Beverage and Entertainment: A Found Poem*

Let’s mix it up

Jack and Margarita,
Alphonso T. and Mary
Dreaming of Hawaii?
Let’s get this party started!

Dates don’t expire
With Exclusive Perks
All the extras. All for you.
Going is Unlimited

So relax, Mr. & Mrs. T
Enjoy tropical options
To and from Hawaii
Your first round is on us

 

I made the first draft of this poem on an overnight flight from the west coast to Michigan. I couldn’t  sleep. I took words and phrases from the Beverage Menu and the Entertainment Guide in the seat-back pocket to play with making a found poem* from the texts.

In yesterday’s post, Literature Only, I spoke of writing this poem in-flight. I did not leave it for subsequent passengers as I suggested due to the messiness of my first draft. But I just might come prepared the next time I fly.

First draft of the found poem above written on an overnight Southwest Airlines flight. Thank you Southwest for the inspiration and the napkin.

* Found poems take existing texts and refashion them, reorder them, and present them as poems. The literary equivalent of a collage, found poetry is often made from newspaper articles, street signs, graffiti, speeches, letters, or even other poems. (from Poets.org)

Top photo is a collage made of Southwest Airline’s June 2019 Beverage Menu and Entertainment Guide

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