best poems for assignment

Explore the Greatest Poetry

10 of the best (and easiest) poems to analyze .

A great deal of classical and contemporary writing is a pleasure to indulge in. A few of the best examples are included in the list below.

A great deal of the poetry produced since we started putting our thoughts on paper drowns itself out in complex metaphors , indecipherable decades after they were written. Or, contains language that has fallen out of common use or is a better example of a poet’s desire to sound educated, through the twisting and manipulating of syntax , than it is an expression of any theme worth delving into.  

These poems were selected for their ease of understanding, their clear representation of various poetic techniques, and their interesting historical backgrounds. If you’re looking for a powerful, but easy, poem to analyze, this article is for you.  

Best/Easiest Poems to Analyze

• 1 Fire and Ice by Robert Frost 
• 2 Mother to Son by Langston Hughes 
• 3 A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe 
• 4 Still I Rise by Maya Angelou 
• 5 Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
• 6 The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus 
• 7 If You Forget Me by Pablo Neruda 
• 8 The Tyger by William Blake
• 9 Daffodils by William Wordsworth 
• 10 Trees by Joyce Kilmer 

Fire and Ice by Robert Frost  

Not Robert Frost ’s best-known work, but wonderful all the same, ‘Fire and Ice’ is the perfect choice for someone who is interested in analyzing a poem that speaks on themes of life, death, and opposites. The text is short, only nine lines, and repetition , juxtaposition and rhyme play important roles. Frost’s diction is clear and the syntax is straightforward.  

Read an analysis of  ‘Fire and Ice’  here.

Mother to Son by Langston Hughes  

This poem was first published in December of 1922 in the magazine, Crisis. It was also included in Langston Hughes ’ collection, The Weary Blues, published four years later. Within the text, Hughes uses the metaphor of a staircase to depict the difficulties and dangers one will face in life. The major themes are determination and wisdom. Told from the perspective of a mother, directing her words to her son, this piece is universally relatable. It clearly depicts themes and issues that are just as relevant today as they were when 100 years ago.  

Read an analysis of  ‘Mother to Son’  here.

A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe  

Lovers of poetry, and even those who only enjoy it occasionally, will immediately recognize the line, “All that we see or seem / is but a dream within a dream.” Many examples of Edgar Allan Poe ’s poetry are complex, filled with seemingly indecipherable images and mental landscapes, this piece is much simpler. The speaker knows that life is purposeless, there is no love nor is there reason to keep going. It has all turned into a dream state that he floats, and at the same time struggles, through.

Read an analysis of  ‘A Dream Within a Dream’  here.

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou  

At its most basic level, ‘Still I Rise’ is a poem about confidence and empowerment. The speaker stands up to prejudice and preconceived notions of who she should be. Through the refrain , “I rise,” the reader should sense power building in the text. Repetition is used skillfully and effectively. This is likely Maya Angelou’ s’ most anthologized work, making it a perfect option for those interested in analyzing a piece of her poetry.  

Read an analysis of  ‘Still I Rise’  here .

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas’ best-known work, ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’ is a universally relatable poem that has appeared multiple times popular media since its publication. ‘Do not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’   was first published in 1951. Through powerful and skillfully composed language, Thomas encourages his father to realize the importance of his life by fighting back against the dark. Additionally, this piece had an important personal meaning to the poet, adding another layer of information you might choose to write about.  

Read an analysis of  ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’  here.

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus  

With an important historical context , Emma Lazarus’   ‘The New Colossus’ is another example of how poetry does not need to be complex and filled with complicated images to convey deep meaning. In ‘The New Colossus’ Lazarus speaks about the Statue of Liberty and the fundamental beliefs the statue is supposed to represent. Plus, with all the historical details connected to this piece, there is a great deal for a prospective analyzer to write about.  

Read an analysis of ‘The New Colossus’  here.

If You Forget Me by Pablo Neruda  

This is a love poem for those who aren’t interested in analyzing traditional stories of loss and heartbreak. Within ‘If You Forget Me’ Pablo Neruda speaks from a first-person perceptive and addresses his lover. He uses metaphors to compare their love to natural imagery and challenges them to forget him. If they do, he’ll have already “forgotten them”. Neruda uses accessible images and diction that makes this poem an interesting read and a great piece to take a deep dive into and analyze.

Read an analysis of  ‘If You Forget Me’  here.

The Tyger by William Blake

Usually read alongside ‘ The Lamb ,’ this piece is William Blake ’s famous description of the darker, more dangerous side of God’s creation. Within the text, he juxtaposes the tiger with the kinder elements of the world, such as the lamb. Blake’s speaker asks the tiger where its eyes were made. As well as how any divine being could’ve made the decision to craft it in such a way. Although admitting his own fear of this creature, he also acknowledges its beauty and the skill it would’ve taken to create it. This piece is likely Blake’s most commonly anthologized. This means there is a great deal of information available about its composition and publication.  

Read an analysis of  ‘The Tyger’  here.

Daffodils by William Wordsworth  

Also known as ‘I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud,’ this piece is one of William Wordsworth ’s most popular. It describes one speaker’s progression through fields and hills on which he observes a “host, of golden daffodils”. The natural imagery is quite strong and depicted clearly. Using metaphors and similes Wordsworth also speaks on his own state of being while in natural environments. Then, how he takes that experience back into his less invigorating moments. The consistent rhyme scheme imbues ‘Daffodils’ with an even rhythm , taking the reader calmly and smoothly through the lines. As with most of the poems on this list, there is information readily available about this poem making analyzing it all the simpler.

Read an analysis ‘Daffodils’ here.

Trees by Joyce Kilmer  

With its straightforward syntax and clear diction, ‘Trees’ is the perfect poem to analyze if you’re interested in themes of nature, poetic writing, and creation. The poem was written in February of 1913 and was first published in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse . It was then included in Trees and Other Poems , one of Joyce Kilmer ’s most popular volumes. Within this piece, Kilmer depicts a single tree standing in as a representative for all trees. It is, he states, lovelier than any poem he, or anyone else, could ever write. Throughout the text, he praises God’s creation and speaks on man’s inability to create anything close to as majestic.

Read an analysis of ‘Trees’  here .

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Thanks a lot!, These poems are very easy to analyze!

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10 Must-read Poems For High School Students

“Poetry enables teachers to teach their students how to write, read, and understand any text. Poetry can give students a healthy outlet for surging emotions”

— Andrew Simmons, The Atlantic

Throughout history, poets have composed poems to convey their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and opinions about issues ranging from the nature of love or the beauty of a spring day to complicated social issues. Poetry is one of the most ancient arts and is often regarded as the highest form of literature.  

No other art has influenced human civilization greater than poetry. It is for this very reason, poetry is taught in schools and colleges even today, starting from the early ages to the highest level of education in universities and so on. Poetry has a profound influence on the life of students and plays an important role in their development. 

Here, in this blog, we have compiled a list of poems every high schooler must read.  All of the poetry in this collection is understandable. Any of these poems should have something to offer your students if they read them carefully.

Poems for High Schoolers

• If by Rudyard Kipling  

‘If’ is one of the most famous poems by Rudyard Kipling, published in his 1910 book Rewards and Fairies. The poem is in the form of paternal advice from a father to his son, who teaches him to deal with different situations in life. 

The father talks of several values and counsels his son to live with moderation, calm, and constraint, to constantly maintain his composure, and avoid overreacting. The speaker claims that by following these values, the son will become a real man. 

Every high schooler should read this poem as it explodes with positivity for personal growth in difficult times. Even today, more than a century later, anyone struggling with a lack of desire in life can still benefit from Kipling’s message.

• The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski 

Bukowski’s poem is an excellent choice for all high schoolers as his poem ‘The Laughing Heart’ depicts an emotion that many kids will be able to relate to. The poem urges the reader to take control of their own life, seize opportunities and make the most of their time. 

At the beginning of the poem, the poet talks about how one shouldn’t let others take their “light” out of them. Bukowski says that once you begin to show up for your own life, ‘marvelous’ things will begin to happen to you. The Laughing Heart, which focuses on risk and making decisions in life, appeals to youth as it serves as an encouragement to them to stand up for themselves in difficult times. 

• Still I Rise by Maya Angelou 

Still I Rise is an exceptionally powerful poem written by the American author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. The poem is primarily about self-respect and confidence and focuses on the author’s experiences as a Black woman in America. ‘Still, I Rise’ is Angelou’s proclamation that she, for one, would not allow the hatefulness of society to determine her own success and hold her back.

Through this poem, Angelou talks about how she will overcome everything through her self-esteem. This poem is fit to be read by every high schooler because it encourages them to love themselves fully and persevere in the face of hardships.

• We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks 

Gwendolyn Brooks’ poetry “We Real Cool” was first released in her 1960 collection The Bean Eaters. The poem describes a group of teenagers as rebels who brazenly reject authority and convention—and who will probably pay dearly for their actions. 

The poem can be interpreted as both a celebration of those who put their lives in danger to defy authority and as a cautionary tale about self-destructive behavior. 

• The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur 

‘The Rose That Grew from Concrete’ is a poem by one of the most famous American rappers of all time, Tupac Shakur. The poem is about achieving our life goals despite the challenges and disputes we experience along the road. In this poem, Tupac compares himself to a neglected rose who went from being a marginalized inner-city teenager to one of the most influential rappers the world has ever known. The poem, thus, serves as an allegory of his own life. It is a must-read for every high school student because it will inspire and motivate the readers to focus and realize their dreams to make them come true.

• Do Not Go Gentle Into That Night

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” is a poem, first published in 1951 by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Despite being written with Thomas’s father in mind, the poem has a universal theme. The main message of “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” is that life is valuable and deserves to be defended at any costs. 

The poem exhorts the sick and aged who are dying to valiantly resist death. The speaker of the poem offers advice on how to approach death with ferocity and dignity rather than resignation; he or she thinks that individuals should “burn and rave” as they get close to passing away. Even though human existence is frail and brief, the poem also honors its vitality and vigor. 

• Tattoo by Ted Kooser

The poem ‘Tattoo’ was written by the 13th Poet Laureate of the United States, Ted Kooser. The poem basically talks about lost love and young age as expressed through an old man’s tattoo. It illustrates how things from your youth are carried with you even when a lot of other things change as you get older. 

These are dramatized by drawing a contrast between the tattoo’s original meaning and how, over time, the old guy has become just like any other old man. This poem is popular among high school students because the language used in the poem is simple and straightforward. Moreover, the symbolism of the tattoo provides an interesting topic of discussion in the classroom. The poem, Tattoo, will provide high schoolers who are reluctant to study poetry some confidence.

• The Road Not Taken

One of Robert Frost’s most well-known poems, “The Road Not Taken,” was written in 1915 in England, and it is widely recognized across the world. The Road Not Taken is basically about making choices in life. The speaker in the poem, faced with a choice between two roads, takes the road “less traveled,” a decision which he or she supposes “made all the difference.” 

The poem illustrates the decisions that we make in life will influence our fate because our routes in life may frequently diverge. This poem teaches students the importance of our choices, both big and small since they shape our journey through life. 

• Fifth Grade Autobiography by Rita Dove 

The poem ‘Fifth Grade Autobiography’ is from Rita Dove’s fourth collection Grace Notes. Through the poem, she discusses the fond memories of her most significant life influences as a child. She starts to recall the characteristics and recollections of her brother and grandparents throughout the poem merely by staring at the photo. By using language and pictures, she recalls how great and significant her family is as she looks at a photograph. 

This poem is great for high school students as they can pick up important ideas and writing strategies by making effective use of imagery. Based on Dove’s poetry, an excellent activity would be to ask children to select a photo that is significant to them and write their own Fifth Grade Autobiography.

• Mother to Son by Langston Hughes 

Mother to Son’ by Langston Hughes was first published in December of 1922 in the magazine, Crisis. It illustrates the challenges and risks one may encounter in life using the metaphor of a staircase. The speaker uses a long metaphor about climbing a flight of steps to advise her son on how to better his lot in a racist society. 

Hughes uses the picture of the stairs to represent the concepts of social climbing—ascending the social ladder in terms of class, income, and cultural acceptance—as well as the difficulties of enduring when times are harsh. The poem is an important read for students because it teaches them to move forward in the face of hardships and difficulties. 

Skills to learn through these words of wisdom

For young children, the force of a beautiful poem can help make reading a reality. Poetry is an important tool in any young reader’s literacy journey, serving a variety of functions from making reading enjoyable to giving kids new perspectives on phonemic sounds.

• Improves writing skills-  

Important language and literacy abilities can be developed by reading and composing poetry. Students can then observe the virtually limitless ways that language can be used to express themselves and convey meaning. Although they may not have a wide vocabulary at first, poetry allows kids to play around with words without being constrained by strict grammar and syntax. Similar to reading, poetry offers students the chance to study and take in a variety of literary styles from numerous authors.

• It develops creative thinking- 

Writing poetry allows for a lot of creative freedom because it defies convention. It promotes imaginative language, structure, and imagery use. It challenges your kids to think outside the box and come up with original ways to communicate their ideas and emotions. Your kids’ exposure to a range of poetic forms will help them recognize the possibilities of poetry and stimulate their imagination and creativity.

• Develops reading skills –

Like reading other genres aloud, reading poetry aloud can help kids develop their reading abilities. Children who read aloud develop their reading skills by giving greater thought to how the words sound as they speak. Because poetry is rhythmic, expressive, and entertaining, it is the ideal medium for reading aloud. The performance of poems by your students will boost their public speaking abilities and self-confidence in front of an audience.

Poetry is often a crucial part of the english literature, that can be opted by the interested students as a freshman year class. Poetry has numerous advantages for authors, readers, teachers, and students alike. Some students object to learning poetry because they believe it to be uninteresting and meaningless because it is too tough to understand and compose. Talking about the advantages of reading and producing poetry with students can make the experience more pleasurable and help everyone understand the significance of this topic of study.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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101 Poetry Prompts & Ideas for Writing Poems

Not sure what to write a poem about? Here’s 101 poetry prompts to get you started!

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These poetry prompts are designed to help you keep a creative writing practice. If you’re staring at a blank page and the words aren’t flowing, the creative writing prompts for poems can be a great way to get started!

New for 2023! Due to popular demand, I created a printable, ad-free version of these poetry prompts you can download to use at home or even in the classroom! Get them at our Etsy Shop .

Even if poetry isn’t your thing, you could always use these things to inspire other writing projects. Essays, journal entries, short stories, and flash fiction are just a few examples of ways this list can be used.

You may even find this list of creative poetry writing prompts helpful as an exercise to build your skills in descriptive writing and using metaphors!

Let’s get onto the list, shall we?

Here are 101 Poetry Prompts for Creative Writing

Most of these creative writing ideas are simple and open-ended. This allows you total creative freedom to write from these poetry prompts in your own unique style, tone, and voice.

If one poetry idea doesn’t appeal to you, challenge yourself to find parallels between the prompt and things that you do enjoy writing about!

