I’m not one for following rules! Even more so when reading instruction manuals, the very sight of them causes the same reaction in me as physics classes at school – my cognitive skills freeze!
However, I could not fail to be inspired by a creative writing prompt in my beautiful mslexia Diary & Planner.
This is what my mind saw: Take a favourite sentence. I had just the perfect one in mind:
‘Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.’ Confucius
I came across these wise words for the first time earlier in the week while reading Khaya Ronkainen’s heartwarming and inspiring newsletter. (Do take a look at her wonderful poetry and blog here .)
Next, I believed I should place the sentence vertically down a page, a letter per line. Then create a poem or short fiction, starting with each letter on each line!
Creative ideas flowing I scribbled away with a satisfying whirl of energy. It became long; longer than I’d expected. Halfway through I returned to the instructions (quite typical for me!) and realised my piece was unravelling before me!
This was an acrostic writing exercise which involved selecting a sentence and listing the 14 words vertically. (Error #1 Mine was only 11 words) One should then make the first letter of each word into 14 new sentences or lines of poetry. (Error#2 I had made each letter of the sentence a new line – hence 50 line-long poem).
Instructions are great, and helpful at times yet they can be abandoned, as inspirations take us to new directions! Just so! Instead of scrapping my piece, I returned to it reinvigorated, daring!
I hope you enjoy my non-acrostic poem below and I wonder have you ever had any experiences where not following the instructions led to something new?
Listen
Listen!
I’m speaking
Fine
Except
I’m not.
Speak to me
Relish the moment
Experience life
Accept it.
Listen
Lightly let your heart sing.
Yellow
Stains on your shirt
Immersed in fantasy
My imagination
Plays tricks.
Lions, or is it loins,
Enwrapped, enraptured,
Business, only business, you say.
Untruths, lies, fiction
Truth, tantalising close
Warped, twisted, broken
Especially from your mouth.
I sink down onto the chair,
Nestling amongst the blankets
Snug as a bug, as my mother used to say.
Insistent promises; you should become a writer.
Shut up, I whisper
Tornado of words whip
Over the coffee table, behind the TV.
Neither listen.
Me becomes we
Armed with history
Knitted over time.
Incorrigible, you really are, my Dad declared. Was I? Am I?
Neither of us speak.
Groundhog Day number 63 or is it 541?
I forget.
The
Clock
Oozes pain.
Mine and yours.
Please
Listen
I’m done
Come to me, though
As always, worn down.
Trust
Eventually
Destroyed.
©Annika Perry, June 2024
Annika Perry 
Lovely poem! I love when words simply flow, kind of like a brook…things are in motion and there are surprises. 🙂
Linda, thank you so much for your beautiful reflections and I love the image of words flowing like a brook – thank you so much! The surprises here are of a darker nature, I fear!
I love it! It says so much, even if you didn’t follow the rules as such. But aren’t rules made to be broken lol. That’s when the finest things can shine through. As you might have guessed, I’m not one for following instructions either (especially when it’s of the creative type) and when I do, I tend to modify them to suit. Wonderful post here Annika. I really enjoyed it!! ❤️😁
Miriam, thank you so much and glad you enjoyed my post! 🙏I definitely agree – rules are made to be broken and yes, in those moments are the nuggets of life, creativity, joy! I love how you go off-piste in your life, refusing to conform and finding a whole new path forward – truly inspirational! Here’s to throwing away the instructions and forging ahead with rules! Xx 💕
Absolutely! I’ve had a life of conforming so it’s liberating to finally step out and be able to follow my heart. Hope you’re having a great week Annika. 💜 xx
Rules are meant to be broken. That probably sounds funny coming from an ex-teacher, and I can’t see myself ever saying that to them. Of course, I’m referring to creativity where rules can be worthless impediments.
Haha! 😀 Yes, I can’t imagine a teacher ever saying that to the students but it is rather liberating when you dare step away from them especially in creative work. I love your comment that ‘rules can be worthless impediments.’ I’m taking this to heart. Many thanks for your comment, Peter
I couldn’t find the post where you talked about the the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” I got the book after you recommended it and lost it soon after in a stack of books that accumulate around the house. Happy to say that I just found it. Wanted to share that with you!
