Poetry Writing Prompts

Unlock the poet within through evocative writing prompts.

Popular poetry writing prompts

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POEM STARTER

'Backwards'

Use this single word to inspire a poem.

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Write a poem about the theme of deal breakers.

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Using twelve stanzas, write a poem about each month of the year.

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Submitted by Nicholas Rock

'A poet is only as good as their definition of poetry.'

Use this quote to inspire a poem in any style.

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Submitted by Blossoming Flower

Ice Skating

Write a poem which could have this as the title. Consider that it might not literally be about ice-skating.

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Write a villanelle about something that has been abandoned.

The villanelle is a type of poem characterised by its repeating lines and ABA rhyme scheme which create a lyrical effect. There are a number of other rules for a full villanelle if you wish to incorporate them.

POEM STARTER

How could something so small take up so much space in my heart?

Compose a poem inspired by this question.

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Submitted by Maranda Quinn

They say forgiveness is a virtue, but I’d rather keep my anger.

Use this line as inspiration for a poem.

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Submitted by lily marie

"I know every detail about every version of herself she has ever been."

Write a poem which either includes this line, or uses it as the central theme.

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Who are we when no one is watching?

Write a poem that answers this question.

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Write a poem that has an uncanny mood.

Uncanny is defined as strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.

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Don’t let yourself float away to the moon, or you’ll miss the flowers under your feet that bloom.

Write a poem which incorporates this line.

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Itch

If you are to read this poem, know this.

The words I’m about to write are intended to slay your bliss.

I hope you’re sitting uncomfortably.

I hope you can’t reach that itch.

Your skin is beginning to prickle, whilst you’re reading this.

Your scalp is screaming “dig your nails into me?”

Picture images of lice, mice, and fleas.

In the corner of your eye, just out of reach, in the contours of your room, hides a beast.

It watches you at night, while your tucked up and asleep.

It runs its fingers down your spine and listens as you breathe.

You’re now aware of every sense of which you possess.

This poem is intended to indeed cause you stress.

Don’t blame me for these uncomfortable words.

I did not come up with this prompt.

But a challenge I must meet, and if it’s uncanny that you seek I hope that you find it here.

What’s that crawling within your ear?

Can you feel its legs inside the drum?

Scuttling, scurrying, rum-tum-tum.

Illusions can be cruel, they can make you feel things that aren’t there.

Remember again the itch within your hair.

Your tired eye is beginning to twitch, you must give in, itch itch itch.

Your nose is tingling, are you needing to sneeze. Itch that nose as if you have fleas.

Your skin is infested, bugs under your skin.

Itch your wrist, rub your eyes, scratch under your chin.

I’m sorry for these words, for these uncomfortable sensations, but if it brings you some solace I would just like to mention; I myself am experiencing these nasty interactions to my own twisted words I am giving a reaction.

I am just as uncomfortable perhaps more so than you, let’s say take comfort in the knowledge it’s just a mind’s trick or two.

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