1.The Untouchable : Something that will always be out of reach

2. 7 Days, 7 Lines : Write a poem where each line/sentence is about each day of last week

3. Grandma’s Kitchen : Focus on a single memory, or describe what you might imagine the typical grandmother’s kitchen to be like

4. Taste the Rainbow : What does your favorite color taste like?

5. Misfits: How it feels when you don’t belong in a group of others.

6. Stranger Conversations : Start the first line of your poem with a word or phrase from a recent passing conversation between you and someone you don’t know.

7. On the Field : Write from the perspective of a sports ball {Baseball, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Lacrosse, etc.} – think about what the sports ball might feel, see, hear, think, and experience with this poetry idea!

8. Street Signs: Take note of the words on signs and street names you pass while driving, walking, or riding the bus. Write a poem starting with one of these words you notice.

9. Cold water: What feelings do you associate with cold water? Maybe it’s a refreshing cold glass of water on a hot day, or maybe you imagine the feelings associated with being plunged into the icy river in the winter.

10. Ghostwriter: Imagine an invisible ghost picks up a pen and starts writing to you.

11. Lessons From Math Class: Write about a math concept, such as “you cannot divide by zero” or never-ending irrational numbers.

12. Instagram Wall: Open up either your own Instagram account or one of a friend/celebrity and write poetry based on the first picture you see.

13. Radio: Tune in to a radio station you don’t normally listen to, and write a poem inspired by the the first song or message you hear.

14. How To : Write a poem on how to do something mundane most people take for granted, such as how to tie your shoes, how to turn on a lamp, how to pour a cup of coffee.

15. Under 25 Words : Challenge yourself to write a poem that is no more than 25 words long.

16. Out of Order: Write about your feelings when there is an out of order sign on a vending machine.

17. Home Planet: Imagine you are from another planet, stuck on earth and longing for home.

18. Uncertainty : Think about a time in your life when you couldn’t make a decision, and write based on this.

19. Complete : Be inspired by a project or task be completed – whether it’s crossing something off the never-ending to-do list, or a project you have worked on for a long time.

20. Compare and Contrast Personality : What are some key differences and similarities between two people you know?

21. Goodbyes : Write about a time in your life you said goodbye to someone – this could be as simple as ending a mundane phone conversation, or harder goodbyes to close friends, family members, or former partners.

22. Imagine Weather Indoors : Perhaps a thunderstorm in the attic? A tornado in the kitchen?

23. Would You Rather? Write about something you don’t want to do, and what you would rather do instead.

24. Sound of Silence : Take some inspiration from the classic Simon & Garfunkel song and describe what silence sounds like.

25. Numbness : What’s it like to feel nothing at all?

26. Fabric Textures : Use different fiber textures, such as wool, silk, and cotton as a poetry writing prompt.

27. Anticipation : Write about the feelings you experience or things you notice while waiting for something.

28. Poison: Describe something toxic and its effects on a person.

29. Circus Performers: Write your poetry inspired by a circus performer – a trapeze artist, the clowns, the ringmaster, the animal trainers, etc.

30. Riding on the Bus : Write a poem based on a time you’ve traveled by bus – whether a school bus, around town, or a long distance trip to visit a certain destination.

31. Time Freeze : Imagine wherever you are right now that the clock stops and all the people in the world are frozen in place. What are they doing?

32. The Spice of Life : Choose a spice from your kitchen cabinet, and relate its flavor to an event that has happened recently in your daily life.

33. Parallel Universe : Imagine you, but in a completely different life based on making a different decision that impacted everything else.

34. Mad Scientist : Create a piece based on a science experiment going terribly, terribly wrong.

35. People You Have Known : Make each line about different people you have met but lost contact with over the years. These could be old friends, passed on family, etc.

36. Last Words : Use the last sentence from the nearest book as the inspiration for the first line of your poem.

37. Fix This : Think about something you own that is broken, and write about possible ways to fix it. Duct tape? A hammer and nails?

38. Suspicion : Pretend you are a detective and you have to narrow down the suspects.

39. Political News : Many famous poets found inspiration from the current politics in their time. Open up a newspaper or news website, and create inspired by the first news article you find.

40. The Letter D : Make a list of 5 words that start with all with the same letter, and then use these items throughout the lines of your verse. {This can be any letter, but for example sake: Daisy, Dishes, Desk, Darkness, Doubt}

41. Quite the Collection : Go to a museum, or look at museum galleries online. Draw your inspiration from collections of objects and artifacts from your favorite display. Examples: Pre-historic days, Egyptians, Art Galleries, etc.

42. Standing in Line : Think of a time you had to stand in line for something. Maybe you were waiting in a check-out line at the store, or you had to stand in line to enter a concert or event.

43. Junk Mail Prose: Take some inspiration from your latest junk mail. Maybe it’s a grocery store flyer announcing a sale on grapes, or an offer for a credit card.

44. Recipe : Write your poem in the form of a recipe. This can be for something tangible, such as a cake, or it can be a more abstract concept such as love or happiness. List ingredients and directions for mixing and tips for cooking up your concept to perfection.

45. Do you like sweaters? Some people love their coziness, others find them scratchy and too hot. Use your feelings about sweaters in a poem.

46. After Party : What is it like after all party guests go home?

47. Overgrown : Use  Little Shop of Horrors  for inspiration, or let your imagination run wild on what might happen if a plant or flower came to life or started spreading rapidly to take over the world.

48. Interference: Write a poem that is about someone or something coming in between you and your goals.

49. On Shaky Ground: Use an earthquake reference or metaphor in your poem.

50. Trust Issues : Can you trust someone you have doubted in the past?

51. Locked in a Jar: Imagine you are a tiny person, who has been captured and put into a jar for display or science.

52. Weirder Than Fiction: Think of the most unbelievable moment in your life, and write a poem about the experience.

53. Fast Food: Write a poem about fast food restaurants and experiences.

54. Unemployed: Write a poem about quitting or being fired from a job you depended on.

55. Boxes: What kinds of family secrets or stories might be hiding in that untouched box in the attic?

56. No One Understands : Write about what it feels like when no one understands or agrees with your opinion.

57. Criminal Minds : Write a poem from the perspective of a high-profile criminal who is always on the run from law enforcement.

58. Marathon Runner : Write a poem about what training you might be doing to accomplish a difficult challenge in your life.

59. Trapped : Write about an experience that made you feel trapped.

60. Passing the Church : Write a poem about noticing something interesting while passing by a church near your home.

61. Backseat Driver: Write about what it’s like to be doing something in your life and constantly being criticized while trying to move ahead.

62. Luster: Create a descriptive poem about something that has a soft glow or sheen to it.

63. Clipboard: Write a poem about someone who is all business like and set in their ways of following a system.

64. Doctor: Write a poem about receiving advice from a doctor.

65. First Car : Write an ode to your first car

66. Life Didn’t Go As a Planned : Write about a recent or memorable experience when nothing went according to plan.

67. Architect : Imagine you are hired to design a building for a humanitarian cause you are passionate about.

68. The Crazy Cat Hoarder : Write about someone who owns far too many cats.

69. Queen : Write a poem from the perspective of a queen.

70. Movie Character : Think of a recent movie you watched, and create a poem about one character specifically, or an interaction between two characters that was memorable.

71. Potential Energy : Write about an experience where you had a lot of potential for success, but failed.

72. Moonlight : Write about an experience in the moonlight.

73. Perfection : Write about trying to always keep everything perfect.

74. You Are Wrong : Write a poem where you tell someone they are wrong and why.

75. Sarcasm : Write a poem using sarcasm as a form of illustrating your point.

76. Don’t Cry : Write a poem about how not to cry when it’s hard to hold back the tears.

77. Listen Up: Write a poem telling someone they are better than they think they are.

78. Flipside : Find the good in something terrible.

79. Maybe They Had a Reason : Write a poem about someone doing something you don’t understand, and try to explain what reasons they might have had.

80. How to Drive : Write a poem that explains how to drive to a teenager.

81. Up & Down the Steps: Write a poem that includes the motion of going up or down a staircase

82. Basket Case: Has there ever been a time when you thought you might lose your mind? Jot your feelings and thoughts down in verse form.

83. Lucky Guess:  Many times in our life we have to make a good guess for what is the best decision. Use this poetry idea to write about feelings related to guessing something right – or wrong.

84. Dear Reader:  What audience enjoys reading the type of poetry you like to write? Craft a note to your potential audience that addresses their biggest fears, hopes, and dreams.

85. All or Nothing : Share your thoughts on absolutist thinking: when one’s beliefs are so set in stone there are no exceptions.

86. Ladders in the Sky : Imagine there are ladders that take you up to the clouds. What could be up there? What feelings do you have about climbing the ladders, or is their a mystery as to how they got there in the first place?

87. Always On My Mind: Compose a poem about what it’s like to always be thinking about someone or something.

88. Paranoia : What would it be like if you felt like someone was watching you but no one believed you?

89. Liar, Liar: How would you react to someone who lied to you?

90. Secret Word: What’s the magic word to unlock someone’s access to something?

91. For What It’s Worth: Use a valuable object in your home as inspiration as a poetry prompt idea.

92. Coming Home to Secrets: Imagine a person who puts on a good act to cover up a secret they deal with at home.

93. Productivity: Talk about your greatest struggles with time management and organization.

94. Defying Gravity: Use words that relate to being weightless and floating.

95. Signs of the Times : How has a place you are familiar with changed over the past 10 years?

96. Sleepless Nights : What ideas and feelings keep you up at night? What’s it like when you have to wake up in the morning on a night you can’t sleep?

97. You Can’t Fire Me, I Quit : Use one of the worst job related memories you can think of as a creative writing prompt.

98. By George : You can choose any name, but think of 3-5 notable figures or celebrities who share a common first name, and combine their personalities and physical characteristics into one piece of poetry. For example: George Washington, George Clooney, George Harrison.

99. Shelter : Write a poem about a time you were thankful for shelter from a storm.

100. Cafeteria : Create a poem inspired by the people who might be eating lunch in a cafeteria at school or at a hospital.

101. Dusty Musical Instruments : Base your poem around the plight of a musician who hasn’t picked up the guitar or touched a piano in years.

Love these prompts? The printable, ad-free version of these poetry prompts can be used offline or in the classroom! Get them at our Etsy Shop .

There are unlimited possibilities for ways you can use these poem ideas to write poetry. Using a list like this can greatly help you with getting into the habit of writing daily – even when you don’t feel inspired to write.

While not every poem you write will be an award-winning masterpiece, using these poem starters as a regular exercise can help you better your craft as a writer.

I hope you enjoy these poetry prompts – and if you write anything you’d like to share inspired by these creative poetry writing prompts, let us know in the comments below – we love to see how others use writing ideas to create their own work!

And of course, don’t forget to get the ad-free poetry prompt cards printable version if you’d like to use these prompts offline, in the classroom or with your small group!

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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Surefire poetry hits for the classroom and beyond..

BY Eric Selinger

Some poems you love, and some you love to teach. What’s the difference? The teachable ones do half the work for you: the questions they raise and the pleasures they offer show that close reading is not, despite its chilly reputation, academia’s way of “beating it [the poem] with a hose / to find out what it really means” (Billy Collins, “ Introduction to Poetry ”). Quite the contrary: close reading is courtship, a passionate, delicate way to find out what makes this particular poem worth a second date (that is, writing a paper about) or maybe worth spending the rest of your life with (that is, memorizing).

Here are ten poems that have the moves my students want to know better, with a couple of tips on how to catch their eyes across the dance floor.

1. “ To My Dear and Loving Husband ” by Anne Bradstreet

Like most interesting people, the characters you meet in poems rarely say the same thing twice. When they seem to, listen harder: that’s a lesson Anne Bradstreet ’s “ To My Dear and Loving Husband ” teaches my most skeptical students. Ask them to slow down and take it sentence by sentence. “If ever two were one, then surely we,” she sighs at the start, a line so satisfied, it just ends . (No other line in the poem is a complete sentence.) Your students may know couples like that. Bradstreet, though, promptly leaves this Smug Married stasis behind. She splits the couple into their public roles of “man” and “wife,” conjures some girlfriends to brag to (“Compare with me, ye women, if you can”), and keeps the poem in motion through a series of poised, propulsive asymmetries. My favorite comes in an off-rhyme halfway through: “My love is such that rivers cannot quench, / Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.” Students quickly notice the off-rhyme; to follow up, ask them what’s equally “off” about the couplet’s logic. (You quench a fire, or a thirst, but you can’t “recompense,” “repay,” or even “reward” one.) That’s not a flaw but a flash of desire, half-hidden by decorum. Students often think that the Puritans were puritanical about sex, but Bradstreet’s poems about marriage give the lie to that assumption. Challenge the skeptics in your class to read her “ Letter to Her Husband, Absent Upon Public Employment ,” or use it in a follow-up assignment. As the speaker tries to persuade her husband to come home, when and how does she appeal to his head, his heart, and his “heat”? When and how does she change her mind and reconcile herself to his absence? Read either of these poems too quickly, and you’ll miss their wit, their passion, and their artistry—the more you respect them, the more you’ll enjoy them, too.

2. “ Wild nights!—wild nights! ” by Emily Dickinson

No one could miss the desire in this one! Its craft, though, and its wisdom take time to tease out. Try splitting your students into groups, and have each track a different element in the poem. I like to start with one focusing on sound, one on syntax, and one on diction . Make sure the sound group notices how the speaker keens those long e ’s in the first stanza, the better to savor that deliciously polysyllabic, lascivious word “luxury” at its close. In the second stanza, by contrast, there’s not a long e to be found, so when they surge back in the third—another trio, from “Eden” to “sea” and back to the original to “thee!”—it feels like coming home. The syntax group can dwell on the poem’s verbs, or lack of them. Again there’s a shift from stanza to stanza: the speaker starts with the conditional “were” and “should be,” but what happens in stanza two? Eliding the verbs themselves, Dickinson brings us into a world of fantasy where we can’t distinguish between possibility and the simple present tense. “Futile - the winds [ would be, or maybe are ] - / To a Heart in port,” the speaker sighs. That heart would therefore be “Done with the compass,” but it might also be done with it already, tossing it overboard along with the “chart” used by more timid mariners. No wonder the verbs feel so urgent and sexual in stanza three—“rowing” and “moor” are the first active verbs in the poem. As for “moor,” there’s enough action in that to summon the Moor of Othello and the windswept moors of Wuthering Heights into the poem as well. (Dickinson loved both Shakespeare and, as she called her, the “gigantic Emily Brontë.”) Send your diction group to the Oxford English Dictionary to look up the word’s various meanings and associations—and while they’re at it, have them track down the older meanings of “luxury,” too. When you convene the whole class to discuss what they’ve found, let the ambiguities and double meanings flourish; Dickinson uses them to capture the paradoxes of eroticism. The safer this speaker finds herself, the more she can enjoy the winds of passion gusting outside; in fact, the inland waters of Eden turn out to be indistinguishable from the “sea” she’s left behind. Now, students, about those prepositions: is this a “with” fantasy (stanza one), a “to” fantasy (stanza two), or an . . . Oops! There goes the bell.

