132 Best Poetry Prompts and Ideas to Spark Creativity

Many great minds considered poetry to be the superior form of art. It transcends mortality and the transience of human life and becomes an eternal monument of people’s existence and creativity. Poetry that was written hundreds of years ago can still mesmerize, astonish, inspire, move, horrify, and elevate us.

• Creative Poetry Writing Prompts
• Tips for Writing Good Poetry
• Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Poetry Writing Prompts

There is an unlimited number of themes that can be used to produce great poetry. Inspiration can find its way in a myriad of ways, so this is a chance for you to get your creative juices flowing. Poetry prompts can be of great help when you are trying to find your poetic voice or trying to step outside your comfort zone. We hope that your poem inspired by these ten sets of themes will bring the best of your writing skills.

Ideas for Poems About Different Types of Emotions

It is no wonder that the first set of poetry prompts is dedicated to emotions. Poetry is a form almost synonymous with people’s emotional footprints. These 10 poetry prompts cover a wide range of human emotions, so dive in deep!

1. Write a poem about a moment when you felt overwhelmingly joyful. Try to convey this emotion by depicting the setting, the time, and what prompted this strong feeling of happiness and joy. Was it a personal success? Perhaps a wish you’ve had for years finally came true. Whatever it was, draw from your own life experience.
2. Sadness is a complex emotion that all of us have felt. Sadness often gives birth to the most poetical literary pieces because many people have experienced grief or unhappiness at a certain point in their lives. Write about the cause of your sadness. Perhaps you experienced the loss of a loved one, and perhaps it was a professional failure.  Oftentimes, people feel sad when they have their trust betrayed by a person they consider a friend.
3. When was the last time you felt truly angry? Think of a moment when you suffered injustice at your workplace or you were deceived by a person you love and trust. Writing a poem about anger can be a powerful poetic expression and a way to deal with your anger.
4. Write a poem about a time when you felt scared. It can be told from the perspective of a frightened child or, perhaps, an adult afraid for his/her life. Sometimes, fear is connected to certain expectations and uncertainties about the future.
5. Imagine that you feel very proud. What prompted this feeling of pride? Being proud is usually the result of an accomplishment on a personal or a private level.
6. Write a poem about a time in your life when you felt brave and powerful. Describe the circumstances that led to this outburst of bravery in a personal or professional setting. Let the reader feel the confidence and resolution in your actions through the power of verse.
7. Alienation is a feeling that can be soul-crushing. All people experience some moments in life when they feel as if they don’t quite fit in or are overlooked. The feeling of alienation is often linked to the feeling of low self-worth. Write about how you managed to overcome this feeling and who or what helped you in the process. Many people will recognize themselves in a poem about personal alienation.
8. Another poetry prompt about an emotion is writing about anxiety. In these modern times filled with busy schedules, it is more than expected that people would feel anxious. Take a deep look within and try to discover the source of anxiety in your own life. Sometimes it is the workplace, sometimes it’s your love life, but sometimes people have existential crises that lead to anxiety due to life’s uncertainty and complexity.
9. Pessimism is a theme widely explored in poetry. People often feel pessimistic due to a variety of problems in their lives. Writing a poem about pessimism may inspire people to try and find another way to look at the world by seeing things from a new perspective.
10. On the opposite side of the specter is optimism. A poem about being optimistic often falls in the category of carpe diem poems, or poems about seizing the day and making the best of every opportunity that presents itself in our lives. Write poetry about a bright time in your life when you felt that every new day offered a new chance to become better, happier, and more successful.

Ideas for Poems About Love

For many people, love represents the meaning of life. With its so many forms, love is an eternal spring for inspiration all over the world and across generations. Check out some poetry prompts related to love.

