Branches Prompt #1: Overheard at the Cafe

A writing prompt: you can't sleep, replaying that one conversation rising above the others in a cafe, impossible to ignore

This is a new writing prompt series called Branches, where I post the beginning of poems/stories and invite you to branch off in your own way. I’ll always follow with my own take. Let’s see where this goes…


can’t sleep, I still hear it
next to me

the monologue from
the coffee shop
this morning

hot air projected, free
conversations froth and lift off
weaving, pressure jets and steam

one voice carries high
above the mingling
reaching to be heard and seen

fallen residue sinks
seeping polarity
seizing something inside me


That’s where I stopped, realizing the story could branch out anywhere from here. ᚠ

So, what happens next? Who’s talking? Why does their voice break through and resonate with you in a room full of others…and, uh, why is it keeping you (or your character, some distance is always convenient) up at night?

If you write something, please tag this post. I’ll follow-up with my continuation and if there are other branches in the future, I’ll do a recap post linking out to all of them!

Please share this with someone who’d be interested in the prompt!

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This Post has made a journey from Substack (where it was originally published) to Ghost!