Social Media Poetry and Where to Find Inspiration
As social media evolves, so do its users. From Facebook pages to Instagram photos to the 280 character spaces of twitter, poetry abounds. When I first joined Twitter, it was not by choice. I was late to the game, viewing twitter as a place better suited to those with far too much time on their hands. I never even imagined that a writing community existed here. And, even more shockingly, some really amazing writers do too.
I have always been a fan of poetry. Way back when, my mother pulled out her journals and passed them on to me. She knew I needed an outlet, and I knew she was sharing something special. I still have them. Writing has a way of bringing like minds together. We are an eclectic bunch, after all. So, when I stumbled on this little community of poets, I knew I’d found friends.
So, how do you become a member? Easy. You just write. Each platform has its own way of highlighting artists and writers. There are many authors with Facebook pages to follow. They’ll host contests and giveaways. On Instagram, you’ll find the same, along with several monthly challenges to join in on. I co-founded @FallsPoetry and help host others. Also, I always keep monthly challenges pinned in my highlights on @breathwords. With Twitter, there are numerous prompts, ranging from once a month to every day. (I have listed several from both Instagram and Twitter at the end of the article.) Prompts serve as a boost of inspiration. Some are words, others are photos, or song lyrics, and each have their own set of rules. They are meant to challenge the writer by giving a specific set of criteria. But, they also offer a chance to learn. Take @HerHeartForms, for example. This account runs challenges specifically aimed at teaching writers the different forms of poetry: from haiku to haynaku, villanelle to cinquain. It is a great way for young (and old) writers to learn.
Social media poetry, often referred to as micropoetry, has helped put poetry back in the spotlight. Just search the tag #poetryisnotdead, and you’ll find a plethora of poets from all age groups, ethnicities, races. They pour out emotion in one liners that sting, in ballads and sonnets, to the currently popular elfchen form. Whether alone, typewritten, or paired with art, the last few years have shown a resurgence of poetry. Go to any bookstore, and you’ll find the words of Lang Leav, Atticus, Tyler Kent White or Alfa. Modern poetry, may take on new forms and new issues. But, as always, it provokes emotion, and often, it serves as a mechanism for promoting change. Plus, it’s fun to read!
If you have questions, or have a fun prompt to add to the list below, feel free to message me on Instagram (@breathwords) or shoot me an email ([email protected].)
I will update this occasionally to reflect changes.
Ashley Jane