January 17, 2025 • 17 mins
50 Poetry Journal Prompts
Can poetry serve as a mirror to your soul, reflecting emotions and unraveling the beauty hidden in everyday moments? Join us on this creative journey as we guide you through the transformative power of poetry journal prompts from listallion.com. Expect to be inspired by the myriad ways these prompts can elevate your creative spirit, whether it’s through connecting with nature, breathing life into abstract emotions, or uncovering poetry in the mundane. From personifying loneliness to painting joy with vibrant hues, discover how these exercises stretch the boundaries of imagination and allow you to see poetry where you'd least expect it.
Beyond sparking creativity, these prompts invite you to embark on a path of self-discovery and growth. We explore how they encourage introspection and empower you to confront inner critics with poetic flair, turning fears into characters you can understand and overcome. Through metaphors of growth as a garden, we discuss resilience and patience in the face of life’s challenges. This episode is a call to authenticity, highlighting poetry as a personal refuge where external standards hold no sway. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or new to the art, let these prompts be your guide as you express yourself and connect with the world in profound new ways. Grab your notebook, and let the poetic adventure begin.
LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right.
So today we are going to dosomething a little different.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
We're going to be taking a deep dive into 50
poetry journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Interesting.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
From listallioncom.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
And these aren't, you know, your typical roses or red
prompts or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Great.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
They're divided into five categories that really get
you thinking, and thosecategories are nature, emotions,
everyday stuff, imagination andself-discovery.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Gotcha.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
I'm already feeling that creative itch just looking
at these.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How about you?
Yeah, what's really striking tome about these is how they use
really specific techniques tokind of nudge you in different
directions.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You know, it's not just about getting words on the
page, it's about how you getthere.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
So I'm really interested to dive into these.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Yeah, Okay.
So let's start with that firstcategory finding inspiration in
nature.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
One that I was immediately drawn to was the
prompt about describing asunrise using metaphors for its
warmth and quiet energy.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
What's the strategy there, I think?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
that prompt is all about layering, meaning it's not
enough to just say that thesunrise is pretty.
You have to try to capture thefeeling of it through comparison
.
Yeah, so like imagine the sunas a sleepy giant stretching, or
the light as a whisperspreading across the land.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I see.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
That's what's going to give your poem depth.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Right, and Laskaliancom has a quote that
says nature is a poet's greatestmuse, and I think I'm starting
to see that connection now.
It's like nature, provides theraw material and the prompts,
kind of show you how to sculptit into art.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Exactly.
And another great example fromthis category is the one where
the ocean is a storyteller.
Okay, it pushes you to thinkabout the ocean's vastness, its
age, the secrets that it holds,and suddenly you're not just
describing waves anymore.
Right, you're hinting at thesemysteries, maybe even using the
ocean's voice to talk about thepassage of time or the cycle of
(01:52):
life.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
That's so cool.
It makes me think of all thoselike ancient mariner tales.
Yeah, yeah, you know, full ofstorms and whispers of the deep.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
And I'm starting to get why these prompts are so
different.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
It's like there are many lessons disguised as
inspiration.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Right, and that brings us to the next category.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
OK.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Exploring emotions.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And I find it really fascinating how these prompts
tackle something so internal.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Yeah, you know For sure, I was really intrigued by
the one that asks you to exploreloneliness as a companion.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Which seems almost paradoxical, but I feel like
there's a truth in that.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
It is, yeah, it's like you're forced to personify
loneliness, Okay.
So instead of just saying Ifeel alone, you might write
something like loneliness sitsbeside me, a silent guest at the
table Right.
That gives it a shape a silentguest at the table Right.
That gives it a shape apresence Totally.
You can even sort of dialoguewith it in the poem.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Wow, I get it.
So by making loneliness thischaracter, you can actually
explore it in a way that youcouldn't before.
Totally, it's almost liketurning this abstract feeling
into something tangible, right,that you can interact with
through words.
Exactly, that's really neat.
And then there's another oneabout imagining joy as a color.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
And then describing the world through those joyful
eyes.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Uh-huh.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
What stands out to you about that one?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Well, it makes me think about synesthesia, okay.
You ever heard of that.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
That's how some people experience senses blended
together, right?
