30
Thirty Prompts, Thirty Poems
Welcome to 30: a series of poetry prompts!
This is not a competition. There are no prizes. This is me challenging myself and inviting anyone interested in playing along to join in the fun.
This would work well as a poem-a-day exercise for a month, but in my case, I'm just taking them as they come. I already have poems that fit some of the prompts, so I'll be sharing those, as well as any new ones that are inspired by this exercise.
As I complete each prompt, I'll update this list to link to each poem. If you create something from any of these prompts (or all of them!), please share your work in the comments section!
PROMPT 1
Write a glorious poem. Synonyms: wonderful, marvelous, illustrious, celebrated, famous, superb, spectacular, lovely, delightful
Poem:
PROMPT 2
Write a darkest hour poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 3
Take the phrase “Tired of (blank)”, replace the blank and make that the title of the poem.
PROMPT 4
Write an apologetic poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 5
Write a private poem.
PROMPT 6
Write a lost poem, or a found poem, or both.
PROMPT 7
Write a poem with an occupation as the title.
PROMPT 8
Write a poem that hints at something. Something partially explained, beats around the bush, shrouded in metaphor or obscure language, foreshadows events to come, etc.
PROMPT 9
Take the phrase “Burn (blank)”, replace the blank and make that the title of the poem.
PROMPT 10
Write a teenage poem. From the POV of a teenager, about a teenager, etc.
PROMPT 11
Write a forgiveness poem.
PROMPT 12
Write a disaster poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 13
Write a quiet poem and/or a loud poem.
PROMPT 14
Write a hungry poem, either literal, or metaphorical.
PROMPT 15
Take the word “Anti-(blank)”, replace the blank and make that the poem title.
PROMPT 16
Write a brave poem.
PROMPT 17
Write a broken poem. Someone, or something that has been broken, literally, or figuratively.
Poem:
PROMPT 18
Pick a child’s toy, make that the title of the poem.
PROMPT 19
Write a poem that uses at least 3 of the following 6 words: con, flush, oxymoron, pass, rub, toxic.
PROMPT 20
Write a love poem and/or an anti-love poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 21
Write a protest poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 22
Write a praise poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 23
Take the phrase “I Can’t (blank)”, replace the blank and make that the title of the poem.
PROMPT 24
Write a salty poem.
Poem:
PROMPT 25
Take a line from a poem earlier in this month and make it the title. Quote an entire line, or phrase.
PROMPT 26
Write an ambitious poem.
PROMPT 27
Write a shaky poem and/or a sturdy poem.
PROMPT 28
Write a mood poem; set the mood, about a mood, etc.
PROMPT 29
Write a remix poem. That is, take one of your poems from earlier in the month and remix it. If it was originally free verse, maybe take a few key lines and turn it into a sonnet or villanelle. Or make small changes that remix the meaning of the poem.
PROMPT 30
Take the phrase “One More (blank)”, replace the blank and make that the poem title.
About the Creator
Randy Baker
Poet, author, essayist.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Comments (8)
Here's another one, I'm waiting for your opinion: https://vocal.media/poets/approaching-chaos
Here you go, I wrote a poem and submitted to Poppy's prompts... Which one of your prompts do you think it fits? https://vocal.media/poets/the-rules-of-life
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I'm going to try!!!
Oooh! Im so excited about this!
Cool! Hope this suits Prompt#28? https://vocal.media/poets/if-only-motivation-operates-by-default
Randy, these prompts are great! I will definitely look at doing some.
Wow! I'll definitely come up with something!
I look forward to seeing the poems that come out of this creative journey!