Esther, yeah! Your house sounds like mine with books galore and I have a habit of putting a book safely in a bookcase and then spend ages trying to find it! So glad ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ popped up and enjoy reading when you have a chance. It’s unique!xx
Looks like not. Okay, I wrote (I think): Great quote to jump start from. That Confucius was a smart guy, eh? 😉
Love what you did with the poem, Annika. 🙂
Betsy, exactly! The Confucius quote is one that many of us will relate to and I came across it at a particularly busy and stressful time! So obvious, life really is simple we just insist on making it complicated. So glad you enjoyed my poem and perhaps I should ignore the writing rules more often?! 😀
You have to know the rules to break them, so have at it! 😛
Shoot. I tried to quickly sign in even though I’d already hit submit. Hope my comment went through.
Betsy, I found the comment as anonymous in pending -I appreciate you taking the time to write again. I am despairing as I will sign in to WordPress and then still have to sign in for each individual site – very frustrating and realise it takes dedication to leave comments.
Glad it’s not just me. What is up with WordPress? Ah well. Happy to comment, Annika. 🙂
Love how you took the prompt and ran wild with it. Forget 14 lines, yours is a full-blown conversation with some serious emotional depth. Thanks for sharing this, Annika and keep on breaking the rules (in the best way possible). 🙌
Ritish, wow! Thank you so much for your great comment and I love how you see this as a ‘full-blown conversation’ and that you felt the energy and wildness of it. That means so much to me and yeah, I will definitely keep breaking the rules (in the best possible way)! 😀
Happy Anniversary, Annika! It sounds like you celebrated in style and had a lovely day – I’m so happy for you! 💕🥂
This was supposed to be in response to your comment to me! 🤦🏻♀️
Thank you so much, Tanya and we really did have a special time! hugs xx 🙏💕
Always welcome 🙏🏾
Hi Annika, The diary and planner is beautiful and I would be inclined to not use it, because of it’s beauty. The very wrong thing to do. I see how you were inspired by this prompt and your creative juices now flowing. I am happy you did not abandon it. I read your poem a few times, suspecting Annika’s feelings and life’s journey so far, was a thread woven throughout this poem.
Re your question: the first thing that comes to mind is my cooking and baking over the years~new concoctions, often tasty. Getting lost while driving has led me on new adventures.
I am always happy to read your writing, Annika. I am behind on reading blogs, especially the ones I like to savour. Warm hugs in your direction. 💕 Erica
Erica, it’s always a joy to see you here on my blog and your comments warm my heart so much. A visit here whenever you have a chance is wonderful. ❤️
The diary & planner is beautiful and I agree, almost too special to use! The introduction does encourage one though to go a bit ‘wild’, finding one’s own best approach to all the various sections and not to worry about being too neat, too organised. This goes against the grain for this Virgo but think I’m not doing too bad! 😀
Once I reread the prompt here I almost gave up on the poem but glad I let my creative muse free rein! Some from my own life’s journey but most from experiences of those around me as well as lot from books etc – the latter will always inspire me. It is a blessing to have such a rich diverse well to draw upon in one’s work.
I love your description of your new cooking & baking creations as you step away from the regiment of recipes! How exciting to create your own dishes, bakes and I can imagine so tasty! Oh, you’ve just reminded me how interesting and rewarding it can be to drive away from planned routes etc – I used to do this much more but now rigidly follow the satnav! I wonder what some of your adventures were as a result of stepping away from the expected route?!
