The Blitz Poem, is a contemporary poetry form created by Robert Keim.
A Blitz poem consists of a stream of short phrases and images with repetition and rapid flow. It is a form of chain poetry with visible links.
Begin with one short phrase, a cliché if you like. Begin the next line with another phrase that begins with the same first word as line 1. The first 48 lines should be short, but at least two words.
The third and fourth lines are phrases that begin with the last word of the 2nd phrase, the 5th and 6th lines begin with the last word of the 4th line, and so on, continuing, with each subsequent pair beginning with the last word of the line above them, which establishes a pattern of repetition.
Continue for 48 total lines with this pattern, And then the last two lines repeat the last word of line 48, then the last word of line 47.
The title must be only three words, with some sort of preposition or conjunction joining the first word from the third line to the first word from the 47th line, in that order.
There should be no punctuation. When reading a BLITZ, it is read very quickly, pausing only to breathe.
If you introduce the Blitz poem to less experienced poets, I would suggest presenting the option of pairs of writers working together in order to grow confidence before branching out individually. Some young poets might appreciate such a choice.
Light, Then Bang -A Blitz Poem
Follow your
dreams
Follow the
light
Light a
fire
Light up
your mind
Mind what
you say
Mind your
step
Step lively
Step with
care
Care about
others
Care to
dance?
Dance till
you drop
Dance to
your own tune
Tune in
Tune out
Out with
the old
Out and
about
About time
About face
Face the
music
Face the
truth
Truth matters
Truth sets
you free
Free to a
good home
Free as a
bird
Bird is the
word
Bird watcher
Watcher on
a cast iron balcony
Watcher of
people
People are
funny
People
change
Change your
direction
Change the
way you think
Think
before you speak
Think about
your manners
Manners
maketh man
Manners
cost nothing
Nothing exceeds
like excess
Nothing
compares to you
You are my
sunshine
You make me
happy
Happy
Birthday!
Happy days
Days of
thunder
Days on end
End racism
End with a
BANG!
Bang some
heads together
Bang the drum
and sing
Sing
Together.
Alan j
Wright
Wow! Wish I was still teaching. My middle grade students would love to have tried it, Alan. I enjoyed the string, think it would be great to read aloud, a good shout out for us all! Thanks for something new!
ReplyDeleteLinda I very much enjoyed the challenge and the energy around this poetry form. I agree that reading these quick fire poems out loud would be highly engaging. Great for building vocabulary too, I imagine.
DeleteWow-wee, Allen. You not only explained the poem's process but banged it out with flourish in a rhythmic fashion. I choose to "Light up my mind" so thanks for the offer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. Go for it! I think it is important to share the process so others can see the workings of the form you are sharing.
DeleteI think I may have seen some blitz poems - but not known their rules. This looks like something fun to try! Thanks for the intro - and the rousing example.
ReplyDeleteGo Kat go! Glad you liked the Blitz I belted out...
DeleteLove it! This looks like a fun activity....I really like when there is just the slightest change in pattern with truth. I saw what you did there. Thanks for this inspiration. I will give this a try.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it was an engaging challenge Linda. Fun, facts and an element of truth all wound up in the one place. Good to hear you will be giving this a try.
DeleteI've tried this before, but I have to say, my end result was nowhere near as powerful as yours. End with a bang INDEED!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Lee. So glad you enjoyed the read. The response to this has been gratifying.
DeleteWhat a great form and I love how you used cliche and made it new, played with it. I'll have to try it. Thanks, Alan!
ReplyDeleteThank Janice. You're right, it's all about playing with words and that never fails to spark inspiration and curious intent. Hope you enjoy your own blitz!
ReplyDeleteOh, cool! I have got to try this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGo Laura! Blitz away...
DeleteI like all the powerful and timely punches you packed into your poem Alan, thanks for sharing this new poetry form!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle. I like punchy in this context. I think the format lends itself to punchy poetry.
DeleteMaybe it's just first week of school overwhelm, but I'm like "whoa so many rules!" On the other hand, your take on the form seems very natural, so maybe it's not as hard as I think! Thanks for the intro to the blitz.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I had a similar reaction to what seemed like a plethora of rules, but they melted away once I got started and into the rhythm of the poem. It does develop a natural flow as you state here. Hope the fog of the new school year moves away quickly.
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