Let's Talk Blackout Poetry!

So I touched on this a bit on Tuesday, but I thought I could explain a bit more today.

Depending on how old you are, you may have done this as part of an English class or something. (I'll be honest, I was homeschooled - yes, I know - and am getting old, lol, so I didn't have that particular experience.) Or maybe you've seen something similar at a local market or hipster shop or most likely on Pinterest. It usually looks something like this:

(This was one of my first poems, so don't judge solely on this . . . Moving on.)

It its most basic form, this is what blackout or found poetry is. It's a strategic choice of words from a block of text while the rest are redacted. Which is an uninteresting way of describing something that is both as challenging and creative as you wish it to be. There are ways to make blackout poetry simplistic or easy and ways to torture yourself in a literary and/or artistic fashion. It all depends on who is holding the pen. Or, in my case, Sharpie.

Some people get really outside the box! If you haven't before, check out #blackoutpoetry on Instagram. There are some amazing things people are doing with paint, string, or even just cutting out the words they want to use.

Which is one of the best things about this art form: There really aren't any rules. The very act of making blackout poetry feels like a rebellion as you decimate your text of choice. Yes, I tend to think of it as potentially violently artistic act. (Recall the popular Wreck This Journal? Those vibes.)

Actually, the whole thing has an underground mood to it.

I've even bought books from the thrift store, done a piece, included instructions and put a card stock cover on, and then planted several books throughout my community in little lending libraries. I like to encourage people (from afar, because - introvert) to try new things, especially something that anyone can do with whatever is on hand. And blackout poetry is one of those things that's easy to start.

So do it. Try it today and tag me or post pics in the forum! I'd love to see your work and discuss.