I have a new poem on line. It’s called “Spice Shelf” and can be found at: http://south85journal.com/issues/fall-winter-2015/poetry/spice-shelf/
The poem began from a prompt: “begin with an ordinary object and see where it goes.” Why the spice shelf came to mind, I don’t know. When it did, I went to look at mine and had wonderful ideas about seeing the spices as dwellers in an apartment house, going in and out in yellow or green coats and keeping their passion inside. Very little of this remained in the final poem as mundane but important matters of flavoring and feeding took over. Spices offer a wonderful opportunity for naming colors.
South 85 Journal does a very elegant presentation of the few poems they choose for each “issue” on line. I’m pleased to be among them.
freethoughtandmetaphor 
Dec 16, 2015 @ 15:34:06
It’s fun to see the actual spice shelf here, after reading this rich poem on line.
Dec 17, 2015 @ 07:21:58
A wonderful poem and congratulations on it being published. That simple prompt took you a long way in ideas and time. Thanks so much for your holiday card, also. Love, Sally
Dec 18, 2015 @ 11:26:23
Life’s Shelf
Dec 20, 2015 @ 19:16:26
Congratulations, Ellen! This is wonderful news!
My mother once used a similar prompt and it led her to a big box filled with rolled balls of leftover yarn. She had no idea that lifting the lid on the box would unleash so many ideas.
Thank you for reminding us all to start with a small idea…and grow it to something bigger than we expected.