In my opinion, poetry is one of the hardest types of writing to begin, because there’s no set structure, there’s no rules for poetry, really. You can stick to a set structure like a sonnet or a haiku, but then you could also write free verse, or do blackout poetry with a page of a book. You can write in rhyme, you can write end-stopped lines, you can write in any way you want, so long as you make it out of words, and I think that’s why it’s so hard to know how to start. So, for anyone wanting to write some poetry but not sure how to begin, I’ve compiled a list of prompts – and even if you don’t stick to them specifically, hopefully they might spark an idea of your own to get the creative juices flowing.

A poem by Destany Long, Losing You to Find Me reflects on the relationship with the self after losing someone else.

So… you're interested in writing, or perhaps already a writer. Maybe you're stagnant with your writing process or are an aspiring writer but don't know where to start. Books may be the answer to all your problems. Especially: books on how to write.

However, rhyme can be used for more than just switching up the tone of a poem.  Rhymes are easy to spot but can be sometimes tricky to break down, which makes them one of the trickiest literary devices to analyze. 

Carrie Fisher once said that writing “kept me company” and - as always - said it perfectly. Whether you’re new to journaling or are suffering from writer’s block, these prompts will definitely help you get back into writing.