Write Better Poetry / 40 posts found
Constanza: Poetic Forms
This week’s poetic form is the constanza. It’s a fun form comprised of at least five tercets (or three-line stanzas) that was invented by Connie Marcum Wong. Here are the guidelines: Five (or more) tercets Eight syllables per line First line of each tercet can be read as its own poem First lines of each tercet all share the same A rhyme Second and third line of each tercet share a rhyme and add a deeper meaning to the entire poem If your constanza is comprised of five tercets, this would be the rhyme pattern: abb/acc/add/aee/aff ***** Play with poetic […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 600
Wow! Today marks 600 Wednesday Poetry Prompts! Good stuff. For today’s prompt, write an occasion poem. The occasion might be doing something for the first time, the 50th time, or 600th time. Or it might be a big event like watching the Super Bowl or giving heart-shaped cards to each other (with some kind of flowers and/or candy and/or use your imagination). Or the occasion could be something much more low key, though maybe just as important, like writing a poem. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: […]
11 Longer Poetic Forms
A few years back, I put together a list of 10 short poetic forms, and I thought it might be fun to collect 11 longer poetic forms. Each of these is longer than a sonnet. ***** Play with poetic forms! Poetic forms are fun poetic games, and this digital guide collects more than 100 poetic forms, including more established poetic forms (like sestinas and sonnets) and newer invented forms (like golden shovels and fibs). Click to continue. ***** Here are 11 Longer Poetic Forms: Click on the links to learn more about each form. Ballade. 28-line French poetic form. The […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 599
For today’s prompt, write a round poem. This could be a poem about a something that is circular, for sure, but also play off ideas like “what goes around comes around” or things that are rounded off. Of course, there are also poetic forms with refrains that have the same lines come around multiple times in the poem. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a free new account, verify your account on this site […]
Tilus: Poetic Forms
This week’s poetic form is concise: 10 syllables in three lines. The tilus (pronounced “tee-loo-hz”) was invented by Kelvin S. Mangundayao. Here are the guidelines: Two stanzas First stanza two lines; second stanza one line Six syllables in first line, three syllables in second line, and one syllable for final line So 10 syllables total Poem should be focused on nature opening up the world for subject I found an explanation from Kelvin on the nature component on the dVerse site: “The main focus of Tilus is on the world of Nature, and how it can open a new door […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 598
Quick note: Moriah Richard began her second annual February Flash Fiction Challenge yesterday on February 1. Here’s the prompt for Day 1 (yesterday), AND here’s the prompt for Day 2 (today). I wrote and posted a short short yesterday, and I’m thinking of one for today. In a way, flash fiction is a sort of prose poetry. Happy Groundhog Day! For today’s prompt, write a deja vu poem. Many people have those moments of experiencing something in a way that it feels like it was previously lived exactly the same way. I know I experience it more the older I get. […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 596
For today’s prompt, write a punishment poem. The poem could be about punishing an adult for murder or a child for fibbing about eating extra cookies. Your punishment poem might cover an adequate level of punishment or, perhaps, undeserved punishment. From the perspective of the punisher, the punished, or an objective bystander. Hope this prompt doesn’t feel like punishment. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a free new account, verify your account on this […]
Saraband: Poetic Forms
This week’s poetic form appears to have started in the Spanish colonies of South America as a type of music and dance (originally referenced as zarabanda) that crossed the Atlantic back over to Spain, before moving into France, Italy, and England. Apparently, the dance was originally considered so sinful that it was banned in 16th century Spain. Here are the guidelines: 7 lines Poem can have either eight or 10 syllables per line I found five different rhyme schemes differentiated by language (Spanish: aaabcbc; English: axabcbc; French: axabbcc; and Italian: aaabccb or axabccb) There are also poets who mention combining […]
Lannet: Poetic Forms
From what I can gather online, this week’s form was created by Laura Lamarca. It’s sort of like a sonnet, but also sort of not like a sonnet. Here are the guidelines: 14 lines 10 syllables per line No end rhymes (only internal rhymes) There are no rules for meter or subject matter. ***** Play with poetic forms! Poetic forms are fun poetic games, and this digital guide collects more than 100 poetic forms, including more established poetic forms (like sestinas and sonnets) and newer invented forms (like golden shovels and fibs). Click to continue. ***** Here’s my attempt at […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 597
Quick note: Moriah Richard will begin her second annual February Flash Fiction Challenge on February 1. As a result, I’ll be releasing my Wednesday Poetry Prompts just a little later in the morning than usual (to avoid double posting). For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Imagine a World…” and complete that phrase, make the title of your poem whatever word(s) you use to complete that phrase, and then, write your poem. Possible titles might include: “Filled With Dinosaurs,” “Without Poems,” and/or “Where Chocolate Cake Improves Your Health.” Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, […]