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Poetry Friday: Story Cubes Poems "Plot Problems"

 Welcome to Poetry Friday! Our host this week is Mary Lee. She's shared a wonderful poem of her own, one by Sandra Cisneros, a video and more in her post. You can find all that poetic goodness and links to the other participating poets over here on her blog.

My Story Cubes poetry prompt this week had me a little stumped at first. In addition to trying to write fast, I'm also challenging myself to keep the order of the dice in my poem. So if the cauldron comes first, I'm trying to make it first thing I mention. Either I like multi-dimensional chess, or I like making things challenging for myself. Or maybe both!

Here are this week's prompts:

three dice with pictures: a bubbling cauldron, an hand holding a picture drawing a stick figure person, a footprint


And here is my poem.

Plot Problems

First I drew a cauldron

Bubbling full of poisoned brew.

Then I drew a hungry hero

Now I don’t know what to do.

hmmm . . . . 

I know how to fix this!

Draw one big foot, then two.

Run fast, my big foot hero!

Go find some barbecue.

© 2025, Elisabeth Norton, all rights reserved



What about you? Have you found any inspiration in the Story Cubes this week? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.


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Comments

  1. Linda BFebruary 2, 2024 at 11:07 PM

    Oh my, Elisabeth, I think you did just great with the story cubes, a big challenge this time, and you created such a fun ending! Congratulations for your publishing coming. I love seeing about Tinguely's work & this sculpture is amazing. Throughout my teaching, my students paired up to create those kinds of works, modeled that time after Rube Goldberg, who crafted similar work. Also, I must tell you about The City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, created from scraps just as Tinguely did, a huge building full of experiences that also has a school bus hanging out on top! https://citymuseum.org We visit there when we visit my brother in MO. I'll check out your link about being part of this!

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    1. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:29 PM

      That museum looks amazing Linda!

      I think machines like Rube Goldberg's and sculptures like Tinguely's are just inherently fascinating, especially for kids. Trying to figure out what is connected to what, what part is causing another thing to move ... Tinguely was all about movement and sound, and I love the idea of being able to help kids broaden their definition of art beyond paintings or static sculptures. Thanks for your encouragement about this project!

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    2. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:31 PM

      Thanks Tracey! The publisher and I are really excited to be able to aim for publication around JT's 100th birthday. Thanks for your kind words and visiting the blog this week :-).

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    3. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:31 PM

      Thanks Patricia!

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    4. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:32 PM

      Thanks, Marcie! I'm having a lot of fun with these Story Cube challenges!

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    5. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:33 PM

      Thanks Laura! I hope you have fun exploring Tinguely's work.

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    6. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:34 PM

      Thanks Mary Lee! Amy LV story poems were great fun to read.

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    7. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:36 PM

      Thanks for your comments on the story cube poem - I was trying to go for a funny ending, so I'm glad that last line worked! :-)

      I had no idea when I posted the link to Chaos 1 that someone from that area might see it! How fun! I hope to be able to go see Chaos 1 in person someday ... maybe after the book comes out I can make that happen!

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    8. ElisabethFebruary 4, 2024 at 3:37 PM

      Thanks Rose! I'm having a lot of fun with these challenges.

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  2. Tracey Kiff-JudsonFebruary 2, 2024 at 11:12 PM

    Congratulations! I can't wait to see your biography of Jean Tinguely. Spring 2025 seems so far away, but what a happy coincidence that it lines up with his 100th birthday! I also love your fun poem, that was a tricky roll!

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  3. Patricia FranzFebruary 3, 2024 at 7:25 AM

    Wow! Elizabeth, congrats! And thanks for linking the sites. I hope to take a few peeks later this week.

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  4. Marcie Flinchum AtkinsFebruary 3, 2024 at 12:25 PM

    You poem is hilarious! Clever use of that trio of cubes. Also, congratulations on your forthcoming project!

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  5. laurasalasFebruary 3, 2024 at 1:16 PM

    Congratulations, Elisabeth! What fabulous news! I'll have to check out Tinguely and the links you shared. Thanks for sharing your fun draft, too!

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  6. Mary LeeFebruary 3, 2024 at 2:06 PM

    Your poem is in conversation with Amy LV's this week! I love how you solved your character's plot problem!

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  7. Diane Keeps WritingFebruary 3, 2024 at 3:58 PM

    I enjoyed your whimsical poem. Such a hilarious ending! Thanks for the news link. (featuring the local news channel I watch most- and a feature I missed- now I’m thinking I’ll recruit a friend for a quick road-trip to experience the sculpture) Congrats on the picture book biography.

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  8. Rose CappelliFebruary 3, 2024 at 10:10 PM

    Congratulations, Elisabeth! And I love what you did with the cubes - very clever.

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  9. Susan T.February 5, 2024 at 1:41 AM

    Congrats on your publication news! The poem is great fun. The advice to run off and find BBQ is right up my alley.

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  10. Bridget MageeFebruary 5, 2024 at 9:14 AM

    Fun cube-y poem, Elisabeth. And congrats on Tingluey's story finding it's way into the hands of readers. I enjoyed the early drafts of his story. :)

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  11. Karen Edmisten February 7, 2024 at 2:11 PM

    Congratulations, Elisabeth! What wonderful news! I loved the playfulness of your poem too. :)

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