what is blackout poetry?
blackout poetry, or erasure poetry, is a different way of seeing things and expressing yourself. it’s therapeutic, it’s calming, it’s sometimes challenging, it’s a way to combine art & words. it’s a way to keep books destined for a landfill out of them. it’s giving a second chance.
how do i create a blackout poem?
i start by gathering my materials: old books (i find that the free bin outside my local thrift store is one of the best places to look), a pencil with a good eraser, and an open mind.
when i choose a book, i like to skim first for words i know i can make something out of, whether i’m feeling introspective, angry, calm, loving… i find that i can look at one page on different days and make entirely different words stand out, it really depends on what i’m feeling in that moment and what it is i’m trying to say. i prefer to use books that are already torn up, written in, and otherwise "unusable.”
