On Ethical ELA this week, host Dave Wooley invited VerseLove participants to compose blackout poems: “Find a piece of writing that you want to use as a source, grab a black sharpie and start redacting. The words that are left will be your poem.”
Basically, a blackout is a found poem, with chosen words and phrases remaining in original order. Examples can be found here: How-To Blackout Poetry.
Great! I thought. This will be easy.
It was not.
The problem: First thing that came to mind was a new poem that completely awes me…
Amy Nemecek, The Language of the Birds, 2022.
I started blacking out lines and stopped, because a thing happened.
I just couldn’t reduce this stunning poem. It felt like…desecration.
Instead, I lifted a few words out that especially sang to me. They brought with them their own images, forming something new and other.
Thus was my “found-story haiku” born (not sure if that’s even a thing… I guess it is now):
History of Ideas
from firelight, a spark
illumination flaring
then dying in dust
from the river, song
improvisational joy
free and beckoning
from the silhouette
of trees against starlit sky
infinite longing
from the heart crying
against its impermanence
a reliquary
from calloused fingers
a hieroglyph on a wall
before papyrus
from the weightless bones
a shell of structure is formed
the embryo stirs
out of the static
spark, song, longing are harnessed
the fragile thing lives
For the record: I finished blacking to reveal the words I pulled, although this in itself is not a blackout poem.
It is my seed-bed of ideas.
Discover more from lit bits and pieces
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
lit bits and pieces 
Found haiku is a thing. My writing friend Linda Mitchell has done it. I love in this form how you distilled the verse and repeated the word from. There is beauty and comfort in becoming one with another poet’s poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are ever the encourager, Margaret! You add so much poetry-color to the world. Tonight I was watching the Nature show on PBS, an episode called “The Hummingbird Effect” set in Costa Rica, and I thought of you and the lovely photos you sent me. You bless me and others so thoroughly with your words and artistry. Thank you-
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Fran,
I just today discovered your post and the beautiful found haiku you created from my poem. It’s amazing! Thank you for sharing it. I only wish I had seen it sooner. This is such an encouragement for me to keep writing, even when it feels hard.
Blessings,
Amy
LikeLike
Hello, Amy!
Thank you for your words! I came across your book when researching “green language.” I have loved birds all my life; as I’ve grown older, I have paid more attention to them and they have – almost in reponse? – showed up more abundantly. I promptly ordered your book. Upon receiving it, I immediately loved your exquisite craft and the ultimate connection to the Lord Jesus. So much more to say about his power and the wonders of his creation (even broken as it is, for now) – let me just say you are certainly speaking my language and singing the song of my own heart with your poetic observations. I am honored by your reaching out, delighted that you like the found poem and that you find it encouraging. Your work is so beautiful and inspiring – the kind of uplifting offering I aspire to give as well.
Gratefully – and with blessings to you, too-
Fran
LikeLike