So maybe joy is a color to somepeople.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Totally.
And then what if you take thatcolor and paint the whole world
with it Exactly?
That's such a powerful way toshow, not tell, how joy impacts
perception.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, and Lestallioncom actually has a
quote about that.
It says, emotions are thethreads of poetry, weaving raw,
honest moments into somethinguniversal and profound, and I
think that really is what thiscategory is getting at.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
You know it's about finding that unique way that
each emotion colors your world.
Okay, I'm hooked on this ideaof finding poetry in these
unexpected places.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
So that brings us to everyday moments, right?
Exactly, yeah, so that bringsus to everyday moments, right.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Exactly these prompts are all about challenging the
notion that poetry has to beabout these grand themes or
these huge ideas.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
You know what about the single shoe that's left on
the side of the road?
Oh yeah, or the warmth offreshly washed laundry.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Those are so specific .
Yeah, it's like we all knowthose experiences.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
But we very rarely stop to really consider them.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
It's like we all know those experiences, right, but
we very rarely stop to reallyconsider them.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, and I wonder if that's the point of this
category, to make a slow downand notice the details that we
usually overlook, finding thepoetry in the mundane.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
The things that we take for granted.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Yeah, I love that idea, you know, finding the
extraordinary in the ordinary.
Yeah, these prompts are givingus permission to be poetic about
anything Exactly.
What about that prompt aboutsipping a warm drink on a cold
day?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Okay.
Sounds so simple, but but thinkabout all the sensory details
that you could include.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Steam curling up from the mug, the warmth spreading
through your hands, the taste onyour tongue.
Yeah, suddenly that simple actbecomes a mini meditation.
Okay, you know, you could evencontrast the cold outside with
the warmth inside.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Yeah, you could mirror that with some kind of
internal state that you'refeeling you're blowing my mind
here it's like yeah each ofthese prompts is a doorway into
a different poetic world rightokay, you ready to open the next
door?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
let's do it okay, imagination and wonder all,
right now get ready for a wildride okay this category is all
about breaking free from reality.
Okay, we're talking aboutwriting letters to the moon
mirrors that reflect your truestself okay clouds secrets.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Hold on, I need to catch my breath.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
This sounds like we're stepping into a realm of
pure fantasy here.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
We are.
Is that the goal?
Speaker 1 (05:50):
I mean, it's more than just whimsy.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You know, listallioncom says imagination
knows no limits.
Right, and this is where poetrybecomes a tool for exploring
the impossible.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
What if you could talk to the moon?
Yeah, what secrets would theclouds whisper?
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
It sparks your creativity in a whole new way.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
It does.
It's like in the real world.
We have to follow all theserules, but with these prompts,
anything goes.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
You can break the laws of physics, bend time,
create new worlds.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, it's so liberating.
And notice how the promptsstill provide some structure.
You're not just told to imaginesomething, You're given a
specific scenario a jumping offpoint.
Like that prompt about theclouds whispering secrets.
It sparks a whole chain ofquestions.
What kind of secrets are they?
(06:41):
Who are they whispering them to?
Why?
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Okay, I need to grab my notebook.
I'm getting so many ideas justlistening to you talk about this
?
Yeah, what about that one whereyou imagine being a bird and
experiencing flight for thefirst time?
That's a classic.
It's all about perspective,right.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
You're not just observing the bird, you are the
bird Right.
You feel the wind beneath yourwings, the world shrinking below
you.
It makes you think aboutfreedom, limitations, all these
different ways that weexperience the world.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
It's like each prompt is a tiny seed that can grow
into a whole forest of ideas.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
It can.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
This is amazing.
I'm already feeling morecreative just thinking about all
the possibilities.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I know it's great.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
There's one more category to explore.
Okay, self-discovery and growth, yes, but first let's just take
a moment to reflect on whatwe've uncovered so far Okay.
What's resonating with you themost?
Speaker 2 (07:37):
You know, what I'm really struck by is just how
versatile these prompts are.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
You know, they can spark creativity in so many
different ways, whether you're aseasoned poet or somebody who's
never written a line of versein your life Right.
