Austin Kleon, in his book, "Newspaper Blackout," says that "by destroying writing you can create new writing." I love the concept. He took newspapers and crossed out words and made his own poetry. newspaper-blackout-poems
Instead of taking newspapers, I chose a book titled "People of the Book." (My apologies to author Geraldine Brooks.) I chose this book because I love the cover, the title seemed perfect, and I had two copies of it in my house.
I took the book and marker along while I waited for my daughter's orthodontist appointment. It fit in my purse. No large messy foldy newspaper. And I filled the room with the scent of permanent marker, not looking up until my daughter, finished and smiling, stood beside my chair.
Here's my first try.
(figures curled together on a corner of polished paper
painted with amusement
so?
He just looked.
I blurted
What do you see?
A horse's tail flying, a mane, the rider's brocade jacket)
How did that poem come out of a sad book about war?
I believe: We all carry pages of writing and stories within. Perhaps we can take the stories we've been handed in life and cross-them-out and mark-them-up and create something all together different. A better poetry.
My daughter was intrigued. What better way to learn? She chose, "The Bad Beginning," and began well!
Honoring National Poetry Month, I see. Looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat if you reverse the process and take a book on an e-book reader and only highlight the words you want to use to create your poem?
Perhaps we can take the stories we've been handed in life and highlight and magnify and create something all together different. A better poetry.
I like to be able to acknowledge that the words are still present on the page. Indeed they remain an active part of the past, present, and future stories.
There's something about all that blackness that saddens and concerns me, though I like the smell of Sharpies.
Very interesting. Highlight what you want to bring out and focus on.
ReplyDeleteYou could also look at it like this: Blacking out is not extinguishing, it is more like forgiveness. There will be no sorrow. There will be no tears. God wipes away ...