short ... I was inspired by the short poems in Billy Collins' Musical Tables and enjoyed trying to follow a model of sorts. One note, I placed asterisks as place holders to separate stanzas because I couldn't get Substack to cooperate otherwise.
A small boy
with great desire
to keep up, stay with
***
Catches up, keeps up, passes by.
***
No more pleas
“Wait, Mama, wait!”
Now she waits for him.
Beautiful, Lauren. I love the succinctness (is that a word?) of this piece. Every mother knows this moment and you've brought beautiful language to it. Thank you.
Thank you, Maile!
Love the idea and love your poem ... and congratulations on that power of the pen award 👏 🏆 😉 ! But seriously, you wield it in such grace-filled ways.
Thank you, Jenny. Still so proud of that award after all these years...even though I lost at the next tournament--ha! There are highs and lows in every creative journey!
I’m in. And something started stirring as soon as I read the prompt. Have to tend to other fires and then will fan these flames. It might even be what I need to get my own Substack off and running!
Beka, I can't wait!!!
Okay. Here is my response! (Thanks, friend. <3)
https://bekamcdowell.substack.com/p/following-the-prompt
Challenge accepted! ✍️
Yay, Jody! I'm so excited!!!
What a beautiful way your school made room for words and the children who write them! I love this idea!
Yes, Meadow, and I was so encouraged when I looked up the program and saw it is still alive and thriving! Long live Power of the Pen!
It’s a crazy story how the time opened up for me to be able to write this, but the end of the story is I DID IT!!! I WROTE A THING! I posted it on my Substack: https://ambercrafton.substack.com/p/a-son-of-the-hearts-request
Love this! I’ll post it in my “Extra Sauce” section in my news letter. My daughter LOVED power of the pen.
Can't wait to read it, Mel!
LOVE this idea, Maile!!! I pretty much avoid my email and app notifications right now. Will this prompt happen in the same date every month (e.g., the third Thursday, or the 20th, etc.)? If so, I’ll set a calendar reminder to check for the prompt post!
Amber, I hadn't even thought that far ahead, but I love that idea! Yes, let's say the third Thursday of each month we'll have The Hatchery prompts. Thanks for helping me get organized! (And also, it's SO GOOD to hear from you!!!)
Wonderful!! I’m adding the reminder, event alert and very loud alarms right now!! (Also, I miss you guys!!!)
Miss you, too, friend!!!
I actually have an idea for this first prompt…first time I’ve had an idea for something to write in YEARS…I was hoping to work on it this week but it doesn’t look like it will happen until next week. Here’s hoping life (well, death, actually…and my mother’s financial and health crises) doesn’t best this one out of me too. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ugh. Life does have a way of trying to strong arm us away from our creative outlets. Praying you will find the Nooks and Crannies in which to write, friend! Hugs to you!