An American sentence:
Ironic that parents at computers tell kids to turn off tablets.
What’s an ‘American Sentence’?
Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didn’t work as well in English. Ginsberg decided to remove the line structure of the haiku, maintaining the requirement of 17 syllables total. He felt that removing the line count freed the American Sentence up for the idiosyncrasies of English phonemes.
The requirements:
- Composed in one line;
- Syllabic, 17 syllables;
- Condensed, written with no unnecessary words or articles;
- Complete sentence or sentences;
- Includes a turn or enlightenment.
Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
Haha! Yes, specific rules with different intents. 🙂
💚 Terveen 💚
truth!!!🙀
🧡 🧡 Cindy 🧡 🧡
🔥 I cannot tell a lie
a lie is not truth 🔥
oh that was bad.. my pop up poetry for the day.. hahaha 🤣🤣🤣 hugs my friend David
Irony or hypocrisy? As parents, it is best to teach with actions reinforced with words…
Both I think…
Excellent! 👌🏻❤
💖 Filipa 💖
Ironic perhaps yes, but is this holy commandment writ in stone? – American Response
💝 David 💝 – well done!
😀
David
This made me almost consider trying the form. Nah. I got enough stuff I don’t do well now. Leave this to the professionals.
🤍 Espie 🤍 – I won’t attempt to coerce you into it.
😉
David
Do as I say not as I do is an old parental trick. (K)
💛 Kerfe 💛 – yes!
The fullest moon in my backyard shinning me to come forth and greet it.
So, Art…. did you? 🙂
yes i did 🙂
Truly “American” and truly “modern.”
🧡 Espie 🧡 – well, modern for sure! But based upon a true story in Israel!
😉
David