These prompts are justinvitations to play, to
experiment, to discover newfacets of yourself and the world
around you.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
I completely agree and I love how accessible it all
feels.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
You don't need any special training or fancy
equipment or anything.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Nope, all you need is a pen.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
A notebook.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And an open mind.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Exactly, and an open mind.
That's it.
That's the beauty of it, right.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, poetry is for everyone.
Totally it's a universallanguage.
It transcends age backgroundexperience.
Yeah, it's a way to connectwith something larger than
ourself.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Right.
To tap into the collectivehuman experience and these
prompts give us the tools to dojust that you do to unlock our
own unique voices yeah andcontribute to this ongoing
conversation.
That is poetry exactly butbefore we get too carried away
with the grand scope of it allokay let's bring it back down to
the practical side for a minuteall right, we've talked a lot
(08:45):
about the why of these prompts,but what about the the?
How do we actually take theseprompts and turn them into poems
?
Speaker 2 (08:52):
That's a great question and that leads us
perfectly into the final part ofour deep dive today.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Where we'll explore some specific strategies and
techniques for putting theseprompts into practice.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Awesome, I can't wait .
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Yeah, it's going to be great, but before we do that,
let's just take a moment torecap what we've learned so far.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
And see what is resonating most with you, the
listener.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
What sparks your curiosity?
Yeah, which prompts are callingout to you.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
I love that.
Yeah, think about it for asecond.
All right, okay.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
It's fascinating to me how these prompts can also
act as springboards forintrospection.
Right, we've explored nature,emotions, even the mundane, but
now, with this categoryself-discovery and growth we're
really turning inward.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Yeah, that makes sense, it's like we've been
playing with these externalideas, and now we're using those
same poetic tools to excavateour inner landscapes.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Exactly, and these prompts don't shy away from the
big questions either, right.
You know how have you changedover time?
What does personal growth looklike to you, Right?
How do you confront your innercritic?
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Oh yeah, that one about the inner critic.
That one really caught my eyetoo.
It says to imagine your innercritic as a character and write
a poem about how you wouldeither confront them or befriend
them.
Hmm, I can already see how thatcould be really powerful.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
It's almost like therapy through poetry, isn't it
?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Instead of letting that critical voice just swirl
around in your head, you'regiving it a form a voice.
Maybe you write a dialogue withit, right, or maybe you even
describe its physicalcharacteristics Uh-huh, you know
, try to make it a little lessintimidating.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
I love that, because sometimes those inner voices can
feel so overwhelming.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
And so abstract Right .
But by actually turning theminto this character, it's like
you gain a sense of control overit.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Coolness.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
You can analyze their motivations.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Yeah, their fears, their weaknesses.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Even their weaknesses , right yeah.
And then there's another promptin this category that I found
really intriguing Okay.
The one about reflecting onyour personal growth as a garden
blooming.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Oh yeah, what do you make that analogy?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
It's such a beautiful image.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
It reminds us that growth isn't always linear or
dramatic.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Right.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
It can be slow, subtle, with periods of dormancy
and births of flourishing.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Just like a garden.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
You know, we need the right conditions, the right
nourishment to really reach ourfull potential.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
I love that it's not about forcing growth.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Right.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
It's about cultivating it.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Tending to it with care and patience.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
For sure, and it also suggests that even those
setbacks like a harsh winter ora sudden storm can actually
contribute to our resilience andmake us even stronger in the
end.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Exactly it's a reminder that the journey of
self-discovery is ongoing.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
With its ups and downs.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Yeah, and Lestallioncom has a great quote
about that.
They say, self-discovery is anongoing journey.
Poetry can be your guide as youexplore who you are and who
you're becoming.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
It's like we're all works in progress, constantly
evolving and adapting to theworld around us, and poetry can
be that compass, helping usnavigate the uncharted
territories of our own heartsand minds.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Absolutely.
It can help us make sense ofthe chaos and find meaning in
the messiness of life.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
You know, as we're talking about this, I'm
realizing this category inparticular really highlights
just how personal poetry can be.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
It's not always about sharing your work with the
world Right.
It can be a deeply privatepractice.
Totally A way to connect withyourself on a deeper level.
It's like having a conversationwith your soul, yes, expressing
those thoughts and feelingsthat you might not even be able
to articulate out loud, andsometimes just the act of
putting those thoughts intowords, into verse.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Can be so cathartic and healing.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
It is.
