How To Write A Birthday Poem

Creativity | November 12th, 2008 by Sarah Salway

There are some people who just seem to have the knack for poetry. They sit down and five minutes later, they have a beautiful, personalized poem that you want to treasure for ever.

For the rest of us, it’s a little bit harder. But the good news is that there are tricks you can use to help you write the perfect poem for someone on their birthday. Or for Christmas. Or to thank them. Or just because you love them!

Try an Acrostic Poem

Write down the initials of your friend or family member down the left-hand side of the page, and then start each line with that letter. It might be just words that suit their personality, or it might be full sentences. There’s no right or wrong, and it’s fun trying. Here’s one of mine to which I added pictures to make it more personal.

Anne is amazing, articulate, and always absolutely arty,
Never negative, nor nasty,
Nor narrow-minded, never narky,
Ever enthusiastic, exhilarating energy.

You might want to keep the dictionary to hand when you do this!

Ten Things About

A list piece helps you organize your thoughts, and lets you combine general thoughts with personal. Although not a poem, here’s the start of a piece I wrote for my father to be read out at a family party. All the examples have a special significance for my dad, and it was great how the more historic ones kept us talking after (particularly the National Chocolate Éclair day. In fact, we had to go out and buy some to celebrate properly!)

Firstly, and most appropriately, June 22nd, although known to us primarily as Dad’s birthday, is also internationally recognized as National Chocolate Éclair Day.

During the same month as Dad was born, there was a total solar eclipse, Walter Percy Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation and there was the first public demonstration of a television broadcast – an image of a revolving model windmill.

Also born on June 22nd are the actors Meryl Streep and Billy Wilder, the playwright Arthur Miller, a surprising number of musicians including Kris Kristofferson, and of course, our lovely and very special Mum.

Reginald means “Wise Ruler” and William means “Protector”. However, there aren’t to be honest many well-known Reg’s and one famous one, Reginald Dwight, changed his name pretty quickly.

However, if you type Dad’s name into google, he gets nearly nine and a half thousand mentions. Number Three on the list is “Blowing your own trumpet” and sixth is “What to do if you find yourself in trouble.” Both subjects about which it seems our father and grandfather is – strangely - the expert.

Play the metaphor game

The game where you had to describe someone through the type of car they reminded you of, or garden flower, or movement. It’s a lovely way to write a celebration of someone special.

You’re the racing car always just in front,
Bright red for danger, but also welcome,
You’re the cream cake I keep as a treat,
And a glass of champagne, cool from the fridge.
You’re the quick step, the latest dance craze,
You’re holidays, but also always home.

This is just a short one, but you can go on and on.

A significant birthday

A lovely way to personalize the poem is to split it into years or decades (depending on how old they are!). You might want to ask friends and family for details you may be missing, because this makes it even more special. I did it for a friend’s 40th birthday recently; his sister gave me the name of his elementary school teacher for the second decade and a college friend told me about a prank they once played on him. I filled in the rest with memories we’d shared together or he’d told me, and around the outside, I wrote the names of the music that had been playing during each four decades of his life, big news events, movies and celebrities. It was such fun to do and he wrote later to say it was one of his favorite presents because it had been so personal.

Maybe you have your own ideas to write something special for someone, or a story of what someone has done for you. I’d love to know!