Poetry Prompt: I Love You

Image by Marina Shemesh

I am writing this post on Valentine's Day and the obvious prompt for the week would be to ask you to write a love poem. That's exactly what I'm going to do, but I want this to be no ordinary love poem. Instead of delving into romantic love or eroticism, I want us to all take a few minutes to take a good long look ... IN THE MIRROR.

I'll be honest with you. This is going to be really uncomfortable for some of us (me, included)! Look in the mirror and silently, without criticism or judgement, look at yourself as you would gaze upon your best friend or even your lover. Force yourself to see past the flaws that we all see in ourselves and look deep into your own eyes. After a few minutes have passed in honoring silence, say the words out loud to your own reflection, "I love you." Repeat them, if necessary. Speak from the depth of your wonderful, passionate heart and speak with conviction. "I LOVE YOU."

Now, was that so bad? If possible, take the next few minutes to write a love letter to yourself right there in front of the mirror where you can bear witness to your creative self in action. 

Use this experience as a springboard to write a love poem for yourself. You deserve it. 

Poetry Prompt: Make a list of everything wonderful about you. Ignore the voice of the inner critic that is sure to try to resist this activity! Use this list as a starting point to write a love poem for yourself. 

Word Prompts:

Self-love

I love ME

Suggested Poetry form: Sonnet

~ Amy Phelps McGrath

Poetry Prompt - Now, I see: Inspired by the work of Rita Dove

Reading at least one published poem a day by a notable writer has drastically changed my writing of poetry and my enjoyment of poetry. In my earlier days of poetry writing, I must confess I was in it for myself. I wanted to get out whatever emotion was driving my poems and I didn’t care too much about what other poets before me had said or how they said it.

I had yet to learn to appreciate poetry.

It was when I was facilitating a local open mic night at a bookstore that my mind and pencil shifted.

People who came to the open mic were more dedicated to craft then I was. They wanted to read books about how to write poetry and how to read poetry. They began to ask me for recommendations. I felt obligated to know more and the rest, as the cliché goes, is history.

Today our prompt is directly from the poem “This Life” by Rita Dove. By the way, this is a link to Rita Dove’s biography at the PoetryFoundation – and at this site you will find every single issue of PoetryMagazine from their 100 year history. You will literally never be lacking for quality poetry if you acquaint yourself with this website.

Prompt:

Now I see…. 

Now I see the possibilities are…..

I suggest you begin with simple sentence endings – at least ten – and then choose the one that calls the strongest to you and use that to begin your poem. When you run into a block, scoop up another one of your beginnings and continue writing.

For further inspiration, I have added a video of me from a live Periscope Broadcast reading Dove's poem as well as giving writing suggestions as I share the the prompt aloud as well.

 

Word Prompt: See, Possibilities

Suggested Form: Free Verse

Suggested Theme: Love Poem

Now, loves, create a poem - and link up below as well.


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Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed-media artist  whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people's creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in Spring 2016 and beyond.
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Poetry Prompt 20 - Love Poetry

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” ― Maya Angelou

Photo by Morgan Dragonwillow

Poetry Prompt:

Time to write a love poem. Now just because it is a love poem doesn't mean it has to be between lovers, it can be the love you had for your favorite pet when you were growing up (or now), it could be for your kids, it could be your best friend. Or, you could do something fun from a prompt I shared in the 2013 OctPoWriMo, Love Letters, Not What You Are Expecting.

Word Prompts:

fondness
tenderness
warmth
intimacy
attachment
endearment

Possible Poetry type: Loop Poetry, an invented form at Shadowpoetry.com

I have discovered a new poet, at least a new poet to me, Andrea Gibson. Gibson's poetry speaks to me on many levels and if you haven't read Gibson's poetry I highly recommend it. I just bought, The Madness Vase and can't wait to dive into it. Have you discovered any new poetry books lately?

Morgan Dragonwillow is a poet, author, foodie, urban gardener, and recovering perfectionist, that (mostly) doesn't let her fears get in the way of her passion for writing and creating. She is team leader at @StoryDam, creatrix of  #OctPoWriMo You can find her Playing with Words on her blog. She lives in Marietta, Ga. with her loving and patient partner, their dog that thinks she's a princess, and the cat that reminds her that she isn't.

You can also find her on Google+

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