With much love & hugs xx 💕
Yes, often inspired from books, Annika, especially when the timing is right. Re cooking and baking – significantly less often, since I like to eat.☺️ I will have to think about the adventures when I stepped away from an expected route – the first one that comes to mind is how I met my husband. Many of us have moments like this. Hope you are enjoying Summer and your loved ones are well. xx 💕 Erica
Wonderful 😊✨
Thank you, Neha! 🙏 I enjoyed writing this and letting my creative side become carried away while not following the rules! 😀
I am very good at my job, Annika, but holy moly, I can’t follow written instructions to save my life! It’s just one of those things and something I accept about myself. I’m good once I walk through it with someone and get my hands dirty. But my brain overthinks and takes specific steps too literally, so I get totally stumped. 🤷🏻♀️ So I am with you! I do love what you have done with this prompt. You’ve created a gorgeous poem from a quote that seems appropriate for me 😂 I hope you are having a delightful weekend, my friend! xo
Tanya, I’m smiling away at your reaction to written instructions and recognise so much of myself! Oh yes, I can relate to one’s brain overthinking. It’s good you can walk it through it with someone else – at that stage I will happily step aside! 😀 It means so much to me that you found the poem relatable and enjoyed it so much – thank you so much!
Thank you also for your kind wishes for the weekend – it was wonderful as celebrating our Silver Wedding Anniversary with friends in the south of England. Classical concert, picnic in the park, vineyard tour & tasting plus sublime celebratory meal. An incredible high of emotions. Hope you had a great weekend and are doing well, my friend. hugs xx 💕
Wow such a poignant poem, Annika! I love it❣️
Cindy, bless you for your kind words! It is wonderful how much you like my poem – thank you so much. hugs xx ❤️
“The clock oozes pain.” This line is so true and resonated so much with me (instruction manuals go right in the trash whenever I see one btw). I love how you described this and how clear it was with just a few words. This poem was really fun and easy to read in comparison to how some poems are very heavy and hard to get through. Great job!
Haha! 😀 Audrey, I’m smiling at your instruction books which are thrown into the bin. I file them away safely – in case someone else needs them one day! Thank you for your thoughts about my poem and I am glad you find it accessible and easy to read – the older tomes can be rather heavy work!
Beautiful 😻
Thank you, Yvonne! 😀🙏
Good poem as I could resonate with the words. speak to me
Relish the moment
Experience life
Accept it.
Listen
Lightly let your heart sing.
Mireya, thank you so much for your lovely comment and thoughts! 🙏 So glad the words spoke to you. 😀
very impressive; on the strength of this …… I too have trouble with instruction manuals —
John, thank you so much and glad you enjoyed my poem! Isn’t it somehow reassuring to see the universal dislike of instruction manual – good to know one is not alone!😀
they’re more cryptic than ancient Chinese 🙂
Very special somehow!
Thank you, I appreciate your that, Richmond!
Annika, I love what you did with the prompt! I do love writing and art prompts, but I am just like you about instruction manuals. My brain freezes. I hate stuff like that!
Luanne, thank you so much and I had a lot of fun with this writing prompt … and my own take on it! 😀It’s great you liked so much, thank you! 🙏 Good to know I’m not alone with the brain freeze on instruction manuals but seemed to have got by in life this way – so far!
We figure it out without the manuals!!!
Hi Annika, what a fascinating poem. I really enjoyed it. I am very bad at following instructions. It’s a real failing of mine.
Robbie, I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem and thank you so much! It was fun to write and interesting to not follow the rules! 😀 As to following instructions maybe your free spirit just wants to fly its own way – but handy if someone close does like the detailed instruction booklets etc! 😀
I am a backwards thinker. I always work from the answer in my head backwards through the steps. I’m the only person at work who does this 😉
Listen, yes, listen. Such a good piece! Loving the result of diverging in a new direction. ❤
Layla, thank you so much for your lovely comment and I like that thought of diverging in a new direction – just so and maybe we should embrace this in life! 😀
It was fun reading through the comments and seeing how many of us are not instruction followers. Lol. That’s bitten me in the arse a few times, but I still can’t make myself do it. Especially in creative ventures, following our inspiration is better than following the rules. So you ended up with a wonderful poem, Annika. Simple becomes complicated – a telling acrostic that magnifies the theme of the quote. Have a wonderful summer full of simple joys. 🙂
Diana, it does feel good to know we are in good company regarding our lack of interest in instructions! 😀😀 I love that you too see the potential of stepping outside the rules and you and your work shows the wonder of following the creative spirit. The quote is profound, a sentence encompassing how life can be yet it is so often anything but – a constant battle between the simple and complicated! Thank you so much for your lovely wishes, currently spending weekends helping friends decorate and move house,which seems more complicated than ever yet looking forward to calmer simpler peace in Sweden in August! Hope you are enjoying the summer break and may it be filled with creativity and joy.hugs xx ❤️
Is it the female brain, do you think, that’s averse to manuals and those kind of instructions? My husband religiously follows them, and usually makes sense along the way. I just go blank after the second sentence. But I think that’s part of my ageing process. One of my issues with poetry is that there are so many ‘rules’ and forms and counting. Structure is good, but sometimes feels artificial to me.
