Today, we’re going to try one of my favorite poetry activities: Blackout poetry.
This is one of the easiest forms to create because it really just requires you remove the text of an existing piece by blacking it out. The text can be from a book, newspaper, magazine, or poem. You’re going to redact it, much like the FBI or CIA would do when allowing the public to view government reports.
I’m going to use this poem from Robert Frost: Nothing Gold Can Stay.
Nothing Gold Can Stay Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.
Here’s my version:
Nothing GoldCan Stay Nature’sfirstgreen isgold,Herhardest hueto hold.Herearly leaf’s aflower; But only soan hour.Then leafsubsidesto leaf. So Eden sankto grief,Sodawngoes downto day. Nothing goldcan stay.
I’d love to hear about your experience with black out poetry. Feel free to take a photo and send it to me via email.