Found Poetry is created by cutting out printed words from a book, or other printed material and creating poetry with them. Or make it more of a challenge by creating a more conceptual piece – for example – cutting up a news article on war and writing a poem about peace.
I have a personal rule where I try to have most of the poem created by 2 to 3 word pieces. I try not to cut out single words because I feel if I do that, I might as well just get a pencil and paper and write a poem.
It’s a true creative outlet and sometimes you come up with some very interesting poems. Start by finding a book you’re okay with trimming words out of – or use news paper, magazines. I prefer uniform print but I have seen some where the print is all kind of sizes.
Begin visually scanning your book pages. You’ll find a word or two that stimulates your creativity – cut them out, put them aside. Continue on. Cut more out and position them with the other words. Soon you will have a stream of thought going and you will get lost in creating your poem. When finished, I recommend writing the poem down so that you remember it when you are trying to paste them down to something. (You know, for the times when the cats jump on your desk and wants to sleep on your poetry, then scattering it all as they run off again.)
When I am ready to paste, I use a small brush to paint PVA glue on the back of each piece of printed text. Sometimes tweezers are helpful! I buy Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive at the art supply store, usually found in the book binding section. This is fanastic glue, clear drying and flexible and takes very little. Or you can use acrylic varnish – both dry fast. You can use Elmers or ModgePodge, but both of those take longer to dry. I’ll often seal the finished piece with Liqutex satin or glossy varnish.
Once you have your poems, you can paste them in a journal, on an art piece, boxes, envelopes… have fun.
Here are some of my Found Poetry pieces ~ click images to enlarge~
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