Communicating? There’s a whole book on that one. You can spend a whole lifetime with someone and still not know quite where you’re at? Another mystery to solve.
Jo, I too have wondered if the female brain does not like the boundaries of these instructions (or that is my excuse!😀) My husband, and especially my son, seem to devour instruction booklets and I’m quite happy to step back! I must admit within writing I like freewheeling it, although through blogging enjoy writing haikus! Creative writing and free form poetry will always be my favourite though.
I like your thoughts on communication in a relationship, Jo and agree, this varies massively and there will always be mysteries and surprises!
Wishing you a lovely weekend, my friend! Xx
Thanks, Annika! It’s a big weekend here- Tavira Day on Monday and fireworks on Sunday evening. There are paper flowers and streamers and music all weekend. I’ll have to pace myself!
I love writing this kind of poem and you’re inspiring me to try one again sometime. Soon, This summer? Listen to me! I’m putting deadlines on myself and I DON’T WANT to make it complicated (thanks, Confucius). LOVE your poem.
Pam, I’m giggling at your internal musings, wanting to write a poem, berating yourself for putting pressure on yourself! Oh, doesn’t that encapsulate life in all its simple and complicated wonder! So, we should keep the wisdom of Confucius close to our hearts and mind as we navigate each day! It means a lot that you love my poem, Pam! Thank you so much and wishing you a wonderful weekend, my dear friend! Xx 💕
What’s simpl(y) wonderful? FRIENDSHIP. ❤
Please listen to everyone, because the best listeners are blessings.
Yes! “Instructions are great, and helpful at times yet they can be abandoned…” Your poem is wonderful and your point of view rings true with me.
Thank you so much, Ally and glad it rings true! I enjoy poetry and its ability to say so much within a few lines! Here’s to forging ahead without instructions! 😀
Annika your poem is excellent and vibrant to read. Delighted. Thanks 🙏👍🙏👍
Kamal, thank you so much for your wonderful comment – I especially like the idea of the poem being vibrant!
You are always welcome dear Annika. ❤️❤️🤗🤗
When I put together Ikea furniture I read the instructions. I like reading instructions but it does not always help. Sometimes you can ignore the instructions. Your poem was fun to read.
Haha! 😀😀 Thomas, thank you for pointing out another pitfall with instructions – that some just do not work! That is infuriating! So glad you liked the poem and thank you!
Yes I come across instructions that were incorrect. Sometimes you can figure it out anyway, but incorrect instructions are quite frustrating.
I don’t like reading manuals or instructions, Annika! I might read 10% of it and take off from there. It gives me a headache to figure out what it tries to tell me. If there are illustrations for assembly, I’d follow the pictures.
I love your halftime Acrostic poem. 😂 The other half is creative. A perfect blend!
Miriam, we are soul sisters regarding printed instructions! 😀 Yes, ones with pictures are much more logical and don’t freeze my brain either. Awww… thank you so much for your kind words regarding the poem – I like that ‘the perfect blend’! xx ❤️
Annika, I just discovered that my older granddaughter is the same. She had a new project to do this morning. She took out all the pieces then opened the instruction sheet. After looking at the pictures, she decided to figure it out on her own. ❤️ I think poetry is like music, you play the way you interpret it. 🎶
😀❤️
You may not like putting stuff together (I feel the same about instruction manuals), but you have a real talent for making magic out of words.
Bless! Pete, thank you so much for your wonderful comment and encouragement – I’ll continue making some magic! 😀
I like your Non Acrostic poem.
It’s filled with piquing and evocative lines. I’m glad you broke the rules.
Perhaps in the end you have what is known as an –
A
Cross
Tic
poem.