1. A mother holding her baby for the first time is one of the most intense human experiences. Try to capture the deepest connection between two human beings that happens instantly. Find a new way to depict the unconditional love that is born with the birth of the baby.
2. Write a poem about the love between siblings. Siblings, especially when they are younger, sometimes have strange ways of showing their love for one another. Write about the big and small gestures that describe the loving connection between brothers and sisters.
3. Do you believe in love at first sight? Describe the setting, the time, and the situation in which two strangers meet and instantly develop strong feelings of affection. You can write it in the form of a dialogue or use love letters. You can also give their perspectives in different stanzas.
4. The theme is “a marriage proposal.” Imagine that this poem is written by a person who is planning to propose to their partner. List all the reasons why you think that these two lovers are perfect for each other.
5. Love stories are never absolutely perfect. Write about a fight between two spouses. Describe the circumstances and the reasons for experiencing anger towards the person you love. Present both sides of the argument. Try to find an elegant solution to the fight and end the poem with a reconciliation. 
6. Not every fight ends in making peace. Unfortunately, some love stories end in divorce. Write about the complex feelings that the two ex-lovers experience in the process.
7. Unrequited love can be horrible and depressing. The world’s greatest literature includes poems about unrequited love. Try to draw from either personal experience or from people who are close to you. How did you try to win the other person over? What was the major obstacle? Were you disillusioned about love afterward?
8. Write a poem about the one who got away. Start by describing the first date, the first kiss, the first fight, and the last fight before the end of the romance. Write about the expectations you both had from the relationships, the red flags, the disappointment, and the lost love.
9. Write a poem about the love between your grandparents. How did they show their affection for one another? Which small love gestures did you enjoy witnessing as a child? What did you learn from seeing how much they still care for each other? Try to portray the respect and devotion of a long-lasting relationship.
10. Talk about love in general. Write about the reasons why it is a vital part of human experience. Meditate upon your own experiences regarding different kinds of love. Write about the ways in which love makes us better people. Find different ways to depict the manner in which love enriches our souls.

Ideas for Poems About Life in General

Life is mysteriously beautiful, complex, difficult, and painful. You can show your appreciation for it by writing on at least one of the following ten poetry prompts.

1. Growing old is an important part of the life cycle. Some people fear the inevitable end so much that they don’t live their life to the fullest. Others are older and wiser, so they happily pass their knowledge and wisdom to future generations. Write about your own experience or how the old age of family members has affected your own life.
2. Write a poem about a specific accomplishment in your life and how it has improved you as a person.
3. The main theme of the poem is “the life cycle.” Everything that is born eventually dies, and the cycle starts again.
4. Write a poem about the experience of a couple who is expecting a baby. Write about the overwhelming emotions, love, affection, and care that the future parents feel.
5. There are many obstacles in life, and facing them is an important aspect of a person’s life. Write a poem about the potential hardships in life and how they affect people’s lives.
6. Write a poem from a child’s point of view. Remember how you used to perceive the world and how you tried to explain things to yourself using a child’s logic. The poem will depict the sweetly naïve child’s perceptions of the world.
7. Write a poem about hope. Life is hard and complex as it is, so hope is often our driving force. Think of a time when you were hopeful.
8. Write a poem about a usual, boring day. Find poetry in the monotony of life.
9. Write a poem about traveling to a foreign country. Capture the essence of changing scenery, and dwelling on the way traveling makes us more open-minded.
10. Think of a time when you were badly hurt. Write a poem about how you dealt with the pain.    

Ideas for Poems About Death

People and writers from every culture and generation in the world have been obsessed with understanding death and what comes after it. It brings sadness, nostalgia, and wisdom. These ten poetry prompts can stir your imagination and inspire philosophical thought about the most mysterious concept in the world.

1. Write a poem about the fondest memory you have of a person who had passed away. Why is this memory so special? How did you feel when this person died?
2. Death is often personified. Write a poem addressing Death as a person. What is it that you would like to tell him? What would you want to ask him?
3. Imagine that you are Death, and you hate your vocation. How do you justify your actions? You can use a lighter tone for the poem.
4. Write a poem about a person who had a near-death experience. What happened to them? How did they survive? Did they change for the better after it?
5. Write a poem about a real or an imaginary genocide.
6. Write a poem about a person trying to deceive Death and reach immortality.
7. Write a poem about the death of a pet. What did you do to help you deal with the loss?
8. Imagine that you have only a day to live. What would you do?
9. Write a poem about the first time you understood the concept of death.
10. How do you want to be remembered after you die? Write a poem about how your death is going to affect your loved ones.

Ideas for Poems About Philosophy

People are gifted with intelligence, wisdom, and the power to think in abstract ways. People’s quest to understand the meaning of life and the world surrounding us is a fantastic basis for writing poetry prompts. Some poetry prompts related to philosophy are as follows:

1. Write a poem about what you perceive to be the meaning of life.
2. Friendship is a type of human connection that makes people happier and healthier in every possible way. Write a poem about your best friend or somebody you’ve lost.
3. The thirst for knowledge is a concept that defines us as a human race. Write a poem about the eternal quest for knowledge.
4. Imagination is a distinctly human quality. Write a poem about the role imagination plays in creating art.
5. Write a poem inspired by the Machiavellian quote that the goal justifies the means.
6. Write a poem about people’s ancient desire to explain natural phenomena by inventing elaborate mythological stories.
7. Write a poem about the good and the bad aspects of humility.
8. Patience teaches us a valuable lesson about controlling our desires. Write a poem about a time when you had to be patient when you wanted something.
9. Write a poem about the benefits of daily meditation.
10. Write a poem about perfection. Think of the combination of aesthetics and ethics and how perfection can be achieved.  

