An American sentence:
How much of yourself have you given up to belong? Was it worth it?
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!
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
A question too few ask probably because the answer is one they don’t want to hear!
🧡 Muri 🧡
Wow David!
Sadly true!
💖💖💖
💖 Cindy 💖
💖💖
No comments to both. Haha!
❤ 😀 Terveen ❤ 😀
Certainly relevant to my youth. Now I don’t have the energy. (K)
❤ Kerfe ❤
Deep!
❤ thanks, Ruth ❤
Sincerely,
David
“Was it worth it?” Whoa. This question settles in, sits down for a while, and begs to be answered. I love this, David!
❤ trE ❤
Nice question. Given up. Interesting. I have rarely felt like I belonged. But I can’t think of much I have “given up” to attempt it… except maybe hair on my legs. As a child my mum had no interest in buying things to help us fit in. She wouldn’t be bullied by the line “but everyone else…”. And as much as I hated it at the time, I think the message must have filtered through. I am not very conformist. Not very radical either, to be sure.
❤ Worms ❤
I shared your opportunity to my Poetry Sharing Page on FB.
❤ Roberta ❤ ~ thanks so much! If you'd like to share a poem with me to share at the Skeptic's Kaddish, I'd be honored!!
Much love,
David
Thanks, David. I have periods of poetry writing and will keep your kind offer in mind.
🤗😘
A great quote.
❤ Roberta ❤ ~ thanks! I never thought of myself as quotable!
Sincerely,
David
🙂😥
Poignancy at its best.
❤ Abi ❤
Often I have given up too much for causes or groups individuals, and have had to count the cost.
❤ Andrew ❤
This brought tears to my eyes. So much said in so short a sentence!
❤ 🙂 Tricia ❤ 🙂