Hey there, future poet! Have you ever wanted to write a poem but didn’t know where to start? Maybe you thought poetry was too hard or only for “artsy” people. Well, I’ve got great news for you – anyone can write poetry, including you!
Think of poetry like painting with words. Just as you might doodle or sketch for fun, you can play around with words to create poems. It doesn’t have to be perfect or sound like something you’d study in school. Poetry is all about expressing yourself and having fun with language.
That’s why I’ve put together this big list of 75 poetry prompts just for beginners like you. These prompts are like little spark plugs for your imagination. They give you a starting point so you’re not just staring at a blank page wondering what to write about.
Each prompt in this list is super easy to understand and use. Some might ask you to write about a memory, like your favorite childhood toy. Others might get you to focus on your senses, like describing the taste of your favorite ice cream flavor. There are even prompts that play with different poetry styles, like haikus or rhyming poems.
The best part? There are no strict rules here. You can follow the prompts exactly or use them as a jumping-off point for your own ideas. The goal is to get you writing and enjoying the process.
So, are you ready to dive in and discover the poet inside you? Grab a pen and paper (or open up a new document on your computer), pick a prompt that catches your eye, and let’s get started on this exciting poetry journey together!
1. Write a haiku (5-7-5 syllable structure) about the first ray of sunlight in the morning. Focus on the colors and sensations you experience.
2. Compose a free verse poem about your favorite comfort food. Describe its taste, smell, and the memories associated with it.
3. Create an acrostic poem using the letters of your name. Each line should reveal something about your personality or experiences.
4. Write a four-line poem about the sound of rain on a roof. Try to use onomatopoeia (words that sound like what they describe) in your poem.
5. Compose a poem about a childhood toy. Describe its appearance and how it made you feel. Start with the line: “In my small hands…”
6. Write a cinquain (5-line poem with a 2-4-6-8-2 syllable structure) about a tree changing through the seasons.
7. Create a poem about the feeling of sand between your toes. Focus on texture and sensations.
8. Write a free verse poem about a time you felt proud. Describe the emotions and physical sensations you experienced.
9. Compose a poem about the night sky. Try to include at least one simile (comparison using “like” or “as”).
10. Write a tanka (5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure) about a favorite photograph. Describe what you see and the emotions it evokes.
11. Create a poem about the taste of your favorite fruit. Use vivid, sensory language to bring the experience to life.
12. Write a poem about a family tradition. Focus on the sights, sounds, and emotions associated with this tradition.
13. Compose a free verse poem about a color that represents your mood today. Explain why you chose this color.
14. Write a poem about the sound of laughter. Try to incorporate onomatopoeia and describe how laughter makes you feel.
15. Create an eight-line poem about a significant object in your room. Describe its appearance and why it’s important to you.
16. Write a haiku about the feeling of grass beneath your feet. Focus on the texture and temperature.
17. Compose a poem about your favorite season. Use personification to bring the season to life (e.g., “Autumn paints the leaves”).
18. Write a free verse poem about a dream you remember. Describe the imagery and emotions you experienced.
19. Create a poem about the smell of freshly baked bread. Use similes to compare the scent to other pleasant experiences.
20. Write a cinquain about a thunderstorm. Focus on the sights and sounds of the storm.
21. Compose a poem about a time you felt nervous. Describe the physical sensations and thoughts you experienced.
22. Write a tanka about a favorite book or story. Capture what you love about it and how it makes you feel.
23. Create a free verse poem about the sensation of floating in water. Focus on the feeling of weightlessness and the sounds around you.
24. Write a poem about a beloved pet or animal. Describe its appearance, movements, and personality.
25. Compose an acrostic poem using the word “HOPE”. Each line should relate to things that give you hope.
26. Write a haiku about the moment just before falling asleep. Focus on the sensations and thoughts you experience.
27. Create a poem about your favorite music. Describe how it sounds and how it makes you feel emotionally and physically.
28. Write a free verse poem about a busy street scene. Include details about the sights, sounds, and smells you observe.
29. Compose a poem about the feeling of accomplishment. Start with the line: “With tired hands, I…”
30. Write a cinquain about a specific flower. Describe its appearance, scent, and the emotions it evokes.
31. Create a poem about the taste of your least favorite food. Use vivid language to describe why you dislike it.
32. Write a tanka about a moment of unexpected kindness you’ve experienced or witnessed.
33. Compose a free verse poem about the sensation of wind on your face. Describe how it feels and what it reminds you of.
34. Write a poem about a childhood fear. Describe what scared you and how you felt, using sensory details.
35. Create an eight-line poem about the first snowfall of winter. Focus on the sights, sounds, and sensations.
36. Write a haiku about the moment of waking up. Capture the transition from sleep to wakefulness.
37. Compose a poem about a treasured gift you’ve received. Describe its appearance and the emotions associated with it.
38. Write a free verse poem about the feeling of excitement. Use metaphors to compare the feeling to other experiences.
39. Create a poem about the sound of waves on a beach. Try to capture the rhythm in your word choice and line breaks.
40. Write a cinquain about a specific tree you remember from your past. Describe its appearance and what it meant to you.
