This month at Tweetspeak and Every Day Poems, we’ve been thinking “sonnet.” I even got my two girls involved at home. (One stomped and walked away after the sonnet eluded her; the other has already written five sonnets—most in a matter of minutes.)

As we have been thinking “sonnet” together, I’ve been struck by just how much history this form has. I mentioned that to Claire Burge, and we thought… what about doing a personal history prompt between Tweetspeak and The High Calling?

So here we are.

If you want to join us, write a poem that focuses on a personal history—yours, an object’s, or another person’s. Try to get at the history through a single image or group of related images. Here’s mine (and it is not a sonnet, but yours can be if you want that extra history challenge at the level of form! )

Teacup

I remember traveling
in his suitcase, white athletic
sock stuffed in my belly to keep
me from breaking, rocking ‘midst
clouds, and your hand’s first
touch bringing me to birth
on that wooden table,
and your lips.

(from InsideOut: Poems)

Post your poem link on our Facebook Wall by Wednesday, August 24th, for links and possible feature here at Tweetspeak or at The High Calling or Every Day Poems. For more creative fun, join the photo aspect of the prompt too!

Post by L.L. Barkat. Visit L.L. at Seedlings in Stone, for more on writing, poetry, art and life.
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Subscribe to Every Day Poems— Read a poem a day, become a better poet. In August we’re exploring sonnets.