Discover the Art of Erasure and Blackout Poetry

Hey fellow writers!

Welcome back to our April poetry series in celebration of National Poetry Month!

This week, we’re diving into a unique and imaginative form of poetry that invites you to find hidden meaning in existing texts: erasure and blackout poetry.

What Are Erasure and Blackout Poems?

Erasure poetry involves removing (or “erasing”) words from an existing text to create a poem. You’re not adding new words—you’re sculpting something fresh from what’s already there.

Blackout poetry, a visual cousin of erasure, often uses a marker to black out the words you don’t want, leaving your selected words shining through like found treasure.

Think of it like literary excavation: the poem was always there, buried beneath the surface.

Why Try It?

These forms are more than just a creative exercise—they offer a host of benefits:

• Help you focus on word choice, tone, and rhythm.

• Sharpen your editing and revision skills.

• Engage your visual side (especially with blackout poems).

• Remind you that meaning can be found anywhere—even in an old article or document.

They’re also wonderfully freeing for anyone feeling stuck. No need to start with a blank page!

How to Create One

1. Find a source: Use a page from a book, newspaper, article, or even your own writing.

2. Read slowly: Let certain words or phrases catch your attention.

3. Select your poem: Choose words that form a message, emotion, or image.

4. Erase or black out: Remove the words you don’t need.

5. Read aloud: See how your poem sounds. Make adjustments if needed.

Examples

Here are two short examples using public domain or generic source text:

Original Text:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."

Erasure Poem:

truths

created equal

self-evident

This short version narrows in on the theme of inherent equality.

Original Text:

"The storm moved quickly across the coastline, leaving a trail of debris in its wake."

Blackout Poem:

storm

moved

leaving

a trail

in its wake

Notice how this version transforms a factual statement into a moody, dramatic image.

Erasure and blackout poetry are more than clever techniques, they’re a reminder that poetry can be found in unexpected places. Whether you’re repurposing a newspaper or reshaping your own journal entries, you’re engaging in a practice of discovery and reinvention.

So go ahead, grab a page, grab a pen, and start uncovering the poetry hiding in plain sight.

Happy Writing!

From IABX

***Source: writersdigest.com