It's a way to acknowledge andhonor those parts of ourselves
that we might otherwise keephidden.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
And you know, sometimes those hidden parts
hold the most profound truths.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Right.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
The most unexpected insights.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
This has been such an eye-opening conversation.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
It has.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
We've covered so much ground, from the vastness of
nature to the intricacies of ourown emotions.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And we've seen how poetry can be this tool for
exploration expression For sure.
Even transformation.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Definitely what's been your biggest takeaway so
far.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
You know, I think I'm really struck by the sheer
versatility of these prompts.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
You know, they can start creativity in so many
different ways.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Whether you're a seasoned poet or someone who's
never written a line of verse.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
It's true, they're invitations to play, to
experiment.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
To discover new facets of yourself and the world
around you.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
I completely agree and I love how accessible it all
feels.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
You don't need any special training or fancy
equipment, yep.
All you need is a notebook andan open mind.
That's it it's that simple itreally is and that's the beauty
of it, right yeah, poetry is foreveryone.
It's this universal languagethat transcends age background
experience I love that it's away to connect with something
larger than ourselves, to tapinto that collective human
(14:02):
experience and these promptsgive us the tools to do just
that they do To unlock our ownunique voices and contribute to
this ongoing conversation.
That is poetry.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Yeah, and I think that's a beautiful way to put it
.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
But before we get too carried away with the grand
scope of it all, let's bring itback to the practical side.
Okay, you know we've talked alot about the why of these
prompts, but what about the how?
How do we actually take theseprompts and turn them into poems
?
Speaker 2 (14:34):
That's a great question and it leads us
perfectly into the final part ofour deep dive.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Where we'll explore some specific strategies and
techniques for actually puttingthese prompts into practice.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I love it.
I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
But first let's take a moment to recap what we've
learned so far.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
And see what's resonating most with you, the
listener.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, what sparks your curiosity?
Right?
Which prompts are calling outto you?
Ok, so I don't know about you,but my head is buzzing with
possibilities after goingthrough all those prompts.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I hear it's like we've opened this whole toolkit
of creative possibilities.
Yeah, but remember you don'thave to use every tool at once,
right?
Just start with one prompt thatspeaks to you, something that
sparks your curiosity.
Okay, or ignites a memory.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
That's good advice.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and
want to tackle everything all atonce.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
It is.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
But sometimes the simplest approach is the best.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Pick one prompt and just start writing.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Exactly.
Don't worry about making itperfect, right?
Just let the words flow.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Yeah, and Lestallioncom also emphasizes
that these prompts are juststarting points.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Right.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
You can adapt them, twist them, make them your own.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
So that's liberating too, it is.
It takes the pressure offknowing that there's no right
way to use these prompts.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Right.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
It's all about finding what works for you.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
What unlocks your creativity and helps you express
yourself authentically?
Speaker 2 (15:55):
And, as you're writing, think about the
specific techniques that wediscussed.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
How can you use metaphors to add depth and
meaning?
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Can you incorporate sensory details to make your
poem come alive?
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Can you experiment with different forms and
structures?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Oh right, it's not just about getting words on the
page Right.
It's about using those wordsintentionally, thoughtfully.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
To create something that resonates with you Exactly.
It's about crafting a poem thatcaptures a feeling, a moment.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
An insight.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
An insight exactly, and sometimes it's simply about
enjoying the process.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
It is.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
You know getting lost in the flow of words and
letting your imagination runwild.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
There's a certain magic in that Allowing yourself
to be surprised by what emergeson the page.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
You know, as we wrap up this deep dive, yeah.
I'm reminded of something wetouched on earlier.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
This idea that poetry can be a deeply personal
practice.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Something you do just for you Right, not necessarily
for an audience.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Yeah, absolutely.
It can be a way to process youremotions, to work through
challenges, to make sense of theworld around you, and in that
sense, it doesn't matter if yourpoem is good or bad by any
external standard.
What matters is that it'sauthentic to you.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
That it reflects your unique voice and perspective.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
I love that.
That's so empowering it is.
It takes the pressure offhaving to be a poet with a
capital P.
