get your poem on #39

Did you write something personal this week, or something politically-personal? Is there a month that pulled at you? Let us know, here. Leave a link to your blog and your poem. And tell us about your week, your month.
Did/do you watch the Olympics? Did you read about Shi Tao? Did you read “June”? Did you [...]

read write prompt #39: writing for months, writing for mouths

The Olympics begin in two days.
China’s central government in Beijing, despite its pledges and promises to be open to media and the Internet, has agreed to allow free access for only “some” Internet domains. And Tienanmen Square has once again become a political staging ground as people protest their forced dislocation to make way for [...]


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Read Write Poem is an online gathering place for those who love poetry — and for those who suspect that, with a little nurturing, they could grow to love poetry. Whether you are new to writing poetry or have been writing for years, you are welcome here. If you don’t write poetry but love to read and discuss it, this is also the place for you. Read more about the project.


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  • random
    poetry prompt

      A different word or phrase will appear here each time you visit the site or refresh the page. Your current prompt is — ledges

  • random
    collaborating tip

    Write a list poem, with each collaborator supplying one or more items for the list. Just think of a topic and you’ll be on your way.


  • random
    writing tip

    When you feel too “stuck” to write, write about that. Feeling insecure about your work? Channel that lack of confidence into a poem.

  • random
    reading tip

    Familiarize yourself with local second-hand bookstores. Often they have cheap volumes of classics and well-known modern poets, and they will frequently carry obscure poets. This can be a great, cheap way to read someone new.

  • random
    poetry quote

    The poem on the page is only a shadow of the poem in the mind. And the poem in the mind is only a shadow of the poetry and the mystery of the things in this world. — Stanley Kunitz