The Manufactured Poem Matrix: A Field Guide

The Manufactured Poem Matrix is an exercise that we created that writes poetry. It's quick and dirty and easy and fun, as you will soon see. It opens the door to new ways of thinking about the relationships between words, and the use of punctuation. Some examples are up on the blog right now. 

Here are some hastily assembled instructions on how to write a poem using the Manufactured Poem Matrix:

Phase One: Creating the Matrix

1. Draw a 4x4 grid.

2. Write a four word fragment in squares A1, B2, C3, & D4 (descending diagonal order). One word per square, please.

3. Write a second fragment in the ascending diagonal (A4, B3, C2, D1). Consider the relationship of the words in corresponding rows and columns.

4. Fill in the grid with words that create as much meaning as possible, both across and down. You can do this in any order. Consider grammatical correctness, but don’t get tied down by it. 

Phase Two: Writing the Poem

1. Turn the matrix into a poem by copying all words in this order:

   
    Row 1
    Row 2
    Row 3
    Row 4

    Column 1
    Column 2
    Column 3
    Column 4

    Descending Diagonal
    Ascending Diagonal

Now you have the raw materials of two four-line stanzas and one two-line couplet.

Here's the one we just made: 

    the great word easy

    simpler manufactured and ain’t
    it fun poem writing
    is awaiting sublime matrix

    the simpler it is
    great manufactured fun awaiting
    word and poem sublime
    easy ain’t writing matrix

    the manufactured poem matrix
    is fun and easy

2. Punctuate any way. Punctuate, anyway. (PUNC-tu-ate ANY-WAY!) This is where you bring your poem to life.

    The great word, easy,
    simpler, manufactured. And ain’t
    it fun? Poem writing
    is awaiting. Sublime matrix!

    The simpler it is.
    Great manufactured fun awaiting.
    Word and poem sublime,
    easy. Ain’t writing matrix?

    The manufactured poem matrix
    is fun and easy.

3. You just wrote a poem. Do it again, starting at Phase One, Step One.

Phase Three: Sharing

The Manufactured Poem Matrix can be enjoyed by one person or a group of friends, acquaintances, co-workers, peers, families, loose associations of partygoers, enterprising young gentlemen and all sorts of puzzle fiends. Make as many as you can. Chew on one late night with a glass of gin. Spit one out at work when you should be working on other work. Make one slow on a Sunday afternoon. Just keep em coming. Submit yours to wordsandways@gmail.com for inclusion on the blog.