untitled: Cut up Poem

A Cut up Poem is a piece written using selected words. These words are chosen from a newspaper article. The author browses or scans a news item. He/she encircles terms that strike him/her. Finally, he/she composes a poem using the gathered words.

Usually, writers sound the same when their various outputs are compared. Authors utilize this writing exercise for them to step out of their "writing boxes". It allows them to think of words and phrases they wouldn't normally come up with.


untitled: Cut up Poem

Paeng Ferrer
12 Sept. 09

My closest friend,
we reside in tribes
that are similar,
but mostly different.
The unemployed is my tribe.
I am unreached
from these brutal treks
and broken bridges.
You are the nation's hero.
Your trite monument remains
proud through weathers.

But sometimes we switch.
I am the hero and you are the unwaged.
The knots in my varicose veins
are like your exhausted schedule
that alienates me.

Then, we switch again.
Your weary stance remains.
I merely stare and think,
knowing that I think too much
which, most of the time,
amounts to no more than a void.
I feel humiliated for a little while.

Still, I know you are genuine.
Oh, how your compassion
is breaking my suffering.#