Poetry should be made by all

1.            Choose a poem – not a favourite poem but an obscure poem by a favourite poet. Type out the poem triple space. Then, between the lines, fill in a new line based on, or suggested by, the original line. Next eliminate the original poem, close up your own ‘poem’ and tinker with it to make it ‘cohere’. Consider it the first part of a longer poem, and label it so.

2.            Now write the second, third and fourth parts of that poem. And then eliminate the first part.

3.            Do the same with the third part.

4.            And then reverse the order of the second and fourth parts so that the second becomes the fourth and vice versa.

5.            Remember, of course, that as you have already eliminated the first and third parts of the poem the second and fourth parts will have now, in effect, become the remaining first and second parts.

6.            Now eliminate the first and second parts.

7.            Remain very quietly in the same position like a hunting dog observing its prey.

8.            Until you realise what you have done.

9.            Then climb to the highest point in the parish and read another poem there by your favourite poet. Rend your garment and your mantle and pluck off the hair of your head and of your beard and sit down astonished.

10.        Repeat as often as required.