We live in a world of instant gratification, where the universe is at our fingertips. We’re attached to mobile devices and use them for nearly everything in life. We can read tidbits of information, short blog posts, news articles, and check out our friends’ vacation photos.
In our busy lives, it seems many of us lack the patience or time to fall into a lengthy relationship with a story. Microsoft performed a study of Canadian smartphone users and asserted that the human attention span has dwindled from twelve seconds in the year 2000, to eight seconds in 2013. The attention span of a gold fish? Nine seconds.
But all is not lost. Book stores did not crumble under the weight of new technology as some predicted. In fact, independent book stores are experiencing a revival of sorts. People are stepping away from their smart phones (for a little while) and are diving into books, especially Millenials.
Despite the negative studies on our attention spans, we are still a nation of readers. We know how to supplement our online reading with the option of turning dusty pages, inhaling the redolent fragrance of a paper book. We still know how to get lost in a good story.
Try It
What book have you recently read that captivated you? When did you realize you were lost in this particular book? Or which book can you lose yourself in again and again? Get lost in thought and write a poem about a book that kept you mesmerized.
Click to get 5-Prompt Mini-Series
Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a poem from Donna we enjoyed:
Nicholas convinced me
to secretly seek
red doors on hollow trees
and bunnies living inside.
—by Donna Falcone
Photo by Han Cheng Yeh. 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
Donna Falcone says
The others
saiedl through the small sea of leaves
Happy and smiling and carefreeing it along
and there I was,
hung up
like whole row of commas
in boldface,
all
the
way
through
until it was done
and I
was someone new.
And, honestly…
I would tell you what it was about
or what was my favorite part
or why I loved the book’s journey
if only I remembered
that way.
All I can say is this –
Go to an art store or any store that sells paint.
Stand with the others in front of all the colors in the worlds
and let one paint pick you out of all the shoppers on the aisles.
Buy it.
Put the paint to rest in a forgotten room
and get up in the morning ahead of the world.
Ask the paint “what now?” and listen quietly
for as long as it takes.
If the paint says “spin me in circles please”
never say “I don’t know how”
-just do it.
If the paint says “whisper me across the plane”
don’t ask “What plane, where?”
-just do it.
If the paint says “set me on fire”
refrain from reprimands… “that’s too dangerous!”
-just do it.
If the paint says “let me stay right there,
smudged under your right eye for at least a day”
just do-
it will tell your story, you know.
That is where the big magic is.
The book: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Donna Falcone says
sorry about the typos.
Donna Falcone says
On my blog, tweaked and such:
http://www.donnazfalcone.com/poetry/how-to-work-with-paint
Megan Willome says
Saturday I read a book in one sitting–haven’t done that in a while. Blake Crouch’s “Dark Matter,” a quantum mechanics thriller. Monica Sharman would probably dig it.
Laura Brown says
Recently captivated by “Real Farm,” an essay collection (some would say memoir) by Patricia Tichenor Westfall. Currently captivated by the novel “Turn of Mind” by Alice LaPlante. With both, I knew I was hooked when I realized I’d read way past my bedtime.
The book I have probably reread more than any other is “Harriet the Spy.” A beloved book I am currently rerereading is “The Principles of Uncertainty” by Maira Kalman.
Katie says
Picked up a small little book called Chance Developments by Alexander McCall Smith this week at the library. Am thoroughly enjoying!
I’ve not really been a fan of his writing, but have listened to some on audio-book while riding with my hubby on a trip.
Find myself “rationing” the stories, wanting to make it last longer as I don’t want it to end:)
Talk about a master of setting and character!!
Katie
Andrew H says
I am small, I am plain,
Yet you are rich.
I hold no lands,
And you them all.
Look at my hands –
No rings, where yours
Outshine a king’s.
Yet I am worthy of you
On some fundamental
Plane of love. Some
Universal meaning
That society strives to break.
No more. I fled you,
Into the heath
I went, and laughed
To hear my trembling breath.
We are one, truly. They also
Serve who stand and wait
Beside God’s shining gate –
And I would stand
Eternally
If so I’d do with you.
I have no beauty,
Nor no lands
Nothing to give
But heart and head and hands.
Read this, and know
I married you
And stand beside you
And cherish you.
I care not for your missing eye,
For love is ne’er limited, aye
Even unto heaven and the sky;
So bound we now are, true.
Yet no one loves as I love you.
(Jane Eyre)