When I used to teach school, my classes would make Found Poems.

Here’s how we did it:

Everyone would bring in a magazine or two. With scissors, they would cut out any line or two or even separate words that appealed to them. They were not committed to the twenty or so selections they cut out. It was no big decision. They would just cut out where their heart led them. There was no obligation to use everything that had been cut.

Most of the words, phrases, or sentences came from ads.

Then the children would arrange the cut-outs the way they liked on a piece of paper. Of course, some added illustrations.

At this point, they pasted their choices on the paper. What they had then was a Found Poem. Of course, it looked like one of those pasted-on ransom notes!

Karen who posts a haiku poem on the forum every day sort of does a Found Poem. She chooses her words from each Heavenletter and comes out with a three-line poem of 17-syllables.  Found Poems can come from anywhere.

The other day I picked up a used Redbook magazine at the Bargain Box, and last night I cut out whatever I wanted, and here’s my Found Poem. I don’t know if it’s all one poem or several:

Your Lucky Stars 

Bravo, blogs.
Log on every day.
Win $2,000 dollars.
It’s possible.

Keep life simple.
Dejunk your life.
That would be awesome.
Pretty smart! Brilliant!
Sensational!

Get ready to be whisked away.
Do you have an instant?
Eternity.

When I had the idea for this blog entry a few days ago, I experimented with messages in my junk box and made a Found Poem. There’s a good supply of material in my junk box, I must say:

Impress all your colleagues
Make your friends envious
Sharon loved this
Greetz

Stop fidgeting and try Acacia green tea
Unbelievable pricing for jewelry and watches
Do you play the slots?
Don’t wait.

Want to start a career in medical assisting?
Southwest rewards confirmation.
Cool new thing I just discovered myself.
Aloha.

Million Dollar Online Income Video
Look Wealthy for Just a Fraction of the Price
Mystery/Shopper ($600./ week)
Remember me?

MedHelp 2195047
Non-Prescription Diabetic Formula
Try the Gluco-Control M.D. Today
Get them pills.

Naturally, I would love to see what Found Poems you find.

I just made this one up. I selected the words from my head:

Become a poet.
Find a poem.
How about it?
Find a poem today,
and post it here.
Don’t forget it.