Snowballs

Since I was introduced to e.e. cummings, I've been obsessed with structural procedures, (really though, what high school poet isn't obsessed with e.e. cummings?). I know he didn't necessarily have strict procedures for his writings, but it got me thinking about where words fall on the page, and how. Many of his poems are pleasing to look at, and rhythmically interesting due to word breaks.

Then I was introduced to the OuLiPo, (how many times will I mention the OuLiPo? A LOT) a group whose procedures I've obviously been inspired by, and happened upon such wonderful styles as the acrostic and an even more restrictive snowball...

DEFINITION:

"Another OULIPO exercise uses the "snowball" technique, where the first line is one word long, the second line has two words, and so on. A snowball poem can also be made up of lines comprised of progressively longer words."

Hell, I even combined the acrostic with the snowball (yes I cheated), and did a univocalic snowball as well... Took me 2 days, but it was worth it! I promise I'll catch up to the 10 post mark today. I'll push myself (and do some easier exercises sheesh).

---------------------------------------------

Snowballs

1)

Snowball:

a poem

consisting of words

growing at each interval

until the poem gains momentum

eventually crashing into the reader's lap,

striking them on the face and exploding,

or flying wildly over their heads in sheer defiance

of the excited poet who cannot help but throw it!

2)

A

is

the

word

which

cannot

explain

abstract

materials;

E

is

the

only

vowel

having

vibrant,

powerful

frequency;

I

am

the

poet

stuck

firmly

beneath

limiting

processes;

O,

do

dot

onto

fools

strong

cocoons'

orthodox

clothwork

U

Lo,

Use

Lost

Anima,

Thread

Insipid,

Obdurate

Noisegunk.