Summary

Paper Poetry is hosting a musical-themed poetry prompt for Week 17, inviting writers to incorporate the phrase "candle in the wind" into an original poem, with the aim of showcasing poetic talent and exploring the interplay between music and poetry.

Abstract

The Paper Poetry community is embracing the rhythm of rhyme with its Week 17 poetry prompt, "Let's Go Musical at Paper Poetry." This creative challenge encourages poets to weave the phrase "candle in the wind," famously used by Sir Elton John, into their own original compositions. The prompt emphasizes the close relationship between music and poetry, noting that both often utilize similar literary devices and brevity in titles. Participants are free to choose their poem's form, theme, and title, with the only requirement being the inclusion of the prompt phrase. The submission guidelines are detailed, including a minimum word count, the use of specific tags, and the incorporation of a handcrafted image element. The prompt also provides a link to Elton John's song for inspiration and encourages writers to invite others to participate. The initiative is open to new writers and serves as a platform to highlight poetic works, with a reminder that using song titles in original writing does not infringe on copyright laws.

Opinions

The author expresses enthusiasm and a playful tone, indicating a joyful approach to the fusion of music and poetry.
There is a sense of community and mutual support, as poets are encouraged to highlight and praise each other's work.
The prompt suggests a deep appreciation for the musicality inherent in poetic language, celebrating the literary craftsmanship of song lyrics and poetry.
The inclusion of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" as a thematic element reflects a recognition of the song's cultural impact and its suitability as a creative catalyst for poets.
The guidelines demonstrate a respect for originality and creativity, while also providing structure to foster a sense of unity across diverse submissions.
The prompt is inclusive, welcoming new writers to join and participate in the weekly challenge, thereby expanding the Paper Poetry community.

Let’s Go Musical at Paper Poetry

Lighting a Musical Candle

Tuning up our poetic brilliance

Hello to our dear Paper Poetry friends,

Are you getting into the swing of the rhyme? Do you hear the beat of the tempo? Are the lyrics jiving to the tune of your melody?

Yes, I’ve gone a bit nutty! 😆

But, hey, we’re all allowed to let ourselves off the bow once in a while, and we poets know that better than most. We’re the ones who compose literary treats with the musicality of our lexical ensembles. 🎵

We did that last week and we’ll do it again. It started with Suntonu’s Let’s Go Musical at Paper Poetry Week 16 micropoetry prompt: musical. On centre stage we had stunning solo performances from –

🎵 Raine Lore with The Music in My Heart

🎵 Carolyn Hastings with Nocturnal Musical Masterpiece

🎵 Toni Crowe with Musical Energy

🎵 Suntonu Bhadra with Life, Fate, Longing

🎵 Jenine Bsharah Baines with Moonlight Sonata

🎵 Indubala Kachhawa with Aum

Please give our poetic performers a rousing round of applause — along with some highlights and praise if you feel so inclined. 🙏 👏 ✨

Time now to find out what’s up next in our exciting musical program.

Poetry Prompt Week 17

Music and poetry have much in common. In particular, song lyrics often utilise the same literary devices that define poetry.

It’s a similar story when choosing titles for songs and poems. Typically, song and poetry titles are quite short — six words or less — and are taken directly from the song’s lyrics or the poem’s lines of verse.

Since they’re so similar, why not embed a song title in a line of original poetry? Let’s give it a try!

And where better to start than with a song and a singer/songwriter who has wowed the world for decades with his brilliance and flamboyance?

Please welcome to the stage, the one and only, Sir Elton John and his tribute song to the inimitable Marilyn Munro —

Candle In The Wind

Your task, if you choose to accept it, is to write an original piece of poetry that includes the phrase, ‘candle in the wind’ somewhere in its lines. Apart from the song title-phrase, your poem does not need to bear any similarity to the song.

Prompt details

Type: I have no idea what a poem with an embedded song title is called — any suggestions? 😅

Song title/prompt phrase: candle in the wind

Form: your choice of poetry

Word limit: minimum 40 words including the 4-word prompt phrase, ‘candle in the wind’ i.e. minimum 90% writer’s own words

Theme: your choice — your poem does not need to be about Elton John, the song, Marilyn Munro or Princess Diana

Title/subtitle/kicker: please use ‘Let’s Go Musical at Paper Poetry’ as the kicker; your choice of title and subtitle

Tags: please use ‘W17 Prompt’ and ‘Candle In The Wind’ tags when submitting your poem

Image: one image only Please note: your image must incorporate a handwritten/handcrafted element in either paper or digital format in accordance with Paper Poetry’s submission guidelines. For example: a handwritten portion of the poem, a decorative title, an illustration that depicts an aspect of your poem, a digitally altered or embellished free-to-use image.

Extensions: please include a link to Elton John’s song, Candle In The Wind. Please also include a promotional link to this prompt and invite (handle tag) up to five other writers to join the prompt. Our weekly prompts are all about showcasing your poetry, so we kindly ask that you limit explanatory notes, backstories, etc. to a minimum.

Submission period: Saturday, June 18 (UTC-10hrs, the Cook Islands 12:00am) — closing Friday, June 24 (UTC-10hrs, Cook Islands 11:59 pm)

Please note: titles of songs cannot be copyrighted so there is no issue with copyright infringement or plagiarism if the song title is used in your own piece of writing, however using other lyrics from the song could be in breach of copyright laws.

New writers are always most welcome to join our prompts. In fact, please do! Simply leave a comment below requesting to be added as a writer and we will attend to the rest. Alternatively, email us at [email protected]

The next weekly poetry prompt announcement will be on June 25 (UTC-10hrs, the Cook Islands 12:00am)

Sign up to Paper Poetry Sparks…

…and put yourself in the front row box seat to receive notification of our weekly poetry prompts. It’s easy! Fill in the form at the bottom of this post and our newsletter, Paper Poetry Sparks, will arrive in your inbox! ✉️

Let your candles burn brightly. ✨

Carolyn Hastings