Poetry by chance: 3 steps to calling yourself a poet

We're all poets, even you(!) ...

I think it was in middle school. The assignment was to memorize and recite a poem. I chose Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

I think I liked it because it sounded poetic, but it also made sense to me.

The poem isn't terribly long, and I practiced well enough to remember now that I felt pretty good when I sat down after my presentation.

I can't say the exercise inspired me to write poetry, but I have churned out a few poems using the blackout poetry method.

Chances are you've got some extra time on your hands, it's Poetry Month after all, and given the circumstances we're all in, a little distraction goes a long way.

Share the worksheet and invite someone to try it with you.

---

Here’s what you do. Find a short story or article (a printed page from a newspaper, magazine, an old book, or something you've written). Read through the text and select an anchor word. Something that catches your attention. String together a few others words to form a thought or sentence. Be sure they read as traditional writing does. Left to right, top to bottom.

Blackout the words outside of the words you circled and you’ve got a poem.

Here’s one I did. It's remarkable how simple yet thoughtful is it ... don't you think?