Curious Creations: Book Title Poems for National Poetry Month

I haven’t written as much poetry this month as I’d hoped to. Luckily, the month isn’t over yet, and even more lucky for me (and for all poets out there) you’re allowed to write poetry any month of the year, not just during April. But I did get a few drafts down that I hope might turn into something submission-worthy after a little revision. And, as promised, I made some new book title found poems.

About once a year, I get the urge to pull a bunch of books off my shelves, make a big mess, and see what poetic messages I can shape with my stacks. Sometimes a random combination of titles on my nightstand sparks an idea. Other times, the burst of creative energy is fueled by a cold front or some late-night caffeine or both. Regardless of what puts the bug in my brain, I always enjoy discovering what materializes.

My book collection changes with time. There are many old standbys that I’ll always keep and which reappear often in my found poems, but I accumulate new books and, yes, get rid of some too, so each time I craft new creations, I have different material to work with. This time, rather than spontaneously spreading books all over my office floor, I actually planned ahead and had the forethought to grab some extras to use. I gave myself thirty minutes to walk the aisles of my local library, choosing titles that would add some flair to my found poems. I think they helped.

Here’s what I came up with this year. Which one is your favorite?

The devil makes an appearance in three of my poems…

Before the devil knows you're here,
unwind the thief knot.
Set me free.
Together, we burn
the house where death lives.

* 

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

The uninvited black sheep
unsettled the loving spirit

and now you're back
somewhere in the dark.

I have some questions for you.

*

This one is not the best poem, but I enjoyed crafting something witchy…

A WAGGLE OF WITCHES

Call us what we carry:

Pumpkin heads,
a rattle of bones,
toil & trouble,
big magic,
a broom of one's own,
red suitcase,
my own true name,
my wicked wicked ways,
CACKLE.

Which witch?
The woman in black
walking the black cat.

*

These next two are nature-inspired…

Out of my dreams,
an object of beauty--
   accidental joy.
This wild and precious life
in blossom. 

*

This one might be my favorite…

Bird by bird,
wingbeats flutter & hum.
Every soul a star,
every bone a prayer.
The comfort of crows
a dark and secret magic
in a kingdom of birds.

*

These last two are for all the writers out there…

The woman in white
   collected ghost stories.
The hollow boy
   selected poems.
The outsiders
   fuel dark tales.
The boy, the bird, and the coffin maker
   transfer three messages and a warning.
And...
The madwoman upstairs
   still writing 
   the handbook of heartbreak,
   a lantern in her hand,
   the unfinished words 
   under the words
   horoscopes for the dead.

*

The storyteller's secret crossings
rattle the writer's journey.
1000 words--
   the devil's arithmetic.

*

I hope you enjoyed this round of book title poems, and I hope you make some of your own!

Now, to return all these library books…