Poetry Prompt | 17 year itch

I'm visiting my family and friends in West Virginia. There's been a lot of things going on here, horrible flooding, strange weather, but one thing I'd like to concentrate on today is something much lighter. The cicadas.

Cicadas are these bugs that have different variations. The particular one that infested West Virginia this year comes around every 17 years. They live underground, dormant, until it's their time to shine and mate. The horrifying screech the males emit as their mating call. In fact, if you're mowing your lawn, they think that sound is the mating call and swarm around you. They're not harmful, except to your vegetation and if you're me, you're sanity.

For this week's poetry prompt, let's take a look at something that happens on a regular schedule periodically. It could be an imagining of Haley's Comet coming again (It passes Earth every 75 years) or something that occurs much more often, like a woman's menstrual cycle. This is definitely a different type of prompt, but I think it can definitely be a fun one. Play around with the idea of cycles and things happening on a schedule. See what happens.

Tamara Woods writes, because she can’t imagine any other life. She grew up in the poorest state in the U.S., West Virginia, as a laid-off coal miner’s daughter. She learned from this that money isn’t the root of all happiness, but it sure makes it easier. One fateful 5 at a youth workshop she learned both the art of stolen kisses and being open in her poetry: lessons she’s never forgotten. Tamara’s poetry is spoken word with a heavy emphasis on things that we all know and do. Her fiction hits on darker, uncomfortable subjects, because she’s a firm believer that stories can be beautiful without being pretty. She is the Editor of The Reverie Journal, online poetry site. She is the moderator of #writestuff a writing tweetchat that's every Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST. Find her poetry on her blog, PenPaperPad. Connect on Social Media: Follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook, and check out her book and writing videos on YouTube.

Remember the time- Poetry Prompt

I'm going to guess during this last year you've lost someone or something important to you. A loved one, a family pet, your free time, hairline, even your old clunker that has limped across the finish line into the junk yard of the sky. This person or thing has left behind something in your life. An empty space.

I propose today you write about the quality you most remember about them. A piece of music, scent, the way you could eat everything and your waistline wouldn't budge, it can be virtually anything. The beauty of these poems is we get to learn a little about you and you revisit a good time in your past.



Write a narrative poem about that. It can be as serious or playful as you want it to be. Tell your story. Here's more information on this style.

Tamara Woods writes, because she can’t imagine any other life. She grew up in the poorest state in the U.S., West Virginia, as a laid-off coal miner’s daughter. She learned from this that money isn’t the root of all happiness, but it sure makes it easier. One fateful 5 at a youth workshop she learned both the art of stolen kisses and being open in her poetry: lessons she’s never forgotten. Tamara’s poetry is spoken word with a heavy emphasis on things that we all know and do. Her fiction hits on darker, uncomfortable subjects, because she’s a firm believer that stories can be beautiful without being pretty. She is the Editor of The Reverie Journal, online poetry site. She is the moderator of #writestuff a writing tweetchat that's every Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST. Find her poetry on her blog, PenPaperPad. Connect on Social Media: Follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook, and check out her book and writing videos on YouTube.

Poetry Prompts - A Crooked Path

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” ― Gautama Buddha, Sayings Of Buddha

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net by Lorisa Koshkina

I'm walking a new path the last few weeks, major changes happening and life has been a little shaky for me. As soon as I saw this photo I knew I needed to share that with you and make it the prompt for the week.

Poetry Prompt:

Write for ten minutes about the path that you're on, is it straight, curvy, is there no path at all? How do you feel about the path that you're on?

Word Prompts:

trail
pathway
walkway
track
lane
alley
passage

May you uncover your truth as you play with your words.




Peace,
Morgan Dragonwillow
Read, Dance, Write, Repeat.

Morgan Dragonwillow is a poet, author, encourager, and facilitator of magical circles. She is team leader at @StoryDam, #OctPoWriMo and #PoetsonthePage You can find her Playing with Words and dancing on her blog.

Yes she is on Google+ too!

