In our Greeley Writer’s Group, we have occasionally tried different versions of collaging phrases or lines found in unexpected places, and attempted to make a poem from them. Ken Mowery first brought the idea to the group which came from an Exercise called “Unthink Your Poem.”
The Process:
Cut out lines, phrases or words from magazines or newspapers; Try to put them together to make some sort of sense.
Choose a theme, such as from advertising, fashion statements, or news headlines. You can add your own connections, and some words, phrases and lines might be discarded altogether, to come up with some coherent idea in the finished version.
One of our members, Susan Buller brought her Collage poem to our monthly meeting:
RIVER
By Susan Buller ©
THE WORLD IS WISER THAN YOU THINK
VENERATED OLD AGE.
WHEN THE FIRE OF THE SPIRIT DIES OUT
GRAVITY COLLAPSES
NATURE MAKES ITSELF GLORIOUSLY APPARENT
AND TIME IS A RIVER OF PASSING EVENTS
SEARCHING AROUND IN THE TORN DIRT
I KNEEL AND LOOK AT ONE THING AT A TIME
AN EMERALD CROWD
GRAINS OF SAND CEMENTED TOGETHER
WRINKLED BLACK
AND TIME IS A RIVER OF PASSING EVENTS
SEPARATE THE FRAGMENTS FROM THE WHOLE
FIND COMPANY IN YOURSELF
WHAT HAS PUZZLED US BEFORE SEEMS LESS MYSTERIOUS
AS OUR CIRCLE OF PAIN
ENLARGES AND CONVERGES
AND TIME IS A RIVER OF PASSING EVENTS
Notice how Susan tied the lines and theme together by repeating one line at the end of each stanza, in a kind or refrain. The overall effect is somewhat surreal, and there is a kind of dream-like impression conveyed by the rearranged fragments.
The advantage of this exercise is that by putting unexpected words together, new wording combinations may be suggested, that you would never think of if you proceed in your habitual manner.
Variations:
•Take a magazine column, and cut it lengthwise in two parts. Match up the lines in a new order, by scrambling them or just shifting the lines up or down.
•Write a poem made up of conversational fragments heard in a public place.
Try to avoid long lines or phrases which are uniquely someone else’s. Don’t plagiarize!
Invitation:
If you would like to contribute a writing idea or writing exercise to this blog, in the interest of taking part in a networking conversation with others, please submit your idea in the comments section with contact information so that I may reply. Your privacy will be respected, and you will be attributed for your contribution, along with your web site if you would like. Ruth Zachary.
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