Let's get writing

Come on all ye poets!

How are you all going?  I hope you're out there writing!

I've been looking through my own back-catalogue too, and found some poems that fit perfectly in some locations around Devonport.

New work is great - but if old work fits, use it!  We need the general public to see and appreciate poetry, to enliven, inspire and embolden!  The more the better.

BE BOLD.

Devonport NZ Guerilla Poetry Event

An invitation to write!

A Guerilla Poetry event WILL TAKE PLACE in Devonport, over the Christmas 2011 period, with a 'Hit Date' of 16th December.

You've seen the 'Graffiti Knitting' on the Devonport Wharf?  If not- go and take a look.  This project will be local, or visiting, poets' version.

While the short form of haiku lends itself well to guerilla poetry since it can be read quickly by passers by, this particular project is open to all forms. HOWEVER, poems need to be able to be read swiftly - to encourage readers to stop, so no more than 14 lines please (which means you could even pen a sonnet!).

To take part, all you have to do is:

1/

Think about a spot in or around Devonport that inspires you, where you spend regular time, or simply something that struck you one day. It could be the bus stop, your favourite cafe, a local character, a tree you like, the spot you caught that fish. Anything you want. Note that where possible poems should be displayed at the point of their inspiration, though if this is not possible we'll try to display the poem somewhere appropriate.

2/

Write a poem. It can be serious, or humorous, deep and meaningful or lighthearted. Preferably it will be relatively short to fit easily in large print on an A4 sheet (if being displayed outside, poems will be laminated).

You might already have something you'd like to submit.

3/

Post the poem to this blog site, including a description of the location that inspired it.

Closing date for submissions is 1st December.

Copyright for all poems remains with the writer.

Poems will be displayed at the location that inspired them, or close by.  If you have a special idea for displaying your poem and want to create it yourself- go ahead! (e.g. written on driftwood, carved into stone...).  Just check back here for the 'opening' date so you can join in the event.

Or if you're a cafe or shop owner, have a spare bit of wall you want decorated etc - feel free to offer display space.

Keep an eye on this blog to see other people's entries and more news.

Happy Writing, and pass the word on.

WELCOME

Welcome to Guerilla Poets, the home of Guerilla Poetry.

'Guerilla' poetry is poetry that just 'appears' one morning in your local town, village or suburb. It's pertinent to the area, it's written by locals, and it's all about you.

Why? To inspire others about their local area, or the area they are passing through. To draw people's attention to places they perhaps take for granted, or have forgotten to look at. To show that inspiration is all around us. And to give us writers something else fun to do! And finally hey - our micro-world is worth writing about.

What I've learnt from writing, and reading, for most of my life, is that I write best what I know. This project is the result of two things 1/ An ongoing interest/obsession with the haiku form 2/ A project/book called 'Haiku on 42nd Street in New York... I'll quote the blurb on the back of the book of photos of the project - it says it best:

"Times Square. Crossroads of the world... not so long ago it... carried a slightly shabby dignity... Haiku on 42nd St. magically appeared one night on the abandoned movie marquees. This whimsical collection of wordplay put a smile on the face of everyone who passed by."

While the short form of haiku lends itself well to guerilla poetry since it can be read quickly by passers by, this guerilla poetry is open to all forms. HOWEVER, poems need to be able to be read swiftly - to encourage readers to stop, so I recommend not more than 14 lines (which means you could even pen a sonnet!).

If you feel inspired to set up an event in your home town - tell us about it here.