Ideas for Poems About Everyday Things

Sometimes, the most poetic compositions are created out of the simplicity of life. These ten poetry writing prompts can help inspire you to find poetry in the smallest of things around you.

1. Write a poem about your everyday little rituals.
2. Write a poem about raindrops slowly falling down the window glass while you’re thinking about your life in general.
3. Write a poem about a relaxing walk in the park. Use natural imagery, but also try to depict the noises you hear: rustling, splashing, chirping, etc. 
4. Write a short poem about the simple pleasure one gets from eating a juicy piece of fruit.
5. Pets are an important part of our lives. Write a poem about the joyfulness of playing with your pet.
6. Everybody makes mistakes, so write a poem about apologizing to somebody for something you’ve done.
7. Write a poem about a sunny morning when you went out and bought some flowers from a flower shop.
8. Eating a dessert might be the most relaxing and enjoyable part of dinner. Write a short poem about eating a delicious dessert.
9. Write a poem about a time when you didn’t have electricity due to a heavy storm, so you had to read a book using candlelight.
10. Think of an activity that relaxes you before falling asleep, and write a poem about it. Perhaps the activity can be listening to Mozart!

Ideas for Poems About Time

Time, even for scientists, is one of the most interesting concepts. Its abstractness has served as an inspiration point for many philosophical and literary works. The following poetry writing prompts can guide you into writing poetry about the different complexities of the notion of time.

1. Write a poem about a childhood memory that still brings you joy when you think about it.
2. Write a poem about the modern age we live it. What is positive and what is negative about living today
3. Think of a lost opportunity because the timing wasn’t right. Write a poem about the importance of using every opportunity, which is difficult because people often find excuses for their failures.
4. Write about a person who has wasted his/her youth. This person feels immensely remorseful.
5. Waking up after having spent a few months in a coma can make people reevaluate their life choices and decisions.
6. Write a poem about a time in the past when you experienced an epiphany – a sudden realization of great truth.
7. Write about the development of human life, starting from the time a person is a toddler.
8. Describe the sunset and use it as a metaphor for the end of a person’s life.
9. Describe the sunrise and link it metaphorically to the concept of birth.
10. Write a poem about an antique clock.

Ideas for Poems About Different Forms of Art

Poetry has always been regarded as one of the most sophisticated aspects of human existence. As a form of art, it is inevitably connected to other forms of art. These ten creative writing prompts can inspire poetry pieces that combine different art forms.

1. Write a poem about the feelings that overcome you while listening to your favorite music.
2. Write a poem about a Shakespearean play.
3. Write a poem about a mysterious painter.
4. Write a poem from the perspective of ballet shoes.
5. Describe the images and stories painted on a Grecian urn.
6. Imagine that you are a famous painter looking at a freshly finished piece. Write a poem about the painter’s perceptions of a painting.
7. Write a poem about a day spent in a museum.
8. Write a poem about a film character that you admire.
9. Write a poem that will instruct actors on the manner that they should act, which is similar to Prince Hamlet’s speech to the players.
10. Write a modernized version of a famous speech taken from a Renaissance play.

Ideas for Poems About Historical Events

Historia est magistra vitae. Indeed, history teaches us about life. Numerous works have been written celebrating historical events, so this is your chance to use verses to do the same. Some creative poetry writing prompts related to historical events are as follows:

1. Imagine that you lived in the period of Alexander the Great. Write a poem about him.
2. Write a poem about the hardships in World War I.
3. Write a poem about life in the Industrial Revolution in England.
4. Write a poem about Martin Luther King.
5. Imagine that you are an archaeologist who makes a startling discovery in Egypt.
6. Imagine you saw the apple falling on Sir Isaac Newton’s head.
7. Write a poem about Queen Elizabeth I. She was an exceptional monarch who deserved literary praise.
8. Write a poem about the trial of Galileo Galilei.  
9. You are Alexander Bell, the person who invented the telephone. How is the world different because of you?
10. Write a poem about Archimedes and his “eureka” moment.   

