Two-Word-Title Poems

Sorry, no woodcraft--this is a space for wordcraft. A few years ago I began writing poetry again (I also did it in my youth) as a creative practice. One key to creativity is the combining of unforseen elements. I do this by randomly selecting two words for a title before beginning. I just open a book or magazine, close my eyes, and poke a pencil on the page to select first one word, then the second. While keeping an awareness of my title, I jot down the first phrase that pops into my head. Then, free-associating, I put down the next phrase, then another, and another, and continue until I loose steam. I'm usually good for about ten minutes. It works the same way as one word association (I say "blue," you respond "sky," I say "seagull", you respond "beach"--but instead of word to word, it is phrase to phrase. Nothing is pre-conceived. When I get to the end, I discover that there is a poem.

Here is a good one to start

Probably Channel

But wait, I just have to say that it is appropriate to our times. You'll see what I mean.

Did you see the fish swim in the probably channel?

Did he maybe flash and flicker?

Do you know where he travels?

He glides through the word

Liquid and fluid

Perhaps he knows

Or perchance, just feels

But wherever he's going

He's competing with eels

For this bit of streem

Or that slot of creek

If you could just hear him

I fear you would shriek

For the channel he travels

Flows straight to your brain

In your ears

In your eyes

Again

and Again

He lives in the liquid

The pulse pressure push

To express, to suggest

What you probably feel

The fluid flow to forget

What is most likely real