3. “ Those Winter Sundays ” by Robert Hayden

Some poems are so tightly written that you can’t tap on the shoulder of a single word without the whole text turning around to see what you want. Take “chronic” in Robert Hayden ’s “ Those Winter Sundays .” The speaker remembers, as a child, “fearing the chronic angers of that house.” Ask your students to brainstorm reasons why “chronic” is the right word here. Some will notice how its hard “c” sounds echo throughout the poem—but only when the father is around or some physical or emotional coldness is an issue. Your diction mavens will spot its wordplay: the anger is “chronic” because it’s always there, like a disease, and it’s “chronic” because the father gets up early seven days a week. That’s not how the father uses language—his first stanza is plainspoken, even blunt. But just as the father “got up” and “put his clothes on,” in the second stanza the son “rises” and “dresses,” the word choice showing him to be an educated, even “polished” adult. If you have an extra day, ask them to look up the story of Chronos, Father Time, and how he treated his offspring. Then ask them what other story about a father and his son the poem turns to, with a kind of relief, as it ends. (Here’s a hint: Where are father and son probably going in those “good shoes” on a Sunday morning?)

4. “ The Sun Rising ” by John Donne

You can bring nearly any poem to life by asking, partway through, “Why isn’t the poem over yet?” In “ The Sun Rising ,” for example, I like to read the first stanza aloud, talk about its cleverness and bravado, and then invite my students to brainstorm why the poem doesn’t end with that grand dismissal of “Hours, days, months, which are the rags of time.” What has the speaker started that he still needs to finish? Have your students “stage” the opening stanza—they’ll immediately notice that there are three characters in the poem, right from the start, and although the speaker is talking to the sun, he has an actual, human audience right there in bed, listening in. Ask them to spot the moment when this woman shows up in the poem as a separate character, someone the speaker wants to appeal to or persuade, even if he’s not addressing her directly, as in “ The Flea .” Point out the drama of his pronoun shift from the “us” and “thou” of stanza one to the “I” and “her” of stanza two, and feel free to paraphrase the speaker’s attempt to be smooth: Sun, I could block your rays with a wink, he says, but then I’d have to take my eyes off her for an instant—and by the way, her eyes are brighter than you are. When do these compliments to the woman drift back into mere bragging? My female students always hone in on the end of the second stanza: “Ask for those kings thou saw’st yesterday / And thou shalt hear, all here in one bed lay.” Either she’s a king too, they’ll say—an anxious bit of gender-bending rhetoric—or he’s just talking up himself, losing her interest. That tension explains why the poem hasn’t ended yet. This sweet-talking man is now in a jam, and needs a new stanza to straighten things out. Students love to watch him backpedal and clarify: Did I say something about kings? No, “She’s all states, and all princes, I.” And they’ll swoon (just as they should) as the poem plummets from that political metaphor to its shortest, simplest, and yet most extravagant line: “She’s all states, and all princes, I, / Nothing else is.” As Donne turns their bedroom into Plato’s Cave, he finally pitches his rhetoric of seduction just right—at which point, at last, he can bring his poem to a close.

5. “ Theme for English B ” by Langston Hughes

The speaker of “ Theme for English B ” also struggles to get things right—but his constraint is a condescending classroom assignment. Listen to how Hughes ’s speaker changes linguistic style from section to section of this poem. First he quotes the instructor, who speaks in pat end rhymes and singsong rhythms. “I wonder if it’s that simple,” he wonders, and then imagines the dumbed-down, prosaic answer that his instructor probably expects. Look how repetitiously he identifies himself in that first long stanza—by age, geography, and race—and at how only the first two remain when he actually starts to write his theme a stanza later. Neither of these identities suffices, though, so he tries again—“Me—who?” he wonders—and answers from the inside, defining himself for the first time by what he likes , which the instructor does not know. Race returns only when he starts answering the instructor’s simplistic rhymes on “ite” and “oo.” “So will my page be colored that I write? Being me, it will not be white”; “Nor do I often want to be a part of you, / But we are, that’s true!” If your students love music, bring in some Bessie, Bach, and bop and show them how each uses the same “theme and variations” structure Hughes deploys so brilliantly here. And ask them who—the instructor or speaker—really seems “more free” by the close.

6 & 7. “ The New Colossus ” by Emma Lazarus and “ If We Must Die ” by Claude McKay

Poets use repetition and variation to think things through, and almost any sonnet will blossom when you attend to those subtle changes of heart and mind. These two are perfect, engaging examples. The first was penned to raise funds for a pedestal for “Liberty Enlightening the World” by a Jewish woman determined to change the statue’s meaning, and the latter in praise of black self-defense against white rioters in 1919. In “ The New Colossus ,” ask your students to watch how Lazarus takes us from “brazen” to “golden,” from a “torch” and “beacon” to a “lamp,” and from “gates” to a “door”—and track the names she gives the westbound immigrants, too. (Are they “exiles,” cast out of the classical polis? Are they “wretched refuse,” human garbage? No, they’re “homeless,” looking for a welcoming Mother; or even “tempest-toss’d,” like characters from Shakespeare’s late romance, dreaming of a brave new world.) McKay , by contrast, starts with two inhuman characters: “we,” who are “like hogs,” and the killers, who are “mad and hungry dogs.” As the sonnet develops, “we” grow noble, even Shakespearean: we have “precious blood,” we are “kinsmen,” and through self-defense we become at last “like men.” What happens to “them”? How exactly does McKay get from “if we must die” to “fighting back,” and what prompts each shift in his language and mood? These poems may be familiar, but such questions make them new.

8. “ Easter, 1916 ” by William Butler Yeats

For years I was afraid to teach “ Easter, 1916 .” I wasn’t sure how to lead students across the great divide separating that oblique, symbolic stanza about the stone in the water from the first two sections of the poem: the first stanza, where Yeats sketches how amused he was by “them” (the Irish nationalists who died in the Easter Rebellion), and the second, where he gives his first list of who “they” actually were, or were to him. Once I realized that Yeats, too, isn’t quite sure where he’s going—that he’s trying to figure out what sort of transformation has taken place in “them,” and hoping that symbolism will help him—the stumbles made sense, and our journey had a map. Set aside at least 90 minutes for this poem and take it slowly, sentence by sentence, with an eye to the speaker’s shifting feelings about the rebels, his changes of heart and of mind. As with the sonnets by Lazarus and McKay, I ask students to watch for repetition and variation; key words and phrases recur as the poet tries to decide how he feels about how the rebels have been transformed. Their hearts were put under a spell by the cause of revolution, enchanted into lifeless, static stone , he declares. A few lines later, he changes his mind. They weren’t enchanted, exactly . . . the change was caused by “too long a sacrifice.” And really, they weren’t turned to stone; they were just like children, running wild, and now they sleep. But no—they’re dead, not sleeping; and they didn’t run wild, they were be wild ered, and it wasn’t by too long a sacrifice, but by excess of love! What would have been, in other hands, a patriotic cliché feels, here, like a hard-won discovery: it takes Yeats 72 lines to decide that the rebels died for love. This poem is awfully long and complex for you to assign it as an explication, but if you work through it in class up through the speaker’s final question (“And what if excess of love / Bewildered them till they died?”), you can assign students to write a short paper about how the final seven lines look back to earlier material in the poem, mostly by contrast. As “polite, meaningless words” turn into “verse,” the rebels are finally given names, the jester’s “motley” becomes a solid shade of “green,” and so on. What, you might ask, is the final set of meanings and associations triggered by the poem’s epigrammatic refrain, “a terrible beauty is born”?

9. “ How Do I Love Thee? ” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Often my students have been taught that Elizabeth Barrett Browning ’s “How Do I Love Thee?,” the penultimate of her Sonnets from the Portuguese , epitomizes what was wrong with poetry before modernism. “It’s sappy,” they say, “and doesn’t she know a poet’s supposed to show, not tell?” If your pupils feel that way, remind them that the first phrase is a question, not an exclamation—and Barrett Browning is as puzzled, and as unwilling to settle for easy answers, as Yeats is in “Easter, 1916.” She tries spatial metaphors to answer “how,” but they must not be sufficient—that’s why the poem’s not finished. (Some students will need to be reminded that she’s not feeling “out of sight,” like some Victorian Motown singer; she’s groping in the dark, feeling around “out of sight / For the ends of being and ideal grace,” philosophical abstractions that she uses because she’s not ready to think about God.) In the next couplet she turns to the well-lit quotidian world, but that’s too private, too domestic, too feminine , to suffice as a description. It misses the public, manly side of her love, and the way her feelings now (at the time she speaks the poem) look back to earlier stages in her emotional life. Students who find the poem “gushy,” shying away from Browning’s Victorian language of feeling, can come to see her precision of thought by giving each of those temporal stages a crisp, objective descriptor, as Helen Vendler does with a Shakespeare sonnet in Poems, Poets, and Poetry :

• T1: childhood faith and saints present
• T2: griefs intervene, saints are lost
• T3: I love, but don’t realize how this love returns me to my past
• T4: I ask myself, or you ask, “How do I love thee?”
• T5: the present moment, when I figure out that my whole life is brought into this love, which lets me imagine
• T6: love in the future, after loss and death

Call that poetry for physicists. Meanwhile, let your wordsmiths look up that word “passion” (“the passion put to use / in my old griefs”) in a good dictionary. Every meaning they find will ring true.  

10. “Beam 10” of ARK by Ronald Johnson

Science and poetry never had a more playful, fertile fling than in ARK , a book-length work by the poet (and acclaimed cookbook writer) Ronald Johnson . I like to give my students “Beam 10” of this architectural poem, a little two-line riddle or treasure hunt, like “Blue’s Clues” for grown-ups. Here’s the poem:

daimon diamond monad I Adam Kadmon in the sky

Yup, that’s all of it. Have one group start by looking up the words they don’t know. Have some think about science: What are diamonds? Where do they come from? What’s their relationship to stars, and thus to hydrogen (which enters the poem via “monad”). Set your punsters loose on Kadmon—aka Caedmon, the original English poet—and tell anyone who starts humming the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” to go look up where the name Lucy comes from. While they’re at it, have them investigate how that name fits into a poem that mentions Adam, the original human of the Bible, and “Adam Kadmon,” the original, unfallen Heavenly Man of the Kabbalah. (They’ll want to report to the science group tomorrow.) Anyone who hears the Alphabet Song or Blake’s “The Tyger” in these lines is right, which is fun, and I promise that you’ll never sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” again without hearing a little answering voice: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star / How I wonder what you are.” “ daimon diamond monad I / Adam Kadmon in the sky.” OK—enough clues! Now go play.

Eric Selinger is Associate Professor of English at DePaul University, where he teaches courses on poetry, Jewish American culture, and popular romance fiction. His publications include What Is It then Between Us: Traditions of Love in American Poetry (1998), Jewish American Poetry: Poems, Commentary, and Reflections (2000), and Ronald Johnson: Life and Works (2008); he is a regular contributor to ...

Elementary Classrooms 8 Great Poems for Elementary Students

Ellie Viggiani

These thematically rich poems about animals, nature, and more will be sure to engage your elementary students!

Reading poetry is a wonderful way to improve your students’ reading skills. Poems that cover a wide range of themes and types of figurative language will engage your students while helping them learn important literary analysis skills.

Here is a wonderful set of poems for grades 3-5 about topics like animals, nature, and more to explore!

“ One of a Kind ” by J. Patrick Lewis (3rd Grade)

In this short poem, the speaker describes a turtle that believes it has seen everything. The Sky drops a single snowflake down to the turtle, showing the turtle that there is always something new to discover.

This poem provides students with the opportunity to make connections to their own experiences with nature. Ask students Discussion Question 2, “What are some unique things in nature and animals that surround us in this world?”

“ Poppy’s Jalopy ” by Caroline Pignat (3rd Grade)

In this heartwarming poem, a speaker describes their grandfather’s old car. The jalopy is battered, rusted, and no longer runs, but the speaker and their grandfather are still able to go on incredible imaginary adventures together

This poem digs into themes of imagination and happiness. Ask students Discussion Question 1, “In the poem, going on imaginary adventures brings the speaker happiness. How much happiness is unique to individual people? Have you ever found happiness by just imagining something? If so, describe the experience.”

“ Humpty Dumpty ” by JonAron Lawson (3rd Grade)

Students will immediately recognize this classic nursery rhyme, in which a speaker describes Humpty Dumpty’s attempts to find safety underneath a chicken to avoid falling and shattering. Much to Humpty Dumpty’s surprise, his shell begins to crack from within, as the chick begins to hatch!

After reading this poem, show students the video “ Chick Hatching ” under Related Media . Then, ask students to analyze the language in the poem by comparing the poem’s description of a chick hatching with how it appears in the video.

“ The Mysterious Egg ” by Jennifer Mann (3rd Grade)

In this poem, a mysterious egg rolls into a farmhouse one stormy night. The animals wonder whose egg it could be while they wait for it to hatch. When a turtle pops out, the animals decide to raise the turtle together on the farm.

Consider assigning CommonLit’s Guided Reading Mode to your students while they read this text. The Guiding Questions will help students understand the farm animals’ varying thoughts about the mysterious egg. Then, students can discuss why the animals had different perspectives.

“ Mountains ” by Rukiye Henderson (4th Grade)

In this powerful poem, the speaker describes the feeling of being surrounded by mountains on a hike. The evocative imagery helps the reader understand the enormous size and beauty of the mountains.

As students read, have them follow the annotation task, which asks them to take notes on how the speaker feels about nature. Then, have students use their notes to discuss how the speaker’s use of imagery conveys the poem’s message.

“ Dawn ” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (5th Grade)

In this poem by renowned author Paul Laurence Dunbar, a speaker uses personification to describe the dawn. This short but thematically rich poem provides students with a meaningful opportunity to analyze the nuances of its figurative language.

As students read, have them follow the annotation task, which asks them to take notes on the author’s choice of words to describe nature. Then, after reading, have students use their notes to discuss how the figurative language conveys the poem’s message.

“ The Rose that Grew from Concrete ” by Tupac Shakur (5th Grade)

In this poem by influential rapper Tupac Shakur, a speaker asks if the reader has heard of the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete. Despite growing in a difficult location, the rose flourished. The extended metaphor helps students visualize how people can overcome difficulties and find success.

After reading, provide students with the opportunity to make text-to-self connections. Ask Discussion Question 1, “Have you ever felt like a ‘rose that grew from concrete,’ as described by Tupac Shakur? If so, what was the difficult situation that you faced, and how did you rise above it?” Encourage students to reflect on their experiences outside the classroom.

“ Growing Down ” by Shel Silverstein (5th Grade)

In this hilarious poem, Mr. Brown is a grumpy old man who constantly tells the children in the neighborhood to grow up. The children tell Mr. Brown that he should try to “grow down” and be less grumpy. Mr. Brown begins to act like a child and do silly things around town. He learns that it is much more fun growing down than growing up!

