Monday, April 14, 2014

PAD Day 14: Dubious Questions for Uncle Walt

Today's dual prompts from Poetic Asides and NaPoWriMo: (1) Write a poem with the title "If I Were _______", and (2) write a poem consisting entirely of questions except for one statement at the end.   Once again, I had a hard time coming up with anything for two relatively simple prompts, but here's the result. I was thinking of insipid celebrity interview questions, which led me in this direction. (After two longer poems in the last two days, it's a relief to write a shorter one, too.)


If I Were to Meet Walt Whitman, What I Would Ask

Did you know they named a bridge after you?
What do you think of Camden today?
What was it like being a Civil War nurse?
How did you deal with being gay in the 19th Century?
What was Oscar Wilde like?
Who were your favorite poets?
When did you decide not to rhyme?
What do you think of rap?
Where did you like to go for dinner?
Did your beard get itchy in the summer?
Where did you get that floppy hat?
Why did you only write one book of poetry?
Can I get your autograph?
Then he'd sign my copy of Leaves of Grass,
and show me the door. 

2 comments:

Valeri Beers said...

Bruce, I LOVE this poem! I reblogged it on my page (www.poetrypasta.wordpress.com)
I wish I had written it!

Valeri Beers said...

Bruce, I LOVE this poem! I reblogged it on my page www.poetrypasta.wordpress.com

(I wish I had written it ;)