Dare I ask

[earthshoes]

what pffaers think of "found poems"?

I've had mixed feelings about this "art form". I'm not sure if it qualifies as poetry, but then I'm not entirely sure it doesn't. I've read one or two on other poetry boards that I liked well enough, but I couldn't get the niggling sense out of the back of my head that the writer was cheating.

Have you ever read one you liked?

[Harry Rutherford]

I can't say I've ever been impresed by a found poem (haven't read that many I can remember) but I'm very intrigued by the idea. I posted something that was basically a found poem in Experimental recently. Frankly it was rubbish, but I'm still inclined to have another go later.

Harry

[Harry Rutherford]

I take back the 'not impressed' thingy - here's one that was linked to in Rik's Experimental forum guidance thread, that struck me as powerful and interesting -

http://www.scc.rutgers.edu/however/v1_5_2001/current/new-writing/longmire/indexa.html

an explanation -


The Table Leaks Its Object (Magpie Press 1998) locates a very public form of inscription but which is marginalised as text. The book comprises transcriptions of graffiti found on desk lids of thirty school examination tables abandoned in south London after their final use in July 1996. Every page of text represents all legible written graffiti from a single desk. The earliest date recorded is 1972. This text is the subject for an investigation into the activity of writing and publication and calls to question the motivation for performative language. The project has been adapted for the web.

[earthshoes]

Hello Harry and thank you for posting the link. It was thought-provoking and even poignant here and there. There is a line in the middle of #29 that I really liked. Specifically-- "Josie is a gorilla from the mist". I'd love to know what triggered that thought.

It does help me to see "found poetry" as experimental in its basis.
I'll have to drop through that section of the forum and look at your piece when I have a few minutes. I'll bet it's not rubbish.

mary
hmmm . . . maybe there is some practical
use for this real estate exam
manual after all.