food for creative making, doing, and thinking
One of Ernest Hemingway’s most famous stories contains a mere six words. They read:
Source: dangerousminds.net
In 2015, flash fiction and micro-fiction are popular writing forms, and contribute to the blurring of lines between prose and poetry. Literary magazines often put out contests or even submission guidelines for entire issues that ask for prose or poetry containing a specific amount of words.
In a similar fashion, in 2006, Larry Smith dedicated SMITH Magazine to exhibiting very short poems. He poses the question, “What’s your six-word memoir?”
A recent article from Brain Pickings features a variety of great work that came out of this project. The writers of these poems and prose range from grade-schoolers to graduate students. Many of the poems are accompanied by an accompanying illustration or image. Check out this hilarious poem from an eight-year old!
By Charlotte ‘Charley’ Berkenbile, age 8, Florence Elementary School in Keller, Texas
Source: Brain Pickings
…or this powerful image from a thirteen year old
By Rehana Ottalah, age 13, J.D. Meisler Middle School in Metairie, La.
Source: Brain Pickings
…or this one from a Parsons student
Elizabeth Kay Oh, 23, Parsons the New School for Design, NYC
Source: Brain Pickings
SMITH is also divided into several sections, including a “Teens” section, in which one can search for a work is sorted into a variety of topics, ranging from love to family to war, as well as a “Schools” section, which is devoted to work coming from classrooms.
I encourage you to explore SMITH Magazine, and maybe share a six-word memoir of your own!