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Poetry Friday: Story Cubes Poem "X Marks the Spot"

Two weeks into 2024, and I can say I've been sick for more than half of the year ... I hope your year is off to a healthier start!

My 2023 was filled with lots of teaching and many writing deadlines, all of which left me no time for blogging about poetry and the writing life. But the good news is ... I have good news about some of those writing projects that I should be able to share here in the months to come.

As I come out of blogging hibernation, I was wondering how I wanted to approach my Poetry Friday posts this year. I love prompts, including Taylor Mali's metaphor dice, and I was wondering how I could find some similar inspiration that was more kid-focused. That's when I remembered my Story Cubes!

dice with pictures on them, such as apple, arrow, magnet, map

 These dice with images can be used to play games, or to roll up some inspiration on demand, and I've decided to use them as prompts for my Poetry Friday poems this year.

So, without further ado, here is the first of my Story Cube poems, inspired by these dice:

three dice with pictures on them of a map, a person digging and a fish

X Marks the Spot

X marks the spot where I’m ready to dig,

But I’m not looking for treasure.

My shovel is sturdy, the hole’s getting big —

Now it’s time to measure!

Next comes the water — this is really quite fun!

Now I just need a fish and my new pond is done!


How about you? What poem would you write with these dice as inspiration? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! 

This week's Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted by Robyn over at Life on The Deckle Edge. Hop on over for more poetic inspiration!

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Comments

  1. TabathaJanuary 19, 2024 at 4:37 PM

    Clever! I like the air of mystery and fun surprise :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. jan/bookseedstudioJanuary 19, 2024 at 4:40 PM

    What fun, Elizabeth! Sending wpeedy super return to top health vibes, this very weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karin Fisher-GoltonJanuary 19, 2024 at 9:43 PM

    Thank you for reminding me of story cubes. There is somethings so satisfying about those little images on every side of a die. I love what you did with yours. The pond is treasure--especially with that fish that is sure to inhabit it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary LeeJanuary 20, 2024 at 4:41 PM

    What a fun way to use Story Cubes!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tracey Kiff-JudsonJanuary 20, 2024 at 4:50 PM

    Elisabeth, congratulations on your upcoming good news! I am impressed that you were able to weave together map, dig, fish into that clever poem. The dice seem like a great story starter!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Linda BJanuary 20, 2024 at 4:58 PM

    I love your idea, and the inspiring way you wrote with a surprise at the end, Elisabeth! I hope this brings you to better health through writing! I think I might use the fish as fertilizer, planting something in that hole, something to wish for!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Denise KrebsJanuary 20, 2024 at 7:31 PM

    Elisabeth, it's good to have you back in this space! I'm excited to hear more about the projects you've been working on.

    Here's what I did with this week's story cubes:

    Mapping our treasures
    digging through disappointment
    fishing for wishes

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marcie Flinchum AtkinsJanuary 20, 2024 at 8:43 PM

    Oh I need to dig my Story cubes out for kids to use them ASAP! Welcome back from hiatus!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Patricia FranzJanuary 21, 2024 at 1:44 AM

    Ooh! Story Dice! I love my metaphor dice. I can see how these make additional fun poetry prompts. Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Buffy SilvermanJanuary 21, 2024 at 2:25 AM

    Oh these story cubes look like a fun source of inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Janice ScullyJanuary 21, 2024 at 7:39 PM

    I've never seen story cubes and I love the poem you created! Clever how you got from X to a fish in the pond.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Heidi MordhorstJanuary 21, 2024 at 10:51 PM

    HEY! I used to have some Story Cubes...now where could they be? Endless fun prompts will be generated, and clearly you know what to do with them, Elisabeth. I'm glad you're feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  13. jan/ bookseedstudioJanuary 22, 2024 at 1:39 AM

    Clever word game! I'll play with your story/poem cubes, Denise!
    my poem:
    I'll tell you my garden secret/
    [tiny fingerling fish]/
    Now you tell me what secret/
    your map hides!
    jga 1.21.24

    ReplyDelete
  14. Robyn Hood BlackJanuary 22, 2024 at 10:39 PM

    Oh, what fun! Thanks for sharing, and congrats in advance on good news from the hard work you've put in. That's the way to find the treasure. ;0)

    ReplyDelete

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