From time to time, I like to *pause the essays and post a poem here (more on that below).
There is no better medium than poetry for exploration of a subject. Poems ask require careful consideration on the part of readers.
After all, that’s what we’re here for: I write this newsletter as a space to examine. We reflect on the ordinary in a new light.
Admittedly, poetry is not the most marketable writing. I sometimes worry about alienating potential subscribers who prefer something more direct.
But that’s enough preamble for now. Let’s talk about grid poetry.
Reading Grid Poems
Are you on this app BeReal?
Every day, there’s a two-minute window ⚠️to post.⚠️ When you snap your picture, it engages both the front and back cameras. You also can’t control the exact moment it’s taken, leading to some interesting snapshots.
Here’s me studying at the library.
Grid poems work the same way. They shoot in two directions. Read left to right (like normal) and there’s one poem. Read up and down and there’s another.
Poem One:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Poem Two:
1 4 7 2 5 8 3 6 9
If the format feels gimmicky to you, I thought the same thing. I wouldn’t have given it if a fair chance if it weren’t for a graded assignment (funny how that works).
And maybe it’s a little cheese, but something about reading the same few words with different outcomes feels—well, poetic.
So here are two grid poems cooked fresh just for you.
There you have it. Grid poetry. Yay or nay? Feel free to comment and let me know.
*An Update, As It Were
My goal for As It Were is to be a breather from the barrage of media. Yes, this is technically just another thing to look at online, but I hope that it’s something more—a short break to consider an interesting thought.
Normally, that looks like two essays a month: one every other Monday. That seems about right to me; it’s enough to read and keep up with without becoming a chore in your inbox.
When I press pause to post a poem, though, that means you only get one essay that month. Jokes about my self-esteem aside—and as much as I love poetry—I want to show up more reliably for those who prefer that style.
So it got me thinking: why not post a poem on the off week? That gives you two weeks of essays, one week of poetry, and one week for… something special.
So that’s the plan. It may take me the semester to implement, but I will be upping the newsletter to a weekly schedule soon.
And that’s just the beginning. I’ve got my hands in fiction, nonfiction, video, and music projects that I can’t wait to share with you in time.
How can you help? Read and subscribe for free. Every person who reads is the gas in the tank that keeps me moving ahead.
Until next time,
Tim
Better after a second reading. I like how in the second poem, the mood changes drastically depending on which direction you read it. I'm team "yay" for poetry of different kinds!