Illustration by Ana Hinojosa.

Illustration by Ana Hinojosa.

The world around you is filled with stories and poetry. There’s inspiration everywhere, which is why carrying a notebook (or using the Notes app on your phone) is essential when it comes to writing: You never know when an idea is going to cross your path.

This week, we’d like you to create a poem simply by taking notes. Throughout the week, write down anything you see that you find particularly interesting or beautiful, like this:

mint green gum stain on the sidewalk in the shape of a heart
smiling dog
red sweater with tiny roses at the collar
someone yelling “lauren” at the top of their lungs

Separately, your notes may not seem to flow. Once you start viewing them as one continuous whole, there’s something quite lovely in how the little things you notice create a much stranger and more complex picture.

Open your eyes and your notebook and get started! Please send your finished poem—along with your first name, last initial, age, and city/state/country—to [email protected] with the subject line “Creative Prompt” by 6 PM EST on Monday, June 27.

Last week’s Creative Prompt was to remix one of your favorite fairy tales. Here’s a classic that got an update…