SAMPLE PRAXIS POETRY PROMPT

Fortune Cookie

Let’s have a little fortune cookie fun [in bed]! Here are eleven awesome poems inspired by fortune cookies. Enjoy! 

Inspiration

Fortune [The neighbors will soon spread their confounding potluck before you.] poem by Dobby Gibson

Fortune [There’s only one horizon, yet it can be found] poem by Dobby Gibson

Handy Guide poem by Dean Young

The Moral Kicks In poem by Peter Twal

Cardi B Tells Me about Myself poem by Eboni Hogan 

In Bed poem by Kim Addonizio

Lines For the Fortune Cookies poem by Frank O’Hara 

New Lines for Fortune Cookies poem by James Masao Mitsui

Your Luck Is about to Change poem by Susan Elizabeth Howe

Little God Origami poem by Stefi Weisburd

If You Go to Bed Hungry poem by Angela Narisco Torres 

Writing Prompt

Write a poem (or short prose piece) inspired by the fortune cookie.

Include one (or more) of the following:

  • Adages

  • Warnings / Predictions

  • Tips / Advice / Instructions

  • The words "in bed" at the end of each line or stanza (or some other repeated phrase)

  • Confident, assertive, didactic, sarcastic or matter-of-fact tone

  • Interpolated lines from a fortune cookie

  • [Brackets] with fortune inside

  • Made up fortunes (serious or ridiculous)

  • Mention of a real or metaphorical fortune cookie

  • Second person address (to the reader, as "you")

  • A meal eaten alone or with someone else, which includes a fortune cookie

(and perhaps some setting or narrative details)

Or something else! Feel free to interpret loosely. Have fun!

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