Writing Micropoetry is Quick, Easy, and Fun

Taylor Wehri
Apr 23, 2021
3 min read

Seagulls soaring, circling, searching, swooping,

until finally —

dinner!

Micropoetry is an umbrella term for various forms of short poetry. The only rule, really, is that it’s brief. Not only are micropoems quick, easy, and fun, composing them offers several benefits.

five reasons to become a fan

1.Writing Micropoetry Slows Us Down

Be still and know I am God.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

Micropoetry keeps us in the moment, requiring us to pause and ponder. The practice pulls us out of our electronic world and puts us in the real world. Looking for micropoems increases our chances of encountering God, and creating one often becomes an expression of praise.

Vivid pinks and purple

of God’s crepe myrtles

rejoice in rain-cleansed morning air

2. WritingMicropoetry Heightens Creativity

God created mankind in his own image, in the imageof Godhe created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

Highly creative people are naturally keen observers of their surroundings, but some of us need help developing the skill. Opening our eyes, ears, noses, mouths, hearts and minds to find micropoems trains us to scrutinize our settings for sensory details. Finely-tuned observation skills open wider our windows of creativity.

And because the words we toss together to compose a micropoem please us, we’re inspired to carry this creativity into other outlets. They can serve as a warmup for other creative efforts.

A beach storm brewed as I wrote this one. It won’t win a prize for creativity, but I like it:

Thunder growling, gray sky hovering,

fog descending over the bay;

looks like rain will be my sunshine tod

3. Writing micropoetry is good for our health

Do you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?You are not your own;

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

When we live in the present, we’re happier and healthier. Many micropoems are captured in nature, which means we’re outside moving. What’s more, writing them lessens stress because we’re focused outward rather than inward. We aren’t dwelling on our worries or problems.

Writing micropoetry increases our gratitude. Studies show gratitude helps us improve our health, deal with adversity, and build better relationships. Gratitude flows when we discover a micropoem. But you don’t have to take a nature walk to find them. I spotted this one while looking out my front door:

Six proud crows,

military posture perfect

strut the street,

cross my law

What’s up?

4. Writing Micropoetry connects us to others

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.

1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)

Cool April morn begs gas logs to knock off the chill;

“Wasteful,” my dad whispers from his grave.

With a smile, I light them anywa

y. As I penned this one, I lovingly recalled my dad’s frugality, how he came of age during The Great Depression. His exasperation with me because my teenaged self never remembered to turn the lights off when I left a room. I take a moment to thank God for this man who lives on in my heart.

5. Writing micropoetry draws us closer to god

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming downfrom the Father of heavenly lights, …

James 1:17 (NIV)

Whatever inspires me to write a micropoem is a gift from God. When I find one, I give Him thanks. Many come from His natural world, but they don’t have to. Other sources have included:

people in my life
memories
emotions
romance

Scripture tells us to “seek His face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV). I see Jesus in micropoems, and composing them moves me in His direction.

Tender blue sky,

showing off clouds of froth;

“Rest in today, child,” He call

“Tomorrow is hours away.

invitation to create

Creating a micropoem puts us in a state of mindfulness, which slows our pace. They are stress-busters and joy-inducers. Micropoetry is all around. Enter the moment and play with a few words. Forget the grammar rules, and remember the process is more important than the product.

Only two steps are involved: