Poems 17 and 18 - Blackout Poems

A Blackout Poem

Blackouts are another form of erasure poem, but in a blackout poem the poet selects words to be kept from a text and crosses out the rest. In this way one is left with a space that holds new meaning within the shape of the old. I was reminded of this method by a prompt tweeted yesterday by Jo Bell, who included a link to the Newspaper Blackout  website which has an amazing array of this type of poem. It's fun to do, but can become rather addictive...

Here's another. I've chopped up the columns to fit it in here, but they're in the original order. Michael Gove, in case any of my readers haven't heard of him, is the somewhat Gradgrindian UK politician in charge of education policy.

The Facts



Poem 8 - Find What You Need, What You Lost

Photo: Sally Douglas

Find What You Need, Who You Lost

Face direction of travel

Ring bell for attention

Do not walk under barrier

Check your records

Don’t turn away

Safeguard elderly persons

Hold young children firmly

Hold handrail and stand clear of edges

Put on your normal face

Swipe your bonus card

Hold upright

Pull out safety pin

Squeeze levers

Trust the plastic

Ensure children wear socks

Remove all valuables

Lock your vehicle

Wait for the raggedy man

Don’t blink

Use the help button or go to the operations office

Push door when buzzer sounds

Take extra care when wearing soft soled shoes

Remember the only water in the forest

Shop spring

Pick up a free copy

Help yourself to samples

Download the app

Wear a fez

Answer your phone

Reverse the polarity

Act like you’ve never

done that before

Sally Douglas

This poem is a found poem. My two nieces (aged 9 and 11) and I went hunting for signs with instructions on them and used them for this poem. Then we added a few lines from a different source. Can't tell you what - spoilers!

Thanks to Emily and Hannah for the help, and I hope you like the result.