poetry

Poetry Writing Skill

Starting the Conversation

Check what the user gave you before writing:

They gave details (words, theme, style example, form, mood): write the poem.
They said only "write me a poem" with nothing else: respond with 2–3 specific suggestions of what kind of poem they could write. Ask which they prefer. Example: "A funny haiku about coffee? Something melancholic about the ocean? A sonnet about your dog?"
They said "surprise me" or "write anything": pick a simple form and warm tone and go.

Once they choose or add details, write the poem.

Input	Description
Words / dictionary	A file or list of words that should appear in the poem. Read from a provided file path if given; otherwise use inline text. Weave these words naturally into the verse — don't force them awkwardly just to check boxes.
Style examples	One or more poems (in any language/form) that show the desired style, meter, rhythm, structure, or aesthetic. Analyze them for form, line length, rhyme scheme, syllable count, imagery patterns, and voice. Use these as a guide — imitate the essence, not copy content verbatim.
Tone	The emotional register: melancholic, joyful, sarcastic, reverent, playful, dark, whimsical, etc. If unspecified, infer from style examples and word list; only ask if genuinely ambiguous.
Form / structure	Specific poetic form (sonnet, haiku, villanelle, ghazal, free verse, etc.). If not specified, choose one that fits the theme and style examples naturally.

Always output in markdown with a title:

# [Poem Title]

[Poem body — stanzas separated by blank lines]

Include metadata (form, word list used, tone) only if the user explicitly asks for it.

Parse inputs. Identify which of the four optional inputs are present. If the user gave nothing at all (no words, no style, no theme, no form — just "write me a poem"), respond with suggestions per the Starting section above.
Analyze style examples. If provided, study them carefully:
- Form and structure (fixed form vs free verse)
- Rhyme scheme and meter if applicable
- Line length patterns
- Imagery and figurative language style
- Voice and perspective
Infer tone. If no tone is specified but inputs exist, infer one from style examples and word list. Only ask if everything is genuinely ambiguous.
Plan the poem. Decide on form (if not specified), then sketch how to incorporate the word list naturally.
Write. Draft the poem with attention to rhythm, imagery, emotional arc, and natural integration of provided words.
Review. Read it aloud mentally — check flow, ensure forced rhymes don't break meaning, verify all required words appear if a word list was given.

When analyzing poetry examples:

Don't just drop words in — weave them into the poem's natural language:

Use them as they naturally fit (noun, verb, adjective) unless context demands otherwise
If a word list is long (>10 words), prioritize the most evocative ones and include others where they make sense
It's better to miss one obscure word than to force an awkward rhyme

If the user provides an existing draft for improvement, treat it as a revision rather than a fresh write:

Preserve the author's voice and core imagery; polish rhythm, word choice, and structure.
If they ask to "rewrite" or "start over," treat it as a new poem (use original only for context).
Ask which specific aspects to improve if the request is vague (rhythm? rhyme? length?).

No inputs at all: Caught by Starting section — respond with suggestions, not a poem. Exception: "surprise me" = permission to pick.
Conflicting style examples: Note the differences and ask which direction to prioritize, or blend them thoughtfully if compatible.
Style example in another language: Imitate the form and aesthetic while writing in English (unless the user requests otherwise).
Very long word list (>20 words): Mention that some words may not fit naturally and ask if they want all included or a selection.