Blackout Poetry Anniversary

 

Yesterday was my three-year blackout poetry anniversary.

Since June 2, 2021,

Heidi the Librarian and I have each written over 1000 blackout poems,

Completing 20 books while working on our 21st,

Covering modern fiction, science fiction, adolescent fiction, autobiography, lovelorn classics, horror classics, political documents, and books compiled specifically for blackout poetry—including one made just for us!

 

Three years ago, Heidi was searching for inspirational quotes

When she came across the image of a blackout poem.

She immediately knew that she wanted to try it.

And that’s what started it all.

She had some copies of Anne of Green Gables that were in disrepair,

So we started with those.

She walked into my room that Wednesday,

And asked if I wanted to write a blackout poem with her.

She said, “We’ll each write a poem and then compare them.”

I remember thinking, “We’re probably going to come up with the same poem.

There aren’t that many options on the page.”

But, oh, how many options there are!

In all our years and writings,

We have only written one identical poem!

 

The words on the page become the word bank.

The experiences that we bring provide the lens through which we read the words.

We each slow down,

Sometimes for 30 minutes to an hour,

Read the text,

Focus on something beyond our immediate concerns,

Open ourselves to what I believe is the Spirit,

Listen for what message lies on the page,

And then transform what’s obvious into something new.

 

I don’t know how long we will continue with this discipline,

But I don’t plan to stop any time soon.

As dramatic as it sounds,

I feel like blackout poetry is making me a better person

By causing me to see things from different perspectives,

And reminding me that there is always more to a story,

Two people may read the exact same text and

Hear completely different messages.

Isn’t that how it is with scripture?

And shouldn’t we all be open to the Spirit’s leading?

 

I will close this anniversary celebration 

By sharing my June 2 poems.

 

May each of us find a discipline that is meaningful for our lives,

And then may we each engage it with purpose and intention,

Seeing where it leads.

 

Amen.

 

----

 

From Anne of Green Gables, June 2, 2021

 

His tongue,

abstracted,

unswervingly and unseeingly,

nervous,

uncomfortable,

odd,

unaccountable.

That was Matthew’s way.

Silence persistency.

I’ve had so much experience at that.

What’s to be done?

Matthew is a most ridiculous man.

I think he’s lovely.

Sympathetic.

I felt that he was a kindred spirit as soon as I ever saw him.

 

----

 

From Blackout Poetry Journal: June 2, 2022

 

Give

it

all

to

the Light.

 

----

 

From Blackout Poetry Journal (A Creative Writing Journal): June 2, 2023

 

The moment is near

But I am a coward,

And shame pursues me.

 

----

 

From Passover Haggadah: June 2, 2024

 

I am

A leader

From the middle.

10 and 60

 

 

Last Saturday was one of my friends’ kids’ birthdays.

He turned 10.

Throughout the day, in honor of his birthday,

He asked for simple wishes:

Can I wear sweatpants instead of jeans?

Can I play an internet game in the car?

Can I have a Snickers bar?

His wishes were granted.

 

As he and his big brother were preparing for bed,

Big brother, suddenly wanted a cheese stick.

My friend was hesitant because of Big Brother’s habit of doing this.

But then Birthday Boy said:

Can I have one more wish for my birthday?

My friend asked what it was.

Birthday Boy asked if his brother could have a cheese stick to close out the day.

 

Needless to say, Big Brother got a cheese stick,

And Birthday Boy went to bed happy.

 

Today is my parents’ 60^th Anniversary.

I dare say that this birthday story explains how they’ve stayed together so long:

It’s give and take,

It’s push and pull,

It’s asking and receiving,

It’s looking after self and others,

It’s celebrating small victories,

It’s smiling,

It’s changing ones’ mind,

And it’s honoring one another.

 

Today, I am thankful for my 10-year-old friend and all that he teaches me.

And I am thankful for my 60-year-married parents and everything that they are.

 

Amen.

 

PS. My mom and I often quote our 10-year-old friend when doing puzzles. He was over at the house many months ago, working on a puzzle, when he said to me: “Do you know how I found that piece?” I said, “How?” He said, “I saw this tiny little detail.” From that point forward, my mom and I began using “the tiny little detail” philosophy to help us with our puzzles 😊.