sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: A Spam Poem

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It’s Poetry Friday and when I came to my website to decide what to post, the first thing I noticed was the number of spam comments waiting for my approval – or, in fact, my non-approval, because I really do not approve of spam comments, especially ones which I know are going to lead the reader to some nefarious website.

But, because I have been enjoying writing found poems, and especially black out poetry, lately, I  couldn’t resist a quick scan of some of these messages, looking for some gems to craft a found poem. So, here you have it – a found poem crafted from my spam messages – which have now been carefully deleted.

Spam

Watch movies

before anyone else

foreign movies

master movies

every day!

Nurturing campaigns

cheap auto insurance

private advancement:

a completely new marketplace.

Congratulations!

 

Not my best ever poem – but at least I found a use for some of that spam.

As I said, I’ve had a bit of fun with found poetry lately – and a future verse novel (slated for 2024 release, so there’s a bit of a wait) makes use of the form. I’ve also been writing found poems using words from some of my reading, and sharing them over on my  Instagram account. This one came from a page of the classic book Heidi.

A little more satisfying than spam, I’m sure you’ll agree.

You know what else is more satisfying than  spam?  A midnight feast of leftovers. Jama is hosting this week’s roundup, and sharing a fun thanksgiving poem, too.  Head over there to join in the feast.

 

 

Comments

  4. Like you, Sally, I quite enjoy found poetry, blackout poetry and erasure poetry. What I like about your Spam Poem is that you have crreated something neat from something originally conceived with nefarious intent! I recently read a Brian Bilston poem where he used digital security terminology such as privacy settings and password requirments to create a rather whimsical poem. The idea of reinvention is a strong motivator for poetry writing. Well done!

  6. Congrats on the new verse novel! I was just going to say you made lemonade from lemons with that spam poem but Linda M. beat me to it! Now I want to read Heidi again. You’ve chosen such lovely phrases.

  7. I love that you have a new verse novel coming, Sally. Congratulations! And it’s always a clue when one reads “Congratulations” in the emails, isn’t it? That’s a fun poem & your found one from ‘Heidi’ brings the book back with her own celebration, “old friends”. It is joyous!

  8. That’s the best way to address spam, Sally. Congratulations, indeed! And doubly-so, with the upcoming verse novel. (Also, how cool that Linda just found Pearl.)

    • Thanks Kat. I now have two forthcoming verse novels, which makes me very happy indeed. Thanks for visiting.

  9. Ha! This post is the epitome of making lemonade out of lemons. Love the spam lines turned poem. Perfect way of “getting back” at the little mailbox monsters. And, a new verse novel? What? How wonderful! I’m all in. I found a copy of Pearl v. The World a few weeks ago at my library and so enjoyed it.

    • Thank you Linda. So glad you found Pearl. I actually have two on the way – one next year and the other early the following year. That will make 6 all up. I love that some of them have found their way over to your part of the world.

  10. I love the yellow cistus–it reminds me of a spring flower we call Minnesota sundrops, and blue harebells, lovely imagery. And clever you to make a found poem out of your spam. Congrats on your forthcoming verse novel, thanks for all Sally!

    • Sally, spam is one of the nuisances of life but you found a clever way to use the trash. Congratulations on your new verse novel. I also love the poem taken from Heidi, a pleasant children’s book. This is a good way to resurrect the old classic so other children can enjoy it.

    • Thanks Michelle. I did not know what yellow cistus was, and googled it when I read the book. It is lovely!

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