The idiom, “Expanding Horizons” means to gain experiences, and to learn about different cultures and ways of living. Have you mentioned in conversation lately how you’d like to gain a few new experiences, try something new for a change, or step out of your comfort zone? It seems that the dawn of a new year often inspires us to want to make the most of the next 365 days.
So what’s stopping you? No matter our age, it’s healthy and productive to learn a new skill or craft. Studies have shown that continuing our education as well as giving our time and talents in volunteer service can help us live longer. Expanding horizons can be good for the body, mind, and soul.
Try It:
Is there something new you’ve started? Have you picked up a healthy habit, or begun an exciting chapter in your life? Maybe there’s something that’s been stirring in you—a change, an opportunity, a step forward. Or, how have you expanded your horizons in the past? What is something you ventured and gained? Write a poem about your experience or your hoped-for experience.
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Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here is a poem from Rick reaching into the expanse of memory:
At the Horizon
All morning you stared past the waves
to where time vanished into the sky.
Beyond that line you could not see me
looking back now with wonder, from where
I tell you not to be afraid of approaching horizons.
Did you imagine tide pools there
your child’s arm thrust deep in their waters,
where sightless stars felt the light
touch of your sightless fingers?
—by Rick Maxson
Photo by Sunset, Creative Commons via Flickr.
Browse more writing prompts
Browse poetry teaching resources
How to Write a Poem uses images like the buzz, the switch, the wave—from the Billy Collins poem “Introduction to Poetry”—to guide writers into new ways of writing poems. Excellent teaching tool. Anthology and prompts included.
“How to Write a Poem is a classroom must-have.”
—Callie Feyen, English Teacher, Maryland
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- Animate: Lions & Lambs Poetry Prompt - March 12, 2018
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Monica Sharman says
Oh, my goodness. Trying new things is actually one of my biggest problems — too many new things, not enough time to practice them all. For example, I just asked to be on the email list of a community theater so I’d know when their future auditions are, even though I already know I won’t have time for rehearsals (unless I give up one of my other new things).
So the challenge for me is to figure out which new thing to write a poem about. :-/
Monica Sharman says
The Curse of the Renaissance Soul
My horizons, like my waistline,
can expand too much.
An obesity of sorts, a gluttony
for every tempting opportunity
(they’re all golden, you know).
I overindulge, I’m guilty as charged:
a Jill of all trades and mistress of none.
The next new venture is one-
in-a-million, once-in-a-lifetime.
How to learn
in moderation?
How to explore
under control?
How to say no?
I don’t know. I keep growing, binging,
overindulging. A feast is before me;
I let myself go.
Donna Falcone says
Monica… I love the way you have linked this with food and diet – My horizons, like my waistline, can expand too much. – the over indulging – the glutony – the feast! The beginning… and then the end – I let myself go. So good! Delicious in fact.
I can feel your excitement for new things! Smart choice, to relate it to food and diet – something very relatable!
Prasanta says
I can identify with these sentiments, Monica!
Sandra Heska King says
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Rick Maxson says
Well said, Monica. I am still chewing a few things I bit off long ago.
Sandra Heska King says
I stand where sand smooths its skirts
and slips into the wave’s embrace.
Together they tumble toward the sunset
(or is it the sunrise?)
where sea kisses sky.
What’s beyond my eye-mark?
Is there a space for me in this
ripple of time to build a castle?
Rick Maxson says
Wonderful closing, Sandra, and the first two lines as well.
Monica Sharman says
That this ends in a question mark is itself expanding a horizon.
Rick Maxson says
I reworked an old one that needed reworking. Seems appropriate now, how careful we must be when painting.
Painting the Interior
The agony over color,
what we cannot see or recall,
we imagine: the chiaroscuro
of a canyon wall, the rolling
ochre of the air before a squall.
The eye must have its trials
and errors, patches brushed
as tests and passed for weeks,
descending shade in depths
of space, so distant from the bright
wall near the kitchen door.
Which is purer,
the light we create with effort,
or the fluency from random
windows throughout the house?
What is the color that can live with both?
I like taping.
Laying the horizons of distinction.
the small and hidden spaces
we never really know,
giving the expanding choice a line.
The change does not come
with the basting of bristle,
but with time and faith
in how curing resolves our colors.
Then we are content for awhile
with such newness, it surprises us
at the end of a tired day
where we forget, the interior
is never finished;
the color is scratched or marred,
by the furniture and fingers of our lives.
We get bold and stir the color
once again; we know it well now,
what was once strange.
We work, with duty, brush in hand.
Monica Sharman says
Really like the taping stanza.
Monica Sharman says
Violin Lessons
Fingers find their places two years later, still
not on pitch. Don’t yet quite know
how to tighten the bow, not too much tension
yet not too loose. Even swiping on the rosin
needs a lesson: long strokes, not little back-and-forths.
Relax. Always relax. You don’t feel
like you’re getting better, but you are.
Somewhere beyond the horizon, unseen,
will be the audition, the symphony, the being
one piece in the orchestra, other bows rising
and falling in concert with yours.
Rick Maxson says
Monica, this describes very well the faith exemplified in practice. Love the final sentence.
Monica Sharman says
I wrote a letter today and put a Pluto “New Horizons” stamp on the envelope. 🙂
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/postal-service-honors-nasa-planetary-discoveries-with-2016-stamps
Monica Sharman says
Huh. About half of the comments here are mine. It must mean I like this prompt.
Anyway, since the kitchen is where I try a lot of new things …
Recipe
Midnight-violet eggplant mingled
with onions red like the sunset—
steeped, absorbing sauce and spices
that came from places the sun is now
rising.
Katie says
Glad you shared “Recipe”:)
Has inspired me to take another stab at this prompt which i found really challenging. In the past year I have broadened my recipe repertoire and have reveled in the colors of new foods i haven’t cooked with before. Thanks!
Katie says
Hi again – finally found the tote bag with the notebook containing the correct poem! (sometimes i write away from home)
Perusing the Spice Aisle/Hunting for Flavor
It can take a while
it can take quite a while
When you’re a newbie
when you’re a newbie cook
To find the one
to find the one you need
Yes, they are in order
yes, they are in alphabetical order
Yet, sometimes
yet sometimes, I don’t know
Just which one I need
just which one I need for
The soup
the soup or the stew – ?
The roast
the roast or the brew – ?
Donna Falcone says
I love how this poem has me feeling like I am climbing up steps into the roast… or the brew! 😉 Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you found it!
Katie says
Thank you , Donna:)