Here’s today’s prompt from the NaPoWriMo website:

Today I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that tells a story. But here’s the twist – the story should be told backwards. The first line should say what happened last, and work its way through the past until you get to the beginning. Now, the story doesn’t have to be complicated (it’s probably better if it isn’t)!

For this prompt I’ve tried to write a poem that is the Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage backwards. If you start with the first line and read down you will get the Classic Voyage South.  If you start with the bottom line and read up you will get the Classic Voyage North.   Take your pick!

Hurtigruten – The Voyage South

Feet planted east of Cairo
at the north of Europe
wind-blown we touch the globe
tundra tourism
Nordkapp’s towering cliffs
the straight road
past reindeer herds
cloudberries, rock, bog,
shops of Sami goods
moor and rock
at Honningsvag.

Near pungent cod drying racks
we fall asleep to sucking of waves
fishermen’s cabins red and gold
dark mountain spires
on Lofoten.

Blue, bare mountain
green water reflecting
red wooden houses
pines cling by waterfalls
the fjord finger
at Geiranger.

Augmented fourths
Arietta on Grieg’s piano
seven hills round a fish market
at the harbour
we embark
in Bergen.

Hurtigruten – The Voyage North