An American sentence:
My writing process involves long stretches of my sitting motionless.
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 
I’m hearing you loud & clear David. This is very relatable to me and I bet to most who write in any form. Clever and true!! Loved it โค๏ธ๐นโค๏ธ
๐๐๐ป Karima ๐๐ป๐
I totally get that. ๐
๐๐๐ป Jeff ๐๐ป๐ ~ I imagine you must!
~David
๐ฅฐ๐
Yes! Deep thinking can be a stationary process. ๐ค Lots of movement going on upstairs. ๐คฏ
โค๏ธ๐๐ป Michele ๐๐ปโค๏ธ ~ thanks!
Brilliantly said ๐
๐๐๐ป Ange ๐๐ป๐
Can relate to that…work in progress statue…
๐๐๐ป Terveen ๐๐ป๐ ~ yep
Stretching out on timeless sand, idle poets surf their inner moonlight. ๐
“Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“He who cannot be idle, let him fall in love.” Ovid
๐ ๐๐ป CES ๐๐ป ๐
Love to listen to this chapter on the writing process.
Both.
Moved and Unmoved.
๐ค๐๐ป Abi ๐๐ป๐ค ~ thank you
๐ค๐ค, you are welcome David.
My writing involves long sessions of sitting motionlessโฆme too David ๐ซถ๐ป
๐๐๐ป Kate ๐๐ป๐ ~ I imagine a lot of writers can relate to this
~David
You too!
๐๐๐ป Andrew ๐๐ป๐ ~ yeah
I think all of us experience this, David. And yet you come up with various forms and varied ideas everyday, Bravo! ๐๐
๐๐๐ป Aishwarya ๐๐ป๐
๐
๐๐๐ป Selma ๐๐ป๐
๐ ๐คฃ๐
๐๐๐ป Sadje ๐๐ป๐