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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Serve - Sever - Veers - Verse (08/14/25)
Have you ever been guilty of being so impressed with an idea that you find yourself thinking that you’ll never forget it – and you’ve later struggled to recall it? I know I have...

Ideas keep coming, but they often depart the scene without leaving calling cards or their electronic equivalent, which is why I like to write them down.

To best serve my memory, I outline ideas in simple step-by-step points, or maybe more descriptively with SWAT analyses - of Strengths, Weaknesses, Advantages, and Threats. All in simple prose, with no need for poetry.

Why do I avoid poetry?

Good question, and thanks for asking…

The problem with poetry is that it’s full of colorful words and imagery that expands our minds. Which is all very well, but it can also feed our emotions so much that we get carried away with starry-eyed final effects and cut ourselves off from the basics – like making a clear start!

Yes folks, poetry is clever, but it can be a trap.

Or to summarize this week’s topic…

Any idea that veers into verse can serve to sever us from our goals – with adverse effects.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/25/25
I can totally relate to pretty much everything. I can't remember my ideas either and I tend to veer from poetry. Your last line made me chuckle.

On the message boards and in the FW Facebook group, there's a prompt to leave a hint about this week's entries. If you're looking for more feedback, consider going to FWFB or forums and leave a hint about your title.
Helen H-S
09/05/25
I enjoyed your advice and I always try to jot down thoughts to come back to a time when I can write. I hadn't heard of the SWAT technique. Thanks for sharing that.
However, I love poetry and I think your final line should be considered a poem which used at least two of the challenge words - your poem would be:
Ideas veering into verse
can serve to sever goals
– with effects adverse