Poem a Day 22: An impossible machine


Impossible Machine

Welcome to Day 22! Today's prompt is an idea of what to write about: an impossible machine. A machine that you wish existed, or a machine that really shouldn't exist, or simply one that might be quite fun or a bit dangerous but either way is definitely impossible. If you want some aesthetic inspiration, try skimming through this selection of steampunk machine images. And if you find yourself struggling to think up an impossible machine, follow the adage I always give my students: if you can't think of 1 idea, think of 20! Stop, grab a piece of paper, and write down twenty impossible machines.

For a type of poem, I have a couple of serving suggestions. First off, you could write a didactic poem, aka an instructional poem, one that tells the reader what to do. More specifically, you could write it as a manual, carefully explaining which levers to move, switches to flick, buttons to press, dials to twist, and so on.

Alternately (or combined with that) you could write it as a shape poem – you could draw the outline of your imaginary machine first, then write inside it, or grab a cog or selection of cogs from this image search and write to the shape of those.

The Meddling with Poetry course explores a host of different poetry forms as well as the musicality of language, poetic imagery, and other aspects of the poetic. It's 8 weeks long, one evening a week, and absolute beginners and experienced writers are equally welcome. You can read more details and book a place here.


Now and Next

Coming Next:

Make a wish for a Summer of Writing
SATURDAYS IN AUGUST
One-day workshops in Oxford

WISH-LIST NOW OPEN

What workshop would you love to go on, if it existed? Add it to the wish-list!

MAKE A WISH BY 1 April 2024

Story Elements Creative Writing course
APRIL–JULY 2024
Online OR In person

NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS

Explore the 12 key elements of story architecture in lively workshop-style classes.

READ MORE AND BOOK

Get new blogposts and updates by email

Tick which emails you'd like to get (you can tick both):

I won't share your email with anyone else. You'll get emails from me only, when a new blogpost is published, and about once a month with updates about the courses and a batch of writing prompts. All emails are sent via MailChimp and you can unsubscribe at any time. Add megan@thewritersgreenhouse.co.uk to your address book if you want to keep the emails from vanishing into spam.