This poem could be paired with “ The Clock Man ” by Shel Silverstein, which is also about the differences between childhood and adulthood. After reading the two texts, students can discuss how both poems explore the theme of growing up.

Looking for more poems to engage elementary students? Check out this Engaging Poems text set to discover more great poems from CommonLit and the full CommonLit library or come to one of our webinars!

If you are an administrator looking to leverage CommonLit in your school or district, our partnerships team can help. We offer benchmark assessments, professional learning, and more!

Chat with CommonLit

CommonLit’s team will reach out with more information on our school and district partnerships.

10 Powerful Poems to Teach Text Structure in High School

• Reading Instruction

A few weeks ago, my sophomores took our beginning of the year pre-test, which provides data about students’ baseline competencies. The standards assessed are the ones that feature most prominently in our curriculum and in on our state assessment.

After distance learning (re: a five-month spring break), I was curious to see where students are right now. Overall, my students did far better than I expected. However, there is always room for improvement. Based on this data, one area we will focus on is text structure .

Although I’ve made different instructional pushes over the years, focusing on goal setting , metacognition , and teaching text features , I’ve never done a text structures push.

With this in mind, I’ve put together a 10 poems that have meaningful structures. Keep reading to check them out!

This post this post may contain affiliate links .  Please read the  Terms of Use .

Selecting Titles for Teaching Text Structure

Finding pieces for teaching text structures can be challenging because you have to balance student engagement with selecting pieces that make meaningful choices about text structure. Overall, as I was selecting titles, here’s what I looked for:

• Firstly, I looked for titles that could be read within one class period. While we may spend several days with each text, I wanted the initial reading to take no more than one class.
• Secondly, I looked for poems that would engage students with their relevance.
• Additionally, each piece needed to make meaningful choices about text structure. For this reason, I left out a lot of contemporary poets and poems that have non-traditional structures but that don’t follow typical “rules” for structural shifts.
• Finally, for my sophomores, I chose texts that made more obvious decisions. For my juniors, I looked to pieces that have more experimental styles, more challenging context, and/or that lend themselves to literary criticism .

9-10 Titles for Teaching Text Structure

My sophomores are very sweet. But as we pre-read and annotated our first poem earlier this week, it was clear the switch to distance learning had caused them to miss out on spending time with poetry outside of The Odyssey and Romeo and Juliet . While both of those titles are fun and useful in their own ways, neither one requires the kind of close reading that a shorter poem does. With all of that in mind, here are the titles I’m going with for working on text structure:

– “Social Distancing” by Juan Felipe Herrera with design by Anthony Cody is the text I’m going to use to begin the conversation about text structure. I have a feeling this piece will instantly get my students’ attention! Not only is the subject matter relevant, the “solar circle” form of the poem is also visually engaging. In addition, this is a great poem to teach inference, point of view, author’s craft, using context clues , and analyzing syntax and diction. Read it here .

– “Easter Wings” by George Herbert  is kind of like the original concrete poem . Of the poems in the 9-10 section, this is the one I’m most skeptical of because its language is dense. However, seeing the text beside Herbert’s original manuscript is powerful and really cements the text’s status as a concrete poem. Plus, this is a great poem to teach paradox, context clues, author’s purpose , setting, tone and allusion. Read it here and see the manuscript here .

– “’Hope’ is the thing with feathers -” by Emily Dickinson  is a staple in many American literature classrooms. Dickinson’s unique style makes her texts ideal for teaching text structure. Furthermore, this poem lends itself to analysis of meter , syntax, rhyme, and historical context. This is a great poem to pair with my Emily Dickinson Crash Course literature listening guide and with “I heard a Fly buzz–when I died-“ (one of my favorite poems for teaching inference ). Get all three Dickinson resources bundled together! Read the poem here .

– “Before a Painting” by James Weldon Johnson : As an Italian or Petrarchan sonnet , this text lends itself beautifully to analyzing text structure. I’ve only included one “true” sonnet on my list. In the past, I think I’ve relied too heavily on sonnets as a way of teaching text structures. (As though Petrarch and Shakespeare were the only people to make interesting structural choices.) Additionally, this poem lends itself to teaching mood, rhyme scheme, literary devices, context clues, setting, inference, main idea , and point of view. Read it here .

– “[i carry your heart with me (i carry it in]” by E.E. Cummings may be the best-known work on this list. Ultimately, my hope is to use this as the culmination of our study of structure because Cummings always makes structure part of the conversation in his poems! In addition, this is a great poem to teach historical context, word choice, character development, tone, and using context clues. Read it here .

All five of these poems are featured in my 9-10 Text Structure Poetry Bundle ! All together, it includes 30+ pages and 90+ questions. Each poem features 3 activities, and I’ve built in lots of opportunities for students to try writing their own poems and making their own meaningful choices about text structure. Check it out here .

11-12 Titles for Teaching Text Structure

Many of my juniors have had me in language arts before, so they are familiar with the four steps for pre-reading poetry . This means they are ready to dive into more complex text structures! Here are the titles I’m planning to use with them this year:

– “Deer Dance Exhibition” by Ofelia Zepeda  is unlike any poem I’ve read before. The Q & A structure of the poem makes it an ideal piece for analyzing text structure. Further, it raises significant questions about culture (how we engage with culture, exotify cultures that are not our own, and how culture can be a performance or performative). This is also a good text for teaching tone, character development, allusion, inference, and cultural context. Check it out here .

– “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins  comes from my favorite poet, and this is one of his best known and celebrated works. This is the only sonnet I’m going to use with my juniors, but Hopkins’ gift for coining words and employing sprung rhythm certainly elevates the form! Plus, this is also a good text for analyzing figurative language and practicing inference. Read it here .

– “If-” by Rudyard Kipling  is a classic for its optimistic views of growing up. It remains a graduation season favorite for a reason. For these reasons, it’s a great poem to use for teaching text structure. In addition, this is a great poem to teach literary devices, context clues, tone, juxtaposition, and paraphrasing. However, Kipling’s personal views complicate reading his work and necessitate reading his work through a critical lens . Read it here .

– “One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop is a poem I’d never read until I started looking for poems to use to teach text structure. This is such a powerful title! The villanelle should make a great addition to our study of text structure. In addition to helping students analyze text structure, this poem also provides opportunities for students to practice inference and analyzing point of view . Read it here .

– “One-Word Poem” by David R. Slavitt   truly has one word, but it’s what happens  after  the poem that makes this text truly special. Of the texts included, this one may be the most challenging. However, the questions provided in the poem (or after the poem depending on your interpretation), encourage students to engage with different schools of critical theory . Read it here .

All five of these poems are featured in my 11-12 Text Structure Poetry Bundle ! All together, it includes 35+ pages and 120+ questions. Each poem features 3 activities, and I’ve tried to provide variety for how students interact with texts. I can’t wait to use these with my students! Check it out here .

Last Thoughts

Even with all the world in a precarious position, I can’t help but get excited about trying out new titles in my class. I’m sure I won’t use all 10 poems with all of my students, but I’m excited to see which pieces lend themselves to whole group modeling, to small group intervention, and to assessment.

You can find all 10 poems in my 9-12 Text Structure Bundle . If you were to purchase each poetry resource individually, you’d spend $30. But with the bundle, you save $10, which is like getting 3 resources for free . Check it out today !

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15 Fun Poetry Activities for High School

April 8, 2019 //  by  Lindsay Ann //   3 Comments

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High School Students + Fun Poetry Activities

If you’re an English teacher, looking for fun poetry activities for high school or middle school students, I’ve got you covered. I’m opening up my poetry toolbox and sharing some of my favorite (and most successful) poetry games and activities!  Whether you’re looking for a stand-alone lesson or something more, there’s something here for everyone.

Pop Sonnets

The creation of pop sonnets is one of my favorite poetry activities to use in conjunction with the reading of a Shakespearean play, but it can be used as a stand-alone lesson. The hook is that modern-day songs have been turned into Shakespearean sonnets. You can study one of Shakespeare’s sonnets and ask students to modernize it. Then, work in reverse by re-working a modern-day song as a sonnet. Or, just use this as a “hook” to help students feel more comfortable with Shakespearean language.   Take a look and thank me later.

Songs as Poetry

Studying modern-day songs is a great way to teach about figurative language and poetic devices while studying poetry. Try reading the lyrics, but omitting or re-writing the metaphors and talking about the change in message/meaning. Look for examples of imperfect rhyme in one of Eminem’s cleaner songs. Study poems as paired texts . Analyze lines from a famous soundtrack. Ask students to bring in their favorite songs and discuss. So. Many. Options!

Here are 12 great songs to analyze if you aren’t sure where to start:

• “Across the Universe” by the Beatles
• “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan
• “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift
• “Chasing Pavements” by Adele
• “Infinity” by Mariah Carey
• “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes
• “Counting Stars” by One Republic
• “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons
• “Imagine” by John Lennon
• “Mad World” by Gary Jules
• “Zombie” by The Cranberries
• “Letter to Me” by Brad Paisley

Slam Poetry

Students need to know that poetry is not dead. It’s living. It’s breathing. It’s storytelling. It’s cool. In April, my classes come alive with the magic of slam poetry as students become authors and performers. They re-discover wonder and learn to let down their guard. They learn that there is intersectionality between their story and the stories of others. They are appreciated. They appreciate others. When I use this fun poetry activity for high school students , my classroom really becomes a true community.

Grab my slam poetry “mini” unit to get your students started with slam poetry!

Not sure which slam poems are school-appropriate and engaging? Here are 40 of my favorite slam poems !

Paint Chip Poetry

This poetry writing activity is FREE if you’re willing to grab some paint chips from your local hardware store, preferably ones with multiple colors in one. Or, Amazon sells an awesome paint chip poetry “game.”

• Have students use one of the color names as the title for a poem.
• Have students write poems in stanzas, using each of the color names as inspiration.
• Have students use all of the color names somewhere in a poem.
• Have students choose two contrasting colors and make a poem of contrasts.
• Have students choose two complimentary colors and make a poem.
• Have students choose a color and write an identity poem.

Blackout Poetry

This is an oldie, but goodie poetry writing exercise for high school students. Copy a page or two from a whole class novel. Or better yet, choose a completely divergent text, maybe a science textbook or page from a dictionary. Students string together words on the page to form a poem, and black-out the rest of the words. If they want to go above and beyond, they can create an original illustration to accompany their blackout poem.

Book Spine Poetry

Take your students to the library (or have them browse a site like Goodreads) and challenge them to create poems from book titles. Each title becomes a line in the poem. An optional challenge: have students choose (or randomly draw) a theme, and their poem has to relate to their chosen theme. If you’re looking for some FREE templates, I’ve got you covered: Click Here !  I created these templates as a quick fun poetry activity for high school sophomores after my librarian told me that having my classes pull so many books would be a pain to re-shelve.

Poetry Tasting

A lot of teachers are loving my reading progressive dinner stations . Poems are short and accessible texts that always rock when used with this activity.

Here are some options for poetry stations, a fun group poetry activity: 

• Choose a certain kind of poem or a certain poetic movement to explore at ALL the stations, i.e. the ghazal or Imagist poetry.
• Choose different kinds of poems or movements to explore at each station.
• Choose poems related to ONE thematic idea.
• Choose poems written by teenagers.
• Choose “famous” poems.
• Choose slam poems.

Poetry Transformations

If you’re studying word choice and tone in poetry, why not have students transform a poem, switching from one tone to another? Then, have students write a reflection analyzing why they made 4-5 important changes.

Found Poems

This poetry activity is exactly what it sounds like. Have students choose / cut-out words from magazines to form “found” poems. Or, have students listen to a TED talk or story, writing down a certain # of words they hear. Then, ask them to use these words + ones of their own to write an original poem.

Easter Egg Poems

If ’tis the season, you might as well use those plastic easter eggs you may have lying around. Put “poetry inspiration” in each egg. At the very least, I suggest a word or phrase. If you want to go “all-in,” create a combination of the items below:

• Random household objects, i.e. a piece of string, a bead
• Newspaper/magazine clippings
• Words/phrases
• Famous first lines
• A “mentor” poem, copied and folded up

Tell students that their challenge is to write a poem inspired by these objects. Or, if you prefer, have students incorporate words / ideas from each object in their poem.

Favorite Poem Project

If you’ve never seen the site “ Favorite Poem Project ,” I suggest checking it out as a poetry unit resource. The site’s goal is to interview a variety of different people about their “favorite poems.” In each short video, an individual shares a personal connection to his/her poem and reads the poem out loud.

After being a fan of this site for some time, I decided to have my students make their own “favorite poem” videos . They explored, chose a poem that they liked “best,” and created videos on Flipgrid discussing their thoughts about the poem and reading it aloud. These videos were then viewed by classmates. Everyone enjoyed this a lot!

Metaphor Dice

Poems as Mentor Texts

Using mentor texts for writing is a powerful strategy for poetry instruction, yet one that I find myself “skipping” because there isn’t time. I have to remind myself to “make” the time because it’s important. If we’re going to spend time analyzing texts, it only makes sense to have students try to use those writing moves in their own writing. After all, students should be writing frequently, and not always for an assessment grade.

Here are 12 great mentor poems if you’re not sure where to start:

• “ We Real Cool ” by Gwendolyn Brooks
• “ Montauk ” by Sarah Kay
• “ This is Just to Say ” by William Carlos Williams
• “ Mother to Son ” by Langston Hughes
• “ My Father’s Hats ” by Mark Irwin
• “ Chicago ” by Carl Sandburg
• “ Entrance ” by Dana Gioia
• “ My Father is an Oyster ” by Clint Smith
• “ If ” by Rudyard Kipling
• “ Ode to a Large Tuna in the Market ” by Pablo Neruda
• “ The Bean Eaters ” by Gwendolyn Brooks
• “ The Summer I Was Sixteen ” by Geraldine Connolly
• “ Where I’m From ” by George Ella Lyon (As a bonus, students can submit their poems to the “I am From” project. ) p.s. If you’re looking for ready-to-use templates,  here you go !

Magnetic Poetry

A fun activity to fill extra class time, or just for fun: magnetic poetry . Give each student (or pairs of students) a handful of magnetic poetry pieces. See what they come up with. Take pictures and display around the room.

Interactive Poetry Bulletin Board

Sort of like magnetic poetry, but with a twist, it’s fun to set-up an interactive bulletin board as a fun poetry activity for high school students to try before or after class. You can do this in several different ways.

• Poem of the day + a “feel-o-meter” for students to rate the poem on a scale from “mild sauce” to “hot sauce.” You can have students use push pins to vote.
• Large scale magnetic poetry + a bulletin board becomes “push pin poetry.” You choose the words. Students move them around to form poems.

Hey, if you loved this post, I want to be sure you’ve had the chance to grab a FREE copy of my guide to stream l ined grading . I know how hard it is to do all the things as an English teacher, so I’m over the moon to be able to share with you some of my best strategies for reducing the grading overwhelm. 

