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Poetry Punches for Pennies

A Weeklong Poetic Prompted Adventure

By Oneg In The ArcticPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 2 min read
Top Story - June 2025
Poetry Punches for Pennies
Photo by Emilio Takas on Unsplash

I never realized how many bills can pile up until I got a car. We don't even drive it that much or often since we work from home, but jeez. Bills be piling for everything lately. And when your brain is preoccupied with work, errands, and BILLS, creativity tends to suffer.

You know how when you write for yourself it just flows better? But the second there's an agenda to it; the inspiration well dries up? Well, yeah. Basically that. I've got the writer's cock-block. Why cock-block? Because it's rude, in the way, and I don't want nor need it in my life.

Yesterday, my good writing buddy fren pal James U. Rizzi shared some poetry prompts he got from a Poetry Walk he went on. Poetry Walk? Damn, that's cool. He shoulda' brought me with him but we live in different countries so I can't be too mad. Not his fault borders are dumb, and gas is expensive. Anyways, he shared some prompts because I've got two articles on the go that I don't really know how to get the motivation to continue.

Writing motivation has been hard lately. And by lately, I mean for the last like 3-4 months. Though to be fair, I think it's usually like this, but I just forget every year.

Anyhow, James gave me a pollinator prompt to do. We decided to do a speed run. 10 minutes on the clock. I finished the poem in eight. To be fair, my favorite way to write is to binge on it. I don't love editing, drafting, brainstorming. Ugh. That's too slow for my ADHD. Let's just word vomit and get on with life.

But honestly? I really enjoyed that little poetry spit session yesterday. Is that a thing? Poetry spit session? Gross.

It got me thinking, maybe that's just what I need. These quick poetry punches, these word spit sessions, a binge. And I thought, hmm, maybe I can pull this off this week. Test the waters, maybe use it for a potential Summer Extrav-again-again-za...

Here's the other thing. I want to write more. I know I earn pennies off of Vocal, but right now, pennies help. Every penny helps. Big expenses are on the way (do they ever stop though?) and I want to set my fam up as best as I can. Also, I started karate again (I've really been meaning to write about this but ugh), and gear is a tad pricey, so help a poet out.

Alright then Oneg, get on with the weeklong poetry nonsense.

I googled. Yup. Found a post with 365 poetry writing prompts. Found today's. Said "thank goodness I don't have to do yesterday's". And said, fuck it. Why not.

So, here's today's:

June 23: Crystallography of Secrets Create a scientific study of how secrets form different crystal structures based on their nature. Include classification system and growth conditions. Use geological terminology to describe emotional states. Consider how secrets change under pressure. End with breaking open a fully formed secret crystal.

Feel free to join me on this writing journey. Or just read along. Any and all support is super appreciated. Accountability too. I could use some cheering on.

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About the Creator

Oneg In The Arctic

A queer storyteller and poet of arctic adventures, good food, identity, mental health, and more.

Co-founder of Queer Vocal Voices

Water is Life ✊

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    Written by Oneg In The Arctic