How To Write A Found Poem: A Comprehensive Guide
Finding poetry in the mundane – that’s the magic of a found poem. It’s a creative exercise that transforms everyday language into something beautiful, surprising, and deeply personal. This guide provides a complete walkthrough of how to write a found poem, from choosing your source material to crafting the final product. We’ll delve into the nuances of this unique form, offering practical advice and examples to inspire your own poetic journey.
Understanding Found Poetry: What Exactly Is It?
A found poem is exactly what it sounds like: a poem created by taking existing text and repurposing it. You’re not writing from scratch; instead, you’re curating words, phrases, and sometimes whole sentences from a pre-existing source. This source can be anything: a newspaper article, a legal document, a grocery list, a conversation transcript, or even a piece of historical fiction. The beauty lies in the transformation – taking the ordinary and revealing its hidden poetic potential.
Choosing Your Source Material: The Foundation of Your Poem
The first step in writing a found poem is selecting your source material. The possibilities are endless, but the key is to choose something that resonates with you. Consider these factors:
Identifying Potentially Rich Sources
- Look for Unexpected Gems: Don’t limit yourself to literary texts. Consider instruction manuals, scientific papers, or even online reviews. The more unexpected the source, the more interesting the poem can become.
- Pay Attention to Repetition: Repeated phrases or sentence structures can provide a natural rhythm or thematic focus, making them ideal for a found poem.
- Consider Length and Complexity: Start with shorter sources or those with a clear structure. This will make the editing process less overwhelming.
Examples of Excellent Source Materials
- Advertisements: The concise language and persuasive intent can create interesting juxtapositions.
- Legal Documents: The formal, precise language can be surprisingly evocative when rearranged.
- Personal Letters: These offer a glimpse into another person’s thoughts and feelings, ripe with emotional potential.
- News Articles: Current events and global issues can be reframed to offer new perspectives.
The Extraction Process: Unearthing the Poetry
Once you have your source material, the extraction process begins. This is where you sift through the text, identifying phrases and sentences that speak to you.
Reading and Highlighting: Finding the Nuggets
- Read Thoroughly: Read the source material multiple times, slowly and carefully.
- Highlight or Copy: Highlight or copy and paste phrases, sentences, or even single words that catch your eye. Don’t worry about the order initially; just collect what resonates.
- Consider Context: While you can lift phrases out of context, be mindful of how the original meaning might shift in your poem.
Shaping Your Selection: Editing and Refining
- Eliminate Redundancy: Remove any unnecessary words or phrases that don’t contribute to the poem’s overall impact.
- Rearrange and Reorganize: Experiment with the order of your selected phrases. Try different combinations to see what works best.
- Listen to the Rhythm: Pay attention to the flow and rhythm of the words. Adjust the structure to create a more pleasing sound.
Structuring Your Found Poem: Form and Function
The structure of your found poem is crucial for conveying meaning and creating impact.
Line Breaks and Stanza Divisions: Creating Visual Impact
- Experiment with Line Breaks: Line breaks are essential in poetry. They can create pauses, emphasize certain words, and influence the poem’s rhythm.
- Consider Stanza Length: The length of your stanzas can also impact the poem. Longer stanzas can create a sense of flow, while shorter stanzas can provide emphasis.
- Visual Presentation Matters: The way your poem looks on the page is part of its art. Experiment with different layouts.
Adding Your Voice: Minimal Editing and Transformation
- Keep it Authentic: The beauty of a found poem is its reliance on existing text. Resist the urge to rewrite the text.
- Consider Minimal Editing: Sometimes, you might need to change a word or two for clarity or to fit the poem’s rhythm.
- Allow for the Unexpected: Embrace the surprises that emerge during the editing process.
Examples of Found Poem Techniques: Inspiration and Application
Let’s look at a few examples to illustrate the different techniques you can use when writing a found poem.
The “Cut-Up” Technique: Deconstruction and Reconstruction
The “cut-up” technique, popularized by William S. Burroughs, involves literally cutting up the source material and rearranging the words. This can lead to surprising and often surreal results.
The “Erasure” Technique: Revealing Hidden Meanings
Erasure poems, also known as blackout poems, involve taking a source text and blacking out (or erasing) all but the words you want to use. The remaining words form your poem.
The “Selection” Technique: Focused Extraction
The selection technique involves carefully choosing phrases and sentences from a source text and arranging them to create a new narrative or emotional experience.
Polishing Your Found Poem: Refinement and Revision
Once you have a draft, it’s time to refine your work.
Reading Aloud: Ensuring Flow and Rhythm
- Read it Aloud: Reading your poem aloud is crucial for identifying any awkward phrasing or rhythmic inconsistencies.
- Listen for the Musicality: Pay attention to the sound of the words and how they flow together.
Seeking Feedback: Gaining a Fresh Perspective
- Share with Others: Share your poem with friends, family, or writing groups and ask for their feedback.
- Be Open to Criticism: Consider their suggestions, but ultimately, trust your own artistic vision.
Publishing and Sharing Your Found Poem: Letting Your Voice Be Heard
Sharing your work can be a rewarding experience.
Online Platforms and Literary Journals: Finding Your Audience
- Online Poetry Sites: Explore platforms like Medium, Substack, or dedicated poetry websites.
- Literary Journals: Submit your work to literary journals that publish poetry. Research the journal’s style and submission guidelines.
Open Mics and Poetry Readings: Connecting with a Community
- Local Open Mics: Participate in local open mic nights to share your work and connect with other poets.
- Poetry Readings: Attend poetry readings to learn from other writers and gain inspiration.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
There are a few common mistakes to avoid when writing found poems.
Over-Editing: Preserving the Original Voice
Resist the urge to over-edit the source material. The power of a found poem lies in its authentic voice.
Choosing Uninspired Sources: Seeking Meaningful Material
Select sources that genuinely interest you and offer potential for poetic exploration.
Lacking a Clear Focus: Defining Your Intention
Have a clear idea of the message or feeling you want to convey.
FAQs About Writing a Found Poem
Here are some frequently asked questions that provide further insight.
What if my source material is really long?
Don’t feel pressured to use everything. Focus on the most compelling parts. You can always return to the source later.
Can I change the words in the original text?
Yes, you can make small changes, such as adding or deleting a word or two to improve the flow, but the integrity of the original text should be maintained.
How do I know when a found poem is finished?
When it feels complete. Keep refining your poem until the words resonate with you.
Where can I find inspiration for writing found poems?
Read other found poems and explore different source materials. Practice, and the inspiration will come!
Is there a specific length a found poem should be?
No, there is no set length. The poem should be as long or as short as it needs to be to convey the message.
Conclusion: Embracing the Poetic Potential of the Everyday
Writing a found poem is a unique and rewarding experience. It allows you to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. By carefully selecting your source material, extracting compelling phrases, and structuring your poem with intention, you can create powerful and moving works of art. Embrace the process, experiment with different techniques, and don’t be afraid to let the words speak for themselves. The world is full of poetry waiting to be discovered.