Weekly (almost every) on Wednesday I post a photo as a prompt for poems. I invite you to craft a small poem response and type it into the comments. Please encourage other writers with your comments. This space is meant to be a low stakes drafting space.
Somewhere on Instagram I saw a poetry prompt to begin each line with because. I decided to give it a try today.
Tie a Blue Ribbon Round the Branch
Because she was running and lost it in the wind.
Because his eyes are still blue
Because we are walking together in silence
Because rain is falling softly
Because the moon is full tonight
Because there is a war and someone is waiting at home
By Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Because touching words heal the soul
Yes! Thanks.
How touching! I love the format and the last line hit me hard!
I feel totally helpless in the world right now. I can write poetry. Thanks for reading.
I feel the same way! 😔
Margaret, thank you for this photo and prompt today. Inspired by your last line that the photo was taken at Friendship Park, this is all I have today…
Why We Should Not Learn War Anymore
Because we’re in Friendship Park
Because there are people dying
Because there are people flinching
Because there are people worrying
Because there are people waiting
Because we care for the living
Because we want a better place
Because we do it for you and for me
Because that’s the world we should want
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Some borrowed lines from Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World”
Wow! Powerful poem! Thanks so much for writing.
I’m loving this starting with because……it really makes the title pop and stand out!
Nice. I like this poetry writing idea. I see it as developing a wider writing / thinking skill–being able to continue with a “because” idea. This is a non-threatening way to practice selecting details that support statements. When my students draft with “because” (and some other words or phrases) they more easily include supporting reasons. Then, during revision, I ask students to use their scissors and literally cut those words out of their writing. We call them “throw away words.”
This poem gets its own blue ribbon. Breathtakingly lovely.