Make sure you sign up to receive our updates, tips and prompts to share in all the poetry fun!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Z is for Zephyr: Poets on the Page Poetry Prompts from A-to-Z

Congratulations! You made it to the end!!

Z is for Zephyr:

1. literary

   a soft gentle breeze.
2. 2.

   historical

   a fine cotton gingham.

   • a very light article of clothing.

     The inspiration to write poetry reminds me, at times

     of a zephyr - those moments when you can

     see the breeze... it wraps you up

     in a cuddle which turns just

     slightly... unsettling as the words

     whirl, beginning to spiral

     insisting you pluck them

     from the air

     Zephyr starts with a whisper

     she rises to shouts (if you choose

     not to listen.)

     Today, write a poem of...

     Zephyr... 

      

     

     
     

     
     

     

     
     

     

     
     

     
     

      As National Poetry Month 2014 comes to a close, reflect on your personal growth as a poet. Consider starting to create your creative intention for the rest of 2014 and beyond.

A to Z Poetry Word Prompt - F is for Freedom

F is for FREEDOM -

Consider the freedom that arises in clear spaces, white paper, new notebooks, open roads, rivers flowing, oceans coming in and out, the wideness of the prairie...

Write into that freedom. Write into the way that freedom makes you feel.

F is for Freedom.

Write it.

Poetry Prompt March 24, 2014: Finding Inspiration Reading by the Swingset 1910

There are moments we get so exhausted we appreciate nothing more than

Image Prompt; From New York Public Library Collection

simplicity. This is how I approach you today. I trust whether or not you are in a similar space, you will find inspiration in the images, the words and/or the sentence starter.

Word Prompts:

Grandma,  Baby, Hammock, Book, Focus, Reading, swingset

Sentence starter prompts:

She reads………….

I opened the book, copyright 1910 and smelled…..

On the swings...... 

I look forward to reading what you write!

-- Julie Jordan Scott

Poetry Prompt: February Mini Challenge Day 3 : The Freedom To Write Your Poem.....I Dare You.....

This may sound ironic to you and please, hear me out.

What would happen if you let go of the results of your poem?

What would happen if you accepted it to be just what it is - without critique or worrying about form or being perfect or emulating another great poet?

What would happen if you threw out your most common style of writing and allowed yourself (and your readers) the grace of being a complete beginner?

That's your challenge for today.

We've talked about naming in your poetry yesterday.

We've talked about using the just-right words on Monday.

Today, your challenge is to throw all that out the window and simply be with whatever flows up and through your pencil, pen or fingers on the keyboard AND simultaneously choose to not write in the manner you are most accustomed to writing.

I'm offering you freedom and for some of you this may be frightening.

I actually think it is frightening to each and all of us on varying levels.

What would happen if you simply WERE different and today, allowed yourself to splash in the waters of poetic differences without being so concerned about the outcome of your poem?

I realize some of you are going to just close this window and never think of writing such a poem.
I dare you to write it, even if it feels... oh, there is the dreaded word again: different. So go ahead, write differently. Enjoy the process - I dare you.....

February Poetry Mini Challenge Prompt Name It with Word Love (Day 2)

Wow - I enjoyed yesterday's process so much I wrote a how-to blog post about it on my Julie

Unplugged Blog. If you would like to read it, check it out here.

Now - for today - a brand new adventure in writing poetry that builds upon yesterday's.

This quote provides a preview for us:

"One deep feeling called by its right name names others."
Eudora Welty

I have declared my love for words on a regular basis. I love love love language with all my heart. One of the most important ways to express that love for words is to use words well, especially when writing poetry.

Yesterday we wrote micropoetry after doing one of my favorite writing warm-ups. Our intention was to say the most with the fewest syllables.

What I want us to play with today builds upon that concept: today we will say the most with the best words.

This poem, "Saying Things", by Marilyn Krisl, is a great example of naming things and simply loving the process of lining up words in a way that just oozes love - and straight out lust - for words.

Here's what we will create today:

Choose five things you can look up from where you are sitting and see.

For example, I can see a bottle of tylenol, a salt shaker, my daughter Emma, a copy of "Letters Home by Sylvia Plath" and my flannel nightgown.

