Since this is a leap year, the first day of spring is March 19th. The first week of March we had snow and this past weekend it was over 60°F in western Washington. The transition from winter to spring can bring up a lot of feelings and new sensations as we say goodbye to the long, dark nights and welcome more daylight, blossoms, and warmer temperatures.
Writing Prompt, part 1: Transitions
What have you noticed in this transition from winter to spring? How are you feeling? What is changing outside? What is changing for you on this inside. Write for 10 minutes.
Writing Prompt, part 2: Mudding-In
I love this short prose poem by Charles Goodrich from his book Going to Seed: Dispatches from the Garden.
What are you mudding-in these days?
What early seeds are you planting in your life and writing? What are your hopes for spring? Your response can be metaphorical or literal, or a mix of both.
For this prompt, try writing a prose poem. I appreciate how Goodrich talks directly to the reader, offering advice as well as step-by-step instruction. “For peas you must leave your desk, step into your boots, and go out to the garden.” Try talk to your reader, as Goodrich has done here, and see how that feels and sounds.
Write for 15 minutes.
A few notes:
This poet is the former program director of the Spring Creek Project, based at Oregon State University.
Spring Creek Project invites people and communities to explore ways of living more just and joyful lives with one another and the planet. Some of our communities gather in person through public events, readings and residencies. Other communities come together in virtual spaces through our video and podcast series. Since our founding in 2002, we have hosted hundreds of public events and more than a thousand creative residencies.
We host events throughout the year on Oregon State’s campus and in the Corvallis community and surrounding area. Our events are free and open to the public.
If you haven’t heard of this great organization, check it out!
Also, Village Books is hosting a Poetry Fest in April. Over several days, they will be offering readings and workshops featuring local poets (including me!). I am honored to be part of this excellent line-up.