Writing Prompts

Press Play

When I was young,
play meant scraped knees,
imaginary kingdoms,
and staying outside
until someone called me home.

Then life grew serious.

Play became something
we were supposed to outgrow,
packed away with childhood toys
and forgotten dreams.

But somewhere along the way
I discovered
we never really have to stop.

I play with words
until they become poetry.

I play a handful of notes
until they become a melody.

I play with impossible ideas
until one of them whispers,
Why not?

Sometimes even a mistake
becomes something worth dancing to. 😉

Perhaps growing older
isn’t about putting play away.

Perhaps it’s about
finding new playgrounds.

So turn up the music,
laugh at the typo,
dance in the kitchen,
create something ridiculous,
beautiful,
completely unnecessary—

and when life becomes
a little too serious,

press play.

💜


For Esther Chilton’s Writing Prompt — , 30 September 2026.


With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,

— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫

My new song “Silenced-but-not-broken ” is out on streaming platforms.

https://ditto.fm/silenced-but-not-broken


If you want a reading, send me an email:

Afterlove-Voice@hotmail.com



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6 responses to “Esther’s Writing Prompt: PLAY”

  1. Esther Chilton Avatar

    Really great take, Maggie. Made me feel uplifted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you so much, Esther. 💜 I’m so glad it left you feeling uplifted. Your word reminded me that we’re never too old to play — we just find different playgrounds as we grow. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Michael Williams Avatar

    great take on this Maggie. recalibrating the verbal meaning of play keeps us all with a degree of youth! Mike

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you, Mike! 💜 I think we sometimes forget that play doesn’t have an age limit. The playground may change, but keeping that curiosity, creativity and silliness alive certainly keeps a little youth in us.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Carol anne Avatar

    oh yes! I love this! 💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maggie Avatar

      Thank you 💜 ❤️

      Like

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