A Wealth of Poetry Prompts
April is for writing poems and feeling feelings and drinking iced coffee
It’s APRIL tomorrow and NaPoWriMo is upon us - a month to write a poem every day (or every day you can be arsed). I’ve put together a prompt for every day for you to peruse - maybe do a few, make a few of your own up, do a few a few times if you like them. The rules of poetry are subtle and vibe is everything here, so you do you.
For paid subscribers, I will also be hosting a chat, every day I can be arsed, where I post my response to the day’s prompt and you can share yours too.
Note - I use a lot of names of poetic forms here. Don’t be intimidated, just google them if you don’t know. Poetic forms are just simple formulas for how poems work, and there’s no more to it really than following those rules and seeing what comes out. Many poetic forms create a particular effect - for instance, a sestina is a fiendish little form where you repeat end words in a given pattern over six stanzas. It tends to create an effect of whirling in circles, and claustrophobia, so I’ve suggested you write one about being trapped. You don’t need lots of training to write forms like this - you just need to know what they are.
There is something about writing poetry. A lot of people find that it makes your should feel like it’s had a big stretch. Have a go and see.
1. A poem written in rhyming couplets
2. A poem using no rhyme at all
3. A poem written in the first person
4. A poem written in the future tense
5. A poem using the same form or style as your favourite poem
6. A poem that uses spring as a metaphor for personal change
7. A list poem
8. A poem that closely describes a small object
9. A poem with a distinctive narrator
10. A poem engaging with the idea of a higher power/god
11. A poem that uses the worst swear word you would say in a pub at least three times
12. A shakespearean sonnet
13. A poem about a political issue you care about
14. A poem exactly 20 syllables long
15. A poem that would last for over a minute if you read it out loud
16. A poem that does not use standard english
17. A villanelle about a party
18. A poem about an object that you love
19. A poem about a person that you love
20. A poem about a concept that you love
21. A poem about a person, object or concept that you hate
22. A poem that repeatedly uses (and extends) the same simile
23. A prose poem
24. A sestina based on a time you felt trapped
25. A poem describing a nightmare
26. A poem about something you hope will happen
27. A poem that features bad weather
28. A poem directly addressing the person you love the most
29. Make up your own prompt, and write to it
30. Repeat your favourite prompt from the month
ps Happy Easter x