A Very Large Poem

Poets of any age 12 - 80+, speaking any language, working in any style are invited!, YOU ARE INVITED, no experience necessary. You will only need to write and perform two short poems to be part of something BIG!

Poets -

We’re doing it again. If you’re interested, grab a spot now because we are limiting ourselves to 40 poets this year. For those who participated in 2023, the experience will be similar, but we have streamlined a few things and added an additional writing opportunity. See below. And don’t forget to register if you want in on the project.

A Very Large Poem 2024

July 28, 5P at The Mount
Poets will need to be onsite from 3:45P - 6:15P. A single performance of the poem will take place at 5P in The Mount’s event tent. The creation process will take place between May 1 and June 30.

Worth noting: Everyone will be asked to create two short poems (rather than a single one last year). All participants must commit to being onsite in Lenox for the performance. All performers will receive a $100 stipend for participation.

More to know

• Performed in semi circle in The Mount’s event tent
• 1 Performance only (audience capacity approximately 150)
• 40 poets will create 2 short poems using the exquisite corpse process
• During the creation process each poet will have 2 single day turnaround deadlines to create and return a poem. (one for each of their poems).
• When performed the poem will move one direction across the arc of poets making a u-turn and returning in the other direction to the starting point.

Grab a spot now because we are limiting ourselves to 40 poets.

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How it Works / Commitment

If you are a returning poet, this will all sound familiar -

Using a variation of a surrealist* technique from the early 20th century, WordXWord is looking to create a large collaborative - possibly multilingual - poem to be performed at The Mount in Lenox, MA during the summer of 2024.

Poets of any style and experience level are invited to be part of this project which is part poetry and part community celebration. Poets will be encouraged to work in their native language (or any language they prefer) resulting in a performance that becomes a virtual symphony of tongues.

Each poet will be asked to create two short (30 seconds or less) poems using the last word of the previous poet/poem in the sequence as the first word of their poem. Poets will NOT have knowledge of the poem ahead of them - or any poem in the sequence - they will only have a single word as their starting point for each of their poems.

Poets will be welcome to work in their native or chosen language. The beauty of this project is in the way - when assembled at The Mount - the poem will wander through content, styles, and languages!

Example / how the poem gets built

In the example below poet #1 writes a short poem and shares only the last word with the next poet in line. Poet #2 writes a short poem using the word (or a variation on it) as their first word. The poet #2 passes along only the last word to the next poet. And so on . . .

Each poet in the sequence will have 24 hours (on 2 occasions during spring summer) to create their short poem(s) and submit them to the project manager (aka Poet Wrangler!) so that only the last word can be forwarded to the next person in the sequence.

FAQ

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Schedule / time commitment

Creating the Poem (1 hour at home or any location of your choice for each of the two poems)

Each poet will have two days in the time period between late May 1 and June 30. For most poets this will require only an hour and may be done from the comfort of your home.

Performing the Poem (2 1/2 hours on July 28 at The Mount)

We will gather to perform the poem on July 28 at The Mount. Because we will be rehearsing, then performing the poem, this will require approximately 2 1/2 hours in the late afternoon.

Performance / how it gets stitched together

The finished, 80 stanza poem will be performed by the poets at The Mount, July 28.

For the performance, poets will line up in sequence along an arc of chairs in the event tent at The Mount.

Grab a spot now because we are limiting ourselves to 40 poets.

You've got questions, we've got answers

Who can play/participate?

Any age, teens through infinity, no experience necessary. Only requirement is to honor the commitment to create a short poem, submit it in the time allotted, and to perform it as part of the world's largest poem at the scheduled date and time.

When will I need to write my short poem?

You will receive each of your "prompts" (the last word from the preceding poem) sometime between May 1 and June 30. You will receive an update approximately a week ahead of time to remind you that it's coming. You will have 24 hours to write and submit your very short poem (you can do it!).

Does my poem have to be about anything in particular? Follow any particular style? Any restrictions?

The short answer is no. Be serious or funny, flowery or pedestrian, full of meaning or simply about the sound of words. Your poem may be in the language of your choice. Whatever makes you comfortable and happy. However, we do ask that you keep in mind that the audience will be comprised of all ages - children through great, great grandmothers . . .

How will I receive my prompt, submit my poem, etc?

Good question. In order to participate, you will need a valid email address that you check on a regular basis.

When and where will the Very Large Poem be performed?

In the very large event tent on the grounds of The Mount! in Lenox, MA on the afternoon of July 28.

What if my schedule changes between now and the performance event and I can no longer attend the performance?

We only ask that if you are unable to perform your piece as scheduled that you find a surrogate to stand in for you.

Is there a deadline for signing up to participate?

The registration deadline is when the list is full (40 poets).

* If you’re curious, you can google Exquisite Corpse for information about the origin, history, and variations of this technique.