Yeah, you know, it's aboutreclaiming poetry as a tool for
self-expression, right, forexploration, for healing.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Exactly, and who knows, maybe in the process of
exploring these pumps foryourself you discover this
hidden talent.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
This passion for language you never knew you had.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Totally, or maybe you'll simply find a new way to
connect with yourself and theworld around you.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
That's beautifully said.
I think that's the perfect noteto end on.
I agree.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
So to our listeners, we encourage you to check out
listallioncom and explore these50 poetry journal prompts for
yourselves.
Bive in experiment and let yourcreativity soar.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Happy writing.
All right.
So today we are going to dosomething a little different.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
We're going to be taking a deep dive into 50
poetry journal prompts.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Interesting.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
From listallioncom.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
And these aren't, you know, your typical roses or red
prompts or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Great.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
They're divided into five categories that really get
you thinking, and thosecategories are nature, emotions,
everyday stuff, imagination andself-discovery.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Gotcha.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
I'm already feeling that creative itch just looking
at these.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How about you?
Yeah, what's really striking tome about these is how they use
really specific techniques tokind of nudge you in different
directions.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You know, it's not just about getting words on the
page, it's about how you getthere.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
So I'm really interested to dive into these.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Yeah, Okay.
So let's start with that firstcategory finding inspiration in
nature.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
One that I was immediately drawn to was the
prompt about describing asunrise using metaphors for its
warmth and quiet energy.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
What's the strategy there, I think?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
that prompt is all about layering, meaning it's not
enough to just say that thesunrise is pretty.
You have to try to capture thefeeling of it through comparison
.
Yeah, so like imagine the sunas a sleepy giant stretching, or
the light as a whisperspreading across the land.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I see.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
That's what's going to give your poem depth.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Right, and Laskaliancom has a quote that
says nature is a poet's greatestmuse, and I think I'm starting
to see that connection now.
It's like nature, provides theraw material and the prompts,
kind of show you how to sculptit into art.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Exactly.
And another great example fromthis category is the one where
the ocean is a storyteller.
Okay, it pushes you to thinkabout the ocean's vastness, its
age, the secrets that it holds,and suddenly you're not just
describing waves anymore.
Right, you're hinting at thesemysteries, maybe even using the
ocean's voice to talk about thepassage of time or the cycle of
(01:52):
life.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
That's so cool.
It makes me think of all thoselike ancient mariner tales.
Yeah, yeah, you know, full ofstorms and whispers of the deep.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
And I'm starting to get why these prompts are so
different.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
It's like there are many lessons disguised as
inspiration.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Right, and that brings us to the next category.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
OK.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Exploring emotions.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And I find it really fascinating how these prompts
tackle something so internal.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Yeah, you know For sure, I was really intrigued by
the one that asks you to exploreloneliness as a companion.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Which seems almost paradoxical, but I feel like
there's a truth in that.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
It is, yeah, it's like you're forced to personify
loneliness, Okay.
So instead of just saying Ifeel alone, you might write
something like loneliness sitsbeside me, a silent guest at the
table Right.
That gives it a shape a silentguest at the table Right.
That gives it a shape apresence Totally.
You can even sort of dialoguewith it in the poem.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Wow, I get it.
So by making loneliness thischaracter, you can actually
explore it in a way that youcouldn't before.
Totally, it's almost liketurning this abstract feeling
into something tangible, right,that you can interact with
through words.
Exactly, that's really neat.
And then there's another oneabout imagining joy as a color.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
And then describing the world through those joyful
eyes.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Uh-huh.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
What stands out to you about that one?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Well, it makes me think about synesthesia, okay.
You ever heard of that.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
That's how some people experience senses blended
together, right?
So maybe joy is a color to somepeople.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Totally.
And then what if you take thatcolor and paint the whole world
with it Exactly?
That's such a powerful way toshow, not tell, how joy impacts
perception.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, and Lestallioncom actually has a
quote about that.
It says, emotions are thethreads of poetry, weaving raw,
honest moments into somethinguniversal and profound, and I
think that really is what thiscategory is getting at.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
You know it's about finding that unique way that
each emotion colors your world.
Okay, I'm hooked on this ideaof finding poetry in these
unexpected places.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
So that brings us to everyday moments, right?
