“Good Fences Make..” by Linda Martin Andersen
“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.
Copyright 2014 Linda Andersen
I recently saw this beautiful azalea hedge/fence blooming in our apartment complex. When I walked past it, I thought of a line from Mending Walls by Robert Frost: “Good fences make good neighbours.” This statement is a proverb.
What is a proverb? What are some other examples?
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/mend-fences.html
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-proverbs.html
After this experience, I started to notice other fences in the area. On a daily drive, I’ve been watching a lady putting up a privacy fence. I decided to write several different endings to “Good fences make…” based on the lady’s yard project and my thoughts about it. I hope you enjoy them. What are other ways you’d complete the statement “Good fences make…?
Building good fences makes… strong muscles.
The lady building the fence dug post holes with a manual post hole digger and added cement that she mixed by hand, a little at a time. Building strong muscles. Probably some sore ones too.
Building good fences makes…a time for solitude. After all, it’s not a project many volunteer to help do!
The lady building the fence works alone for hours. Maybe she prefers it that way. Maybe solitude is what she’s seeking as much as a new fence.
Good fences (privacy) make…a personal paradise.
The lady building the fence has added trees inside the fenced area. I wonder if she will include a garden swing to share with someone special. Will she sip lemonade under her future shade?
Good fences make…a place for the dog.
The lady building the fence may have a pet. I’m imagining a dog running in the new pen once it’s finished.
What are other ways you’d end the statement? “Good fences make…” Please share your ideas.
This writing exercise has me wondering about this lady who works so hard. I could write a character sketch about her and then a story. I hope this exercise gets you motivated to write too.
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