h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have an idea.

The Post next week is all about literachoor. Well mostly...

Could you write up what you have so far? Just a paragraph or two on what the project is, and your examples?

We'll put it in the Post as the AWW Poets' Olympic Challenge.

Oh, and we'll tell them to put their poems on a thread at the bottom of the page. That way, we can collect them for a grand, unified entry.

I'll e-mail it.

Thank you.

By the way, we have two poems in next week's . So we'll have a regular poetry corner.

literachoor! ah literachoor!

splendid! I had to return to my plastic tree for a while and when I return lo! the world has broken out in poetic directions.

oh, mvp, my girl, you lead the way! Those haikus are amazing, in Japanese or any whichever language. mvp language suits me just fine!

Thanks cactuscafe.

I hope you'll contribute some haikus too.

I don't want to sabotage our own project, but I did wonder whether we could think up some more unusual sports.

what?? . mmm. ok ... what had you in mind, dear poet lady. I like wrestling. I wish I could write a haiku about wrestling. In my dreams I can write to themes. Could you write a haiku about wrestling, for me, please? .

I don't understand haiku. The only Japanese I know is 'wakarimasen', which means 'I don't understand.'

I think there's supposed to be a season in there somewhere, but I don't know how to do it.

Wrestling

One man is on top.
There is straining and grunting.
Who is on top now?

Mmm. Love it. (sips coffee). . (mops brow). .

Wrestling with haiku. heheh.

Matsuo Basho. He's the Haiku master isn't he? Perhaps even the first Haiku poet? Or one of the first. I once had a book of his work. Beautiful moment paintings.

It would take me years of study to get inside the structure. It's an intense discipline, I think, sort of like a meditation.

Of course, John Cooper Clarke made Haiku famous in another way, with his inimitable take on it all. Not sure about copyright and things, to print here, but if you search John Cooper Clarke Haiku you'll get the seventeen syllable wonder.

Hey guys n' girls,

I was making notes in my journal about all this, , and then I went to the gym, and thought about wrestling with an artform. heheh.

I mentioned this challenge in my journal, then realised that perhaps I shouldn't advertise a Post challenge before the Post puts it out there, so I deleted it, in case I trespassed.

I was trying to come up with a haiku type poem, so I could at least attempt a contribution to the cause, but the more I boxed the punchbag, all that came to me was a dafty rhyme, which ruins my reputation as a word painter , so in my journal I turned it into an origami swan, which was more poetic than the actual rhyme. I haven't got any further yet, , but, in the spirit of sharing, here's the rhyme, which made me laugh. .

Its not up to Post standards, by my standards. If I come up with anything that is, I will submit it. . Promise.

To wrestle with an artform is a sport of noble glory
So I'll be at the gym today, to kickbox with my story
I'll race with rhyme in record time, sweat visions rare and fragile
If I wrestle with creation, I must keep my senses agile

I like that poem.

I like it too. The image of wrestling wih an art form works well.

When looking for a metaphor for writing poetry, I usually talk about making jam. Which shows you how domesticated I am

hey, .

Making jam? A metaphor for writing poetry? Now I am curious, and I shall buzz like a wasp around a pot of jam, until you tell me more.

Given that I have never ever made jam in my life, or written a poem that in any way takes me where I want to go, not like jam does because I love jam, and jam takes me places, I think I need this recipe.

buzz buzz buzz buzz
buzz buzz buzz buzz

OK so while I am buzzing I guess I could buzz over to the Post. . But I'll be back.

buzz buzz buzz

Buzz over to the for the haiku challenge.

Poetry writing recipe

1. Take a piece of paper and cover it with words and phrases.
2. Bring the words to the boil and mix vigorously.
3. Cook until the mixture has reduced enough to set into lines.
4. Spoon into jars and leave in a dark place.
5. Taste before serving.

hah! my recipe! jam! jam! oh no, wait, its poetry! now I go make poetry sandwiches. . thankyou. .

Looking good over in the Post.