Click on the link above or the image below to get started!

About Lindsay Ann

Lindsay has been teaching high school English in the burbs of Chicago for 19 years. She is passionate about helping English teachers find balance in their lives and teaching practice through practical feedback strategies and student-led learning strategies. She also geeks out about literary analysis, inquiry-based learning, and classroom technology integration. When Lindsay is not teaching, she enjoys playing with her two kids, running, and getting lost in a good book.

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22 Poetry Prompts to Help You Write Your Next Great Poem

While there is so much joy associated with writing, there is one pitfall that we all fall prey to—the dreaded writer’s block. It can strike at any moment and fill our hearts with frustration. But never fear! Sometimes, all we need is a small spark of inspiration. Poetry prompts can be a great way to get the creative juices flowing after a dry spell. 

If nothing else, it might be what prompts you to start putting pen to paper again. Even if you’re not always sure where a prompt or writing session will lead, try and choose a prompt or two and just start writing. It might start you down the path to your next major breakthrough. 

I hope these prompts help you focus and get excited about your poetic journey. Happy writing: 

1. Choose one of your five senses. Write a poem that focuses on your chosen sense.

2. write a poem inspired by a color., 3. write a poem based on something that happened to you this week. it could be something life-changing or something seemingly ordinary. tune into that moment and paint a story about it., 4. listen to one of your favorite songs and write a poem directly after based on the feelings and emotions it brought about in you. let music inspire poetry., 5. write about a lesson that you recently learned. , 6. think of a friend or family member who has played a huge role in your life. write a poem about the relationship. , 7. write a poem about the life advice you would give to your younger self. , 8. write about traveling—whether it’s taking a road trip or flying in a plane or spending the afternoon on a train. write about the feelings you experience while being en route to somewhere new or familiar. , 9. recall a favorite holiday memory and tell your readers about it. , 10. create a gallery of your heart. take readers on a guided tour of what they might see there. , 11. recall one of the strangest dreams you’ve ever had and write about how it made you feel or write it out in as much detail as you can remember. , 12. write about a time that your illusions of someone or something were shattered. , 13. write about a favorite childhood toy, movie, book, etc. and tie it back to the present day. , 14. you are renovating a home. imagine that you are this home. what serves as your foundation what are you working on fixing what needs to be replaced and what makes your house a home describe., 15. write a haiku inspired by an element of nature. (haikus are three lines. the first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third line has five syllables)., 16. write a poem where you are observing another time period as a detached observer. (this could be a time from your past or from another decade or era)., 17. write a poem from the perspective of your favorite pet. , 18. imagine that you switched places with someone for a day. (like in freaky friday). what would you learn from the experience , 19. write a piece about body positivity, as though you are looking into the mirror and speaking to your reflection. , 20. if you could freeze time in one moment of your life, what would it be write a poem in honor of that memory. , 21. imagine you are on a run through nature. describe your inner dialogue as you run through the trail at sunrise. what do you reflect on as you run , 22. has there ever been a time when you felt like the hero of your life how about the villain write yourself as the hero, then write yourself as the villain. paint the perspectives of each and explore the different aspects of the story from each lens. .

Have you written a masterpiece yet? I’m sure you are well on your way to a creative breakthrough. I hope you enjoyed this exercise and the opportunity to try your hand at a few different topics. 

Feel free to leave your poetry prompted poems in the comments for us to check out together. Also, if you have any prompts you would like to share, leave us a comment and let us know. Nothing is better than coming together as a group and inspiring some great writing! 

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100 Poetry Prompts

by Melissa Donovan | Jan 24, 2023 | Poetry Prompts | 10 comments

100 poetry prompts to motivate and inspire you.

My first love in writing was poetry. In my early teens, writing poetry was a creative and cathartic way to explore my ideas and vent my emotions. Writing poetry was accessible — all I needed was some paper and a pen. It didn’t even require a huge investment of time. I scrawled words onto the page as fast as they flew through my mind, often writing a poem in just a few minutes. It was an exhilarating and satisfying way to express myself.

In time, I learned that poetry had many benefits beyond personal expression. I found myself searching for the perfect meaning, rhyme, and meter in my word choices. I counted out syllables and contemplated line breaks. I experimented with form and structure.

It wasn’t just about dumping my thoughts and emotions onto paper anymore. Writing poetry got me thinking about language. It made me aware of writing as a craft, not just as a form of self-expression or communication.

To this day, I find that there are some aspects of writing that are best learned through the study and practice of poetry, and poetry prompts can spark an idea that inspires a poem.

After all, the blank page can be intimidating. If we establish some constraints (such as writing a particular form of poetry) or put some guidelines in place (writing about a particular topic), the blank page often becomes less overwhelming.

• Write a poem about colors without ever naming any colors in the poem.
• Write a poem that tells a story.
• Use the following words in a poem: under, thrust, harbor, wind, prance, fall.
• Write a poem about the following image: an empty stadium with litter strewn about and one sneaker on the stadium stairs.
• Write three haiku .
• Write a poem about your first friend.
• Write a poem that could be the lyrics to a song.
• Use the following words in a poem: fire, spice, burn, chill, tangled.
• Write a poem about the following image: an elderly couple lying in lawn chairs, looking at the stars from their backyard.
• Write a poem in iambic pentameter (each line is five metrical feet, each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable: da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM).
• Write a poem about a wild animal.
• Write a poem that contains dialogue.
• Use the following words in a poem: waves, cliffs, dance, pound, rise.
• Write a poem about the following image: a person kneeling at the edge of a lake, peering into the water.
• Write a sonnet .
• Write a poem about garbage (waste).
• Write a poem that has a perfect rhyme at the end of each line.
• Use the following words in a poem: dirt, squirm, fingers, sprout, shine.
• Write a poem about the following image: an old, dilapidated barn with a caved-in roof and rotting walls.
• Write a sestina .
• Write a poem about the cosmos.
• Write a poem that contains a surprising twist.
• Use the following words in a poem: feet, bees, violet, moss, clunk.
• Write a poem about the following image: a person (or animal) looking out a fogged-up window on a snowy day.
• Write a blackout poem (start with a page of printed text and selectively black-out words; the remaining, unredacted text is the poem).
• Write a poem about your country, city, or state.
• Write a poem that contains no adverbs or adjectives.
• Use the following words in a poem: hunger, curl, click, drill, run.
• Write a poem about the following image: a ladder leaning against the side of a massive tree.
• Write an ode (a tribute to someone or something).
• Write a poem about your greatest accomplishment, personal or professional.
• Write a poem that does not contain any rhymes.
• Use the following words in a poem: cotton, float, foam, fizz, glam.
• Write a poem about the following image: a bag of groceries sitting on the ground in a parking lot.
• Write a palindrome poem .
• Write a poem about your deepest fear, or write about courage.
• Write a poem that contains six numbers but not the number six.
• Use the following words in a poem: bow, shoulder, sprawl, whisper, brush.
• Write a poem about the following image: a table piled with delicious food.
• Write a tanka (five lines, with the following syllabic pattern: 5-7-5-7-7).
• Write a poem about dancing.
• Write a poem that engages each of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
• Use the following words in a poem: spin, calculate, lie, march, retreat.
• Write a poem about the following image: a phoenix rising from the ashes.
• Write a rondel .
• Write a poem about your future.
• Write a poem that uses an ABABB rhyme scheme.
• Use the following words in a poem: hail, port, send, kneel, salute.
• Write a poem about the following image: a mountain range seen from a great distance.
• Write an acrostic poem (the first letters of each line spell out a word).
• Write a poem about the weather.
• Write a poem that contains internal rhymes but no end rhymes.
• Use the following words in a poem: meet, time, basket, neon, puddle.
• Write a poem about the following image: a wild baby animal crouching in the brush, watching its mother from a distance.
• Write a concrete (shape) poem (a poem that forms a shape on the page, which can be simple, abstract, or complex).
• Write a poem about a momentous, life-changing event.
• Write a poem that has exactly one hundred words.
• Use the following words in a poem: book, carpet, stick, hide, wander.
• Write a poem about the following image: an assembly line in a factory that produces home-assistant robots.
• Write a poem that has at least four instances of repetition.
• Write a poem about entertainment.
• Write a poem that contains a running metaphor.
• Use the following words in a poem: satellite, bunker, can, water, dig.
• Write a poem about the following image: unusual footprints on a trail in the forest.
• Write a ghazal .
• Write a poem about childhood.
• Write a poem that explores the concept of duality.
• Use the following words in a poem: motherboard, lava, smolder, flow, sear.
• Write a poem about the following image: gum, mirror, pen, speak, fan.
• Write a list poem (for example, a poem that is also a grocery list).
• Write a poem about the most thrilling experience you’ve ever had.
• Write a poem that is set in a particular time and place.
• Use the following words in a poem: lavender, horn, gold, hooves, trot.
• Write a poem about the following image: a notebook that is partially burnt.
• Write a prose poem (a poem written in paragraphs rather than in verse).
• Write a poem about lacking something essential.
• Write a poem that is abstract or open to interpretation.
• Use the following words in a poem: barn, skyscraper, bicycle, climb, stack.
• Write a poem about the following image: a crew of workers eating lunch.
• Write a poem of three stanzas, each with three lines, and include the number “three” somewhere in the poem.
• Write a poem about a journey.
• Write a poem that includes onomatopoeia (words that sound like what they mean — for example, hiss ).
• Use the following words in a poem: drink, desire, switch, swell, relish.
• Write a poem about the following image: a polar bear on a tropical island.
• Write a rondelet .
• Write a poem about an ordinary day.
• Write a poem that includes at least three instances of alliteration, including one each of assonance and consonance.
• Use the following words in a poem: buckle, bend, kick, pot, shift.
• Write a poem about the following image: an empty raft floating down a river.
• Write a limerick (five lines with rhyme scheme AABBA and a naughty attitude).
• Write a poem about building something.
• Write a poem that contains a pun.
• Use the following words in a poem: squeeze, type, mission, gate, blast.
• Write a poem about the following image: a bird soaring through sky.
• Write a cinquain (five lines, with two syllables in the first line, four in the second, six in the third, eight in the fourth, and two syllables in the final line).
• Write a poem about gaining something you’ve never had before.
• Write a poem that is optimistic and hopeful.
• Use the following words in a poem: airplane, jungle, needle, hike, signal.
• Write a poem about the following image: a child exiting the library with a stack of books.
• Write a magic 9 poem (nine lines with rhyme scheme ABACADABA).

Did These Poetry Prompts Inspire You?

Which of these poetry prompts inspired you? Were you moved to write a poem? How often do you write poetry? Do you regularly use poetry prompts? What’s your favorite thing about writing poetry?

Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below, and keep writing poetry.

10 Comments

I love these poetry prompts! They’re really inspiring and I’m looking forward to trying out a few of them.

Thanks! I’m glad you love them!

Thanks for this. It’s just what I need. In December I decided to write a poem a day for a year. So far I’ve managed it;some long, some short (haiku, limericks, or just a short 4 line poem). I now have almost 60 poems! My idea is to publish them in 2 books January to June, and July to December so people can read a poem a day. I’ve written poetry since my teens, like you, but sadly, most have been lost. I wrote some more, and just before Christmas, they were released as a book. It made a change from novels.

What an exciting project: a poem a day. I like it!

that was a great thought out prompt list thank you for your time and yes inspired and made notes as i went along

You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting.

I stumbled across these poetry prompts today and am really excited to use some of them to create my own poems. Thank you so much for sharing.

I’m glad these prompts inspired you! Good luck!

I want to try each one of these. YAY!! Love this list, gonna go and journal now. Thank a bunch….

You’re welcome! Have fun!

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Poems for 11th Graders

Table of contents.

• My Wage by Jessie Belle Rittenhouse
• To My Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet
• The Twenty-Second of December by William Cullen Bryant
• The Charter-Oak by Lydia Howard Sigourney
• Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson
• The Battle of Bunker's Hill by F. S. Cozzens
• The Divine Source of Liberty by Samuel Adams
• Old Ironsides by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
• Treasure In Heaven by Amos Russel Wells
• Fire and Ice by Robert Frost
• Ozymandias of Egypt by Percy Bysshe Shelley
• She Walks in Beauty by George Gordon, Lord Byron
• Pebbles by Frank Dempster Sherman
• The Stack Behind the Barn by Sir Charles George Douglas Roberts
• The Harvest Moon by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• The Family Doctor by Edgar A. Guest
• The Old Fire-Place by Rev. John S. Mohler
• After Apple-Picking by Robert Frost
• Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost
• It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Gates Spafford

I bargained with Life for a penny, And Life would pay no more, However I begged at evening When I counted my scanty store; For Life is a just employer, He gives you what you ask, But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task. I worked for a menial's hire, Only to learn, dismayed, That any wage I had asked of Life, Life would have paid.

To My Dear and Loving Husband

If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee. If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that Rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence. Thy love is such I can no way repay. The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever.

The Twenty-Second of December

Wild was the day; the wintry sea Moaned sadly on New-England's strand, When first, the thoughtful and the free, Our fathers, trod the desert land. They little thought how pure a light, With years, should gather round that day; How love should keep their memories bright, How wide a realm their sons should sway. Green are their bays; but greener still Shall round their spreading fame be wreathed, And regions, now untrod, shall thrill With reverence, when their names are breathed. Till where the sun, with softer fires, Looks on the vast Pacific's sleep, The children of the pilgrim sires This hallowed day like us shall keep.

The Charter-Oak

Charter Oak, Charter Oak Tell us a tale, Of the years that have fled, Like the leaves on the gale, For thou bear'st a brave annal, On brown root and stem, And thy heart was a casket, For liberty's gem. Speak out, in thy wisdom, Oracular tree, And we, and our children, Will listen to thee, For the lore of the aged, Is dear in our eyes, And thy leaves, and thine acorns, As relics we prize. I see them, they come, The dim ages of old, The sires of our nation, True-hearted and bold, The axe of the woodman, Rings sharp through the glade, And the poor Indian hunter, Reclines in the shade. I see them, they come, The gray fathers are there, Who won from the forest, This heritage fair, With their high trust in heaven, When they suffer'd or toil'd, Both the tempest and tyrant, Unblenching, they foil'd. Charter-Oak, Charter-Oak, Ancient and fair, Thou didst guard of our freedom, The rudiment rare, So, a crown of green leaves, Be thy gift from the skies, With the love of the brave, And the thanks of the wise.

Concord Hymn

By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world. The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set today a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone. Spirit, that made those heroes dare To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee.

