Living

I came across a prompt posted on Instagram by Todd Dillard, and thought I'd give it a try. He gives the first part of each line plus a prompt or how to finish it - why not have a go? I've changed the second line in my poem as it was too stark in the prompt. 

Living

Am I alive or am I a suitcase waiting to be packed?

Am I asleep or am I a dormouse waiting out the winter?

If love isn't a robin cocking its head in hope of worms,

then let it be a greasy slice of quattro formaggi.

Let it be a light linen dress skimmimg over my skin.

Let it be brushstrokes of watercolour seeping onto the page.

As the jaunty sunhat waits on the bench in the porch

so too tomorrow waits for me to cram it onto my head. 

© Copyright 2026. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.

Here's the prompt if you want to have a go: 

Am I alive or am I [description of a chore you keep putting off]

Am I dead or am I  [description of an animal you think is neat doing stuff]

If love isn't [description of something happening in your fave spot outside]

Then let it be [very specific description of your fave food]

Let it be [description of your fave article of clothing]

Let it be [quirky description of your fave hobby]

As the [thing you wear to go out] waits [on/in/by]  [where you keep it]

So too tomorrow waits for me to [description of putting on the thing in the line above]