These are some of the poetry prompt cards I use with my incarcerated teen poets (though they can and are used with all sorts of creative writing classes.) They can be interchangeable, of course, but for my planning purposes, yellow cards are good prompts for list poems, lavender cards are emotion cards that I use for our word of the day sensory warm-ups, white cards are questions and green cards are unfinished sentences. I add to these all the time.
HOW TO SEE THE WORLD
Definitely not
With rose coloured glasses
There is so much good
Equally as much Evil.
Mountains of happiness
Great wells of sadness
For some there is peace
Others undeniable unrest
Few blessed with wealth
Most with poverty and despair
Those lucky to have good health
Others plagued with sickness
Love comes to most but not all
Patience and kindness are rare
Joy and true happiness
A most fortunate life
These are the things that
We can strive through life
Some succeed, while most others
Will fail miserably.
I consider myself lucky to
Get up everyday,
Struggle through the day
The best that I can.
With food on my table
Clothes on my back
Shoes on my feet
Most of all
Determination.
That is how
To see the world.
– Anne McKenna
Re: HOW TO SEE THE WORLD
Oh Anne! You did a poem from the prompt cars. I love this one so much. I think this might be one my favorites that you’ve done.
LOVE these. I can see using them for writing/story/character prompts, too! xo
Thanks, and yep, I used them for story prompts too. Or grab one and say, this is what your character says next.
Re: ellie wrote
Thanks for the kind words, ellie. I want to decorate the rest of the cards but time got away from me for this class. It’s a good doodle project.
I don’t know how good I am, really, at teaching, but I have to admit I love love love writing/poetry prompts.
Thanks, Kate.