The Blue Flash

1. Begin by writing a few words about a single, sudden motion that breaks the stillness of a summer afternoon. You might focus on a bright streak of iridescent blue or the way a surface of water is punctured by a quick dive. 2.

Describe a moment where time seems to stretch or slow down as if you are watching a darting bird in mid-air. Allow the rhythm of your poem to mimic a held breath, letting the lines feel suspended and quiet for a beat. 3.

Capture a sensory detail of the aftermath, such as the widening circles on a river or the damp scent of growth along the bank. You can keep this part very simple, focusing on just one color or one sound that lingers after the flash is gone. Begin anywhere that feels manageable.

More prompts in the gallery · Make your own prompt with Opaline