I stole the idea of book spine poems from Karen B. Nelson, who has a lot of good ideas for stretching the writing muscles. As you can see, I made a proper pig’s ear of it, while demonstrating that I can’t draw either. Photographing books is not easy if you want the titles to stand out. But watch out for more, because they’re addictive. I might even take specific books out of the library just because they make a good poem.
I’m calling them spoems, since they deserve a name of their own. Here is the text, followed by my photo.
My First Spoem
Watership down the crow road
This is your heart of darkness
Master Georgie
The secret history
A spaceship built of stone
Losing you
Atonement
Dedicated to my Muse and Spirit Guide, William McGonagall, who I channeled for the occasion.
Reblogged this on Classroom Collection and commented:
Cool poetry idea for kids. This and “blackout” poetry would be great ways to ease students into found poetry, too.
Thanks so much for that. I’m delighted if it helps kids develop poetry skills. Actually, they already have them, and more, it’s the adults who educate it out of them.
I have done spine poetry before. It was hilarious, especially when you mixed things together that sounded uniquely profound:)
Adieu, scribbler
You saw through me. I’m very good at faux profundity.
Adieu, scribbler
Good idea (and not a bad spoem either
)
I think so. The more fun you can have with language, the more words become alive and people more creative. Instead of using them as a blunt utilitarian tool. I like the way it turned out, even if it is faux profundity. Scribbler upstream has unmasked my pretensions.
Not bad! I’m a big fan of Banks and McEwan.
I must confess to having only read Watership Down, Heart of Darkness, and Master Georgie out of the stack. The rest are in the queue. Spoems are fun, an exercise in photography as much as language, with the potential for an architecture of books to enhance the poem.
I love that you call it spoem. : ) This one is especially lovely. I really need to create some.
Thank you, Cassie. I like your blog, with its own inspired name.
Haha thank you. : ) Hopefully, I will be able to put up some spine poetry soon.
that poem is sweet