Ideas for Poems About Religion and Spirituality

If something truly separates us, humans, from the other forms of life on this planet, it is spirituality. The belief in a higher power is a distinctively human quality. Delve deeper into your own beliefs and spirituality and put your religious experience into words through these poetry writing prompts.

1. How can you restore the faith in God in somebody who seems to have lost it? How can you help this person find his way again?
2. Imagine that you are one of the three Magi following a star to Bethlehem.
3. Write a poem about a moment you felt that you were one with nature.
4. Describe your feelings after meditation. Write about the setting, your surroundings, and the feelings that come rushing in.
5. Write a poem about the afterlife. It doesn’t have to be your own perception. It can be inspired by major religions.
6. Think of a religious temple you’ve visited. How did it make you feel? Where was it? Is it real or imaginary?
7. Everybody has experienced personal hardships. Write a poem about a difficult period in your life and about your prayers to overcome it.
8. The death of a close family member or a spouse can be the most traumatic experience in a person’s life. Write about your relationship with God after you lost somebody you loved. Did it change?
9. Write a poem about temptation. Did you give in to the temptation? How did you feel after that?
10. Imagine that you are God for only a day. What would you do with your power?

Ideas for Poems About Family Life

Family life is at the core of a healthy society. Family ties can bring you joy, sadness, love, pride, etc. Use the following poem-based writing prompts to express your understanding of family life.

1. Write a poem about a child who gets a puppy as a Christmas present.
2. Describe a family trip to the ZOO with poetic words. The tone can be lighter, and it can be told from the children’s point of view.
3. Write a poem about a family summer vacation. Draw inspiration from jumping into the water, sunbathing, building sand castles, and exploring cities’ architecture and culture. A summer vacation brings out the best in every family, so you could go back to your own childhood in order to depict a realistic representation of the feeling.
4. You are celebrating Christmas with your extended family. Write a poem about the conversation around the dinner table.
5. Imagine that you are a mother or a father expecting a child. You have created a new heartbeat in the world. Try to depict the wonders that surround procreation.
6. You are planning a surprise birthday party for your father, and you’ve invited all of his close friends into his home.
7. Write a poem celebrating your parent’s 40-year anniversary. Tell them why this is a special event for you, how much they’ve touched your life, and how much affection you have for them.
8. Imagine that you are stuck with your sibling in an elevator for two hours. What will be the topic of your conversation?
9. Write a poem about leaving the home you were born in and moving to a new place. Use your words to portray the strong feelings of nostalgia and the memories that arise from packing your life in cardboard boxes.
10. Write a poem about an ill family member. Use your words to make them feel better and to bring hope that everything will turn out alright in the end.

Ideas for Poems About Nature and Traveling

Nature is a powerful and mesmerizing force that sustains us. We are a part of nature, and nature is within all of us. These ten poem-based writing prompts can serve as an inspiration for you to create an homage to this planet.

1. Write a poem about the beginning of spring and the new cycle of life. Use natural imagery, colors, and active verbs that would signify the awakening of nature.
2. Think of a city that you haven’t visited yet but you really want to. Why is it so? Is it because it is exotic? Is it because of its architecture? Perhaps you are more interested in the people and their culture.
3. Write a poem about a natural phenomenon. Are you astonished by it? Is it devastating for people? Focus on the power of nature.
4. Imagine that you are a raindrop and describe your journey.
5. Many poems have been written about the Sun and the Moon. Try to find a different angle when writing about them.
6. Write a poem about meeting an interesting/mysterious/funny person on a train in a foreign country. How did you start the conversation? How long did you talk? Did you explore the city together?
7. Imagine that you are on top of Mount Everest.  How do you feel? Who are you with? How can you inspire other mountaineers to conquer the highest mountain peak?
8. The ocean, unlike the earth, can’t be conquered by humans. The ocean is too powerful, and people are at his mercy during every voyage, regardless of the length. Write a poem about the respect people should have for this large body of water.
9. Write a poem about the change of seasons and the passing of time.
10. Imagine that you’ve been granted to power to fly for a month. Where would you go? Why? How do you think your life and perceptions will change after that month?

Ideas for Poems With Supernatural Elements

Human’s imagination is limitless and astonishing. Centuries ago people would come together to tell stories, often incorporating supernatural elements in their accounts. By doing so, they were able to cause catharsis.

