***Announcement***
Please join us at dVerse LIVE on Saturday, September 13th, from 10 AM to 11 AM EST. Google meet link will be provided at Open Link Night on Thursday.🙃
Happiest of Tuesdays, everyone! I hope you’re well wherever you are. This is Melissa from Mom With a Blog, bringing you today’s Poetics prompt, drinks and snacks.✍🏻🥂🍿
You may have heard of Leo Tolstoy, the iconic 19th-century Russian novelist responsible for War and Peace and Anna Karenina. On this day (September 9) in 1828, Tolstoy was born.
My greatest introduction to Tolstoy was the above book, which was drawn from A Calendar of Wisdom. I have read and reread Thoughtful Wisdom and I highly recommend it.
It is worth noting that historical accounts indicate Tolstoy’s personal life was drastically lacking in the kindness he is known for espousing. The messages remain. For today’s Poetics prompt, I’d like to delve into the thoughts of our friend, Leo, and see where the muse takes us.
Choose one of the following ideas that strike you, that resonate with you, that you believe to be true. Then, write a poem about a time (or times) your actions aligned with the idea you chose and a time your actions did not. You’re writing one poem including both concepts.
If you’re new, here is how to join us:
- Write a poem in response to the prompt.
- Enter your name and a link directly to the post containing your poem into Mr. Linky. Remember to check the box to accept use/privacy policy.
- Read other poets’ work as they enter their links into Mr. Linky. Check back as more will be added.
- Please link back to dVerse from your post.
- Have a wonderful time!🎉
‼️Mr. Linky will remain open until 3pm EST on Thursday, September 11, 2025.‼️
dVerse 
Love the way this prompt may go… so far I have seen three links and all of has used different quotes.
The poems I’ve read so far are great!
Hello, friends! Happy Tuesday and welcome to Poetics! I hope you enjoy the prompt. After Tolstoy, I have Kvass on tap (yes, that was hard to do!), it’s a malt beverage of fermented rye bread; we also have Ankovsky pie (your guess is as good as mine! Google it!). If you’re of the more traditional, non-vegan hippie variety, we have chocolate or vanilla birthday cake with buttercream icing. Of course I will get you anything else you like! Poem on!
Thanks, Mel. Will you be there on Saturday? I have it on my calendar! 🥳
We are in soccer season. Leland has a game Saturday morning. I’m unable to attend many of the open mics during soccer. And now he is on the travel team, which is a much greater commitment. I will try. I miss also having the Thursday night option.
Ooh that’s a challenge and a half Melissa 🙌
Can’t wait to see what you write!
😀
heartbeat
in moment of silence
old love finds new life
Beautiful. Thank you, Mike.🙏🏻
Many thanks for this creative prompt Melissa. Tolstoy – one of the greats.
Happy you enjoyed it, Paul!
The best kind of challenge ~~~ digging deep within oneself …. Turning 84 next week, the Vanilla cake with Buttercream icing sounds delicious, one candle please and if you don’t mind a flute of champagne?!!!
Beautiful prompt! I enjoyed the writing process, thank you.
Thank you, Jay!👏🏻