Exactly, yeah, so that bringsus to everyday moments, right.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Exactly these prompts are all about challenging the
notion that poetry has to beabout these grand themes or
these huge ideas.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
You know what about the single shoe that's left on
the side of the road?
Oh yeah, or the warmth offreshly washed laundry.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Those are so specific .
Yeah, it's like we all knowthose experiences.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
But we very rarely stop to really consider them.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
It's like we all know those experiences, right, but
we very rarely stop to reallyconsider them.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, and I wonder if that's the point of this
category, to make a slow downand notice the details that we
usually overlook, finding thepoetry in the mundane.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
The things that we take for granted.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Yeah, I love that idea, you know, finding the
extraordinary in the ordinary.
Yeah, these prompts are givingus permission to be poetic about
anything Exactly.
What about that prompt aboutsipping a warm drink on a cold
day?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Okay.
Sounds so simple, but but thinkabout all the sensory details
that you could include.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Steam curling up from the mug, the warmth spreading
through your hands, the taste onyour tongue.
Yeah, suddenly that simple actbecomes a mini meditation.
Okay, you know, you could evencontrast the cold outside with
the warmth inside.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Yeah, you could mirror that with some kind of
internal state that you'refeeling you're blowing my mind
here it's like yeah each ofthese prompts is a doorway into
a different poetic world rightokay, you ready to open the next
door?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
let's do it okay, imagination and wonder all,
right now get ready for a wildride okay this category is all
about breaking free from reality.
Okay, we're talking aboutwriting letters to the moon
mirrors that reflect your truestself okay clouds secrets.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Hold on, I need to catch my breath.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
This sounds like we're stepping into a realm of
pure fantasy here.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
We are.
Is that the goal?
Speaker 1 (05:50):
I mean, it's more than just whimsy.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You know, listallioncom says imagination
knows no limits.
Right, and this is where poetrybecomes a tool for exploring
the impossible.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
What if you could talk to the moon?
Yeah, what secrets would theclouds whisper?
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
It sparks your creativity in a whole new way.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
It does.
It's like in the real world.
We have to follow all theserules, but with these prompts,
anything goes.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
You can break the laws of physics, bend time,
create new worlds.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, it's so liberating.
And notice how the promptsstill provide some structure.
You're not just told to imaginesomething, You're given a
specific scenario a jumping offpoint.
Like that prompt about theclouds whispering secrets.
It sparks a whole chain ofquestions.
What kind of secrets are they?
(06:41):
Who are they whispering them to?
Why?
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Okay, I need to grab my notebook.
I'm getting so many ideas justlistening to you talk about this
?
Yeah, what about that one whereyou imagine being a bird and
experiencing flight for thefirst time?
That's a classic.
It's all about perspective,right.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
You're not just observing the bird, you are the
bird Right.
You feel the wind beneath yourwings, the world shrinking below
you.
It makes you think aboutfreedom, limitations, all these
different ways that weexperience the world.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
It's like each prompt is a tiny seed that can grow
into a whole forest of ideas.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
It can.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
This is amazing.
I'm already feeling morecreative just thinking about all
the possibilities.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I know it's great.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
There's one more category to explore.
Okay, self-discovery and growth, yes, but first let's just take
a moment to reflect on whatwe've uncovered so far Okay.
What's resonating with you themost?
Speaker 2 (07:37):
You know, what I'm really struck by is just how
versatile these prompts are.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
You know, they can spark creativity in so many
different ways, whether you're aseasoned poet or somebody who's
never written a line of versein your life Right.
These prompts are justinvitations to play, to
experiment, to discover newfacets of yourself and the world
around you.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
I completely agree and I love how accessible it all
feels.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
You don't need any special training or fancy
equipment or anything.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Nope, all you need is a pen.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
A notebook.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And an open mind.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Exactly, and an open mind.
That's it.
That's the beauty of it, right.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, poetry is for everyone.
Totally it's a universallanguage.
It transcends age backgroundexperience.
Yeah, it's a way to connectwith something larger than
ourself.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Right.
To tap into the collectivehuman experience and these
prompts give us the tools to dojust that you do to unlock our
own unique voices yeah andcontribute to this ongoing
conversation.
