#Gibran’sTheProphet100. 2023 is the centenary of the first publication in 1923 of Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet”. As a teenager I enjoyed this book immensely, and thought it very wise. Please join me in marking this event. Here are 31 writing prompts, with a little help from A.I. based on the book: 1. Write a letter to someone you deeply care about, inspired by Almustafa’s letters to the people of Orphalese.2. Reflect on the concept of love as described in “The Prophet” and share a personal experience that resonates with it. 3. Imagine you are Almustafa, the prophet. Write a sermon on a topic of your choice, mirroring the book’s style. 4. Explore the theme of marriage in the book. Write a dialogue between two lovers discussing the essence of marriage. 5. Write a poem inspired by the book’s chapter on work, expressing your views on the significance of labor and creativity. 6. Create a short story that exemplifies the idea of giving and receiving as discussed in “The Prophet.” 7. Write a modern-day interpretation of the chapter on eating and drinking, considering today’s food culture. 8. Reflect on the importance of friendship and write a letter to a dear friend based on Almustafa’s wisdom. 9. Explore the concept of freedom and write a narrative about someone seeking personal liberty.10. Write a dialogue between a parent and a child, discussing the theme of children from the book. 11. Create a piece of art or a poem inspired by the chapter on joy and sorrow. 12. Describe a place that represents your ideal of a homeland, drawing from Almustafa’s insights. 13. Write a journal entry reflecting on your journey to self-discovery, akin to Almustafa’s departure from Orphalese. 14. Explore the theme of beauty and write a personal essay on what you find beautiful in the world. 15. Write a letter to a mentor or teacher who has had a profound impact on your life, similar to Almustafa’s farewell to the city’s scholars. 16. Create a dialogue between two individuals discussing the concept of religion and spirituality. 17. Reflect on the theme of death and write a poem or short story about someone facing the end of their life with grace. 18. Write a letter to a young person filled with advice and wisdom, drawing from Almustafa’s guidance to the young people of Orphalese. 19. Explore the theme of time and write a personal reflection on the fleeting nature of life. 20. Imagine you are the town’s people of Orphalese, asking Almustafa questions. Write a series of questions and answers. 21. Write a poem that captures the essence of Almustafa’s thoughts on work, leisure, and purpose. 22. Create a short story that portrays a character’s journey to find their inner peace and stillness, as discussed in the book. 23. Reflect on the chapter about teaching, and write an essay on the role of teachers in society. 24. Write a letter to someone you have forgiven or need to forgive, inspired by Almustafa’s thoughts on forgiveness. 25. Imagine a conversation between Almustafa and a skeptic who questions his teachings. Write the dialogue. 26. Explore the theme of marriage and love. Write a story about a couple facing challenges and finding wisdom in their relationship. 27. Reflect on Almustafa’s views on pain and write a personal essay about a difficult experience that has shaped you. 28. Write a letter to a young person advising them on the pursuit of knowledge, similar to Almustafa’s guidance. 29. Create a poem or short story that embodies the idea of freedom and the desire to break free from societal constraints.30. Write a journal entry about a journey you’ve taken, inspired by Almustafa’s reflections on travel. 31. Reflect on the book’s overarching themes and write an essay discussing how “The Prophet” has influenced your perspective on life and spirituality.

