Oh, what a mix of topics! Actually, I’m combining the NaBloPoMo prompts from April 4th and 5th into one post because the prompt for the 4th wasn’t posted until after I had shut my laptop for the day. (Nothing like trying to force writing and creativity into a prescribed period of time. sigh)

Yesterday’s prompt was: What is the best romantic poem you’ve ever encountered?

I suppose the easy answer would be Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43 (“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”). Or, perhaps Robbie Burn’s My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose or even one of Shakespeare’s sonnets. But, as silly as it may sound, I think the lyrics to Chris de Burgh’s Lady in Red is the most romantic poem I know.

Yes, I know, it isn’t really a poem. But I like it, and it’s as close to love poetry as I’m really willing to get.

Today’s prompt is: What poem brings comfort at a funeral?

Yea, gods! A poem at a funeral? No thank you. I’m of the opinion that funerals should be solemn occasions (the “after party” is another thing all together), and a poem just seems far too twee to fit in. I know there are many sad poems full of lamenting and sorrow over the death of a loved one. But, they were written by someone else about the death of one of their loved ones. It all feels off to me, like reusing the eulogy, or the coffin. Yuck.

Hmmm… I don’t think these daily prompts are working out for me. While they are giving me something to write about, I don’t feel like I’m learning anything to stretching my writerly muscles very much. I think I need to look for some other ideas.