That is poetry exactly butbefore we get too carried away
with the grand scope of it allokay let's bring it back down to
the practical side for a minuteall right, we've talked a lot
(08:45):
about the why of these prompts,but what about the the?
How do we actually take theseprompts and turn them into poems
?
Speaker 2 (08:52):
That's a great question and that leads us
perfectly into the final part ofour deep dive today.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Where we'll explore some specific strategies and
techniques for putting theseprompts into practice.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Awesome, I can't wait .
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Yeah, it's going to be great, but before we do that,
let's just take a moment torecap what we've learned so far.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
And see what is resonating most with you, the
listener.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
What sparks your curiosity?
Yeah, which prompts are callingout to you.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
I love that.
Yeah, think about it for asecond.
All right, okay.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
It's fascinating to me how these prompts can also
act as springboards forintrospection.
Right, we've explored nature,emotions, even the mundane, but
now, with this categoryself-discovery and growth we're
really turning inward.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Yeah, that makes sense, it's like we've been
playing with these externalideas, and now we're using those
same poetic tools to excavateour inner landscapes.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Exactly, and these prompts don't shy away from the
big questions either, right.
You know how have you changedover time?
What does personal growth looklike to you, Right?
How do you confront your innercritic?
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Oh yeah, that one about the inner critic.
That one really caught my eyetoo.
It says to imagine your innercritic as a character and write
a poem about how you wouldeither confront them or befriend
them.
Hmm, I can already see how thatcould be really powerful.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
It's almost like therapy through poetry, isn't it
?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Instead of letting that critical voice just swirl
around in your head, you'regiving it a form a voice.
Maybe you write a dialogue withit, right, or maybe you even
describe its physicalcharacteristics Uh-huh, you know
, try to make it a little lessintimidating.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
I love that, because sometimes those inner voices can
feel so overwhelming.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
And so abstract Right .
But by actually turning theminto this character, it's like
you gain a sense of control overit.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Coolness.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
You can analyze their motivations.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Yeah, their fears, their weaknesses.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Even their weaknesses , right yeah.
And then there's another promptin this category that I found
really intriguing Okay.
The one about reflecting onyour personal growth as a garden
blooming.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Oh yeah, what do you make that analogy?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
It's such a beautiful image.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
It reminds us that growth isn't always linear or
dramatic.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Right.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
It can be slow, subtle, with periods of dormancy
and births of flourishing.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Just like a garden.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
You know, we need the right conditions, the right
nourishment to really reach ourfull potential.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
I love that it's not about forcing growth.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Right.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
It's about cultivating it.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Tending to it with care and patience.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
For sure, and it also suggests that even those
setbacks like a harsh winter ora sudden storm can actually
contribute to our resilience andmake us even stronger in the
end.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Exactly it's a reminder that the journey of
self-discovery is ongoing.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
It is.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
With its ups and downs.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Yeah, and Lestallioncom has a great quote
about that.
They say, self-discovery is anongoing journey.
Poetry can be your guide as youexplore who you are and who
you're becoming.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
It's like we're all works in progress, constantly
evolving and adapting to theworld around us, and poetry can
be that compass, helping usnavigate the uncharted
territories of our own heartsand minds.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Absolutely.
It can help us make sense ofthe chaos and find meaning in
the messiness of life.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
You know, as we're talking about this, I'm
realizing this category inparticular really highlights
just how personal poetry can be.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
It's not always about sharing your work with the
world Right.
It can be a deeply privatepractice.
Totally A way to connect withyourself on a deeper level.
It's like having a conversationwith your soul, yes, expressing
those thoughts and feelingsthat you might not even be able
to articulate out loud, andsometimes just the act of
putting those thoughts intowords, into verse.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Can be so cathartic and healing.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
It is.
It's a way to acknowledge andhonor those parts of ourselves
that we might otherwise keephidden.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
And you know, sometimes those hidden parts
hold the most profound truths.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Right.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
The most unexpected insights.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
This has been such an eye-opening conversation.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
It has.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
We've covered so much ground, from the vastness of
nature to the intricacies of ourown emotions.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And we've seen how poetry can be this tool for
exploration expression For sure.