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To mark #UnderMilkWood emerging out of copyright please join me in exploring this October this poetic play by Dylan Thomas. 31 writing challenges based on Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas 1. Imagine you are a resident of Llareggub. Write a diary entry describing a typical day in your life. 2. Write a letter from Captain Cat to Rosie Probert, expressing his feelings and regrets. 3. Choose a character from the play and write a monologue from their perspective, revealing their innermost thoughts and desires. 4. Create a dialogue between Mr. Pugh and Mrs. Pugh discussing their secret fantasies and frustrations. 5. Write a poem inspired by the dream-like imagery in the play. 6. Explore the theme of memory in “Under Milk Wood.” Write about a cherished childhood memory of one of the characters. 7. Imagine you are a visitor to Llareggub. Write a postcard to a friend describing your impressions of the town and its residents. 8. Write a conversation between two of the deceased characters in the play, as they reflect on their lives and the afterlife. 9. Choose a minor character and write a short story that delves into their backstory and experiences in Llareggub. 10. Write a dialogue between Polly Garter and Butcher Beynon, exploring their complicated relationship. 11. Explore the symbolism of the sea in the play. Write a descriptive passage about the sea and its significance to the characters. 12. Write a letter from Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard to her deceased husbands, detailing her strict expectations for their behavior in the afterlife. 13. Create a modern adaptation of “Under Milk Wood,” set in a different time or place. 14. Write a conversation between Willy Nilly and Cherry Owen as they discuss their dreams and aspirations. 15. Choose a piece of dialogue from the play and expand it into a short story or scene. 16. Explore the role of dreams and fantasies in the lives of the characters. Write about a particularly vivid dream experienced by one of them. 17. Write a eulogy for one of the deceased characters, capturing their essence and impact on the town. 18. Explore the theme of isolation in Llareggub. Write a letter from one character to another expressing their loneliness and longing for connection. 19. Create a character profile for a resident of Llareggub, including their quirks, desires, and secrets. 20. Write a conversation between Mr. Waldo and Mrs. Waldo as they discuss their troubled marriage. 21. Imagine you are Captain Cat’s shipmate, writing a letter to his family after his passing, sharing your memories of him. 22. Write a dialogue between Organ Morgan and Mrs. Organ Morgan as they reflect on their shared love for music. 23. Explore the concept of time in the play. Write a poem about the fleeting nature of existence. 24. Write a newspaper article from the Llareggub Gazette reporting on a significant event in the town. 25. Writee a character and write a stream-of-consciousness narrative that captures their inner thoughts and emotions. 26. Explore the theme of loss in “Under Milk Wood.” Write a letter from a character to a lost loved one. 27. Write a dialogue between Dai Bread and Myfanwy Price as they discuss their unfulfilled desires. 28. Create a monologue for Captain Cat as he reflects on his life at sea and the people he has known. 29. Write a letter from Nogood Boyo to his estranged father, revealing his regrets and seeking reconciliation. 30. Explore the idea of dreams versus reality in the play. Write about a character’s disillusionment with their life in Llareggub. 31. Imagine you are the Rev. Eli Jenkins. Write a sermon that reflects on the spiritual aspects of life in Llareggub and the human condition.

