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Poetry Prompt: The Promise of Humanity

By Heather Eure 10 Comments

promise of humanity poetry prompt

I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a Ferris wheel.” —EB White

Most of what we see in the news these days is enough to drive you underground. While hiding away from the world could be an option, sometimes it’s best to look beyond the discouragement and seek out the stories of human potential and possibility—such as the brief article on the college football player who had lunch with a middle school boy who normally eats alone. This story was not a headliner but it gives a glimpse into the promise we have as humans to care for one another, even as strangers.

These are the stories we should share, “like”, and comment on more often. We could do well to remember that most people are good-willed and try to do the right thing, daily. It doesn’t always seem that way in the media, and the world certainly does have its share of sadness and injustice. However, sometimes the bad overshadows the good due to ratings. Take time to peel back layers and find the promise of humanity.

Try It: The Promise of Humanity

Think back on an article you read or a story you heard that is a good example of human goodness and hope. What was it? How did it make you feel? Write a poem about it and share.

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Featured Poem

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here is a poem from Monica we enjoyed:

how to
win scrabble
how to pronounce
rue des fossoyeurs
translate seishin
japanese to english

In 0.47 seconds the number
of results, cranked out
like factory chocolate except
with complex overtones,
is googolplex
and everyone gets
a golden ticket.

—by Monica Sharman

Photo by kayla. Creative Commons via Flickr.

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How to Write a Poem 283 high 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.

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Heather Eure
Heather Eure
Heather Eure has served as the Poetry Editor for the late Burnside Collective and Special Projects Editor for us at Tweetspeak Poetry. Her poems have appeared at Every Day Poems. Her wit has appeared just about everywhere she's ever showed up, and if you're lucky you were there to hear it.
Heather Eure
Latest posts by Heather Eure (see all)
  • Poetry Prompt: Misunderstood Lion - March 19, 2018
  • Animate: Lions & Lambs Poetry Prompt - March 12, 2018
  • Poetry Prompt: Behind the Velvet Rope - February 26, 2018

Filed Under: Blog, poetry prompt, poetry teaching resources, promises promises, writer's group resources, writing prompt

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Comments

  1. Andrew H says

    September 5, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    The floor was thick with autumn’s tears
    That covered all the ground
    But she was there, and I was young
    So I went all unheeding of the sound;
    All I remember is a vase, pink as summer
    Glowing in the windowsill, and a smile
    That shone though age had creased
    All that surrounded it.
    She was my mother’s mother, and I
    Loved her so very much.
    We worked together in the yard
    To sweep away each bitter shard
    Autumn had left to taunt us with.
    We talked of many things, I’m sure
    That older people must endure
    When talking to a child,
    But though the day grew dimmer
    Her patience did not, and at the last
    We’d filled the barrow.
    Glowing with happiness, I left her place
    And pink, pink vase
    A smile across my face.
    Because I’d helped her, and she had so very,
    Very obviously loved me.

    —
    For a poem on humanity or love, I never need go further than memories of her.

    Reply
    • Donna Falcone says

      September 6, 2016 at 8:31 am

      A beautiful moment caputred, Andrew. I really love the image of a vase pink as summer. 🙂

      Reply
    • Bethany R. says

      September 6, 2016 at 12:29 pm

      What a lovely image:

      “All I remember is a vase, pink as summer
      Glowing in the windowsill”

      Reply
    • Heather Eure says

      September 8, 2016 at 11:38 pm

      Thank you for sharing your grandmother with us, Andrew. I’m glad she came to your mind with this prompt.

      Reply
  2. Bethany R. says

    September 6, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    “Take time to peel back layers and find the promise of humanity.” What a refreshing concept and fun poetry prompt.

    Love that phrase in Monica’s poem: “results, cranked out/ like factory chocolate”

    Reply
    • Heather Eure says

      September 8, 2016 at 11:39 pm

      Thanks, Bethany. I liked that phrase, too!

      Reply
  3. SimplyDarlene says

    September 9, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    I ran after
    Cash caught up by the wind. Old man
    Tremors shook thin-skin wrinkles
    Mapping, catching time as he grasped my hand –
    Thank you, dear.

    Most Fridays
    He brought a shrunken
    Woman to farmer’s market, thin-skin
    Wrinkles mapping, catching time as he stood
    Off to the side – watching her shop.

    Apricots
    Plums he bought. Why never
    Corn I asked. Thin-skin hands
    Pulled chapped lips back – Old man
    Had few teeth. He declined me knifing some kernels off.

    Alone.

    Alone. Again –
    Where’s your lady?
    She’s at the doc. Old man thrust wads
    Of cash in my hand, pressed wet cheek
    Trembling chin into my neck. She used to be my wife.

    Used to be?
    I got a Dear John letter while off
    At war – she shacked up with our neighbor, my
    Best friend. He died. I drive
    Her ’cause she can’t see too good.

    I walked beside
    Old man, carrying his produce.
    Tremors shook thin-skin wrinkles
    Mapping, catching time as he grasped my hand –
    Thank you, dear.

    I pressed my
    lips to his wet cheek.

    [a hat tip to the the most selfless, caring, humble person I met when I worked at the farmer’s market]

    Reply
  4. Katie says

    September 10, 2016 at 11:23 am

    Text of gratitude
    for the ability to write
    in complete sentences.

    Phone call to say
    just wanted to hear
    your voice.

    Message with link
    to share something
    learned on line.

    ***
    Many thanks dear son of mine,
    I appreciate you and your appreciation
    of me and revel in the knowledge that you’re still learning:)

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    September 10, 2016 at 11:27 am

    Builder,
    home cook,
    singer and woman.

    Lover of music,
    of food, family,
    and life itself.

    You grace us
    with your smile
    and voice.

    The labors of your hands
    make my heart rejoice.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Poetry Prompt: An Oath, A Vow, A Promise - says:
    September 12, 2016 at 8:01 am

    […] to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here is a poem from Andrew we […]

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