Blackout poetry is a process whereby the artist creates a poem by redacting words, sentences, and phrases from an existing text to expose a new poem.
Because there are a variety of techniques and medium for redacting text, such as crayons, colorful markers, white out, or painting and drawing or even using thread, yarn, and fabric, redacted poems can become more akin to visual art than to literary, a blurred distinction which can be exploited for the sake for your final piece.
For today’s prompt, begin by choosing any existing text: newspaper article, page from a textbook, novel, or other prose, an advertisement, newsletter, or even old pages from a journal or diary (yours or another’s). Don’t overthink your source material for this exercise. You can always repeat the process later (and repeatedly) using different sources.
Begin by skimming over the text for words or phrases that suggest a poem or otherwise “pop.” No need to read carefully for understanding. Just get a sense of the language you are working with.
Unless, of course, reading for understanding helps your process.
Next, use a pencil (with an eraser) to circle the words you plan to reveal and/or cross through the words you plan to conceal. The eraser let’s you change you mind.
You may even decide to write the words you plan to keep on a separate piece of paper to get a sense of their poetic potential before making your final choices.
Once you’re satisfied with your poem, begin redacting the text you plan to hide with the medium of choice (paint, sharpie, eraser, white out, tape, fabric, yarn, thread, etc.) using your pencil marks as a guide and being willing to change the path if you find a more interesting one in the process.
This process can be used for lengthier texts or as part of an altered book project. It can also be repeated with the same passage for different results.
Most importantly, let imagination take the reign and enjoy the process on your way to making something as elaborate and intricate as you like.
For a more comprehensive discussion on blackout poems and other types of found poetry, including examples and names of poets who create them, you might enjoy reading “This Ocean of Texts: The History of Blackout Poetry”
For a discussion on using fiber arts with blackout poetry, take a look at Wendy Eiteljorg’s article on her Thoughts from School blog, “Blackout poetry and sewing.”