Even transformation.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Definitely what's been your biggest takeaway so
far.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
You know, I think I'm really struck by the sheer
versatility of these prompts.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
You know, they can start creativity in so many
different ways.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Whether you're a seasoned poet or someone who's
never written a line of verse.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
It's true, they're invitations to play, to
experiment.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
To discover new facets of yourself and the world
around you.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
I completely agree and I love how accessible it all
feels.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
You don't need any special training or fancy
equipment, yep.
All you need is a notebook andan open mind.
That's it it's that simple itreally is and that's the beauty
of it, right yeah, poetry is foreveryone.
It's this universal languagethat transcends age background
experience I love that it's away to connect with something
larger than ourselves, to tapinto that collective human
(14:02):
experience and these promptsgive us the tools to do just
that they do To unlock our ownunique voices and contribute to
this ongoing conversation.
That is poetry.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Yeah, and I think that's a beautiful way to put it
.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
But before we get too carried away with the grand
scope of it all, let's bring itback to the practical side.
Okay, you know we've talked alot about the why of these
prompts, but what about the how?
How do we actually take theseprompts and turn them into poems
?
Speaker 2 (14:34):
That's a great question and it leads us
perfectly into the final part ofour deep dive.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Where we'll explore some specific strategies and
techniques for actually puttingthese prompts into practice.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I love it.
I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
But first let's take a moment to recap what we've
learned so far.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
And see what's resonating most with you, the
listener.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, what sparks your curiosity?
Right?
Which prompts are calling outto you?
Ok, so I don't know about you,but my head is buzzing with
possibilities after goingthrough all those prompts.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I hear it's like we've opened this whole toolkit
of creative possibilities.
Yeah, but remember you don'thave to use every tool at once,
right?
Just start with one prompt thatspeaks to you, something that
sparks your curiosity.
Okay, or ignites a memory.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
That's good advice.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and
want to tackle everything all atonce.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
It is.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
But sometimes the simplest approach is the best.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Pick one prompt and just start writing.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Exactly.
Don't worry about making itperfect, right?
Just let the words flow.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Yeah, and Lestallioncom also emphasizes
that these prompts are juststarting points.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Right.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
You can adapt them, twist them, make them your own.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
So that's liberating too, it is.
It takes the pressure offknowing that there's no right
way to use these prompts.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Right.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
It's all about finding what works for you.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
What unlocks your creativity and helps you express
yourself authentically?
Speaker 2 (15:55):
And, as you're writing, think about the
specific techniques that wediscussed.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
How can you use metaphors to add depth and
meaning?
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Can you incorporate sensory details to make your
poem come alive?
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Can you experiment with different forms and
structures?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Oh right, it's not just about getting words on the
page Right.
It's about using those wordsintentionally, thoughtfully.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
To create something that resonates with you Exactly.
It's about crafting a poem thatcaptures a feeling, a moment.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
An insight.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
An insight exactly, and sometimes it's simply about
enjoying the process.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
It is.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
You know getting lost in the flow of words and
letting your imagination runwild.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
There's a certain magic in that Allowing yourself
to be surprised by what emergeson the page.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
You know, as we wrap up this deep dive, yeah.
I'm reminded of something wetouched on earlier.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
This idea that poetry can be a deeply personal
practice.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Something you do just for you Right, not necessarily
for an audience.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Yeah, absolutely.
It can be a way to process youremotions, to work through
challenges, to make sense of theworld around you, and in that
sense, it doesn't matter if yourpoem is good or bad by any
external standard.
What matters is that it'sauthentic to you.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
That it reflects your unique voice and perspective.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
I love that.
That's so empowering it is.
It takes the pressure offhaving to be a poet with a
capital P.
Yeah, you know, it's aboutreclaiming poetry as a tool for
self-expression, right, forexploration, for healing.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Exactly, and who knows, maybe in the process of
exploring these pumps foryourself you discover this
hidden talent.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
This passion for language you never knew you had.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Totally, or maybe you'll simply find a new way to
connect with yourself and theworld around you.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
That's beautifully said.
I think that's the perfect noteto end on.
I agree.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
So to our listeners, we encourage you to check out
listallioncom and explore these50 poetry journal prompts for
yourselves.
Bive in experiment and let yourcreativity soar.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Happy writing.
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