IMPROMPTU #66: The Future Has...
"The future has an ancient heart."
- Carlo Levi
I first read this quote in this Dear Sugar column by Cheryl Strayed on The Rumpus. Strayed's letter is written in response to a Creative Writing teacher who asks for a graduation speech to be delivered to a little class of young writers.
Of the Carlo Levi quote, Strayed writes:
"I love it because it expresses with such grace and economy what is certainly true—that who we become is born of who we most primitively are; that we both know and cannot possibly know what it is we’ve yet to make manifest in our lives."
I could easily quote every single part of this letter, because every single part of it is beautiful and wise and comforting and inspiring, and I start to cry when I even think about it, but instead I'll just recommend that you read it yourself if you get the chance.
And so for today's prompt —
Inspired by the Carlo Levi quote, write a list poem or microfiction where every line begins with "The future has..." or some anaphoral variation — the future is, the future gives, the future sleeps... (Give credit to Carlo Levi where appropriate.)
The future has arms. The future wears mascara. The future lives alone in a house of dreams and wakes early to wander through them with a teacup of black coffee.
If you feel inspired to share your impromptu, or a portion of it, feel free to do so in the comments below or on IMPROMPTU Instagram:
