For today’s prompt, write a purpose poem. Many people like to have a purpose in life. Some folks do things on purpose. And yes, sometimes it appears there is no purpose to life’s events. Whatever drives you, I hope you’re able to pair purpose (or lack of purpose) with your poetry today.
Remember: These prompts are just springboards; you have the freedom to jump in any direction you want. In other words, it’s more important to write a new poem than to stick to the prompt. — Robert Lee Brewer, Writer’s Digest
All-purpose
On my kitchen counter
sit two Mason jars:
one old pint; one new quart
each filled with a mysterious mixture
of flour, water, and magic
which both
seems to require rather careful tending
— the new one, a gift from a girlfriend
exploring baking as a hobby
while she’s working from home —
and
is remarkably tolerant of neglect —
at least the latter is my hope
as I stir and measure and will into new life
the long-forgotten sourdough starter
that’s been patiently waiting
in its pint jar at the back of my fridge.
Every time I told my husband,
a brewer of beer,
that I might throw it out,
his response was that yeast is an enigma
and it might not be quite dead
So I saved it for a day
that turns out to be today,
fed it some all-purpose flour
and a generous helping of well wishes
and in a week or two
of attentive nurturing,
if the gods of fermentation smile upon me,
the old starter will thrive
beside the new,
restored to its purpose.