This evening, my mom and I attended a poetry workshop led by Michigan’s Poet Laureate, Nandi Comer. It was a fun and inspiring event. Here is the first poem I wrote in the workshop. Our inspiration was a memory which we could never forget.

Detroit Drive in Winter

Snow obscures the world beyond
The light turns green and I turn
Peering out through fogged windows 
Searching for one building in a row of giants

Lights shine cutting through the frozen haze
Bright white across the path ahead
Cursing
He points to an egress
Is that a road?
Of course, tire tracks. 

Turning from the oncoming traffic 
The way shadowy - trees line up to block the city lights

Thwump! Thwump!
I think that was a curb. 

Peering through the falling flakes
Sinewy figures dance in the shadows
A playground!
Is this a park?
No. See the cars behind us?
I lead the caravan of lost cars 
Frozen toes, freed from impractical shoes press the pedal
The sickly sweet heat pouring from the vents fail to combat the cold seeping in through decades old seals

Thwump! Thwump!
That was the other curb. 

I turn into the traffic, bearings regained and destination spotted

She then had us pick our favorite line from this first poem and create a second unrelated poem.

Thwump! Thwump! I think that was a curb

I hold on for dear life as the bike tries to buck me
Are we there yet?
Almost. 
The blindfold has shifted, but the bright light peeking in is as revealing as the black bandanna

The clicking of the bike chain slows and we stop
Can I look now?
Not yet!
He leads me Tugging my arm
Soft grass beneath my feet turns to shifting dirt and rock

I smell earth and water
The tugging stops
Now.
He helps me loosen the bandanna It falls away
Blinking my vision into focus 
I see trees reaching up into the sky
He points down I follow his hand

A fallen log - filled with water and wonder

I really liked the exercise of choosing a favorite line and using it as inspiration for a new work. I can see myself utilizing this technique in much of my creative writing practice.

What ways can you use a favorite piece of your work to inspire your next project?