Got a marker? Enter our poetry contest
By Manor Ink Staff
In August, Manor Ink ran into Sullivan County’s Poet Laureate Kevin Scot Graham at the Livingston Manor Library. Graham was there to demonstrate a fun and instructive poetry exercise called “Blackout Poetry.” As he explained it, the potential poet takes a newspaper or other printed paper and, using a black marker, crosses out all the words except those that are interesting, unusual, engaging or otherwise appealing.
He or she then arranges those words to form a poem, paying attention to line breaks and spacing. The resulting poetry can often be suggestive of a mood or feeling, not unlike a haiku, or can be hilarious, much like a mad libs composition.
The Ink was inspired by Graham’s exercise to create a contest for the best “Blackout” poem. Using this newspaper or any other printed page, select a few paragraphs, cross out all the words except those you like, and then follow the instructions on the form at right. Get the results to us, and you may be a winner. First place will receive $25, second takes home $15, and third place will win $10. All winners will get their work published in the October issue of the paper. Enter as many times as you wish, and good luck!
Reporter Anahi Rodriguez contributed to this story.
Blackout Poetry Contest
Here’s how to enter:
Select a copy of Manor Ink (or any other newspaper or printed page).
With a marker, black out all but those words in a story that you find interesting or unusual. Do this for three or four paragraphs (or more if you wish).
Write your poem using the words on a separate sheet of paper, and then add your name, age and contact information.
Take a photo of the page with your finished poem and of the newspaper you blacked out for the words, and email the photos to divadnnad@yahoo.com. Or bring the poem and newspaper to the Livingston Manor Library at 92 Main Street.
Entries are due by Tuesday, Sept. 24.