at the party

the odor of paper mache
and tissue paper fluff
shaped into a donkey
and painted brighter
than a prism
or a flutterby wing.
a gurgle of laughter
bubbling around
and around—they
spin and spin and
strike!
at first they miss,
and spin again,
but the stick grows
less dizzy with
every swing
landing with a thud
over and over and
crack!
I break apart,
spill onto the ground,
spreading the smell of chocolate
which escapes the crinkle
of cellophane,
smooth in tiny hands
to spill across their
tongues, bitter-dark
and sweet as every year
they’ve known.

Author's Note: A piñata
line count: 28

Prompt ▼

Prompt for: Sept 3, 2015 (Ren)
Subject or Theme: It's a 15th Birthday Party and you must prepare...the only catch: you aren't the host or even a guest, you are an item at the party (e.g. party hat, balloons, cake, etc.). This is an exercise in personification!
Word(s) to Include: Use all of the five senses to personify your object but do NOT name your object in your poem and the pronoun "I" but you may only use it ONE time. (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): Whatever your item is, though at the end of the poem, put an author's note letting us know what item you did choose. (or any derivatives of these words)
Additional Parameters: At least 20 lines of free verse, rhyming poetry or a form of your choice as long as line count is observed. Remember, only use the pronoun "I" once in your poem.
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.