Inspiration: Write a poem of gratitude: noun, the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Re-read someone’s poem that was brave, sensitive. Remember a book or story that felt like the author wrote it for you. Recall a classmate or teacher who …
20, April 20th, Symbols and Extended Metaphors
Inspiration: A bridge is a powerful metaphor, and when you start looking for bridges in poems, you find them everywhere. Your poem could be about a real bridge or an imaginary or ideal bridge. It could be one you cross every day, or one that simply seems …
19, April 19th, 9 Lines (a Nonet)
Inspiration: A nonet is a nine-line poem. A nonet can be written on any subject and rhyming is optional. The poem starts with a line that has 9 syllables in it. The second line contains 8 syllables, the third line has 7 syllables, and it continues to count down …
18, April 18th, Supporting Others
Inspiration: Have you ever noticed that friends can be a big help when you are frustrated or feeling like a failure? Why is that? Well, friends want to take away your pain, but positive words or saying “not everyone is good at X” are not always helpful …
17, April 17th, A Letter (Epistle)
Inspiration: An epistle is a poem or story in the form of a letter or a series of letters. Try this form for your poem today. Write a letter to your future self, but do not say it is to your future self; instead, start …
19, April 19th, Visual Writing
Inspiration: Often poets use images, paintings, or photographs to inspire writing. Today, pick one of these pics to spark your poem (or choose your own image and link to it). Consider one of these ideas to get you poem-ing: Write the inner thoughts of a …
15/30, A Poem and 15 Middle School Verse Novels
I am 15 days into my 30 days of verse novels. The image of this post includes the covers of 15 great middle school verse novels that junior high students are reading right now. And there are many, many more. I will feature all of …
13, April 13th, Breaking-up (sweeties, not-so-sweet friends, or just sweets)
Inspiration (though you can write about anything): Write a break-up poem – names are optional. It might be a break up with sweetie, but it could be about breaking up with a bad habit. Your break up poem might be sad, but it can also be …
12, April 12th, If I could offer some advice…
Inspiration: You have learned a lot in your lifetime. I bet you have some advice to give that would, if not make life easier for anther, comfort another in their journey to make sense of this world. If you are up for it today, write …
10, April 10th, Songs, Lyrics, and Instruments
Inspiration: People say that music is the universal language. It’s the one language everyone can understand, regardless of whether you speak English, Spanish, or Chinese. Think about the role of music in your life, and maybe use one of the following questions to get you …