Make what you will of this newly formed non ruled genre of poetry!
Yes, I break rules all the time when I’m making my Art Gowns. They are replete with broken patterning and savaged sewing rules. They are righteous ravishing rebels.
So is your poem, Annika; a righteous ravishing rebel.
Thank you! Love it!
Resa, your comment has me beaming away and your creativity with words is as eclectic and fabulous as your art!😀 Your little poem is great and I love the energy and alliteration of ‘righteous ravishing rebel’ – we must never stop!❤️ Thank you so much for your wonderful creative comment – you’ve inspired me to keep breaking the rules, gather the remnants together and see what new creation develops! xx
Right on, Annika! 👍 ❦🌹
Lovely poem, Annika. So glad you carried on anyway. Thank you for sharing it.
Lori, thank you so much and I love that feeling when the muse flies off on its own course and I hang on, scribbling away! 😀
sadly this happens to too many, your words resonate …
do you mean like an ikea pack where I create a sculpture instead of the piece of furniture the box claimed it was?
HaHaHa! Too true. 🙂
Kate, I’m laughing along and imagining homes up and down the country with the oddest most modern of sculptures! 😀 Now, I’m even more worried of helping my son move this weekend, dismantling Ikea furniture and wondering if we will ever get it back to the original bookcase etc?! 😀
lol good luck with that … their display stores look great but the reality of building their stuff is harder than a rubik’s cube!
Very good, Annika! And yes, sometimes the rules just need to be broken…as your poem illustrates so beautifully!
Ann, exactly! 😀 Let creativity fly away from the boundaries and see the final result. So glad you like the poem, Ann.
Sometimes, bending the rules just a little bit can add a sense of excitement and adventure to everyday life, Annika. The concept of listening is akin to an art form for me because it takes time to fully understand what another person is saying. I LOVE your poetry.
Rebecca, thank you so much for your wonderful comment and I am deeply touched by your words about my poetry – I consider myself a novice and more that I am ‘messing’ around with the form while having lots of fun!
I totally agree about the sense of excitement in a small of the rules – liberating at times.
Rebecca, I read your thoughts on listening a few times, pausing to take them in. What an incredible idea to see listening as an art form and yes, I agree – but wonder who many will actually feel the same. Listening is a skill that many fail to achieve and this failure leads to so much sadness and misunderstandings. Don’t you dislike it when you are speaking and you can tell the other person is not listening, just forming their opinion in their mind to interrupt you? Grrr …
Hope you’re having a great week, my friend! xx ❤️
I agree wholeheartedly, Annika, our well-being is directly linked to our ability to listen for understanding. When we listen to each other, we give honour to the power of communication. I believe that when we learn to listen to another person, we are learning how to listen to our inner voice. Your comments meant a great deal to me this morning. Hugs from across the pond.
I love to break rules and let my thoughts flow. Your poem is saying so much, taking different directions and that is the fun of creative writing. Also, it is so inspiring! Well done Annika.
Balroop, exactly! It is such a thrill when a poem /story takes off on an unexpected direction – I love it and yes, so much fun! Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words about my poem – they mean a lot to me, Balroop.
You did very well, breaking rules. Wasn’t that fun?!
Anneli, it was lots of fun and I love getting carried away like this – I realise I just glanced at the rules and I was writing away!😀 Thank you so much!
Oh wow Annika. This was fabulous. You know what they say about rules – learn them first, then you may break them, lol. You did a fantastic job! ❤
Debby, thank you so much and it means a lot to me that you enjoyed the poem so much. Haha! I have heard that – I just need to at least make a stab at learning them first! 😀 When my son was younger my heart would sink at each new board game – I loved playing them but dreaded reading the rules! Thank goodness it wasn’t too long before he could take over this task and tell me what to do! 😀 hugs xx ❤️
Lol Annika, that is so cute. ❤ 🙂
I love it when inspiration strikes.
It does feel great, doesn’t it!?😀 Almost that child-like tickle in the tummy while totally absorbed in a piece of work!
A mind-bender of a poem!
Wow! Thank you so much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Annika!
Your poem is intricate and suggests a number of real life situations.
