blackout poetry

I was visiting artistic odyssey a few weeks back and came across a post on blackout poetry featuring the work of Tyler Knott.

It encouraged me to search for more ....

And when I did - i discovered Austin Kleon

I have to say...... there's something about blackout poetry. 

I love it!

It ignites curiosity - maybe a bit of intrigue - bit of cloak 'n dagger - revelation of code....

You know those movies where you get access to an underworld. 

Where you're driven through dark empty roads lined with very tall ominous trees. Usually you're in a limousine driven by someone who is very still, very silent and very faceless. 

There's music - it's unsettling.

And then you're driven up a very long driveway and at the end there's nearly always a mansion. All lit up and powerful against the dark. They're beautiful those mansions - just like the Siren's song.

But usually you're not really getting all this because you are - of course - blindfolded.

You're taken (by the faceless silent) through those towering doors - you're blindfold is removed.

And there it is - (you can fill this space with you're own imagery....)

For me, it's the thought:

"So! That's what's been going on behind these doors..... so that's what's Really been happening"

Blackout feels the same. 

Like you've been let in on a secret.

"So that's what's Really been going on behind those words! And all this time I though it was saying something entirely different"

via

And what a wonderful way to write horoscopes!

I think this process of creating poetry would be great for kids. Mine can't read yet - but just getting them to circle words then colour in the rest of the page..... well - it would be so interesting to see what they reveal.

why i adore the night

This week I have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to Hila's 'why i adore the night' project. Hila's blog le projet d'amour is a regular source of inspiration to me - her discussion and aesthetic is rich and beautiful.
If you get the opportunity please visit "why i adore the night' and experience how others have expressed their experience and relationship with Night!
Read more here about Hila's inspiration and idea to explore the subject - beginning from her reading of Jeanette Winterson's article of the same name in The Guardian in 2009.

image source: via

your weight in their hands...

“They encouraged you to put some of your weight in their hands and soon as you felt how light and lovely it was, they studied your scars and tribulations...” 

― Toni Morrison, Beloved

Image source: here and here

More on Toni Morrison here

Jeff Noon revisted

I stroked her soft and green hair for a few seconds as I checked out the flower clock on the wall. Only five petals had fallen. Seemed like I'd been in the Silver for an hour or more, but that's the Vurt for you; it does strange things to time.

Vurt  - page 287
By Jeff Noon

Image via

Rinydjirinydjimirri

I came across The Daring Book for Girls - Australian Edition in our local library.

I'd seen it around in book shops. You know - great title - textured cover.... but hadn't picked it up.

Anyway - I was having a flick through and was delighted to see quite a few references to Australian Aboriginal culture.

And Woman Explorers, Inventors, Scientists, Olympians - and Queens of the Ancient worlds.

I was relieved that it's not overflowing with recipes for gingerbread men and DIY fairy-wings.

It's varied and informative and re-freshing.

But I'm not here to give book reviews... I just wanted to share something lovely I learned when I was having a wander through.

Yolnu is the language spoken by the people of Arnham Land. And this language has words that English doesn't..... and it's beautiful!

Rinydjirinydjmirri - Place in the distance scarcely visible to through the rain

Misty Morning Giclee

Barawun - Rays of sunlight before sunrise

Marrawana - To make noise like a sail in the wind

Mul'mulmirriyirri - To be covered by a cloud

Sleepwalker

Dududu - happy singsong when young people are taught to dance...........

And I especially like this one!

Gumurr-dharrwa - Taking more than one side in an arguement

The Book Thief

I'm reading The Book Thief

I read it on the train - on the way to work - once a week.
Working has been good for me. After almost 4 years of focusing entirely on the littles in the family - I have returned to the world of paid work (paid = $. not reward).

Oh the rewards I experience from those littles.
The ferocious love felt and given.
The music of sibling-bonded-laughter.
The wonder coloured world they have painted for us.

And OH the challenges.
...... oh....... the......... challenges!

So. It is with great honesty that I say.....  I rather enjoy my time travelling to and from work - that one day in my week.

On that one day I am consumed by the words offered by Marcus Zusak in his novel 'The Book Thief'.


It is devastating and stunning. It bends me backwards and my heart in-on-itself.
It rings in my ears all day. And calls for me during the week.

It makes me cry on the train. It urges me to call out to everyone around me and bring them into it.
"Can you see?!!! Can you see what is going on in here??"

It is narrated by Death. He / She is quite a poet actually. And at times a comic.
Always all-seeing.

I love my one-day-a-week with the book thief!

Perhaps you too have read it?