Black Out Poems

 

It’s official:

My new hobby is real.

I went to Hobby Lobby to buy supplies the other day!

 

Most of you know that I’ve been water-coloring over the past few months. In recent weeks, my water-coloring has expanded from guided weekly lessons into unguided daily creating.

 

I have begun creating blackout poetry in addition to my watercolors. When I’m lucky, the two join together as one (see comments below).

 

In case you don’t know, blackout poetry is when you take a page of text, decide which words you want to keep, and then “blackout” everything else. Sometimes, you do this literally—with a black marker. Other times, you do it figuratively by covering the text with a picture or design.

 

Sometimes, you keep the idea of the original text. Sometimes, you transform it into something completely new.

 

It’s really quite interesting to see what emerges at the intersection of personal experience, creativity, inspiration, and text.

 

Last week, I wrote:

 

“…it’s good to create—to process and channel what’s inside through songs, singing, poems, painting, and word art…

 

So create something today, friend. A poem, a painting, a puzzle, a scribble, a prayer, a dance, a song, anything! Just create and see what comes.”

 

I stand by that thought today.

 

And I add: If you’d like to share your creation, then I’d love to experience it with you.

 

Oh God: You are still creating. Help us to create as well. Amen.