Whether silver, gold, or precious stones, jewels have always been a part of human culture. Even when man first began using clothes and tools, jewels were produced from the kind of materials readily available: stones, feathers, plants, bones, shells, wood, and even natural semi-precious materials like obsidian.
As time went on, advances in technology enabled artisans to begin taming metals and precious gems into works of art that influenced entire cultures and even modern jewelry styles. Yet, even with all the advancements in metallurgy and gem processing, the purpose of wearing jewelry remains the same. It enables the wearer to express themselves non-verbally, showcase wealth, rank, political and religious affiliations, and warm affection toward a special someone.
Try It
Write a poem from the perspective of a jewelry maker. Whether ancient or modern, imagine yourself the creator of the most dazzling jewelry. Who will wear it? What will be your signature on the piece?
Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a poem from Monica we enjoyed:
If your nighttimes are full of nightmarish things,
get Donald O’Connor printed on your pillow.
Ditch the insomnia, dream and sing with a clown
who sang and danced athletic antics with grace—
or tripped over a chair and bumbled and sidestepped
all over the place. Paint on your pillow the man
who would slip on a banana peel on his way
to the guillotine just to make ’em laugh, make ’em laugh,
don’t you know everyone wants to. Print on your pillow
the actor (a comical one) whose cosmic monkeyshine
kept ’em standing in line. Sleep on it and in your dreams
laugh the whole night through to a good mornin’,
good mornin’, to you and you and you and you.
—Monica Sharman
Photo by Petra Bensted. Creative Commons via Flickr.
Browse more writing prompts
Browse poetry teaching resources
How to Write a Poem uses images like the buzz, the switch, the wave—from the Billy Collins poem “Introduction to Poetry”—to guide writers into new ways of writing poems. Excellent teaching tool. Anthology and prompts included.
“How to Write a Poem is a classroom must-have.”
—Callie Feyen, English Teacher, Maryland
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Donna Falcone says
I adored that poem by Monica! 🙂 What a fun poem and what a fun prompt!
Bethany says
What a fun post and prompt here. Love Monica’s poem, I’ve been longing for funny poetry lately and this one is a treat.
Andrew H says
Deep in the depths of darkness rise
The pearls of silver, golden eyes
And ribbons made of steel.
Whatever man has made for king,
Whatever he has thought to feel
Captured is by my hand, upon a ring.
Fountains of fury burst from stone,
The bellows make a distant moan
And door stands open to the yard.
I am a Blacksmith, simple-born
Raised in a landscape plain and hard,
Yet of my past life I am shorn.
Here flows the golden river bright
Blinding to man who has no sight,
Fairest to those who fair are not.
This stream I mould to suit my mood;
Made bright by demons I have fought,
Or plain when thought is calm and good.
And still I pound the anvil on,
Embrace it as a birthing song
And set the chaos of creation free.
The strain is fierce, but delicate
I craft the fairest jewellery,
So ladies can feel elegant.
Heather Eure says
“Fountains of fury burst from stone…” I love this! Nicely done, Andrew.
Prasanta says
I liked the “golden eyes”, and “fountains of fury burst from stone”. Lovely tale of a blacksmith!
Andrew H says
Thanks!
ae nelson says
“Are diamond really a girl’s best friend?”
Ruby’s are for your slippers
In a date with a dash to dare
Diamonds have their dangle
If prince charming is the care
Pearls and pigs are hidden
In the two or three to find
Better in all the details
The wear of waste the time
Maybe in all the moments
You can catch a tune or thief
Glitter for an instance in a shine
With the spend of peace
Left with right or reasons
It’s a balance on a scale
Find the hidden treasures
In the field and all is well
Next to now is golden
With a little silver in your hair
It’s a day of wealth whatever
In the basics with the bare
Cheeks and checks have value
In the miss and kiss to know
If you meet a sugar daddy
Your jewels will really show