5 Alternative Ways to Write Poetry
As mentioned in a previous post, I was introduced to writing poetry at an early age thanks in part to an 8th grade English teacher who created an after school poetry club for several wacky misfits like me. From what little I remember about myself during that time, I had a tendency to be shy and aloof. But, after this poetry club, I discovered a way to express myself and let people know who I was. Spoiler alert, I was a weirdo.
Ever since that time some 19 years ago, poetry (and writing in general) became an outlet for me to practice what I believe to be one of the most important rights we have as human beings; self-expression. On self expression, the late former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall expressed this sentiment best when he said,
“The First Amendment serves not only the needs of the polity but also those of the human spirit - a spirit that demands self-expression.”
While I’ve examined why and how self-expression drives me to write, I recognize that not everyone had had this chance. Wherever I go, I’m often encouraging people to write out their feelings, often in various poetic forms. However, I notice that sometimes there is a hindrance or resistance within some people.
When it comes to writing poetry, the very idea often turns people off. In my experience, many people feel they are not creatively inclined to write poetry or because the thought of writing a poem is intimidating (or lame). I can understand and empathize.
Poetry itself is a nebulous and expansive term. Sure, one of Merriam Webster’s definitions of poetry is “writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm.” But, that definition doesn’t entirely take into account the various forms poetry can take, like haikus, sonnets, triolets, kyrielles, free verse, prose, etc. Where to even begin??
Anyone following me on IG (@thebrycical) knows that I’ve explored various methods and styles of writing poetry over the years. And, because April is National Poetry Writing Month (#napowrimo), the time seems write(!) to share some of my favorite alternative methods to crafting a poem.
1) Magnetic Poetry
If you’ve explored my Instagram feed at all, you know I LOVE magnetic poetry. Also, it is a simply delightful way to pass some time in the kitchen when waiting for things to finish cooking in the oven!
Not only does Magnetic Poetry allow one to craft a poem that is often short in length, but, in my humble opinion, it also allows folks a tangible way to tap into their creativity. Magnetic poetry is an awesome way for someone to take their first steps into writing free verse. Also, since most people only buy one or two kits (you wouldn’t believe how many kits actually exist), there’s a limited number of words one can use, which means you sometimes have to get creative in how to express certain thoughts. For me, it serves as a reminder that I don’t have to stick to more rigid writing styles like haikus or sonnets. In fact, depending on how creative you’re feeling on any given day, it’s possible to create an awesome design with your words or something that could go on forever, like an infinity poem! Check out @magnetxmania on IG to see how some people really let their creative juices flow using magnetic poetry.
2) Found/Blackout Poetry
Speaking of awesome designs, there’s another way to create poetry that definitely allows your artistic side to show as well. This is what’s called blackout poetry in some circles. Blackout poetry is often a type of “found poetry” in that it’s often found in books. This is because (book lovers may want to stop reading and skip ahead) a page or several are often blacked out or drawn over until only a few words remain, thus creating a poem from within a sea of words! @justjeij page on Instagram is a great example of what that can look like. However, as the IG page of @CNNpoems also reveals, one doesn’t need to deface a page or three in a book in order to create this type of found poem.
Now, an important distinction needs to be made between found poetry and blackout poetry. The difference is blackout poetry is a form of found poetry. By itself, found poetry is an umbrella term that incorporates many different types of poems, though these poems all have one thing in common; they are usually discoverable and not in a place that’s immediately accessible. Often, but not always, there’s a physical element to it, like how I created a poem using book titles on the spines of books, or some art like this.
3) Rip/Cut & Paste
No, not the control + V/P kind of cut and paste. The Rip/Cut and Paste method of creating poetry has, in many ways, given birth to the previous two styles mentioned. While one of the major proponents of this style of poetry writing was famed Beatnik novelist and poet William S. Burroughs, the cut and paste technique actually has roots in the 1920’s DaDaist movement!
What makes the cut and paste method fun is that there are numerous of ways to go about it! Want to make poetry that also looks like a ransom note? Easy! Care make it a party game by cutting up lines of text from newspapers or magazines then having people pull them randomly out of a hat? Go for it! Want to put glue on a piece of paper then toss a bunch of cut up words into the air like confetti and see which ones land on the glue? Start tossing!
What I enjoy doing is taking two poems that I’ve either forgotten about or haven’t edited in several months, ripping them in half then putting the two opposite halves together. Burroughs would sometimes cut his pages into quarters and then rearrange them. The point is, there are so many ways this technique can be utilized to get those creative synapses in your brain buzzing, and it doesn’t involve having to sit and stare at a blank white page or screen.
4) Word/Syllable Count
While the first three alternative styles of poetry writing emphasize a certain element of free-range, free form, free verse fun, counting words or syllables offers a way to get creative using a less-is-more strategy.
Just look on Twitter and IG to check out hashtags anywhere from 1–12 word stories or poems (ex #11wordstory, #3wordpoem) to see how judicious restraint can create some fabulous minimalistic poetry that really says a lot. Word count poetry offers some similar benefits of magnetic poetry in that the writer understands there’s only a certain amount of words one can use. This can take some of the anxiety out of feeling like one needs to write an epic poem like Homer’s “The Odyssey” or Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl.”
Or, if that feels too easy, check out some ancient Japanese styles of poetry that counts syllables, like haikus or tankas for inspiration to get some short thoughts down. The only real difference between counting syllables and words is that, in my opinion, counting syllables can incorporate the problem-solving, logical side of your brain into your creative expression, since sometimes one needs to strategically figure out how to express certain thoughts with a limited number of syllables at one’s disposal. You can find examples of haikus on my IG page or tankas at either mine or @blue_shelle.
5) Groupthink
While poetry is often thought of as a solitary writing experience, it doesn’t have to be. Another fun way to write some poetry is with someone else, or even a small group.
There are a variety of group writing exercises out there. However, one of the favorite things the goddess and I enjoy doing is writing a line of poetry, folding the paper then having the other write the next line, folding the paper and so forth until the page is full!
It’s also possible to turn the majority of these other alternative poetry writing methods into a collaborative cavalcade of poetry writing too. Maybe each person writes a line of magnetic poetry? Take a page out of the 1920’s Dadaists by cutting up lines of books and then everyone picks one out of a hat! The point is, have fun with it.
Any or all 5 of these alternative poetry writing methods are awesome ways to express oneself through creative means. They are also proven to help those who are either suffering from the dreaded writers block or just intimidated by the blank page. Maybe you know some other alternatives that work better. If so, don’t hesitate to share! In case it wasn’t obvious, National Poetry Writing Month is all about, well… writing poetry, no matter what form it takes.
If this brought some ideas to your mind or even if you just enjoyed reading it, feel free to send some claps and shares in my general direction. You can also check out a few other of my more list-centric articles below if that’s something you’re into as well. Thank for reading as always.
