
What Blackout Poetry actually is, versus what I think it is, could be two completely different things. I could Google a definition of it, but I can’t be arsed.
My interpretation of Blackout Poetry is where you take an original piece of text, then ‘black out’ the majority of the text to create a new piece of text. Kind of like what Mi6 does to official government documents.

I reckon folks got a bit bored of doing this after a while, so they started adding colour and doodling around the highlighted text to add a bit of spice to it.

As you’ve probably noticed by now, the original source material for my Blackout Poetry is a Harry Potter novel by J.K. Rowling. Now, before J.K. fans become apoplectic with rage for desecrating one of her sacred tomes, in my defence, the edition I had was damaged beyond use. (I.E. Some of the pages were waterlogged and were illegible.) Plus we had another copy.
As we all know, books are only meant to be read. Unless it’s a colouring book. In which case, you can, well… colour it in. Or a sketchbook. You can’t really read that either. Or a photography book… Look, the point is, I don’t advocate destroying perfectly readable books for the sake of art. Unless, of course, it was written by Piers Morgan.


The text you leave highlighted – or legible, doesn’t have to make sense if you don’t want it to. The point of this exercise is to practise a bit of mindfulness.
Just pull out a few words that speak to you then doodle around them. You can use felt tips, pencil crayons, watercolours, pastels, collage, acrylics, whatever you like.
You can do abstract shapes, geometric patterns or something more illustrative and representative.


Obviously, actually composing a compelling piece of blackout poetry out of existing text can be quite challenging, but that’s not really the purpose of this exercise. This is to lose yourself in the act of creating something new and different out of something that already exists. A creative springboard if you like.
The original text doesn’t have to be from a book either. You can use a newspaper or magazine. Or your granny’s will. Whatever’s handy.
I’ve done this mindulness exercise with patients at the hospital, adult art groups and children alike.

And remember, don’t worry about the end result, it’s the act of doing that’s important. Losing yourself in the process is the objective.
Now get out there and start ripping up your mam’s latest thriller.
(Top tip: start from the back.)
I don’t like doing blackout poetry, makes my head hurt, but this angle, I like a lot. And I plan to give it a try. Thank you.
Good stuff! And fortunately, no mindless mindfulness in sight.
Love your approach, Dave. Usually anything that mentions mindfulness sends me into a fury cos it seems to me to be jargonised gobbledy gook for good old ‘ focus and enjoy.’
Thanks Jean, glad you like it. You’re right, concentration is easy when you’re having fun. I think of mindfulness as meditation. Not in the traditional sense, just in the act of doing something that takes concentration.
We’re on the same page methinks!
I’ve tried several forms of meditation, but always found I’ve lacked the concentration required. Making art works best for me. Or walking in nature.
Is it concentration or just that art and being with nature are more our thing and captivating. I have always found meditation to be a bit contrived whereas I never see a walk on the beach like that.
I think it’s whatever helps you be in the moment. For you and me it’s art/nature. For others it will meditation. (Although, there are many different types.) I guess, ultimately, it’s for your whole waking life to be a meditation of living/being in the present moment.
Well said.
Whenever I hear about meditation I can’t but think of a guy who is a friend of a friend. He used to come home to wife and young kids at homework time and lock himself away for two hours meditating. I wonder if any woman ( and she was working full-time) would get away with that carry on!!!
Sounds a bit selfish. Meditation is about connection rather than detachment. (Detachment to ‘things’, yes. But connection to the world/universe we are part of.)
I will have mull on that concept of meditation.
Great idea. I have been wondering what to do with all these Piers Morgan books I have in my bathroom. Well done.
Make sure you save a few copies just in case we go into another lockdown and there’s a run on toilet paper.
I’m not usually a fan of blackout poetry, but this is some of the most creative black out poetry I’ve ever seen… brilliant David!!❤️😎 My problem now is actually finding a book I’m happy to ruin!!😂
Thank you so much, Suzy. I really appreciate your kind words. I can send you a copy of something by Nadine Dorris if you like. No wait, that’s in the bathroom. (I do know what you mean though. It’s hard to destroy a book. Maybe try a really boring nonfiction one?)
😆I’m sure I’ll find something! I do have some ropey old Harry Potter books I bought for a book stack photo I never got round to… could be some interesting words in those!!😁