Poem Templates PDF

Poetry Templates PDF for Beginners

Reading poems written by other people can be the perfect inspiration to write your own. Perhaps it's the theme that catches your attention. Maybe it's the structure. Maybe it's the humor. Whatever it is, don't be afraid to try your hand at following in the author's footsteps.

To give you a nudge, we have crafted templates that have been inspired by poems on this website. They can be used for classroom use or your own personal writing endeavors. Search these poems and find something that speaks to you. Then click on the PDF link to print out a document that will help you frame a similar poem that has your own flair added to it.

It might help to have both the template and the completed poem side by side so you can refer back to how the author crafted the original. That might help if you get stuck.

Get those creative juices flowing, and try something new.

The more you write poems with support, the more comfortable you'll become to step out on your own and find your own voice. We hope these writing exercises help you take a step in that direction.

Four Poem Templates

1. That's Life

This life is a wonderful gift .. accept it, embrace it.
It starts with a new day .. wake up and greet it.
Life is a challenge .. take it head on and meet it.
Full of opportunity .. use it, don't waste it.

This life is a mystery .. unfold it, solve it.
It starts with meaning .. wake up and understand it.
Life is a goal .. take it head on and achieve it.
Full of promise .. fulfill it but keep it.

This life is a tragedy .. face it, accept it.
It starts with pain .. wake up and help numb it.
Life is a struggle .. take it head on and fight it.
Full of sorrow .. sorry, just overcome it.

This life is precious .. hold it, treasure it,
It starts with hope .. wake up and feel it.
Life is a choice .. take it head on and make it.
Full of knowledge .. use it, don't abuse it.

This life is adventurous .. enjoy it, explore it.
It starts with a duty .. wake up and perform it.
Life is love .. take it full on and love it.
Full of beauty .. praise it and behold it.

That life is life .. live it, learn and grow
Life is good .. be good with all that you know.

Source: That's Life by Danny Joyce

Think about how you would describe life. What are the good and bad things we face in this world? What advice would you give someone to make the most of it? Brainstorm using these ideas, and then give this poem a try yourself.

Download PDF -Try It Yourself ("That's Life")

2. Just Like

Just like a glass
my heart is broken
Just like a star
you light up my life
Just like a rose
that blooms it's beauty
Just like the rain
that never stops crying
Just like another human being
you let go of me
Just like others
you broke my heart
Just like clouds
you are soft
Just like bullets
that you shot into my heart

Source: Just Like by Katherine Ayala

In this poem, the author compares her situation to various objects. Our experiences in life can be compared to objects. For example, if someone is bright and cheery, we might compare her to a ray of sunshine. If someone is mean, we might compare those words to the hiss of a snake.

This poem is all about using similes.

To create your own, think about a particular person or situation in life. It could be good or bad. Think about words that describe that event. Now, what objects could be used to describe those moments?

Download PDF -Try It Yourself ("Just Like")

3. Four Words

Despair.
falling deeper & deeper each day.
wondering what else I'll lose
and wondering if it'll go away.

Denial
It's something I sometimes feel.
that the pain I have inside
could not possibly be real.

Sadness.
Not something that disappears
despite what I wish for
I have never ending tears.

Blame.
That's what I often do
I will never forgive myself.
My heart's permanently broken in two.

These four simple words
to describe my feelings inside.
wishing I could crawl into myself
to stay forever and hide.

There are days I wonder
if these feelings will go.
If it's possible for me
to not feel so low.

Source: Four Words by Sue Morton

While this poem included emotions that come from a terrible event, you could also describe how you feel when something great happens. First, think of 4 words that best describe your emotions in that moment. Then think about what is happening because of those emotions or why you're experiencing them. Once you have started brainstorming, write your own version of this poem.

Download PDF- Try It Yourself ("Four Words")

4. Haiku Year

JANUARY
Delightful display
Snowdrops bow their pure white heads
To the sun's glory.

FEBRUARY
Fresh green buds appear
Indicating spring will soon
Energize us all.

MARCH
Lambs gambol in fields
Frisky with the joys of life
Bleating happily.

APRIL
Bluebells stand so proud
Beneath trees so sparsely dressed
Fresh green leaves unfold.

MAY
Much awaited sound
Echoes heard amid dense trees
Cuckoo has arrived.

JUNE
Parks and gardens burst
With sounds and vibrant colours
Perfect harmony.

JULY
Beaches become full
Of families having fun
In sand and big waves.

AUGUST
Ripe golden harvest
Burning sun in azure skies
Labours rewarded.

SEPTEMBER
Swallows congregate
On telephone wires ready
To migrate down south.

OCTOBER
Red and gold leaves fall,
Crunchy as cornflakes beneath
Feet on a crisp morn.

NOVEMBER
Frosty webs sparkle
In the early morning sun
Brightly bejeweled.

DECEMBER
First few flakes of snow
Dust gardens like icing on
A chocolate cake.

Source: Haiku Year by Paul Holmes

To create your own "A Haiku Year," think of a way to describe each of the twelve months. For each month you will write a haiku, which is a 3 line poem that consists of 17 syllables.

Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables

Use these questions to help generate ideas:

What important moment is celebrated each month?
What is the season of that month?
How would you describe nature each month?

Download PDF -Try It Yourself ("Haiku Year")

Check out our additional science templates.

If you're looking for poems to use with your social studies classes, they can be found here.

Teaching Poetry