Writing Prompt
POEM STARTER
Inspired by A. Canvas
Write an Oulipo poem about winter. Oulipo poetry is written by setting strict rules for yourself. These rules are up to you, but the goal is to give yourself a challenge.
Be sure to list the rules you followed to inspire and create new forms!
Writings
The Feminine Rage
I fell asleep in October
And woke up to barren trees—
I didn’t stay awake long enough for the leaves to change colors.
I was a ghost haunting the ruins of my beautiful mind,
My last creative spark shorted a circuit
But I have an obituary to write.
Time flew by and left me in the dust
To sort through rubble until my fingers bleed.
Feminity has always felt like a costume,
Consumed by the whims of...
Winter
Winter is cruel
Like you
Winter is cold
Like you
Winter leaves some empty
Like what you do
Spring is warm
Like him
Spring is sweet
Like him
Spring cares for others
Unlike you
Summer is happy
Like her
Summer is caring
Like her
Summer leaves people fulfilled
Unlike you
Fall is creative
Like her
Fall is cheery
Like her
Fall wants people to be happy
Unlike you
All you do is break us down
Find our ...
Winter
The rule is to start the next line with the last word of the previous line.
•••
Winter, a season of frosty beauty and quiet reflection.
Reflection on the year gone by, by the crackling fire, fire that warms the soul and chases away the chill.
Chill winds whisper through the barren trees, trees standing tall in their winter coats of snow.
Snowflakes dance in the cold air, air filled with th...
The delicate Seed
My rules are that the next line starts with the last word of the previous line.
The Delicate Seed
Fragile like a delicate seed
Seed of hope that starts to grow
Grow into a connection so strong
Strong like the roots that run deep
Deep in the earth anchored below
Below our silent strength unseen
Unseen by the naked eyes
Eyes that in darkness shine bright
Bright enough to guide us through
Thr...
Soon It Will Be Warm
(My rules were it had to be ABBA in twelve lines.)
It’s colder now, with shorter days.
We sit by fires that crackle and burn
Wrapped in a blanket as we yearn
For the sun’s comforting warm rays.
We wish spring would come again!
Snow gently blankets the dying earth,
We didn’t know how much summer was worth.
We took it much for granted then.
We must now sit through the storm
Drink some cocoa and...
Solstice
(You may only use a word once in this poem, and every second line must rhyme (ABAC…))
I wait all year for its shortest day
Through months that scorch, blaze, burn
My heart seeks shelter from flaming rays
Longs after chilling, comforting snow
Blizzards cause the willows’ sway
Chipped ice, winters breath
And though flowers seemingly signal May
This foretells Decembers harvest
We admire night’s...
Winter's Dance
(I've never written a poem like this before, but I tried my best! The challenge I am giving myself is to write a poem using ballet terms, which I am definitely not knowledgeable in.)
In the beautiful loom of winter,
a dance seems to start.
The shadows begin first,
stretching their legs as far out as their bodies allow.
The darkness takes center stage with the moon,
their bodies bending and mold...
Woman Down 
My rule is that I used no verbs in my poem. And my poem is not about winter. Sorry guys.
——————————
Long days, sleepless nights,
Forgotten whispers, fading lights.
Woman down, heart broken,
Tear stained pillows, Words unspoken.
Wishful thinking, foolish dreams,
Fetal position, tattered seems,
Passion lost, duplicitous lies,
False intentions, cruel disguise.
Dead roses, Wine drenched floor,
...
The Student
Chilled by drafts
Growing despite darkness
some lessons learned can only be taught by winter
Yearning for warm rains
Swaddling in July’s steam
some lessons can only be taught by winter
Tempered by short days
Weathering seemly endless months
Some lessons can only be taught by winter
New leaf unsheathed
in a tentative curve
Lessons learned...