An American sentence:
We have no control over anything other than our poetry.
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 
And even our poetry shows up and does what it wants! ๐
๐๐ Michele ๐๐
I believe that’s best. ๐
๐โบ๏ธ Terveen โบ๏ธ๐
Agreed… Poetry and our thoughts. ๐
๐๐คญ Colleen ๐คญ๐
so true โค
๐ค๐๐ป Ange ๐๐ป๐ค
Hmmmโฆ is this one?
Iโll bite at this sour apple youโve presented to me, hoping for bliss.
Good oneโฃ๏ธ
~David
Your American Sentence controls a skeptical prodigal son. ๐
๐ค๐๐ป CES ๐๐ป๐ค
~David
great poem
๐ค๐๐ป Beth ๐๐ป๐ค ~ thanks!
~David
My poetry has a mind of its own.
๐โบ๏ธ Annette โบ๏ธ๐
Or our happiness
Beautiful line up of words.
Enjoy your day.
๐๐๐ป Abi ๐๐ป๐
๐๐
Oh shit! We do? If you insist.
๐ ๐ Richard ๐ ๐
You are an amazing teacher to me and those that follow you. Not a bad poet either!๐
โค๏ธ Richard โค๏ธ ~ you are so kind
~David
oh poet poor (remembering Spitzweg) ๐
๐งก๐ Barbara ๐๐งก
Fact! ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐๐
๐๐๐ป Ken ๐๐ป๐