Poetry collaboration
This exchange of text poems began
as a message to a closed LinkedIn group, the group of students with whom I am completing
my Master’s Degree in Communication Management. In the course of writing this
blog, I learnt of the possibility of social media to allow for ongoing conversation
– surely the first step to community. See Issue 3, posted 25 August, where
I interviewed a textpoet.
So I decided to try texting.
[1st post, on LinkedIn]
AVRIL:
Be creative! send me a textpoem
on [mobile number]. Here's an example:
Tap in symbols, and it starts
/characters to open hearts
/speak to me in prose or rhyme
/and let's connect thru space
& time
The result? A response from 3
class members via texting; with one, a lively dialogue has emerged. Read and
enjoy.
AIZA:
Although our tutes are not the same
I still will deign to play your
game
Of poetry in SMS,
Does this suffice? I did my best!
AVRIL:
Love it!
now tell me all about your blog;
does progress lag, or does it
jog?
Is this semester going well?
I’m confident that you’ll excel!
AIZA:
My blog, alas!
Progress is slow,
This comes to me as quite a blow.
AVRIL:
Take courage, friend!
Why don’t we try
To comment on each other’s blog
From now until semester’s end?
In other words, a dialogue.
In matters not whichever class
We both are in; we still will
pass
And let s maintain this
conversation
For a full collaboration!
AIZA:
I do agree with your proposal;
My service is at your disposal!
AVRIL:
so later on I’ ll check your site
Look out for comments late
tonight!
AIZA:
your kindness is appreciated,
But, er, my blog’s not yet
updated!
AVRIL:
From all things bloggy.
The single point I want to make
Is that my head is really foggy.
Tomorrow night perhaps not late
I ll be in a much better st8
So, in the meantime, soldier on,
May all your blogging fears
begone J
AVRIL:
Hi there Aiza
Quick request
Want to do my very best
So on my blog I’d like to show
How both of us have had a go
At dialogue via text in rhyme
And that it’s been a fruitful
time.
So may I on my blog please add
An extract from the chat we’ve
had?
I’ll use your name and give your
link
If you agree.
What do you think?
AIZA:
Hello there Avril, sorry, I
Was busy hence did not reply!
Feel free to feature on your blog
The records of our dialogue : )
AVRIL:
Thank you Aiza! Hope all s well
And that of blogs there’s lots to
tell.
I’ll visit later at your site
It seems that you have got it
right!
Blog readers, want to join in?
Post some verse here! Thanks
Very interesting!!! I really like this exchange :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love the dialogue in rhyme. and the way you pick up each others' rhythms.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelley. I think that your remark affirms the postential of social media for dialogue - it gives the capacity to listen, speak, and respond.
DeleteThe first steps in building community!
This is so you Avril, what a wonderful demonstration of all the elements you are exploring....dialogue, conversation, media, poetry...creativity...
ReplyDeleteAnd agree with Shelly love the way you pick up on the rhythm as well as the rhyme..
Maybe next could be
sending the messages through
a twitter haiku
Rox
Great idea, Rox. Interesting to see how the traditional literary forms can be created, shared and promoted through social media. Please become a member of my creative writing community. I knwo you, so please do send me a haiku text via mobile!
DeleteI think this is another example of a brain game. Rather than simply texting the required information, to actually have to think about rhyming and using your mind and creativity. What a good way to spend the commute to and from work or waiting in a queue!
ReplyDeleteThis poetry in text encourages ongoing conversation as it engages you instantly and I can see it could almost become competative, in a positive way. This collaboration certaninly is the beginning of building community.
Naomi
Thanks, Naomi. your commentreally reinforces the fact that, with social media, communication and technology are intertwined. Technology both facilitates communication, and constrains the way that communication happens.
ReplyDelete