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#SonnetsToOrpheus100. To mark the centenary of the publication of Rainier Maria Rilke’s “Sonnets To Orpheus” in October 1923 who would like to join me in 31 writing challenges for October based on Martyn Crucefix’s English translations of Rainier Maria Rilke’s “Duino Elegies” and his “Sonnets To Orpheus”? 1. Write a modern elegy inspired by Rilke’s “Duino Elegies,” reflecting on the fleeting nature of human existence. 2. Imagine yourself as one of the angels mentioned in the “Duino Elegies.” What would you say to a human to offer them solace or guidance? 3. Explore the theme of love and its transformative power in the context of Rilke’s “Sonnets to Orpheus.” Write a sonnet about a love that transcends death. 4. Create a poem that captures the dichotomy between beauty and suffering, as seen in Rilke’s works. 5. Write a letter to Orpheus, responding to Rilke’s perspective on the mythical character’s journey to the underworld. 6. Reflect on the concept of “openness” in Rilke’s poetry. How can one become more open to the world and experiences? Write an essay or personal reflection. 7. Explore the symbolism of the rose in Rilke’s “Sonnets to Orpheus.” What does it represent, and how can it be interpreted in a modern context? 8. Write a dialogue between Rilke and another poet or artist, discussing their creative processes and inspirations. 9. In “Duino Elegies,” Rilke contemplates the relationship between humans and nature. Write a poem that echoes his thoughts on this connection. 10. Create a short story that reimagines the story of Eurydice from “Sonnets to Orpheus” with a contemporary twist. 11. Explore the concept of transcendence and spiritual awakening in Rilke’s works. How can one achieve a sense of spiritual growth and enlightenment today? 12. Write a series of haikus inspired by Rilke’s poetic style, focusing on themes of solitude, introspection, and nature. 13. Imagine you are a translator tasked with translating one of Rilke’s poems into a different language. Describe the challenges and nuances of this process. 14. Write a character study based on the figures in Rilke’s poetry, such as angels, lovers, or mythical beings. 15. Consider Rilke’s exploration of time and mortality. Write a reflective piece on how individuals can find meaning in the face of their own mortality. 16. Explore the role of music and sound in Rilke’s poetry. Write a poem inspired by the idea of the “inner music” he mentions. 17. Write a letter from Orpheus to Rilke, discussing their shared experiences as artists and the challenges of seeking beauty and truth through their work. 18. Reflect on the idea of the “infinite” in Rilke’s poetry. How can one embrace the infinite within the confines of daily life? 19. Write a poem inspired by Rilke’s use of vivid, sensory imagery, evoking the beauty of the natural world. 20. Create a short story that explores the tension between the human desire for connection and the fear of vulnerability, as seen in Rilke’s writings. 21. Write a poem in the style of a “Sonnets to Orpheus” that celebrates the creative process and the power of artistic expression. 22. Reflect on Rilke’s concept of “transformation” in his poetry. How can personal transformation be a source of growth and healing? 23. Write a dialogue between Rilke and a contemporary philosopher, discussing existential themes and the human condition. 24. Explore the idea of language and its limitations in conveying deep emotions and experiences, as Rilke does in his poetry. 25. Write a poem that captures the essence of Rilke’s “Duino Elegies” in a condensed form, expressing the longing for transcendence. 26. Create a visual art piece inspired by Rilke’s poetry, interpreting his words and themes through imagery. 27. Reflect on Rilke’s exploration of solitude and introspection. How can moments of solitude be transformative in today’s fast-paced world? 28. Write a short play or dialogue between two characters who discuss the themes of love and beauty as explored by Rilke. 29. Imagine you are a traveler visiting the landscapes described in Rilke’s poetry. Write a travel journal reflecting on your experiences and emotions. 30. Explore the concept of the poet as a “seer” in Rilke’s works. How can poetry serve as a lens to perceive the world in a different light? 31. Imagine you are Rilke himself and write a poem inspired by his own introspective journey. Martyn Crucefix has given me his personal permission to use his translations.

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#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Thirty. “The Bird Room” by Dawn Gorman.Tender meditations on the relationship between father and daughter. Dawn sees through her late father’s binoculars. Heart tugging poetry. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

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The Bird Room https://amzn.eu/d/0GwrC0P

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-nine. “The Whiskey Mule Diner” edited by David L O’Nan. Absorbing anthology of works inspired by the music and lyrics of Tom Waits. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

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The Whiskey Mule Diner Anthology: Inspired by Tom Waits https://amzn.eu/d/8nIGslc

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-eight. “A Census of Preconceptions ” by Oz Hardwick.Once described as a writer of “neo-surreal prose poetry”, Oz takes us into the wonder filled world of ordinary worlds of blended genres full of humanity. Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

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A Census of Preconceptions https://amzn.eu/d/6qBTJyZ

Thankyou, David L O’ Nan for this “A Feature Poetry Showcase from Paul Brookes” that highlights my poetic journey so far, including my first published poem in 1987, and a recently composed seven sonnet monologue called “A Brandished Knife”. Love a woman to record this monologue, as it is written with a woman’s voice in mind.

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A Feature Poetry Showcase from Paul Brookes (Wombwell Rainbow)

#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-seven. “Postmarked Quarantine ” by Kushal Poddar.Reading the pandemic backwards, Kushar surreally explores a day by day account of how the pandemic progressed. Its seeming unreality, the way time became a fog for some. .Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

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#TheSealeyChallenge. Day Twenty-six. “Zoetrope ” by Hilary Otto. Unexpected turns of phrase. Hilary’s poetry never ceases to surprise. Repays endless rereading.Highly recommended. A fuller review will appear in The Broken Spine.

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Zoetrope https://amzn.eu/d/9r4qGZ9

“Created Responses To This Day” Karen Pierce Gonzalez responds to one of my This Day images. I would love to feature your responses too.

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Hanging Droplet by Paul Brookes

 It is a drop

 

spilling over

what this pond can hold -

 

its mouth

still open

for more

Karen Pierce Gonzalez