Poessay--Lots More Fun Than a Sonnet and Loads More Fun Than a Trimetran

          Essay + poem = poessay. You can rant or preach, but not for long. Remember, it's a poem, and in poems, every word and every white space is deliberated on.

photo by sue.h

      John Pereira (the writer who invented this form), Simon Potter and Wayne K. Johnson said of poessay:

    "What is a 'poessay'? On one hand, it is poetry to be appreciated for its sounds, rhythm, dramatic impact and imagery. On the other, it contains a flowing message, an insightful opinion, or a rhetorical argument that is usually expressed in linear prose."

     Here is a link to page of poessays. Peruse. Ponder. And try writing one. If you spend an hour or two and create one, and then would like to spend the next 13 years of your life tearing your hair out trying (and failing) to use a different form, check out Fireblossom's post.

     Here are two poessays written by Scott Blackwell when he was in 7th grade. He might cringe, seeing work from such an earlier phase of his, but looking back on past work is crucial to our growth as a writer. Keep a "map" of the crap (or what you perceive as crappy writing). It helps to chronicle your journey as you look for the buried "treasures" as a writer.

 Hunters

quiet

deadly

but the

real thing.

it's

all in

how you

look at

it.

hunters

fire

but

should

you

fire

at them

for their

passion?

"The Fencers"
painting by Milton Avery (1898-1965) 
photo by RasMarley 

Lunge

Fencers

should

lunge

at the

opponent

but what

if the

opponent's

a book

or

a poem

do they

parry

or do

they

lunge?