because I broke it

Sometimes a simple mistake can change your life in profound ways. Sometimes, it makes no difference at all. Have you ever broken something and had to face consequences? Or did you break a rule and learn something new about life? Use it as a first line or a jumping off point, and think about how breaking something may have changed your life.

stake out your local open mic venue. sit in the back and just jot down fragments that make your ears prick up. if your ears don’t normally prick up then either (a) your venue sucks, (b) you’re genetically deformed, or (c) you’re not listening close enough.* take 1 of those fragments and use it as a first line.

1 night at the Cantab Lounge, I wrote down something and this poem emerged from it. feel free to steal “I dream the bomb” or, better, steal your own first line.

If I Should Die Before I Wake
I Pray the Lord my Soul to Take

I dream the bomb
it’s hard not to
with Cold War parents
A Canticle for Leibowitz
the scene in Terminator 2
that’s all Sarah Connor
fence shockwave

I dream the bomb
machined graphite
crosshair fins
ball blunt shark nose

I dream
the bomb’s energies
flash fire
whistle crescendo
tear silk screen skin
before I wake

*remember, C’s usually the Correct answer.

just some basic photoshopping fun.

Beyond still pictures and artwork, video is a whole new artform – and just like anything else, it can give your muse a little jump start when you can’t get her interested any other way.

Maybe your muse needs a little nudge? Try prompting with a few words, a subject, a hint or an idea from one of our writers.

Sometimes an example works best… From time immemorial, poets have been inspired by other poets. Read a poem to your muse and see if it doesn’t get those juices flowing…