41. Compose a poem about the feeling of being lost. Describe both the physical surroundings and emotional state.
42. Write a tanka about a family member or close friend. Focus on a specific quality or memory that defines them for you.
43. Create a free verse poem about the taste of your favorite beverage. Describe its flavor and the experience of drinking it.
44. Write a poem about a historical figure you admire. Describe their qualities and why they inspire you.
45. Compose an acrostic poem using the word “PEACE”. Each line should describe an aspect or example of peace.
46. Write a haiku about the moment of sunset. Focus on the colors and the transition from day to night.
47. Create a poem about the feeling of anticipation. Use similes to compare the feeling to other experiences.
48. Write a free verse poem about a place that makes you feel safe. Describe the environment and your emotions when you’re there.
49. Compose a poem about the sound of a clock ticking. Reflect on the passage of time and how it makes you feel.
50. Write a cinquain about a specific memory from your school days. Focus on sensory details and emotions.
51. Create a poem about the sensation of cold. Describe how it affects your body and mind.
52. Write a tanka about a piece of art that moved you. Describe what you saw and how it made you feel.
53. Compose a free verse poem about the feeling of homesickness. Use metaphors to express your emotions.
54. Write a poem about a small, everyday object (like a pencil or a cup). Describe it in detail and give it significance.
55. Create an eight-line poem about the first signs of spring. Focus on subtle changes in nature and how they affect your mood.
56. Write a haiku about the stillness of early morning. Capture the atmosphere and your internal state.
57. Compose a poem about a personal challenge you’ve overcome. Describe the struggle and the feeling of triumph.
58. Write a free verse poem about the sensation of flying in a dream. Focus on the feeling of freedom and the dreamlike imagery.
59. Create a poem about the smell of old books. Use similes to compare the scent to other experiences or memories.
60. Write a cinquain about a specific constellation or star. Describe its appearance and what it represents to you.
61. Compose a poem about the feeling of embarrassment. Describe the physical sensations and your internal thoughts.
62. Write a tanka about a cultural tradition that’s important to you. Focus on the sensory details and emotions involved.
63. Create a free verse poem about the taste of a home-cooked meal. Describe the flavors and the feelings associated with it.
64. Write a poem about a historical event that fascinates you. Try to capture the significance and emotion of the moment.
65. Compose an acrostic poem using the word “DREAM”. Each line should relate to aspirations or the experience of dreaming.
66. Write a haiku about the moment of making an important decision. Focus on the internal conflict and resolution.
67. Create a poem about the feeling of déjà vu. Use metaphors to describe this strange sensation.
68. Write a free verse poem about a specific tree in your neighborhood. Describe its appearance through the seasons and what it means to you.
69. Compose a poem about the sound of silence. Reflect on what true silence feels like and how it affects you.
70. Write a cinquain about a specific emotion (like joy, anger, or melancholy). Use vivid imagery to bring the emotion to life.
71. Create a poem about the sensation of getting caught in the rain. Describe both the physical experience and your emotional reaction.
72. Write a tanka about a moment of realization or epiphany. Capture the shift in perspective and how it changed you.
73. Compose a free verse poem about the feeling of sand slipping through your fingers. Use this as a metaphor for the passage of time.
74. Write a poem about a character from a favorite book or movie. Describe their appearance, personality, and what they represent to you.
75. Create an eight-line poem about the night sky in a city versus in the countryside. Compare and contrast the two experiences.
Remember, these prompts are just starting points. Feel free to adapt them to your own experiences and interests. The most important thing is to enjoy the process of creating and expressing yourself through poetry!
Conclusion
Wow!
You’ve made it through all 75 poetry prompts.
Give yourself a big pat on the back – you’re well on your way to becoming a real poet!
Remember when you started reading this post?
Maybe you weren’t sure if you could write poetry at all. But now look at you! You’ve got a treasure chest full of ideas to spark your creativity whenever you want to write a poem.
Here’s a little secret: every poem you write makes you a better poet. It doesn’t matter if it rhymes perfectly or uses fancy words.
What matters is that you’re expressing yourself and having fun with words.
So, what’s next on your poetry journey? Here are a few ideas:
1. Try writing a poem every day for a week using these prompts. See how your confidence grows!
2. Share your poems with friends or family. They’ll probably be impressed and might even want to try writing poems too.
3. Start a poetry journal. You can use it to jot down ideas for future poems or to keep all your poetic creations in one place.
4. Join a local poetry group or an online forum. Meeting other poets can be super inspiring and fun.
5. Most importantly, keep writing! The more you write, the more natural it will feel.
Remember, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to write poetry. Your unique voice and experiences are what make your poems special. So don’t be afraid to experiment, play with words, and let your imagination run wild.
You’ve taken the first step on an amazing creative journey. Who knows? The poem you write tomorrow might be the start of something big. Maybe you’ll write a whole book of poems one day, or perform at a poetry slam. The possibilities are endless!
So, keep that pen moving (or those keyboard keys clicking). Your next great poem is just waiting to be written. Happy writing, poet!