Write Blackout Poetry

I wait until everyone has gone to bed. The house is quiet now, and the night belongs to me.

I find a page of text. It might come from a magazine, newspaper, or an old book I am ready to let go of. It will become my canvas.

I read through the text and lightly circle the words or phrases that catch my attention. Sometimes they seem to rise from the page like eager schoolchildren, their hands in the air.

Me. Me. Take me.

I read the chosen words again and see how they connect. Once the poem begins to reveal itself, I box the words I want to keep.

Then I black out all the remaining words.

Ah, there you are.