How do you know when it's real? When you ask if she has wire and duct tape and she says "Of course!"

The first time photographer and artist Dawn Surratt and I met, it was because we had an issue with the book cover she had designed for my first book of poetry. We were not going to be able to use it, and we needed to come up with something fast. Long story short, Dawn said something like, "What if you hold this deer skull?" and I said something like, "Yes! And in an evening gown!" And that was that.

I love being around creatives. People who need to make things, who see potential in all things. Dawn's house is a lot like mine, a lot like the houses of most of the people I like to be around. It is filled with found things: antlers, bones, feathers, insects, photographs, post cards, wooden spools, odd pieces of metal. It is a collection of cast offs in a constant state of flux.

Creative energy is contagious. When I finished my second manuscript (cross your fingers for me!), I knew I wanted to work with Dawn to find an image that embodied my work. She graciously agreed. I went to her house; she brought out antlers. I asked, "Do you have some wire and duct tape?"

This April, I will write a poem a day using found objects as my inspiration. Want to get creative with me? I'd love it if you shared your favorite found object with me. Even better if there's a story behind it! You can post it on Instagram and tag me @gabbyfree. I will choose an object a day, and I will post some part of my process and a portion of the draft here.

What will you make today?