Prompt #21: Pillory
pl. pil·lo·ries
A wooden framework on a post, with holes for the head and hands, in which offenders were formerly locked to be exposed to public scorn as punishment.
tr.v. pil·lo·ried, pil·lo·ry·ing, pil·lo·ries
1. To expose to ridicule and abuse.
2. To put in a pillory as punishment.
We are using that 2nd idea of “pillory,” to expose someone to ridicule and abuse (perhaps as punishment?)
I know, there are those gentle writers that will hate this prompt because they would never want to say a mean thing about anyone. But the tradition of pillorying someone dates back before Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
We all have that person we secretly despise. Write a poem about that person, either as if you are speaking to them, OR as you imagine they might think. Write a poem with that figure as your central character.
Caveat: It may be appropriate NOT to share this poem in the comment section below—especially as someone else might be able to identify this person. We want to tap in to that angst for great writing, but we DON’T want to hurt or embarrass anyone else.
Leave a comment