PROMPT ME! National Poetry Month 2024

Are you a 30/30 poet during National Poetry Month?

Or, are you just happy to write a line here & there?

Either way, here are some ideas to get you going for NPM 2024.

The next time you have five minutes, challenge yourself to write a poem. Beat the clock: take one minute to write down ideas, 30 seconds to draw connections, and the rest of the time to get a line or two. It can be a complete poem, or a couple of lines that you can onto throughout the day.

___________

1. Write a step-by-step “how to start” poem.

2. Write about when something hits. A good line in a song? A realization? Your choice!

3. Write about the bus/train stop at the end of the line.

4. Write about a conversation taking place across a table.

5. Write about a change in environment.

6. Write a poem about holding back.

7. Take words and phrases from an old piece of yours, and make a new poem from it.

8. Redact an article or text into a blackout poem.

9. Talk about correcting (or committing to) a mistake.

10. Contrapuntal Practice: Today, write a poem on the LEFThand side of the paper. It can be about anything. Keep each line short, free verse (no rhyme scheme makes this way easier) and don't worry about writing a full sentence per line-- it actually works best if you enjamb.

11. Contrapuntal Practice: Today, three steps: • underline the last word (or couple of words) in each line your lefthand poem • open up your paper • write a right-hand column poem. Each line should fit in with the underlined phrase next to it, but also stand alone in its column and connect with the next right hand column’s line.

12. Write (or rewrite) any fairy tale into a poem.

13. Write a poem involving a recipe.

14. Write a poem using all five senses. If you need inspiration, pull up an old photo that you took and describe what it was like to capture that moment.

15. Write a poem involving a graveyard.

16. Describe a dance in your poem.

17. Write about the most beautiful word you've ever read.

18. Describe a time you misunderstood something important.

19. Daydream about what you want your 80th birthday to be like.

20. Write a poem about an issue that's important to you.

21. Write a list poem; firsts, lasts, mosts and leasts are best to get started.

22. Pick a persona, and write a poem from their perspective.

23. Write about a scrape.

24. Write about an unusual habit.

25. Describe a time you witnessed/demonstrated power.

26. Write about a delightful vice.

27. Pen a letter poem, to your least favorite form of poetry/writing.

28. Write about the furthest you've ever ventured from home.

29. Write an ode to a teacher.

30. Describe (or predict) your next big adventure.