Just Pay Attention

a writing prompt for you

Welcome to Writing in Company. Each week I share some words and a writing prompt, meant to be jumping-off points for you to write about what matters. Use the prompts however you like—to journal, to draft thoughts for your own writing project, as meditation or prayer ideas, or for another creative endeavor. You can always look back through the archive for more ideas. Grab your pen and paper, and let your words loose on the page.

A short and sweet poetry prompt from Mary Oliver today, with very little intro needed. Just this:

• If you’ve taken a workshop with me, I’ve probably used this poem.

• It goes on almost every handout of writing prompts I share.

• It opened a grant proposal that led to the training that eventually led to the start of Writing in Company.

• It’s been a guiding poem for me, both in my writing life, and in my prayer life.

What will it say to you today, when you pay attention with your pen?

a writing prompt

Praying

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

— Mary Oliver, Thirst

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