Poetry Woman

A Blackout Poem

by Catherine Giordano

I thought this rare edition of Volume 1 Number 1of Poetry--A Magazine of Verse from 1912 would be a suitable canvas for a black out poem.

There were only a limited number of words to work with, but I think I eked out a small poetic sentiment.

Blackout poetry is an example of found poetry, just as my new print poems are examples of found poetry. There are many other techniques.

I wrote a brief introduction to found poetry explaining the various techniques.  Click to read it:

Found Poetry: The News Print Poetry Project

The verse reads:

Poetry
       Woman
   One Unknown
          Symphony of 
                                   Grace
                                                the motive

Don't worry. A priceless historical artifact of poetry was not defaced to create this poem.  It was all done digitally.



The original magazine cover

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Over and Over Again

© Catherine Giordano 2014

by  Catherine Giordano

After doing well over 400 news print poems, I thought black out poems would be easy for me. 

Blackout poems are not easy for me! I have spent over two weeks trying to find text in the Orlando Sentinel to use. Today I found an interview with a restaurant owner and transformed it into a (sort of) love poem.

It took over two hours to "find" the poem in this text. A news print poem, once I have selected the text I am going to use, usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes. I didn't realize how lucky I was to do my first blackout poem so easily.  (CLICK HERE to see the poem.)

Blackout poets: I salute you. 

I wrote a web article about my experiences doing news print poetry. If you have a moment, take a glance at it.  It's

Found Poetry: The News Print Poetry Project

P.S.: If you are interested in learning to write poetry, I have recommended a couple of books on the lower left-hand side of this page.