Sometimes we hit a brick-wall when brainstorming for our next poetry topic. When this happens, its good to hear another person’s idea of what to write about. These types of suggestions are often referred to as writing prompts (because they prompt you to write. Get it?). Below you’ll find a list of poetry prompts on a variety of subjects. Feel free to change them as much or as little as you’d like. Just be sure to keep that rhythm!
Poetry Writing Prompts
| 1. An elderly couple has been married for 50 years. Suddenly, the wife passes away. |
| 2. What was the beauty of the ocean the first time you saw it? |
| 3. What is the sound of your house at night during a rainstorm? |
| 4. What was the feeling you had the first time you fell in love? |
| 5. Describe the fly that buzzes around your head on a hot and humid summer afternoon. |
| 6. What are your feelings when you watch the sunset with the person you care about most? |
| 7. Describe the buzzing sound in your ears after a screech. |
| 8. Describe the screech of the chalkboard. |
| 9. Describe the feeling of longing for something you can’t have. |
Topics with Poetry Writing Prompts
| 10. First Date – What happened on your first date? This could be for your current relationship or your first date ever. |
| 11. First Kiss – The same as above. Maybe our first kiss of your current relationship or your first kiss ever. |
| 12. Earliest Memory – Each of us have a very special first memory. What is yours? |
| 13. Politics – There’s much we can write about for this topic. What policy do you hate? What policy does this country need? What idiot is in office? What did the idiot do? |
| 14. First car – What was your first car? What made it special? Did it have a name? What memories happened in the car? |
| 15. Memorable Sports Moment – What happened? What does it mean to you? |
| 16. Parents – Describe them. What do they look like? What is their personality? What makes them special? |
| 17. Best Friend – Why is this person your best friend? Describe your friendship. Describe your friend. |
| 18. Betrayal – Have you been betrayed by someone? Describe what happened. Describe your emotions. |
| 19. Hobbies – What are your hobbies? Choose one and write about it. Describe it. Describe the emotions and images that come to mind when you think about it. |
| 20. Celebrities – Describe a celebrity. What is it about this person that makes them famous? Or, why do you hate this person? Or, why do you love this person? |
| 21. Nature – Describe the environment around you. What is it doing? What is it saying? |
| 22. Astronomy – What do the stars do? What do you see? What do you feel when you look up in the sky late at night? |
| 23. Pets – What animal(s) do you own? What makes the type of animal special? What makes your pets special? |
| 24. Mountains – What do the thoughts of mountains make you feel? What does their sight behold? How do you feel when you climb them? |
| 25. Your Loved One – What does your loved one do that makes you squeal? Why do you love this person? What have your pasts held? What is the one part of their body that makes you shiver? |
| 26. The Ocean – It’s such a massive place. What does the thought of the ocean make you feel? What does it sound like to you? What does it look like? Describe it in depth. |
| 27. Long Distance Relationship – What does the longing feel like? Why do you wait? |
| 28. Work – What does a normal day behold? What is a bad day? What is a good day? |
| 29. School – What is a normal day of school like? What is a bad day? A good day? Why do we learn? |
| 30. Marriage- What is marriage like? |
