Sleepy Mission: Terraria Night

The mission: to write a poem made up entirely of things my boyfriend and his friends say to each other while playing the video game, Terraria.

My boyfriend and I both enjoy playing video games. Sometimes we'll hop onto Discord with a few of our friends and play our respective video games while streaming our gameplay to each other. That way we can all still be connected while doing our own thing.

Terraria night was one of those nights.

My boyfriend and his friends played Terraria while I played League of Legends and attempted to scribble in my notebook between deaths. I've never played Terraria and could only hear the game being streamed as I played my own round of 'League.' While listening to the guys' video game and banter, some of what they were saying to each other struck me as oddly...

Poetic?

(Even though they definitely didn't mean to be.)

Let's just say at that point, I'd been in a months-long writer's drought. Any inspiration that struck, I would grab. Even if it was in the middle of playing a video game.

Notebook close by, I scratched down any odd snippets that stuck out to me, not saying a word.

The next night, I did the same thing.

Once I had enough 'information,' I began to rearrange the order of the phrases without changing any of the words in the sentences themselves, until something started to feel right. Or at the very least, a little funny.

My sleepy mission to you: write a poem inspired by eavesdropping.

For this poem eavesdropping can mean snippets from the radio, a conversation you overhear while waiting in line, or ramblings from your toddler as they play. Just try to keep the phrases true to heart. Part of the fun is rearranging out-of-context moments in a way that suddenly feels artistic, funny, reflective, compelling, or just plain interesting. Repetition of phrases is allowed.

So whip out that notepad or notes app and listen out. You might just be surprised at where you find some of the most delicious phrases!

If you participate in this mini-challenge, link your poem in the comments and I'll choose three winners to feature in my January Review on January 31st. First place will get a $25 tip, second will get $15, and third will get $10. Submissions close on January 29th at 11:59 pm.

EDIT: The deadline has been extended to February 7!

EDIT EDIT: The deadline has been extended to February 21st!

FINAL EDIT: Click here

A massive thank you to Rick Henry Christopher and Vocal + Assist for contributing to the prize pot and making this an official Vocal + Assist Prompt! Thank you so much to Rick and the Vocal + Assist Admin team!

Happy Eavesdropping!

Terraria Night

She's only selling purification.

So what's the aim here?

382 Demonite

Angelic shotgun

Extreme speed demon...

I didn't realize I was drowning.

It's so peaceful, right?

She sells the essence of sunlight

Sunshine potion - I want that.

What if I could stand on water?

Go towards the brimstone, and I'll go towards the left.

A mimic chest.

One of them big dick potions.

Those are in the underground hallow.

How much obsidian do we all have?

How do we get unholy essence?

Should I drop the water?

Watch those meteorites.

She sells the essence of sunlight.

She's only selling purification.

Knock, knock Hell. I'm back.