My goal, before today is over, is to write a poem naming those things. Not just saying "my daughter Emma" but naming her without saying "my daughter Emma."

Your goal is to choose your five things and then weave all five into a poem for an extra fun adventure in poetry or simply choose one.

Note: if you aren't having fun with this exercise, walk away and then write whatever comes forward.

Ready, set, NAME THINGS!

I look forward to reading your poems so please link up! I love to know you're playing along.

Poetry Prompt: February Mini-Challenge Day 1

Welcome to the February Poets on the Page Mini-Challenge.

The Mini-Challenge is five day "event" for you to write alongside other poets, each using (or not using!) the same prompt in order to build your poetry writing skills and at the same time, build your poetry writing community.

This week we will be building from the first day to the last - with the final poem we write on Friday being a celebration and compilation of all we did throughout the week.

Today, we will begin with simplicity.

Your prompt is an image, a word and a poetry form.

This is your image prompt: what do you notice? Who are you, the viewer, in relationship to your poem?

Your word prompt: Arid

(optional) poetry form: haiku and/or tanka

Poets on the Page Prompt - Direction - January 6, 2014

I might be the only poet here who sometimes finds myself stumbling around without direction, begging someone to please bring a flashlight and hiking boots because we are trekking out to find my way, finally.

Here we are, writing poetry in the first week of the New Year. I had to ask myself this morning, "Is the first week gone yet?"

So much has happened I feel like it should be May.

I do know that if I simply get back up, dust myself off, and take steps in the direction I am called the rest will take care of itself.

This week we will use the theme of "Direction" - you may take that in a multitude of places (I almost said directions!)

I think of maps, GPS devices, lost and found goodies, playing red light and green light as a child.... the possibilities are endless.

Take a few moments to brainstorm a list to create the beginning of possible themes for your direction poem.

I also offer a poem link to also serve as inspiration. Perhaps grab a line from the poem and use it as a prompt. Here is Finding the Direction by Stephen Dobbyns

As always, feel free to use the image as your poetry prompt as well.

I look forward to reading your words, as always.

-- Julie Jordan Scott

December Poetry Mini Challenge Day 4: Let's Write a Cento!

Today we are going to play with a couple different poetic fascinations.

The first is the style of poem we will each be creating – that is if you choose to write this type of poem at all.

We will be writing a Cento poem. Normally, I am not big on telling folks to write a specific form, but you may not yet have caught onto what has been working underneath the prompts. 

Or maybe you have figured out what I layered underneath the prompts.

The first day: Demolish and tearing down. (Taking a poem and crushing it)

The second day: new beginnings with the raw materials being your demolish and tearing down poem

The third day: encouragement and continuing... even when its tough.

The fourth day? We will be writing poems that are collages made up of other poems which is a poetry form called a Cento. 

This week each challenge day built upon the previous day.

December Mini Poetry Challenge Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the December Mini Poetry Challenge. I'm so glad you came by! You may start writing at any point in the challenge and finish writing at any point in the challenge. Just leap in and be welcomed.

To recap: Yesterday, we wrote along the theme of demolish or demolition and you will be glad to know there is always a method to my madness.

Today we are going to build on the theme of demolishing.(Yes, the pun is intended.)

If you wrote a poem yesterday, choose three lines that you feel are particularly well crafted AND they speak to you.

If you didn’t write a poem yesterday, take then minutes to free write (stream of consciousness, without thought, just let your pencil flitter across the page). When you are done, pick out three phrases that speak to you.

Those three lines are now going to go from a state of being demolished to a state of a new beginning.

December Poetry Mini Challenge - - Day 1

Welcome to the December Mini-Challenge from Poets on the Page!

I hope you are ready for an adventure in writing this week, a chance to explore and play with your poetry in a way which may be different for you.

With that in mind, I would ask you approach the poetry you work on this week from the space of a beginner. For those concepts you've worked with a lot, instead of thinking "I know this!" think, "What is the lesson for me in this?"

I find repetition, or topics synchronistically popping up over and over, happens for a reason.