Last Saturday our writing group in Churchill College, Cambridge was together again in person for the first time in months. Through the darkness and chill of winter, we meet by Zoom, which is cheery in its own way. But there is a magic about writers being in a room together that can ignite us, especially when we write together. Below are the prompts we used that day. I hope they work for you too:

Here, in this little bay,

Full of tumultuous life and great repose,

Where, twice a day,

The purposeless, glad ocean comes and goes,

Under high cliffs, and far from the huge town,

I sit me down.

(Magna Est Veritas by Coventry Patmore, 1823–1896)

Always it happens when we are not there —

The tree leaps up alive into the air,

Small open parasols of Chinese green

Wave on each twig.

(Metamorphosis by May Sarton, 1912–1995)

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now

Is hung with bloom along the bough,

And stands about the woodland ride

Wearing white for Eastertide.

(Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now by A E Housman, 1859–1936)

Cherry blossoms –

lights

of years past.

(by Basho, 1644–1694)

In time of silver rain

The butterflies

Lift silken wings

To catch a rainbow cry.

(In Time of Silver Rain by Langston Hughes, 1902–1967)