I’m never inspired by writing prompts, especially detailed ones, and you’ve seen my posts about writing rules… 😃
Audrey, it’s great you find the poem intricate, just what I hoped and yes, I realise I enjoy exploring relationships in my writing. Especially what keeps people together when ultimately they are deeply unhappy etc.
I’m never big on writing prompts either but this one caught my attention and especially since I had the sentence in my mind – but then I immediately ignored the rules!😀
From school age we are given prompts in creative writing including photos and then later in writing groups suggestions for topics etc. I think they have a role in honing craft, a springboard for new ideas, leading to new forms of writing, exploring one’s skill. Ultimately the writer should then promptly ignore these and feel energy of writing freely.
I don’t remember writing prompts in school; they were more like assignments. 🙂
But I do recall prompts at various writing-related events in more recent years. They can be useful, but I think they should be kept simple so as not to hamper creativity. Although some of us would just adjust the rules to suit ourselves. 😀
Well done Annika. I really like this verse; very unique and creative. I’m not sure if I could write this form. I tend to resist many forms and challenges for wanting the freedom to do my own thing. Yet the truth is the forms often give me a starting point or structure to create within.
Brad, it’s taken me a long time to even start trying to respond to writing prompts and only when they catch my creative spirit! I think the fact that I had the sentence in my mind helped a lot. If I’d followed the rules properly this would be a very different piece; I was already feverishly writing away for every letter! As you say, the prompts /writing forms can be a great starting place … and then see where it goes from there!
Your poem really made me concentrate, and made me go with the flow too. Good work!
Neil, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment – a writer couldn’t wish for more!🙏 😀
Loved the unexpected turns your poem took. Delightful, Annika.
Pat, that’s great -thank you! The twists and turns of the poem even surprised me! 😀
I tend to want to escape the control a structure imposes, which is of course impossible, given our physical limitations. Yet intentional use of structure is exactly what tricks unconscious content into the light. Your process looks like fun. I read you poem a second time – backwards – also interesting.
Ashen, thank you so much for your reflections and highlighting the duality of structure and form, the inherent freedom within them! Oh, that is interesting to read the poem backwards – it works in places and throws a new emphasis upon the piece.
I feel the same way about reading manuals and following instructions! This is why baking is difficult for me and my baked goods turn out not so delicious or too dry. I like to improvise!
Esther, I am always impressed with bakers and chefs who improvise – I remember my grandmother just tossing ingredients together for all her bakes and we had difficulty slowing it down for me to try and create any form of recipe! Happy Baking! 😀
Wow! Your result is beautiful.
I’m the opposite. I like following manuals and instructions but I am a huge admirer of those who create their own rule book.
Awww … thank you so much, Lynette! So glad you liked the poem. Oh, I bet in your profession you have to be extra diligent to following the manuals, reading all the detailed instructions etc!
Dear Annika,
This beautiful morning I sit quite stunned by your beautiful post.
Confucius’ quote already stops me and encourage deeper thoughts.
your photo of what I believe is your diary among flowers in the garden.
so your inspiration is triggered like the seagulls wing fly high on the thermals.
your poem “ Listen” has greatness in the lightness and depth it gives
that must never be destroyed. Rather let your heart sing, more and more. Thank you for these beautiful words this still pure morning.
Hugs / Miriam
Miriam, thank you so much for your beautiful poetic comment and your words leave me smiling!😀🙏 I love the image of inspiration like seagulls wings on the thermals – a tender and stunning simile. Confucius’ quote was the springboard for the whole piece and I liked that it took me in a different direction totally. Keep writing your poetry, my friend – we miss your words, your wisdom. xx 💕
😍
Well, it turned out very well. I tend to be the same, make up the rules as I go along. It does mean that I often have to do things over, or it takes me so much longer to do something than it should. But, hey we do come up with some amazing ideas in the process. This is fine with creative ventures but not so good for practical things like doing taxes or putting together a cabinet. xo
Haha! You’re right there, Darlene, sometimes we just have to be diligent and read all the rules – otherwise face the consequences! For one reason, I do like Ikea instructions – maybe since I grew up with them! 😀 Here’s to amazing ideas off-piste! xx
😊