creative inspiration

Put Something In ~ A Poem by Shel Silverstein

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Why the World Needs Your Unique Brand of Silly

You don’t need to be a master artist to change the world—you just need to be a little bit “loony.”

Put Something In

Shel Silverstein

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before.

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Deepening the Creative Spark

Shel Silverstein’s “Put Something In” is more than a whimsical rhyme; it is a profound manifesto for authentic self-expression. In a world that often demands perfection and conformity, Silverstein invites us to embrace the “loony-goony” and the “mumble-grumble.” This poem suggests that the value of art lies not in its technical mastery, but in its originality—the simple act of bringing something into existence that “ain’t been there before.” By celebrating the silly and the nonsensical, we strip away the fear of judgment, uncovering a raw, joyful creativity that is uniquely our own.

As you read this poem, ask yourself:

Which “silly” part of your personality have you been hiding lately, and how would it feel to let it out across your own “kitchen floor”?

Sky Seasoning ~ By Shel Silverstein

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A Bit of Sky Changes Everything

Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected moment to transform the ordinary into something unforgettable.

Sky Seasoning

Shel Silverstein

A piece of sky
Broke off and fell
Through the crack in the ceiling
Right into my soup,
KERPLOP!
I really must state
That I usually hate
Lentil soup, but I ate
Every drop!
Delicious delicious
(A bit like plaster),
But so delicious, goodness sake–
I could have eaten a lentil-soup lake.
It’s amazing the difference
A bit of sky can make.

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Reflection

Shel Silverstein reminds us that wonder often arrives unannounced, slipping through the cracks of our routine lives. In Sky Seasoning, a simple bowl of lentil soup becomes extraordinary because a piece of sky—pure possibility—falls into it. The poem invites us to see how even the smallest touch of magic can shift our perspective, awaken joy, and make the everyday feel new again. It’s a playful reminder that life doesn’t need to be perfect to be delicious; it just needs a spark of imagination.

Question for Readers:

When has an unexpected moment transformed something ordinary into something extraordinary for you?

Why Watching the World Go Bonkers Might Be the Best Thing for Your Creativity

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When the world turns into a circus and the clowns run the show, your best move might be grabbing a pen, stepping back, and writing about the chaos from the cheap seats. You’ll be saner—and probably funnier—because of it.

There is an infinite amount of writing cues if we take the time to detach ourselves from the chaos that surrounds us and become observers of it without passing judgment. In addition to the infinite amount of writing cues, it’s also emotionally healthy to detach ourselves from the chaos or as I like to call it craziness that appears omnipresent. Consider a few of the more public examples. There is the President of the United States, having a public battle with the richest man in the world. It is more akin to watching middle school children write nasty texts to each other. If you’re into thrillers, there are people who indiscriminately choose to wage water on other people without concern for innocent people. Then, there are relatives who you know are nuts, but don’t want to say anything because it might topple the fragile detente in the family. If we allow ourselves to get caught up into these things, we may as well make a reservation at the local psychiatric clinic. When we detach ourselves from them and become objective observers, we can better assess how or if we should be become involved. The current secretary of health and human affairs in the United States wants to take fluoride out of the water. Perhaps, he should advocate putting a tranquilizer in the water that only affects politicians. See how easier it is to be creative and come up with brilliant ideas when you’re detached. Lol.

Think About It

  1. If world leaders are texting like teens, does that mean we should start journaling like philosophers?
  2. Could detaching from chaos be the most underrated mental health hack of the decade?
  3. If your cousin’s family feud can’t inspire a short story, are you even paying attention?

Writing Prompt: The Butler Didn’t Do It—But He Knows Who Did (and He’s Not Talking)

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Think you’ve got what it takes to outwit a trenchcoat-wearing sleuth with a lazy eye and a lethal mind? This writing prompt is so twisty, even Columbo would need a second cup of coffee and a third “just one more thing” to crack it. Get ready to unleash your inner mystery maestro.

Writing Prompt Example:

It was supposed to be a routine charity gala—chilled champagne, fake smiles, and rich people pretending they like each other. But when the CEO of Novagen collapsed in the middle of a toast, clutching his throat and whispering the word “hummingbird,” everyone in the room realized something deadly was about to unfold. The doors were locked, the guests were watched, and the only person missing… was the intern.

3 Reflection Questions for the Writer:

  1. What does “hummingbird” symbolize—and why would that be someone’s dying word?
  2. Which character is hiding in plain sight—and why haven’t the others noticed?
  3. What’s the lie that everyone believes—and who benefits most from that lie?

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Writing Prompt: Your Mission: Write a Spy Thriller That Won’t Put the CIA to Sleep

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Tired of reading thrillers where the only thing undercover is the writer’s talent? Let’s fix that. Here’s a prompt that’ll ignite your creative fuse faster than a bugged briefcase in Berlin.

Writing Prompt:

A CIA operative posing as an American embassy janitor in Prague intercepts a late-night encrypted message—one that wasn’t meant for the agency, but for them. It’s signed by a codename they haven’t heard since the Berlin Wall fell… their mother’s. And suddenly, sweeping the marble floor isn’t the only thing they’re cleaning up.

3 Questions to Dive Deeper:

  1. What is the operative’s personal connection to the mission—and how does it blur the line between duty and loyalty?
  2. What was buried in their past (or in someone else’s) that’s now being unearthed, and who stands to gain—or die—from its exposure?
  3. What happens when the agency realizes the operative knows more than they should… and trust becomes the real weapon?

Writing Prompt: Your Main Character Just Found a Severed Ear… Now What?

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Let’s be honest—your fiction’s been a little too chamomile tea and cable-knit sweater lately. It’s time to spice things up. This writing prompt will yank your imagination off the couch, toss it in a trench coat, and hand it a mystery so weird even Columbo would raise an eyebrow.

✍️ Fiction Writing Prompt:

Your protagonist finds a severed ear in an unexpected place: a mailbox, a sock drawer, maybe inside a vegan meatloaf. It’s fresh. It’s real. It’s not theirs (hopefully). What happens next? Who sent it? Is it a threat… or a twisted love note?

Jumpstart Example (First 2–3 Sentences):

Darla had just come back from yoga when she opened the mailbox and saw it: a severed human ear resting on top of her Netflix envelope. “Ugh,” she muttered, “I knew I shouldn’t have skipped corpse disposal class.”

The ear had a small tattoo on the lobe—an infinity sign. Darla didn’t recognize the ear, but she knew exactly who the message was from.

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