The Battle of Bunker's Hill

It was a starry night in June, the air was soft and still, When the "minute-men" from Cambridge came, and gathered on the hill; Beneath us lay the sleeping town, around us frowned the fleet, But the pulse of freemen, not of slaves, within our bosoms beat; And every heart rose high with hope, as fearlessly we said, "We will be numbered with the free, or numbered with the dead!" "Bring out the line to mark the trench, and stretch it on the sward!" The trench is marked, the tools are brought, we utter not a word, But stack our guns, then fall to work with mattock and with spade, A thousand men with sinewy arms, and not a sound is made; So still were we, the stars beneath, that scarce a whisper fell; We heard the red-coat's musket click, and heard him cry, "All's well!" See how the morn, is breaking; the red is in the sky! The mist is creeping from the stream that floats in silence by; The "Lively's" hall looms through the fog, and they our works have spied, For the ruddy flash and round-shot part in thunder from her side; And the "Falcon" and the "Cerberus" make every bosom thrill, With gun and shell, and drum and bell, and boatswain's whistle shrill; But deep and wider grows the trench, as spade and mattock ply, For we have to cope with fearful odds, and the time is drawing nigh! Up with the pine-tree banner! Our gallant Prescott stands Amid the plunging shells and shot, and plants it with his hands; Up with the shout! for Putnam comes upon his reeking bay, With bloody spur and foaming bit, in haste to join the fray. But thou whose soul is glowing in the summer of thy years, Unvanquishable Warren, thou, the youngest of thy peers, Wert born and bred, and shaped and made, to act a patriot's part, And dear to us thy presence is as heart's blood to the heart! Hark! from the town a trumpet! The barges at the wharf Are crowded with the living freight; and now they're pushing off; With clash and glitter, trump and drum, in all its bright array, Behold the splendid sacrifice move slowly o'er the bay! And still and still the barges fill, and still across the deep, Like thunder clouds along the sky, the hostile transports sweep. And now they're forming at the Point; and now the lines advance: We see beneath the sultry sun their polished bayonets glance; We hear anear the throbbing drum, the bugle-challenge ring; Quick bursts and loud the flashing cloud, and rolls from wing to wing; But on the height our bulwark stands, tremendous in its gloom,— As sullen as a tropic sky, and silent as a tomb. And so we waited till we saw, at scarce ten rifles' length, The old vindictive Saxon spite, in all its stubborn strength; When sudden, flash on flash, around the jagged rampart burst From every gun the livid light upon the foe accursed. Then quailed a monarch's might before a free-born people's ire; Then drank the sward the veteran's life, where swept the yeoman's fire. Then, staggered by the shot, he saw their serried columns reel, And fall, as falls the bearded rye beneath the reaper's steel; And then arose a mighty shout that might have waked the dead,— "Hurrah! they run! the field is won! Hurrah! the foe is fled!" And every man hath dropped his gun to clutch a neighbor's hand, As his heart kept praying all the while for home and native land. Thrice on that day we stood the shock of thrice a thousand foes, And thrice that day within our lines the shout of victory rose; And though our swift fire slackened then, and, reddening in the skies, We saw from Charlestown's roofs and walls the flamy columns rise, Yet while we had a cartridge left, we still maintained the fight, Nor gained the foe one foot of ground upon that blood-stained height. What though for us no laurels bloom, and o'er the nameless brave No sculptured trophy, scroll, nor hatch records a warrior grave! What though the day to us was lost!—upon that deathless page The everlasting charter stands for every land and age! For man hath broke his felon bonds, and cast them in the dust, And claimed his heritage divine, and justified the trust; While through his rifted prison-bars the hues of freedom pour, O'er every nation, race and clime, on every sea and shore, Such glories as the patriarch viewed, when, mid the darkest skies, He saw above a ruined world the Bow of Promise rise.

The Divine Source of Liberty

All temporal power is of God, And the magistratal, His institution, laud, To but advance creaturely happiness aubaud: Let us then affirm the Source of Liberty. Ever agreeable to the nature and will, Of the Supreme and Guardian of all yet still Employed for our rights and freedom's thrill: Thus proves the only Source of Liberty. Though our civil joy is surely expressed Through hearth, and home, and church manifest, Yet this too shall be a nation's true test: To acknowledge the divine Source of Liberty.

Old Ironsides

Ay, tear her tattered ensign down! Long has it waved on high, And many an eye has danced to see That banner in the sky; Beneath it rung the battle shout, And burst the cannon’s roar;— The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more! Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood Where knelt the vanquished foe, When winds were hurrying o’er the flood And waves were white below, No more shall feel the victor’s tread, Or know the conquered knee;— The harpies of the shore shall pluck The eagle of the sea! O, better that her shattered hulk Should sink beneath the wave; Her thunders shook the mighty deep, And there should be her grave; Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every thread-bare sail, And give her to the god of storms,— The lightning and the gale!

Treasure In Heaven

Treasures of sound! Kind words, and words of love, And helpful words, and merry songs of earth, Yes, all your tender vocal ministries Living forever on the upper air, Borne to you on the winds of heaven's May, And whispered to you deep in heaven's woods, And gratefully repeated here and there By unforgetting spirits—ah, the store Of golden sounds from earth sent heavenward, Echoed in happy tones for evermore! Treasures of thought! Decisions firmly true, Still meditations blossoming serene, The gleam of high ideals followed far, Bold aspirations, plans of perfectness Outreaching brother arms to all the world,— These, written in the libraries of heaven, And printed deeply on celestial minds, Are authorship indeed! a catalogue That Shakespeare well might covet for his own. Treasures of courage! Wealth of love and faith, Of trust when trust becomes an agony, Of hope when hope's last ray has fallen dead, Of courage in the chasm of despair! These are the pillars of the heavenly homes, These are their statues, these their paintings proud, The rich adornings of their palaces! These are the treasures heaven cannot buy, Or God create, The millionaires in these— Some gentle mother spending all for love, Some patient workman tolling maufully, Some large-lived hero living for mankind— Will walk in affluence eternally, And none will grudge them, but the countless host Will glory and rejoice to see them rich.

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: – Matthew 6:20 KJV “

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

Ozymandias of Egypt

I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal these words appear: 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away;"

She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o’er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express, How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!

Out of a pellucid brook Pebbles round and smooth I took; Like a jewel, every one Caught a color from the sun,— Ruby red and sapphire blue, Emerald and onyx too, Diamond and amethyst,— Not a precious stone I missed; Gems I held from every land In the hollow of my hand. Workman Water these had made; Patiently through sun and shade, With the ripples of the rill He had polished them, until Smooth, symmetrical and bright, Each one sparkling in the light Showed within its burning heart All the lapidary’s art; And the brook seemed thus to sing: Patience conquers everything!

The Stack Behind the Barn

September is here, with the ripened seeds, And the homely smell of the autumn weeds, My heart goes back to a vanished day, And I am again a boy at play In the stack behind the barn. Dear memory of the old home-farm,— The hedge-rows fencing the crops from harm, The cows, too heavy with milk for haste, The barn-yard, yellow with harvest waste, And the stack behind the barn. Dear, dear, dear the old garden-smell, Sweet William and phlox that I loved so well, And the seeding mint, and the sage turned grey, But dearer the smell of the tumbled hay In the stack behind the barn. In the side of the stack we made our nest, And there was the play-house we loved the best. A thicket of goldenrod, bending and bright, Filled us with glory and hid us from sight In the stack behind the barn. Then, when the stack, with the year, ran low, And our frosty, morning cheeks were aglow, When time had forgotten the dropping leaves, What joy to drop from the barn's wide eaves To the stack behind the barn! O childhood years! Your heedless feet Have slipped away with how much that's sweet! But dreams and memory master you, Till the make-believe of Life is through I still may play as the children do In the stack behind the barn.

The Harvest Moon

It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes And roofs of villages, on woodland crests And their aerial neighborhoods of nests Deserted, on the curtained window-panes Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests! Gone are the birds that were our summer guests, With the last sheaves return the laboring wains! All things are symbols: the external shows Of Nature have their image in the mind, As flowers and fruits and falling of the leaves; The song-birds leave us at the summer's close, Only the empty nests are left behind, And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.

The Family Doctor

I've tried the high-toned specialists, who doctor folks to-day; I've heard the throat man whisper low "Come on now let us spray"; I've sat in fancy offices and waited long my turn, And paid for fifteen minutes what it took a week to earn; But while these scientific men are kindly, one and all, I miss the good old doctor that my mother used to call. The old-time family doctor! Oh, I am sorry that he's gone, He ushered us into the world and knew us every one; He didn't have to ask a lot of questions, for he knew Our histories from birth and all the ailments we'd been through. And though as children small we feared the medicines he'd send, The old-time family doctor grew to be our dearest friend. No hour too late, no night too rough for him to heed our call; He knew exactly where to hang his coat up in the hall; He knew exactly where to go, which room upstairs to find The patient he'd been called to see, and saying: "Never mind, I'll run up there myself and see what's causing all the fuss." It seems we grew to look and lean on him as one of us. He had a big and kindly heart, a fine and tender way, And more than once I've wished that I could call him in to-day. The specialists are clever men and busy men, I know, And haven't time to doctor as they did long years ago; But some day he may come again, the friend that we can call, The good old family doctor who will love us one and all.

The Old Fire-Place

How sad is the memory of days that are gone When parents and children in a circle at home Around the Old Fire-place would cheerfully gather, Away from the cold and inclemency of weather. Around the Old Fire-place mother, all the day long, Was toiling, and toiling with cheer and with song For father and children preparing them food, While nourishing and rearing her innocent brood. At evening with treadle she was humming the wheel While father was wrapping the yarn from the reel; And brothers and sisters were reading their books, Or merrily playing in their innocent sports. As the embers on the hearth were dying away, Our father more fuel would carefully lay, Till the Old Fire-place blazed again in a roar, Which caused us to widen our circle still more. When the toils and the pleasures of evening were o'er, We knelt 'round the Fire-place, God's mercy to implore, From harm and from evil us safely would keep, As defenseless we lay in the silence of sleep. As the cold wintery winds were passing away, And the gentle breeze sighed through the long summer day, And the embers had died on the once blazing hearth, Now vocal at evening with the cricket's soft chirp. The Old Fire-place scenes, alas, I see them no more, For its circle is scattered to far distant shores: the wheel and the reel are covered with rust, And parents and children are moldering to dust. The hearth that once glowed with warmth and with cheer, Is forsaken and desolate, cold and drear; No prattling of children's sweet voices are there, No songs of devotion, thanksgiving, or prayer. Just a few broken links of the beautiful chain, That bound us together on earth, yet remain; But that circle complete I hope I shall view In the day when the Lord maketh all things new.

After Apple-Picking

My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree Toward heaven still, And there's a barrel that I didn't fill Beside it, and there may be two or three Apples I didn't pick upon some bough. But I am done with apple-picking now. Essence of winter sleep is on the night, The scent of apples: I am drowsing off. I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight I got from looking through a pane of glass I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough And held against the world of hoary grass. It melted, and I let it fall and break. But I was well Upon my way to sleep before it fell, And I could tell What form my dreaming was about to take. Magnified apples appear and disappear, Stem end and blossom end, And every fleck of russet showing dear. My instep arch not only keeps the ache, It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round. I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend. And I keep hearing from the cellar bin The rumbling sound Of load on load of apples coming in. For I have had too much Of apple-picking: I am overtired Of the great harvest I myself desired. There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch, Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall. For all That struck the earth, No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble, Went surely to the cider-apple heap As of no worth. One can see what will trouble This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is. Were he not gone, The woodchuck could say whether it's like his Long sleep, as I describe its coming on, Or just some human sleep.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold, Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.

It Is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul!” Refrain: It is well with my soul! It is well, it is well with my soul! Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought— My sin, not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to His Cross, and I bear it no more; Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live; If dark hours about me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

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Home » Blog » 132 Best Poetry Prompts and Ideas to Spark Creativity

132 Best Poetry Prompts and Ideas to Spark Creativity

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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

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!

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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?
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• Write a poem about a specific accomplishment in your life and how it has improved you as a person.
• The main theme of the poem is “the life cycle.” Everything that is born eventually dies, and the cycle starts again.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Write a poem about a usual, boring day. Find poetry in the monotony of life.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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?
• 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?
• 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.
• 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?
• Write a poem about a real or an imaginary genocide.
• Write a poem about a person trying to deceive Death and reach immortality.
• Write a poem about the death of a pet. What did you do to help you deal with the loss?
• Imagine that you have only a day to live. What would you do?
• Write a poem about the first time you understood the concept of death.
• 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:

• Write a poem about what you perceive to be the meaning of life.
• 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.
• The thirst for knowledge is a concept that defines us as a human race. Write a poem about the eternal quest for knowledge.
• Imagination is a distinctly human quality. Write a poem about the role imagination plays in creating art.
• Write a poem inspired by the Machiavellian quote that the goal justifies the means.
• Write a poem about people’s ancient desire to explain natural phenomena by inventing elaborate mythological stories.
• Write a poem about the good and the bad aspects of humility.
• 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.
• Write a poem about the benefits of daily meditation.
• 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.

• Write a poem about your everyday little rituals.
• Write a poem about raindrops slowly falling down the window glass while you’re thinking about your life in general.
• 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. 
• Write a short poem about the simple pleasure one gets from eating a juicy piece of fruit.
• Pets are an important part of our lives. Write a poem about the joyfulness of playing with your pet.
• Everybody makes mistakes, so write a poem about apologizing to somebody for something you’ve done.
• Write a poem about a sunny morning when you went out and bought some flowers from a flower shop.
• Eating a dessert might be the most relaxing and enjoyable part of dinner. Write a short poem about eating a delicious dessert.
• 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.
• 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.

• Write a poem about a childhood memory that still brings you joy when you think about it.
• Write a poem about the modern age we live it. What is positive and what is negative about living today
• 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.
• Write about a person who has wasted his/her youth. This person feels immensely remorseful.
• Waking up after having spent a few months in a coma can make people reevaluate their life choices and decisions.
• Write a poem about a time in the past when you experienced an epiphany – a sudden realization of great truth.
• Write about the development of human life, starting from the time a person is a toddler.
• Describe the sunset and use it as a metaphor for the end of a person’s life.
• Describe the sunrise and link it metaphorically to the concept of birth.
• 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.

• Write a poem about the feelings that overcome you while listening to your favorite music.
• Write a poem about a Shakespearean play.
• Write a poem about a mysterious painter.
• Write a poem from the perspective of ballet shoes.
• Describe the images and stories painted on a Grecian urn.
• Imagine that you are a famous painter looking at a freshly finished piece. Write a poem about the painter’s perceptions of a painting.
• Write a poem about a day spent in a museum.
• Write a poem about a film character that you admire.
• 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.
• 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:

• Imagine that you lived in the period of Alexander the Great. Write a poem about him.
• Write a poem about the hardships in World War I.
• Write a poem about life in the Industrial Revolution in England.
• Write a poem about Martin Luther King.
• Imagine that you are an archaeologist who makes a startling discovery in Egypt.
• Imagine you saw the apple falling on Sir Isaac Newton’s head.
• Write a poem about Queen Elizabeth I. She was an exceptional monarch who deserved literary praise.
• Write a poem about the trial of Galileo Galilei.  
• You are Alexander Bell, the person who invented the telephone. How is the world different because of you?
• 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.

