National Poetry Month Prompts

Photo Credit: Mike Tinnion

To get even more excited that it is National Poetry Month this April here are some poetry prompts to bring you into a new month writing!

Prompt 1: For nature to bloom after the long winter months comes the sun offering the beginning of spring—What does it mean for you to rise up? What makes you rise up in the morning? What gets you ready for the day? 

Prompt 2: Think of slowing time down. Is there a moment or moments through out your day that made you feel renewed?

Prompt 3: Take a moment to think of yourself when you first started writing. What were your intentions? What did writing provide that nothing else did? Now write an ode to your younger self, inspired by those intentions and what still excites you about writing.

Prompt 4: Take the latest book you have read. Set your timer for 4 minutes and free write about how you felt about the book. What did you like, dislike, lessons learned, escape from reality, whatever comes up let it. Then when you are done circle 8 words. Use these to write a poem. Use the words in any order they come into the poem but use them all. If you like send the poem to the author and let them know you have written a poetic response to their work.

Prompt 5: Set the timer for 4 minutes. Write about your morning. What you did when you woke up. Where you went. Who you interacted with. Once the timer has gone off read over what you have written. Start to add as much detail as you can. Colours, taste, sound. Make your morning as vibrant as you possibly can. Once you are done read it over. Now take out the lines that resonate the most for you and make it a poem. Yes, you can add other words and lines. Make your morning, this moment come alive for us. Captivate us with your words. Even if you did nothing make that come alive.