Day 4: _____________ and other strange animals

Just type "strange animals" into Google Images. Go on, I dare you.

The above image is just one of the "what the hecky decky is that?!" moments you will have while scrolling through the results (possibly more expletive-ridden, as in my case).

You may, however, be less inspired by things you might find on a trip to a very unusual zoo. Perhaps the first thing that this prompt called to mind for you was even Gerald Durrell's (rightly) famous (and hilarious) "My Family and Other Animals" (if you haven't read it and/or seen the TV series, you're in for a treat!). (We all love our families really, but let's face it - they're not always the easiest to look after!)

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Durrell deploys personification and anthropomorphism heavily in his depiction of his family as being as animalistic as the curiosities that he finds while on their travels. You may want to try similar techniques in your poem today.

You may also want to compare other things to animals - people often talk of depression as a "black dog", for example.

Suggested forms

If writing about entertaining zoo creatures or pets, then you may wish to keep your choice of form just as light-hearted - so a limerick, riddle or acrostic could work well here. Kennings - which rely on compound adjectives - are also fun.

If you want to write more seriously, reflectively, or in a detailed manner about a creature or feeling, as DH Lawrence does in his wonderful poem 'Snake', then free verse may be for you.

Word prompts

polychromatic
fright
striped
armoured
disturbed

And to finish, a quotation that might inspire you, from the actress and dancer Yvonne Craig:

Happy writing!

-- Bianca

Remember that our prompts are only suggestions - go wherever the muse takes you.
In the meantime, read other participants' poems, share the #octpowrimo hashtag on social media, and add your link to your own poem in the comments below.

OctPoWriMo Poetry Prompt Day 28 _ Who are we?

This has been another October to remember. I have enjoyed OctPoWriMo this year, but once again I was in the midst of taking care of health issues while I was also co-creating the prompts and the community here. I wish I could’ve put time on hold while I was both preparing and

recovering.

I hope to get around to more of your poetry in the coming weeks.

With that said, here is my final prompt for you to write your way into during October, 2013

Ready?

Last week I saw a movie that has sparked a lot of thought for me. 

It is called “I Am” and is a documentary about how a serious situation turned into a quest. A lot of what he says is familiar territory for me, but it was so interesting to hear his perspective along with the science behind it. The movie's premise is based on exploring human nature. The director, Tom Shadyac, visits the most respected, influential thinkers of today to interview them ask them several basic questions.

Poetry Prompt Day 26 - Father, Mother, Sister, Brother...

This is a picture of my mum and dad; it is quite unusual because my mother would probably prefer to have her head sawn off than have her photo taken so I actually don't have many pictures of her. But my prompt for you today is about family. It can be any member of your family; could be a step-sister or even the family budgie if you prefer. We all have a huge amount of baggage, both good and bad, when it comes to our families.

The tone of your poem is completely up to you. You can explore the skeletons in your family closet or go back to a more blissful childhood memory when everything seemed safer. Only you can decide how to respond to this but try not to judge; just explore, record and move.