Author: kimhaynesjohnson

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths and completing his daily poetry prompts for the past few weeks. Today’s challenge is to think of the opposite of a manufactured landscape poem and get to the roots of nature in a Reclaiming Our Environment poem.

At the end of the work day when I’m coming home to decompress, I check the mail down at the road and begin the slow crawl up the winding driveway to my house, through the oak grove to the dense pines that line both sides. And there is something I do every afternoon that lowers my blood pressure and pushes my reset button:

Windows Down

I put my windows
down, listen to the crunch of
under-tire gravel 

then watch from the porch
as the leaves let it all go
to enjoy the ride

I’ve been reading Lightning Paths by Kyle Vaughn and finding inspiration in his daily exercises. Today’s exercise is to write a poem about something undergoing a transformation and take it from its beginning stage to its end.

Collector

paring down a life
disposing of collections
now minimalist

I’ve been reading Lightning Paths by Kyle Vaughn, and today’s challenge is writing a poem about a manufactured landscape with human handprints.

stargazing

cultivated camp-
sites: stargazers’ sunset seats
front-row fabulous! 

I’ve been reading Lightning Paths by Kyle Vaughn, and today’s challenge is writing a poem about what’s in a filing cabinet.

Truth

In the back corner
stained divorce papers hold the 
truth of your affair

I’ve been reading Lightning Paths by Kyle Vaughn. Today’s exercise is to write a poem about a trinket.

Carabiner Clips

never too many,
never enough ~ assorted
carabiner clips

keeping my car keys
always clipped at the ready~
organized living! 

I’ve been reading Lightning Paths by Kyle Vaughn. Today’s exercise is a poem about cards, a game, or an event. I chose a Haiku to write about my favorite card game!

Lone Hand

one hand of euchre
holding both bowers, all trump
I'll play it alone! 

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In today’s prompt, Vaughn encourages writers to compose poems that describe epic journeys.

the food hasn't
been anything to 
write home about

but the distance?
remarkable
on this journey
toward goal weight

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In today’s exercise, writers are encouraged to create poems about the invisible or the shift from visible to invisible, even as a metaphor. I’m thinking about tonight, when I will go outside and watch the Taurid Meteor Shower from campsite 109 of F D R State Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia. I can’t wait to see the show!

Prime Time

meteor showers
night-sky visibility
November's Prime Time

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

Vaughn challenges writers to compose poems about space – filled or unfilled, outdoors or in, or how we make use of it.

In the Camper

unclaustrophobic
cloistered camper cubbyholes~
safe spaces to breathe

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In today’s writing exercise, Vaughn asks readers to write a poem about a first, showing the feeling of the moment.

I cheered you, head first
drawing your first breath of life
seven pounds: pure love