Think of a common proverb or phrase — something like “All that glitters is not gold,” or “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” Then plug the first three words of the phrase into a search engine. Skim through the first few pages of results, collecting (rather like a poetic magpie) words and phrases that interest you. Then use those words and phrases as the inspirations (and some of the source material) for a new poem.
The first two things that came to mind proved to be useless, since the first three words could be completed only by the next two or three words in the phrases. Then I found something much better, much more open-ended—and every line comes from the search results…
When in Doubt
pull it out
throw it out
black it out
don’t give it out!
add butter
add more salt
add chocolate
fry it!
do it anyway
do it again
do it over
just do it!
wear purple
wear red
a crisp white is the best bet
just add glitter!
be ridiculous
look intelligent
draw a penis
blow shit up!
get out
u-turn out
peel out
pinky out!
improvise
sing
dance
swing!
fuck it
seduce
go to bed
write!
Ordinary Average Thoughts 