Mythologies were created because people couldn’t explain natural phenomena. The fight between personifications of good and evil has been of great interest to millions of literature lovers. Here are 12 poetry prompts to help you get started.

1. Imagine that you are moving into what others believe to be a haunted house.
2. How far would you go to save a loved one? Would you make a deal with the devil?
3. You are a sage who gives advice to people you believe have kind hearts.
4. You are a dragon defending your family from human invaders.
5. Write a poem about a princess locked in a high tower who isn’t allowed to look at the real world outside her windows.
6. You find a magic ring in your grandmother’s old casket. You can heal whomever you want at the expense of another human being.
7. A man who presumably has died at sea returns on Halloween to his old house to visit his grieving mother.
8. You have the ability to communicate with trees and gain wisdom.
9. Write a poem from the point of view of a werewolf.
10. Write a poem about the three Fates who decide on the fate of a baby.
11. Imagine that the world is slowly disappearing, and nobody can explain how. Offer a solution to the problem.
12. You have the ability to foretell the future. You see a great tragedy on a large scale that is to happen in a month. What do you do to stop it? Can you really alter the future with your actions?

Tips for Writing Good Poetry

A few tips that you should follow to become good at writing poetry are as follows:

1. Read Good Poetry

To enhance your poetry writing skills, immerse yourself in the world of poetry. Approach it leisurely, allowing the words of treasured poems to resonate within you without delving too deeply into their significance.

Alternatively, engage in thoughtful analysis. Maybe explore the metaphorical depths of Robert Frost’s verses or meticulously examine the language and structure of William Shakespeare’s sonnets.

2. Attend Poetry Reading Sessions

Source

Enjoying poetry doesn’t have to be about analyzing its technical parts like alliteration and metaphors. Instead, it can be a musical experience. Poetry slams, with their lively poems read aloud, offer a chance to appreciate the rhythm and sounds of poetry. Many bookstores and coffee shops host poetry readings, which provide both entertainment and lessons for aspiring writers.

When you listen to the sounds of well-crafted poems, you’ll discover the art behind their construction—the flow of syllables, repetition of sounds, unexpected rhymes, and skillful line breaks. Once you’ve witnessed the impact of poetry read aloud, you’ll have a new perspective on its beauty. It will help you develop better ideas for a poetry writing prompt.

3. Use Writing Prompts for Short Poems

Start with smaller poems, like haikus or simple rhymes, to ease into poetry writing. They’re less daunting than lengthy epics. Focus on quality over quantity while working on poetry writing prompts. A well-crafted free verse poem with a few lines can be more impressive than a sloppy epic with a complex meter.

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4. Don’t Focus Too Much on the First Line

Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the perfect opening line for your poem. Go to the second line and continue writing the whole poem. Return to the opening line later when you have more ideas. Remember, the first line is only a small part of the complete work. Don’t overemphasize its significance.

5. Make Use of Literary Devices

Poetry, similar to other writing genres, benefits greatly from the incorporation of literary devices. Enhance your poetry writing prompts by infusing it with metaphors, allegories, vivid imagery, and other literary techniques.

While it may be more straightforward for writers to employ these devices in less structured forms like free verse, doing so within traditional forms with strict rhyme and meter requirements presents a greater challenge.

6. Tell a Story

Writers can always tell a story through a poetry writing prompt. Ideas that can be conveyed in a novel, short story, or essay can also find expression in creative poetry writing prompts.

As with other forms of English writing projects, communication is essential in poetry. If you have a desire to share stories through your poetry prompt, pursue that inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions:

1. Can a poetry writing prompt enhance creativity?

A poetry prompt can be a starting point for writers to explore new ideas and expressions. It can help you let your imagination run wild on the blank page and experiment with language.

2. How can I find inspiration for poetry writing?

You can seek inspiration from anything to write a poem. Use all your five senses to produce good content by following the prompts. Happy writing!

3. How should I start a catchy poem?

Think about the initial impression that you want to leave on your readers while crafting the opening line of your poem. But don’t think too much and start writing.

4. How can I write a good love poem?

Good writers often use their memories and past experiences to write a love poem. Decide on a form and pick your words carefully. Use different literary devices in the lines and always express yourself and the emotions you feel through the poem.

5. Can poems be very short?

You are not required to write a specific number of lines to call it a poem. You are free to write and decide the length of the poem.

Josh Fechter

Josh is the founder and CEO of Squibler. He's authored several best-selling books and created one of the largest communities of writers online.