Today’s list-making prompted a list of a few of my favorite animals, as well as some animals that intimidate me, like the coyotes I hear baying outside my window on cold winter nights.
When it came time to write, I combined a few of the animals. Coyote and owl became a “coyowl” and deer and wolf became “the deer wolf.”
After two playful snippets about these fantasmagorical animals, I wrote about a childhood experience of a dozen of us kids packed into Leonard Davenport’s Volvo to go “moose hunting” (with our eyes; no guns involved) in Fundy Park in New Brunswick, Canada.
I only realized now that the piece about the coyowl appears on the journal page with a Jack London quotation. Somehow this seems quite fitting. Here’s my whimsical exploration of the coyowl:
The coyowl can fly from any part of the unvierse down
to just outside your bedroom window
where he alights
and who-howls
and howl-hoots
into your dreams
stalking
stealing its prey right out of your mind and
flying away
with one of your burdens.
You awaken lighter
free
and wonder what he was
who scared you,
took from you,
liberated you.
a creature of the night?
predator?
ally?so strange and yet
familiar
in an unfamiliar way.
Consider today’s prompts an invitation to leave realism behind. Tap into your magic. What did Day 5’s prompt generate for you? Share an excerpt, insight, question or image.
And if you want some other worldly inspiration, here are some coyotes howling.
Wondering where the prompt is? You’ll find it in The Joy of Writing Journal: Spark Your Creativity in 8 Minutes a Day.
Go write!
Lisa,1st I want to say I loved your creative poem. I’d love to be able to be as playful as you – this was the hardest prompt for me, so far.
Day 5 Prompt – I love to watch squirrels
Observing squirrels cavorting with each other tickles my funny bone, leading me to stop taking myself so seriously. These creatures are quite child-like, as they zoom across the yard chasing each other around and up the trees with not a care in the world. They seem fearless, unlike the chipmunks and mice furtively scooting away from me in fear. Sometimes, when I watch them display their silly antics, I recognize I am not having fun in my life and the lightness of being of my inner child is sequestered away, waiting to be released into the light of day, silently beckoning me forward to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
How inspiring! Your squirrels brought a big smile to my face!
I’m feeling your joy, Deborah & Lisa, here in Flagstaff!
Desert dry air
Mortals craving the essence of life,
Moisture, a succor for parched eyes, noses, mouth
Wellness restored by an appreciative swallow or hungry gulp
Of a liquid, clear, odorless, benign often free for the taking
Saving a life drop by drop
Or agonizing desiccation without
Pardoned by a soft desert rain
Heaven’s dew
I have been to Flagstaff and have a good story and fond memories about the kindness of people there. The vivid, visceral words you chose in your poem brought me back to the beauty and deadliness of the desert. I am surrounded by water her in Rhode Island.
Thank you for sharing. – Team LT