• 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?
• Imagine that you are one of the three Magi following a star to Bethlehem.
• Write a poem about a moment you felt that you were one with nature.
• Describe your feelings after meditation. Write about the setting, your surroundings, and the feelings that come rushing in.
• Write a poem about the afterlife. It doesn’t have to be your own perception. It can be inspired by major religions.
• Think of a religious temple you’ve visited. How did it make you feel? Where was it? Is it real or imaginary?
• Everybody has experienced personal hardships. Write a poem about a difficult period in your life and about your prayers to overcome it.
• 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?
• Write a poem about temptation. Did you give in to the temptation? How did you feel after that?
• 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.

• Write a poem about a child who gets a puppy as a Christmas present.
• 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.
• 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.
• You are celebrating Christmas with your extended family. Write a poem about the conversation around the dinner table.
• 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.
• You are planning a surprise birthday party for your father, and you’ve invited all of his close friends into his home.
• 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.
• Imagine that you are stuck with your sibling in an elevator for two hours. What will be the topic of your conversation?
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Write a poem about a natural phenomenon. Are you astonished by it? Is it devastating for people? Focus on the power of nature.
• Imagine that you are a raindrop and describe your journey.
• Many poems have been written about the Sun and the Moon. Try to find a different angle when writing about them.
• 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?
• 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?
• 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.
• Write a poem about the change of seasons and the passing of time.
• 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.

• Imagine that you are moving into what others believe to be a haunted house.
• How far would you go to save a loved one? Would you make a deal with the devil?
• You are a sage who gives advice to people you believe have kind hearts.
• You are a dragon defending your family from human invaders.
• Write a poem about a princess locked in a high tower who isn’t allowed to look at the real world outside her windows.
• You find a magic ring in your grandmother’s old casket. You can heal whomever you want at the expense of another human being.
• A man who presumably has died at sea returns on Halloween to his old house to visit his grieving mother.
• You have the ability to communicate with trees and gain wisdom.
• Write a poem from the point of view of a werewolf.
• Write a poem about the three Fates who decide on the fate of a baby.
• Imagine that the world is slowly disappearing, and nobody can explain how. Offer a solution to the problem.
• 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

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.

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.

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8 Outstanding Poetry Activities For High School

Teaching poetry is a highlight of my homeschool. We enjoy poetry as a family each day during our Morning Time . Over the years, we’ve learned serious poems , fun poems , and even some Psalms . Poetry has enhanced our family culture, given us a shared language, and even sparked inside jokes. Poetry expands our world and promotes a sense of wonder, and is an essential part of a classical education . The homeschooling high school years are a great time to deepen your teens’ love for and understanding of poetry.

Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day in Late April

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The Value of High School Poetry Study

Poetry is a critical component of any high school English course. Poems teach beautiful vocabulary, elegant rhetorical devices, and deep reminders of truth . Charlotte Mason wrote in her fifth volume that, “Poetry takes first rank as a means of intellectual culture.”

Poetry takes a big idea that could be the subject of an entire essay, and distills it down to its most essential and most beautiful words . John Donne’s “Death Be Not Proud” addresses the limited power of death in a hundred and twenty-three words. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost touches on how the changing of the seasons points to the fall of man in the garden of Eden, and does this in a mere forty words. 

Poetry also trains our high schoolers in metaphorical thinking . Understanding the subtleties of language and symbolism is imperative for thinking critically, examining a wide range of ideas, and making connections. The way a poem teaches us to think impacts teen’s overall academic, spiritual, and emotional maturity.

The essential first step is to love poetry . Learning to love poetry is a process. Mom’s enthusiasm plays a key role here. You can’t expect your teens to joyfully embrace poetry if you’re mumbling, droning on, or not even participating at all. Unapologetically displaying your own enthusiasm sets the foundation for a successful poetry study. Choose poetry that you love , and then share that love with your students. Have fun with it! 

Fight the urge to dissect and analyze every poem to death . If you wanted your child to love birds, you wouldn’t simply dissect birds over and over. Instead, you would look at pictures of birds, read about birds, and go birdwatching in real life. The delight is in the whole, not in the dissected bits. 

Knowing the mechanics of poetry is a valuable skill , even if it is not the primary purpose of poetry. Even so, learning the mechanics and learning to delight are not mutually exclusive. Both can go beautifully together. In fact, teens often will appreciate poems more deeply as they begin to learn the nuances of poetic construction.

Resist analysis paralysis. It’s more important to begin than to worry about selecting the best or most perfect poems ! If you already have a favorite poet, begin there. If not, visit your local library and pick up an anthology. You just might discover a new literary favorite. 

Don’t get bogged down with a poet you don’t enjoy. It’s ok to occasionally move on from a particular poem to another poet’s writings instead. You want poetry to be a delight, rather than a drudgery, after all. But don’t be afraid to persevere even when it’s hard. Some of the most beautiful things we learn come in the midst of the struggle.

The high school years are a time to remind our teens that they are the ones being judged by great works of literature , not the other way around. Cultivating a humble approach towards classic poetry is part of growing in wisdom.

8 Poetry Activities for High School: Everything You Need to Capture Their Attention

Choose Some Poems to Memorize 

My list of 100 of the Best Poems to Memorize in Morning Time can help you get started. You can even download a free printable checklist of the 100 Best Poems to help you track your progress. 

Set a reasonable goal for your semester or year. I usually select 4-6 poems for us to memorize each semester. Don’t try to memorize a dozen poems all at once – that’s a recipe for burnout! 

We use a loop schedule. On the first day, we read Poem #1. On the second day, we read Poem #2, and so forth. Once you’ve read each poem, you loop back to Poem #1. You can never fall behind with this method. You simply pick up where you had left off during the previous session. 

Knowing a poem by heart helps it to sink into your soul . The process of slowing down and repeating it builds a deeper understanding. 

If selecting a few poems out of a hundred feels overwhelming, take a look at the 12 Poems Every Child and Adult Should Memorize and Know by Heart instead. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to have a fruitful poetry study. 

An imperfect thing you actually do is better than the perfect thing you never start!

Remember that poetry memorization is not about drill and dull repetition . Repeating only tiny phrases at a time results in losing the elegant flow of the language, and the flow is half the point of poetry. It does not need to be word perfect either. 

The best way to memorize your selected poem is by simply reading it with your teen. Read it together once per day, and you’ll be astounded by how quickly they commit it to memory. Some teens may also enjoy copying poetry in their reading journals or illustrating poems in their art notebook. 

Learn More About the Mechanics of Poetry

Learn the building blocks of poetry, literature, and metaphorical language with an introductory high school poetry curriculum like The Grammar of Poetry or The Art of Poetry . It’s not as complicated as you might think to learn key terms like meter, rhyme scheme, scansion, and more. And as your high school student develops familiarity with the art of poetry, they will further appreciate each poet’s unique skill and style.

Grammar of Poetry – Introduction from Compass Cinema & Classroom on Vimeo .

If you prefer to study poetry mechanics on your own, start with a list of key poetry terms high schoolers should know . Work through a list of important poems from a variety of eras and styles . And include the habit of scansion for at least a few of those poems. Whether you create your own unit study or use a textbook, poetry can be a great high school elective.

Integrate Poetry with Other Subjects

I like to integrate poetry study with our current history study whenever possible. For example, if you are studying ancient civilizations, you might consider learning about the opening lines of The Iliad by Homer, “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” or an excerpt from Virgil’s Aeneid. I have a resource pack with poems to go alongside a study of the Middle Ages here. And “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a perfect complement to early American history.

When poetry is integrated with history, your students are able to easily make their own connections. Knowing the broader context enriches your poetry study, and knowing beautiful words about a historical event cements the true story in your student’s mind. 

It’s also important to include poetry in your high school English literature class. Compare and contrast the ideas found in contemporary fiction, essays, and poems. Writing a literary analysis essay on a poem is slightly different than writing one on a novel or short story, and is an important skill to develop. My teens have enjoyed Great Books classes from Kristen Rudd and CenterforLit , all of which have incorporated poetry in the course plan and reading list.

You can even combine subjects like science and art with poetry. Blackout poetry, Ekphrastic poems, and concrete poems are just a few ways to join poetry and your fine arts lessons .

Poetry Free Writing 

Poetry free writing is simply allowing your student to play with words. For the purposes of the free writing exercise, mechanics are not important. It does not have to be in complete sentences or proper poetic form. The structures do not need to be perfect. Free writing is low stress. 

I have a whole video on poetry free writing available here.  This can be an activity the whole family enjoys together, but it can also be a low-stress way for a reluctant teen writer to explore poetry without anxiety.

Shakespeare Monologues 

Learning about Shakespeare is a classic amongst possible poetry activities for high school students. There are three steps to a painless Shakespeare study. First, begin with reading a retelling of your chosen Shakespeare play. Our family, including the high schoolers, enjoys Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb . While retellings may be written for children, you are never too old for them! Next, watch some curated clips or full theatrical versions of the play. Shakespeare designed his works to be viewed by audiences, not read in isolation. To conclude your study, memorize a few well-chosen passages or quotes from your chosen play. 

I explain this process in much more depth in my free workshop, Getting Started with Shakespeare . You can also check out my blog post, 6 Shakespeare Monologues Everyone Should Know .

But be sure to have your student read a summary of the play before he or she begins to memorize a monologue . Shakespeare monologues lose their meaning when they’re devoid of context. Understanding the broader plot line aids us in getting caught up in the story.

Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” monologue transforms an overused phrase into a piece of a deep and emotional speech. You must understand the seriousness of Henry V’s situation to fully grasp his call to arms monologue. 

Check out all my curated Shakespeare playlists on my YouTube channel!

Write a Haiku 

A haiku is a traditional Japanese form of poetry . When written in English, a haiku typically consists of 3 lines that follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Writing a haiku is an excellent choice of activity for a reluctant writer. Haikus can be less intimidating to write due to their inherent brevity. 

Traditionally, a haiku is written about nature. However, your student could use the format to write about a topic of his or her choice.

For more information on writing a haiku, visit my blog post, Can You Haiku?

Explore the Great Conversation 

As you read literature, you will discover that many authors reference one another’s work. Conversation Pieces: Poems that Talk to Other Poems walks you through several sets of poems which were written in response to each other. 

Nothing is written in a vacuum. Poets are shaped by culture, by their personal experiences, and by literature they’ve read . Conversation Pieces gives us a glimpse into that process, but the more poems you read with your teens the more connections you will find on your own! Take turns reading a poem aloud and having the listener find another poem that connects thematically.

Poem in Your Pocket Day will be observed next on April 29, 2024. Poem in Your Pocket Day is an initiative put on by the Academy of American Poets. Here are 30 ideas for celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day with your high school students.  These could be fun homeschool high school co-op activities as well.

Be sure to check out my free Poem in Your Pocket Day printables as well!

Additional Resources for Poetry Study

As you plan poetry activities for high school students, you may find the following resources helpful: 

• Curiosity and Surrender: Classical Education, Poetry, and a Longing for Light (with Jennifer Dow)
• Free Year of Memory Work  
• Poetry: Emotions, Thoughts, and the Best-Ordered Words 
• Free Getting Started with Shakespeare Workshop + printables
• How To Teach Your Child Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig 
• Ultimate Poetry Book List
• Memory Work Resource Pack: Middle Ages
• Favorite Poems Old and New , selected by Helen Ferris – If you can only add one poetry anthology to your family’s home library, this one is excellent. My brother and I used it when we were growing up, and I use it with my own children now.
• Norton Anthology of Poetry
• Poetry Resources Available on Amazon  
• Printable Poetry Memory Work  
• Poetry Books for Kids and Teens (and beyond): Ultimate Poetry Book List for All Ages

Thank you to Laura Adams for her help in writing this post.

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24 Favorite 4th Grade Poems Your Students Will Love

“I made myself a snowball, as perfect as can be …”

Looking for the best 4th grade poems? We’ve put together a great list of poetry you can use in your classroom lessons right now! This collection of poetry covers a wide variety of topics and ranges from simple sweetness to more complex prose. With options for different reading levels, you’ll find something for every student!

1. How to Write a Very Long Poem by Kenn Nesbitt

“…you should try this little writing trick.”

2. Dream Variations by Langston Hughes

“To fling my arms wide in some place of the sun…”

3. Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face by Jack Prelutsky

“…not pasted on some other place.”

4. Money Tree Conversation by Caren Krutsinger

“Why do they say money grows on trees?”

5. Since Hanna Moved Away by Judith Viorst

“The tires on my bike are flat.”

6. Being Brave At Night by Edgar Guest

“The other night ’bout two o’clock, or maybe it was three…”

7. The Fair by Vernon Witmer

“The car door opened…”

8. The Carolina Wren by Laura Donnelly

“I noticed the mockingbirds first…”

9. New Math by Nikki Grimes

“Up till now, the math of my life has been pretty simple…”

10. The Tree Sparrows by Joseph O. Legaspi

“We suffer through blinding equatorial heat…”

11. Wind On The Hill by A. A. Milne

“No one can tell me…”

12. The Dream of Shoji by Kimiko Hahn

“How to say milk?”

13. The Caterpillar by Robert Graves

“Under this loop of honeysuckle…”

14. and then A Flaming Pterodactyl Ate My Homework by Evelyn Swartz

“It was our third-grade field trip to the Dinosaur Exhibit…”

15. Naturalization by Jenny Xie

“His tongue shorn, father confuses…”

16. Spring Break by April Halprin Wayland

“The best clouds in the business are right above me right now.”

17. Tending by Elizabeth Alexander

“In the pull-out bed with my brother…”

18. Snowball by Shel Silverstein

“I made myself a snowball…”

19. Remember This Time by Reynaldo Mast

“In the vast open field…”

20. The Shut-Eye Train by Eugene Field

“Come, my little one, with me!”

21. Crows by Marilyn Nelson

“What if to taste and see, to notice things…”

22. Three Foxes by the Edge of the Field at Twilight by Jane Hirshfield

“One ran, her nose to the ground…”

23. About Standing (in Kinship) by Kimberly Blaeser

“We all have the same little bones in our foot…”

24. Amphibians by Joseph O. Legaspi

“Immigrants leave their land, hardening in the sea.”

Love these 4th grade poems? Want more poetry suggestions? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you can get our latest picks.

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10 of the Best Poems about Working

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Work is a big part of our lives – like sleep, and love, and eating – yet it doesn’t strike us, perhaps, as immediately ‘ripe’ material for poetry, perhaps because we like to view poetry itself (wrongly, in the main) not as ‘work’ but as a ‘calling’ or a ‘hobby’. Yet many of the great and the good from English-language poetry have treated the subject of work in their poems – below are ten of the best.

Anonymous, ‘ The Blacksmiths ’.

