Editor's note: WORD is thrilled to welcome our new blogger, Jennifer Hickey! Jenn is an adjunct professor at Mercy College in New York City. Although Jenn teaches writing and literature to college students, she is very excited to be speaking to readers of READ! Click on Jenn's image to read her profile.

Have you ever been somewhere like a train or the dentist's office ... or maybe at your very old, very eccentric Great Aunt Tilda's musty house ... and then suddenly became inspired to write about something unusual or ironic? But all you had to write with was a napkin or a field trip permission slip and not much time? Well, I have the perfect poetry form for you!

Back in the day, poets created gnomic verses or small poems that had some sort of riddle or proverb within the lines. These ancient Greek poets referred to these poems as simply, gnomes, meaning "an opinion". Gnomic poetry was also popular in Medieval times. Medieval poets considered gnomic poetry to be an excellent tool for commenting on the world and expressing truths. Sound difficult? It's easier than you think. Check this out:

Great Aunt Tilda's

So many things
that were once new now
permeated by moth balls and
her age old recipe for matzo ball soup.

Tada!

Here's how I did it... I'm at Great Aunt Tilda's apartment and the whole place just reeks of moth balls because for some reason she thinks it's much better to have a smelly apartment than the possibility of a few holes in her sweaters. As for the soup, well, she loves it and I always think of her when I see matzo ball soup, so, I added that into the poem. The word permeated is both literal and figurative because it refers to the smelly moth balls and the idea of Aunt Tilda's soup.

What does my gnomic verse say about Aunt Tilda's? I believe it's a commentary about who she is! A matzo loving lady who fears moths enough to endure stink! And that's quirky and funny, which is a huge part of being old.

Here's a few gnomic verses by the poet Robert Creeley:

Toffee
Little bit patted pulled
Stretched set let cool.

Here
You have to reach
Out more it's
Farther away from
You it's here

Winter
Season's upon us
Weather alarms us
Snow riot peace
Leaves struck fist.

Poetic inspiration is everywhere and autumn is filled with stimulating events for you to create some gnomic witty banter. You too can follow Robert Creeley's example.  Write a verse or two about your favorite presidential candidate. Oh wait... the election is over. Well then write a gnome to President Elect Obama! Possibilities are endless!

Editor's Postnote: Have a question for Jenn or want to leave a comment... or a gnome? Feel free to do so in the comments section below.