An American sentence:
With true poets, it’s hard to know whether words are servants or masters.
What’s an ‘American Sentence’?
Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didnโt 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!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
Must surrender to them. They can be either. Lovely words, David. ๐
๐ก Thanks, Terveen ๐ก
I am merely a servant in the house of words,themselves servants to their masters, true poets. Indeed, it has been a pleasure reading your poems, and I must say I’ve learnt a lot! (If I may, reading from your blog inspired me to check out the world of freeverse ๐ )
๐โค๏ธ Veera โค๏ธ๐
so very true ๐
โค Kate โค
Compelling words in your American sentence force me to submit:
True poets
Serve compelling words
Of masters ๐
A kindness only surpassed by wisdom warms the heart’s grateful cockles.
Warm cockles
In cool compliments
humble hearts
Fantastic.
โค Rupali โค – thank you!
All best,
David
A wry smile played across my face before slipping into poetry.
๐ Muri ๐
Fabulous. This is very interesting and informative as well. It’s a great initiative on your part. Congratulations.
๐ Aparna ๐
Oh my, thatโs the truth. Love this, David. ๐
๐ Jeff ๐
Decisions decisions
Or is it choices choices
Which cloak, servant or master should i wear for this one…
Or is it mainly clear?
๐ Abi ๐
Yes Davidโค
I say words are our masters and we are the servsnts. Great sentence.
๐ Molly ๐
So true, Davidโค๏ธ
๐ Kaushal ๐ – this one actually reminds me of your writings, if I may be so bold!
Sincerely,
David
That’s why I liked it, David. You’re an excellent communicator ๐๐
But what makes a good poet,the servant or the Master? You two are very acceptable Wordsmiths.
๐ Andrew ๐