Ten Questions for Poets & Writers

Every semester, when we start to look at poetry in my Intro To Lit classes, I have the class fill out a quiz, just to see what kind of answers they'll give me -- this is after a talk about clichés and 'generic descriptions' and how creative writers generally need to go beyond the first response that pops into their minds. I thought I might toss it up here to see how you might answer, if you want to play...

Here's your quiz. Please put all your books under your desk, and no talking:


What color is fear?


What sound does affection make?


What texture does Autumn have?


What shape does a conversation make?


What fabric is a kitten made of?


What noise is made by curiosity?


What is the smell of knowledge?


How do you punctuate life?


What does death taste like?


If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one there to hear it, what kind of tree is it?