Friday, March 15, 2013

The Last Mixed Bag

Hello Friends, Kerry here! It is unusual for me to pay you a visit on a Friday, but today I am standing in for Mary's Mixed Bag. Mary has been a long-standing contributor on Real Toads, but has decided that she can no longer continue in this role, though she will remain a participating member. I'm sure everyone will join me in a heart-felt show of gratitude for all the creative inspiration she has afforded us in our writing.

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In the spirit of Mary's Mixed Bag, I bring you the following challenge. Imagine you hold a bag which contains two objects: one which can heal and one which can harm. Only you may identify these two objects through touch, texture, shape-recognition and imaginative exploration. Which object would you withdraw first? Does the good out-weigh the bad, or is harm something that cannot be prevented? Use one of these two items as the starting point of your poem and move towards the other in conclusion. It is up to you whether you will begin with the healing or harmful thing. Lastly, the hidden objects may be either real or abstract.


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26 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Ooh, very interesting, Kerry. I'm going to give this some serious thought in the morning. (11pm here)
K

Unknown said...

I've bagged it and tagged it here.

Mixi said...

Thanks Kerry for an interesting challenge. Wishing all Toads a happy weekend :)

Mary said...

Thanks, Kerry, for the 'shout-out' here, and also for the very interesting 'last mixed bag' prompt. I wrote mine about a real enigma I face each day when I had to the YMCA with my granddaughter: walk the track or treadmill / find a comfortable seat and play a 'mindless' game on the iPad. I had fun with the prompt.

Margaret said...

This will make those gears spin in my head! I have a busy weekend (daughter is in a theatrical production Friday - Sunday... and that means lots of driving and volunteering (two shows on Saturday)

...could be why I am always writing about serenity! I long for it :)

If I don't make it today, I will post on Monday. I have an idea whirling about... Thanks Kerry, AND thanks Mary for all your past prompts!

Susan said...

A wonderful prompt that I hope to play with this weekend, Kerry!

Mary, I will miss your prompts just as I miss reading and posting daily. I will adapt in time. I expect to keep reading your fine poems here and elsewhere.

asteria's canvass said...

This is the first time I am participating here and boy, was it tough...hope to get inspiration as tough as this one.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Thanks, Kerry, for the prompt. And thank you, Mary, for your many inspiring prompts month after month here at Toads, and for all you do elsewhere, too.

Sini Rachel said...

Thanks Kerry for the challenge.Its really interesting.My first time here. Hope to post tomm..I saw this really late in the night. Its 20 minutes to 1 am here.(Pune,India)

Kerry O'Connor said...

Sini, If you wish to link your blog to IGWRT, please insure that it is in keeping with the prompt provided.

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

Hi Everyone--I am looking forward to reading--Kerry, this was a very interesting prompt---

LLM Calling said...

I'm not very surprised with the way my haiku series went, although I believe that faith overcomes fear it doesn't feel a lot like it at themoment for me. I'll read all your wonderful creations tomorrow after a night of hopefully peaceful slumber

Marian said...

hi Kerry, this was a very interesting prompt. thank you! finally got it in the bag. :)

Peggy said...

What an interesting prompt Kerry. I will also think about this one. And a thank you to Mary for all her prompts. I am glad Mary will continue as a participating toad!

Margaret said...

The best thing is (like Peggy said above) is that Mary is still a Toad ! Thanks for all your wonderful prompts in the past, Mary.

This was a really hard challenge for me and my poem might just all be gobbelty gook. To not say what it is ... to have to use OTHER words.... is like... well... poetry ;P

Margaret said...

I'll be back sometime tomorrow to read and comment - it is pretty late for this toad (1:30 am)

Panchali said...

I'm going to miss your prompts, Mary. Thanks Kerry for this exciting prompt---Let me put my thinking cap on and see if I can come up with something cool..:)

Mary said...

Thank you Margaret, Susan, Sherry, Peggy, and Panchali for your words to me/ re me above....and especially for being the people you are. As those of you who often frequent my blog, you know I will be very involved in the poetry community. I have appreciated all who have participated in my prompts "Mary's Mixed Bag" over the past months.

Sini Rachel said...

Sorry Kerry, I understood that I was just enrolling for the challenge and I was going to post my poem later ....anyways I have linked my poem and it was really a good thinking exercise...I promise I will read every other link in the challenge ...:-))

Ella said...

Thanks Mary for all your challenges~
Still working on mine-intriguing challenge Kerry~ :D

Susan said...

Aha! I have posted! I'll be back to read with delight those that have come before and will come after me.

Marian said...

just a good morning to say hello & let yinz know that i'll be back around later to read all of your responses to this very intriguing prompt... i'm on my way out for a day trip. see you later and have a great saturday!

Ella said...

Busy, but will be by! Daughter was off from school, yesterday! Sorry, I haven't been around much-I will be by to catch up! What an intriguing prompt! <3d it Thank you Mary n' Kerry :D

Mary said...

Thank you, Ella, for your words above.

Susie Clevenger said...

Thanks Mary for all your Mixed Bags and Kerry for this one!!

Hannah said...

I echo the sentiment on gratitude, Mary for your challenges...thank you. :)

This is an excellent an thought-provoking last go-of-it Kerry!!

Hmmm...

Thanks a bunch!!