Writing Prompts for National Poetry Month
Pictured: “sunny” by Gabrielle Hickmon
You’re likely practicing social distancing at the moment. And you’re probably close to losing your mind if you’re a social introvert like me. April just happens to be National Poetry Month, so to lift your spirits and keep your creativity sharp, we’re providing writing prompts all month.
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Firsts. Write a poem about a special first. First day of school, first kiss, first trip to a beauty salon, first road trip, etc.
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Free Verse. What does your favorite color taste like?
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What body of water do you feel like today? (ie. stream, ocean, swift brook)
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April 4th is Maya Angelou’s birthday! Read “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. Write a declaration of your own in the same format.
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Make a list of 5 things that start with the same letter (maybe the letter of your first name) and incorporate those words into a poem.
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Haiku. Find a book and read the last sentence. Write a haiku based on that sentence.
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April 7th is Billie Holiday’s birthday! Press play and write about a time when you wanted to sing the blues.
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Personification. What would your city say if it were a person?
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Write a haiku from the perspective of your favorite movie character.
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Rhymed poetry. Write a Dr. Seuss-style rhyme about your favorite poet. You may want to play around with onomatopoeia for this one!
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Sonnet. Rewrite a song stuck in your head in the style of a sonnet. See Pop Sonnets for inspiration.
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Ode. Write an ode to something you saw once and couldn’t get out of your mind.
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Limerick. Write a limerick about your childhood friends.
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Lyric. Who is “your person” — whether romantic, platonic, or familial. Write a lyric for that person.
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Soliloquy. Write a soliloquy from the perspective of the last animal you saw.
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Free Verse. Write about traveling to a new place. Work commute, moving across town or the country, or moving to another country.
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Ode. Write an ode about an activity you did often as a child.
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Acrostic. Using an acrostic format, write about a musical instrument you enjoy, whether you play or just listen.
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Think about something that’s broken. How would you fix it?
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Write about shelter from a figurative or literal storm.
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Alliteration. Write about a sunrise. Try using alliteration.
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Alliteration. Write about a sunset. Try using alliteration.
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Free Verse. Write about anticipation, waiting, or longing. It would be waiting in line at a store or anticipating a big announcement.
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Haiku. Put your favorite music streaming platform on shuffle. Write a haiku about the first song that plays.
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April 25th is Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday! In honor of the queen of scatting, write about a time when you couldn’t quite convey something in words, but still got your point across.
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Ode. Write about your favorite word.
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Write about a time when you wished you could press pause. Why would you press pause—to enjoy or escape?
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Counting sheep. What keeps you up at night?
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Free Verse. Write about your doppelganger. What’s their life like?
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Free Verse. Write about a time you had to say goodbye.
Just because we have to keep a 6-foot distance between us doesn’t mean we can’t connect on social media. Feel free to tag us on Instagram or Twitter. Happy writing!
LySaundra Campbell is a storyteller and editor based in Washington, D.C. She’s stuck at home, social distancing with a piano, journals, and an endless TBR list. Say hello and follow her on Instagram.