Swarte-smeked smethes, smattered with smoke, Drive me to deth with den of here dintes: Swich nois on nightes ne herd men never, What knavene cry and clattering of knockes! The cammede kongons cryen after ‘Col! Col!’ And blowen here bellewes that all here brain brestes. ‘Huf, puf,’ saith that on, ‘Haf, paf,’ that other …

We begin our rundown of the greatest poems about work with this little-known fifteenth-century poem satirising the trade of blacksmiths. Through extensive use of alliteration and onomatopoeia, the anonymous medieval poet evokes the sounds of the smithy as the blacksmith goes about his job.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ‘ Work Without Hope ’.

All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair— The bees are stirring—birds are on the wing— And Winter slumbering in the open air, Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring! And I the while, the sole unbusy thing, Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing …

‘All Nature seems at work’, as Coleridge declares at the beginning of this poem. Composed on 21 February 1825, this late Coleridge poem looks like a sonnet – it has 14 lines – but its rhyme scheme doesn’t resemble any recognisable sonnet form . This sonnet-that-can’t-be-bothered-to-be-a-proper-sonnet neatly reflects the theme of Coleridge’s poem: while all of nature is busy working, Coleridge himself is drowsy and lackadaisical.

Thomas Hood, ‘ The Song of the Shirt ’.

First published in 1843, ‘The Song of the Shirt’ takes its title from the song the woman sings to herself as she works hard at her stitching, making shirts from dawn till – well, beyond dusk. ‘Work! work! work! / While the cock is crowing aloof! / And work — work — work, / Till the stars shine through the roof!’ All day, every day, the woman slaves away at her stitching, yet she remains in ‘poverty, hunger, and dirt’. Given the exploitation of cheap labour still occurring around the world, this poem remains all too topical.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, ‘ Work ’.

What are we set on earth for? Say, to toil – Nor seek to leave thy tending of the vines, For all the heat o’ the day, till it declines, And Death’s mild curfew shall from work assoil. God did anoint thee with his odorous oil, To wrestle, not to reign; and He assigns All thy tears over, like pure crystallines. For younger fellow-workers of the soil To wear for amulets …

‘What are we set on earth for?’ asks Barrett Browning in this sonnet. ‘Say, to toil’ is the answer. Work is godly: God made us to work, to ‘wrestle’ rather than to ‘reign’, and working is mutually beneficial for mankind. This is the central message of this little-known Barrett Browning poem extolling the virtues of hard work.

Matthew Arnold, ‘ Quiet Work ’.

One lesson, Nature, let me learn of thee, One lesson which in every wind is blown, One lesson of two duties kept at one Though the loud world proclaim their enmity – Of toil unsever’d from tranquility! Of labour, that in lasting fruit outgrows Far noisier schemes, accomplish’d in repose, Too great for haste, too high for rivalry …

Another sonnet, from another Victorian poet. Although Matthew Arnold is best-known for ‘Dover Beach’ , he also wrote a number of other classic poems , and was an important figure in Victorian literature and culture. ‘Quiet Work’ is a less famous poem, but its theme is a compelling one: all of nature seems to be able to reconcile work with tranquillity, so why can’t man? Work should be free from haste and rivalry, and done in peace and ‘repose’.

Emily Dickinson, ‘ It is easy to work when the soul is at play ’.

Work is easier when we’re happy and at ease. When your soul is in pain, it’s like a gimlet or screw being turned into your very nerves – and work becomes impossible. As so often, Emily Dickinson offers her own idiosyncratic take on work, but in such a way that strikes home.

A. E. Housman, ‘ Yonder see the morning blink ’.

Getting up every morning and going to work can seem like a drag sometimes (often?), and where does it get you? ‘Ten thousand times I’ve done my best / And all’s to do again’ is the grim assessment of the wonderfully lugubrious A. E. Housman.

Dylan Thomas, ‘ On No Work of Words ’.

This poem might have featured in our list of the best poems about the act and process of writing , since it’s about sitting down and working at the craft of writing. Thomas bemoans the fact that, although he has much to write about, he cannot seem to get in the right frame of mind to work. Work is good for man, because it means you can die happy, knowing you’ve done the work you were made to do.

Philip Larkin, ‘ Toads ’.

This classic Larkin poem is a cry of frustration: Larkin laments having to devote his entire day to work, just so he could have an evening (as he put it in the 1982 South Bank Show special about him). He has to give up ‘six days’ of his week to the toad work , which seems ‘out of proportion’ for what he gets in return. Yet he ends up concluding that work is probably something he is well-suited to, and he wouldn’t want to be one of those people who live without it. For he, too, is ‘toad-like’.

Seamus Heaney, ‘ Digging ’.

A poem about family, the difference between the generations, the changing history of Ireland, and even the differences between manual labour and an altogether more ‘white-collar’ kind of ‘job’ such as writing, ‘Digging’ is one of Seamus Heaney’s most celebrated poems. Whereas Heaney’s father and grandfather dug in potato fields for a living, young Seamus will undertake a different kind of work : digging or excavating his past, and the history of Ireland, by writing poetry.

Continue to explore the world of poetry with these poems about animals , these religious poems , and these classic birthday poems .

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Trademark Licensing and Assignment Agreements

Trademark licensing and assignment agreements are critical legal instruments that enable brand owners to strategically expand their intellectual property portfolios, granting exclusive rights to third parties to use their trademarks in specific geographic regions or contexts. These agreements allow licensors to tap into new revenue streams while maintaining control over their intellectual property. Key provisions in licensing include royalty payment structures, territorial scope, and quality control mechanisms. Effective assignment agreements require due diligence and careful consideration of transfer terms, ownership, and post-transfer obligations. By understanding the intricacies of these agreements, brand owners can tap into new opportunities for growth and collaboration, and navigate the complexities of trademark protection.

Table of Contents

Types of Trademark Agreements

Governed by the terms of a contractual agreement, trademark licensing arrangements can take various forms, each with its own distinct characteristics and implications for the licensor and licensee. One common type of agreement is the international licensing arrangement, which enables brand owners to expand their global footprint through strategic partnerships with foreign entities. This form of collaboration facilitates brand expansion into new markets, allowing licensors to tap into new revenue streams while maintaining control over their intellectual property. International partnerships can take the form of joint ventures, distribution agreements, or co-branding initiatives, each presenting unique opportunities for growth and collaboration. Another type of agreement is the territorial licensing arrangement, which grants the licensee exclusive rights to use the trademark within a specific geographic region. This approach can be particularly useful for licensors seeking to penetrate new markets or consolidate their presence in existing ones. By carefully selecting the appropriate licensing arrangement, licensors can effectively manage their brand expansion while minimizing risk and maximizing returns.

Key Provisions in Licensing

In trademark licensing agreements, certain key provisions are vital to outline the terms and conditions of the licensor-licensee relationship. Two critical components of these agreements are the license grant terms, which define the scope of the license, and the royalty payment structures, which establish the compensation mechanism for the licensor. These provisions require careful consideration to guarantee a mutually beneficial and enforceable agreement.

License Grant Terms

The license grant terms, a critical component of any trademark licensing agreement, outline the scope of the licensee's rights to use the licensed mark. These terms define the parameters within which the licensee may exploit the mark, ensuring that the licensor's intellectual property rights are protected while allowing the licensee to benefit from the licensed mark.

One key aspect of license grant terms is the granting of exclusive rights, which may be limited to specific goods or services, geographic regions, or channels of distribution. The territorial scope of the license is also a crucial consideration, as it determines the geographic boundaries within which the licensee may use the mark. The license grant terms may also specify whether the license is limited to a particular language, format, or medium. By carefully defining these parameters, licensors can maintain control over their mark while granting licensees the necessary flexibility to effectively leverage the licensed mark.

Royalty Payment Structures

A well-structured trademark licensing agreement also requires careful consideration of royalty payment structures, which detail the compensation owed to the licensor in exchange for the rights granted to the licensee. The royalty payment structure outlines the amount and frequency of payments made by the licensee to the licensor. This provision is critical, as it directly impacts the financial returns for both parties involved.

The royalty payment structure may be based on various factors, including:

• Sales-based royalties : Payments made as a percentage of the licensee's net sales revenue
• Fixed fee royalties : A one-time or recurring flat fee paid by the licensee to the licensor
• Tiered royalties : Payments that increase or decrease based on the licensee's sales performance, often tied to a revenue forecast or payment schedules

A well-crafted royalty payment structure guarantees that both parties are fairly compensated and incentivized to perform. It is vital to carefully negotiate and draft this provision to avoid potential disputes and secure a successful licensing agreement.

A thoughtfully negotiated royalty payment structure also facilitates a harmonious partnership, as it addresses the financial interests of both parties and promotes a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Assignment Agreement Essentials

In the context of trademark licensing, an assignment agreement is a vital document that transfers ownership of the licensed mark from one party to another. As a result, it is imperative to understand the assignment process and the key terms and provisions that govern this transaction. This section will outline the fundamental aspects of an assignment agreement, providing an in-depth overview of the process and its critical components.

Assignment Process Overview

Frequently, the assignment process begins with the negotiation and execution of an exhaustive assignment agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the trademark transfer. This agreement serves as a foundation for the handover of ownership, ensuring a seamless shift of rights and obligations.

Before entering into an assignment agreement, it is vital to conduct thorough due diligence to verify the validity and value of the trademark. This involves reviewing the trademark's registration status, evaluating its market value, and evaluating its potential for future growth. Trademark valuation plays a critical role in determining the assignment price, as it provides an objective measure of the mark's worth.

Key considerations in the assignment process include:

• Conducting an in-depth review of the trademark's history, including its registration, usage, and potential disputes
• Evaluating the trademark's value through financial analysis, market research, and industry benchmarking
• Negotiating the assignment terms, including the purchase price, payment structures, and transfer of ownership

Key Terms and Provisions

Assignment agreements commonly incorporate vital provisions that safeguard the rights and interests of both the assignor and assignee, outlining the scope of transfer, ownership, and post-transfer obligations. These provisions typically include clear trademark definitions, outlining the specific marks being assigned, as well as their corresponding registrations, applications, and goodwill.

Jurisdictional implications are also crucial, as the agreement must specify the governing law and dispute resolution mechanisms. This ensures that both parties are aware of the legal framework governing their rights and obligations. Additionally, the agreement should address issues such as representations and warranties, indemnification, and confidentiality. The scope of transfer may also include provisions related to subsidiary rights, such as licenses, and the assignee's obligations to maintain the assigned trademarks. Furthermore, the agreement should outline the assignor's post-transfer obligations, including any necessary assistance in the transfer process and the provision of relevant documentation. By including these essential provisions, assignment agreements can provide a comprehensive framework for the transfer of trademark rights, minimizing potential disputes and ensuring a smooth transfer process.

Royalty payment structures, a key aspect of trademark licensing agreements, can be categorized into three primary models: fixed fee, percentage-based, and hybrid. These structures determine how the licensor receives compensation for granting the licensee the right to use their trademark.

• Fixed Fee Model : Involves a one-time payment or periodic payments of a fixed amount, regardless of the licensee's sales or revenue.
• Percentage-Based Model : Ties royalty payments to the licensee's sales or revenue, often as a percentage of net sales.
• Hybrid Model : Combines elements of both fixed fee and percentage-based models, offering a fixed minimum payment plus a percentage of sales or revenue above a certain threshold.

When selecting a royalty payment structure, licensors should consider performance metrics, such as sales targets and revenue forecasting, to confirm the agreement aligns with their business objectives. A well-structured royalty payment plan can provide a predictable revenue stream for the licensor while incentivizing the licensee to optimize sales and revenue. By understanding the different royalty payment structures, parties can negotiate a fair and mutually beneficial agreement.

Quality Control and Monitoring

Effective quality control and monitoring mechanisms are crucial components of a trademark licensing agreement, as they guarantee the licensee adheres to the licensors' quality standards and maintains the integrity of the licensed brand. These mechanisms confirm that the licensed products or services meet the licensors' Brand Standards, which are indispensable to preserving the brand's reputation and value.

To achieve this, licensors typically establish Compliance Procedures that outline the necessary steps to verify quality control. These procedures may include regular audits, inspections, and testing of the licensed products or services. Additionally, licensors may require licensees to implement specific manufacturing processes, use approved suppliers, or adhere to certain packaging and labeling requirements.

Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

In the event of a disagreement or controversy arising between the licensor and licensee, a well-structured dispute resolution mechanism is essential to resolve the matter efficiently and maintain a cordial business relationship. An exhaustive dispute resolution mechanism can prevent costly and time-consuming litigation, ensuring that the parties can focus on their business objectives.

Effective dispute resolution mechanisms typically include:

• Mediation procedures, which provide a neutral third-party facilitator to guide the parties towards a mutually acceptable resolution.
• Arbitration clauses, which allow for a binding decision by a neutral third-party arbitrator, often with expertise in the relevant industry or legal area.
• Multi-tiered dispute resolution processes, which may involve initial negotiation, followed by mediation, and finally arbitration, ensuring that all avenues for resolution are exhausted before resorting to litigation.

Best Practices for Enforcement

Once a trademark licensing agreement is in place, the licensor must remain vigilant in monitoring the licensee's use of the mark to guarantee compliance with the agreement's terms and maintain the mark's integrity. Effective brand protection requires the implementation of robust legal strategies to prevent unauthorized use, dilution, or infringement of the licensed mark.

To confirm enforcement, licensors should establish a thorough monitoring system to track the licensee's activities, including advertising, packaging, and product distribution. Regular audits and inspections should be conducted to verify compliance with the agreement's quality control standards and specifications. In cases of non-compliance, licensors should be prepared to take swift action, including issuing cease-and-desist letters, negotiating corrective measures, or pursuing legal action if necessary.

A well-structured enforcement strategy should also include provisions for dispute resolution, such as arbitration or mediation, to resolve conflicts efficiently and cost-effectively. By adopting a proactive and systematic approach to enforcement, licensors can safeguard their intellectual property rights, maintain brand integrity, and optimize the value of their trademark licensing agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a trademark license be terminated due to the licensor's bankruptcy?.

In the event of licensor bankruptcy, a trademark license may be terminated if the license agreement includes specific bankruptcy clauses permitting automatic termination, ensuring the licensee's interests are protected and minimizing potential disruptions.

Do Trademark Assignment Agreements Require Notarization or Witnessing?

In general, assignment agreements do not inherently require notarization or witnessing, but may necessitate an authentication process to validate the transfer of rights. Electronic signatures can also be employed to facilitate a secure and efficient execution process.

Can a Licensee Sublicence a Trademark Without the Licensor's Consent?

Generally, a licensee may not sublicense a trademark without the licensor's explicit consent, as trademark rules dictate that license restrictions must be respected to maintain brand integrity and prevent unauthorized use.

How Long Does a Trademark Assignment Agreement Remain in Effect?

In general, the term duration of an assignment agreement is explicitly stated in the contract, outlining the specific period of effectiveness. Unless otherwise specified, the agreement remains in effect until expiration, termination, or contract renewal, as negotiated by the parties involved.

Can a Trademark Be Licensed for Use in a Specific Geographic Area Only?

A trademark can be licensed for use in a specific geographic area only, subject to territorial restrictions and regional exemptions, allowing the licensor to maintain control over the mark's use in designated territories.

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