Creativity on a Rainy Day

CREATIVITY ON A RAINY DAY

We’ve had a rainy afternoon, not a heavy pouring rain but light and drizzly. As I looked out my window and noticed the trees with their varying hues of wet green leaves, my porch swing seemed to be calling me. I gathered up my pen, journal and a pillow for my back so I could sit sideways on the swing propping up my feet.

There was a light breeze, and raindrops made tapping sounds on the metal roof. It was quite pleasant outside. Some birds were noisily playing tag. Our rooster was walking around proudly crowing while the hens wandered around. The dogs finally realized I was on the porch and came running to greet me.

 

It was so relaxing on the swing. I began writing in the journal, but my mouth kept opening as I yawned several times. My eyes watered as eyelids drooped, wanting to close. With the constant hum of the rain, the droning of tires on the road below and the moderate temperature, I found it hard to stay awake. As a matter of fact I’m sure I dozed a little.

Maybe you’re feeling a little sleepy, too.

How would you like a fun poetry exercise to wake you up and get your creative juices flowing? Last year I came across an exercise at The Write Practice that made it easy to write a poem using whatever comes to your mind. Basically you write down a word, then another and so on. When you’re ready, move down a line and do it all again until you decide you are done. The full instructions can be found HERE.

The great thing about this is that it doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not. Sometimes it may seem completely unconnected but other times you may surprise yourself. I’ve done it several times and enjoyed it each time. Here is one of the first ones I wrote with a couple of minor changes. (Originally the first stanza had two lines, the second had four and the the third had three. In the third stanza I moved the last line to be the first.)

Purple Trees and Golden Hills

Purple trees clamor amid high clouds
Golden hills run wildly in a row
A giant I am and slow

Head full of stories so loud
Tumbling like a hamster wheel
Round and round and real

Imagination reigns
Happy as a jumping frog
Not a plain old cog
                                                       ~ gayl wright

I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you will try your hand at writing your own. 

 

It can be as long or short as you want. If you do write, I’d love for you to share it in the comments.

 

---

 

• 
• 
• 
•