Illustration: Home Song

"Home Song" by Justin Currie

Written by GMB Chomichuk

"I was contacted by a friend, couple months back, to help out on a poster for an upcoming "Make a Wish Foundation" charity event with a  theme "music as a form of therapy". Music is pretty powerful stuff, especially during rough times, so I was immediately on board with the idea for a visual piece.

At first we played around with an idea of a superhero using music as a weapon- but eventually decided upon a kid discovering the power of song on his own- and wielding it in the face of some fearful odds. Once the poster came together- I just fell in love with the character (Russ- I've decided his name is Russ) and the world. I want to see more! Soon after, I met up with the very talented GMB Chomichuk (we worked on Cassie and Tonk together) and he put together the powerful verbage to go along with Russ's short story/adventure.

Just did this comic because I liked the idea, and wanted to bring attention to a good cause."

Video: Learn to Write in a Game

"Elegy for a Dead World -- A Game About Writing" by Dejobaan Games

Can a computer game really teach us about becoming a good writer?  Ichiro Lambe and Ziba Scott, the creators of a of a game called Elegy for a Dead World that recently got funded on Kickstarted hope so.  The pair debuted their game at last year's E3 with a brief introductory walkthrough.

The game contains three post-apocalyptic worlds based on a trio of Romantic poems: Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Darkness by Lord Byron, and When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be by John Keats.  In the game,  players explore these worlds like any other platform game, but as they traverse the worlds, they are repeatedly confronted by writing prompts through which they themselves flesh out the backstory of the game.  Players are then encouraged to share their final stories with friends through sites like Blurb and Lulu.

It’s hard to know whether or not Elegy can really improve a person's writing, but KickStarter backers are hoping that the experience may provide more inexperienced writers with the motivation needed to overcome the daunting task of filling those blank page.  After all, the first and often most daunting obstacle faced by a new writer is simply finishing their first story.

Here's the Kickstarter pitch:

You can read other players’ works, browsing through the most-recent, the best-loved, and recently-trending stories. In our gameplay tests so far, players have expressed a variety of thoughts about what happened in each world — the silhouette of what looks like a telescope to one player looks like a rocket ship to another, and a planet-destroying weapon to yet another.

Poetry: Pale Blue Dot

"Pale Blue Dot" by Singapore-based Chin Li Zhi

This is one of the most beautiful Carl Sagan I've seen yet.  With this visual poem, Chin Li Zhi situates human history against the tapestry of the cosmos. Using an eclectic combination of visual styles woven seamlessly together with music, the animation seeks to remind us that regardless of our differences, we are one species living together on the planet we call home.

Poetry: And Then I Vanish

"And Then I Vanish" created by Munich, Germany-based Cornel Swoboda

"And Then I Vanish" is a surreal motion poem.  It started life as a spare time project for Swoboda but, as these things do, it evolved in to something quite different. It's miles from the visuals of any other video I've ever seen.  Apologies if it keeps you awake tonight!

Cards: Potter Poem Valentine

Harry Potter Valentine's Day Card by Mugglekirby

"My bf and I both love Harry Potter so I made this card and wrote a lame poem for him for Valentine’s Day. ⚡️"

Short Film: DIS \ CONNECT

"DIS \ CONNECT" by Doug Hindson

The impact of modern technology and social media is the central theme to British animator, Doug Hindson's latest animation, DIS \ CONNECT.   It's a rather somber look at our modern connected lives where we've become completely addicted to checking our phones and iPads, almost to the point of insane obsession.

The reflective piece was completed in twelve weeks, for his graduation film at Kingston University, UK.  Hindson crafted all the props and models by hand, from card and wood. Hundreds of pieces were designed, cut, glued and painted. Everything was filmed live-action, with rods and strings to control the puppets.

"A search for higher meaning, dissatisfaction with the status quo and a sense that you’re the first person to feel this way. You're not. A semi-satirical coming of age story told by handmade wooden puppets."

Illustration: Emily, Almost

"Emily, Almost" by Bill Sienkiewicz, 1990

This poem is an excerpt from issue four of the anthology comic A1.  A1 was an award-winning series that showcased creator-owned work by some of the best graphic novelists.

I think that this poem is a superb demonstration of how illustration can elevate good writing to excellent art.  As poetry, "Emily, Almost" doesn’t stand out from scores of other poems on the theme of unrequited love.  Sienkiewicz’s beautifully atmospheric art lends the art a whole new power.

Poetry: Look Up

"Look Up" by Gary Turk

Never before has the world been so interconnected.  Never before have we, as a culture, been so isolated.  There are a multitude of platforms to connect, stay in touch, and talk to people. And, yet all of these so-called social networks are distracting us from our real lives.  Slam poet Gary Turk mourns the loss of a generation in his powerful new poem "Look Up."

"We're a generation of idiots. Smartphones and dumb people."

Poetry: FTL: Faster than Light

"A poem for FTL" by Yahtzee19

A hilarious poem about the frustrations of being a character in the FTL universe.

"I've spent a lot of time playing FTL: Faster Than Light lately that I should have been spending on something productive. So I thought if I made a video about it I could rationalise it to myself. Also you should check out FTL, it's pretty fun."

Poetry: Virgin's Lament

"The Virgin's Lament" by Talia Young via Button Poetry

"Performing for Macalester College at the 2014 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. Macalester placed 5th overall in the tournament."

Poetry: To My Neighbors

"To My Neighbors" by Shane Hawley via Button Poetry

Performing at SlamMN!'s Valentine's Day Erotica Tournament, Shane took second place.

Poetry: Things

"Why we tell stories" by Lisel Mueller

Read the full text online, at Poem Hunter.

Poetry: The End of Science Fiction

"The End of Science Fiction" by Shannon via Tractor Shed Theatre

I recently came across  "The End of Science Fiction," while browsing The Poetry Foundation website, looking for reading material for National Poetry Month.  There's also another recitation on YouTube that may be a bit easier to hear.

"Theatre Arts I student Shannon ehearses for the School-Wide National Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest 2011."

Poetry: Grand Motherfucker

"Grand Motherfucker: An Epic Sci-Fi Poem" by William Shunn

"William Shunn performs his epic comedic science fictional poem "Grand Motherfucker" at Tuesday Funk on September 4, 2012. Tuesday Funk is an eclectic monthly reading series that takes place the first Tuesday of the month at Hopleaf Bar in Chicago (5148 N Clark St)."

Poetry: Science Fiction Elephants

"Science Fiction Elephants" by Chris via Booger Poetry

Chris places second with Science Fiction Elephants at the Fort Collins First Friday Poetry Slam.

Lecture: Science Fiction as Poetry

"Science Fiction as Poetry" by Adam Roberts via TEDx Talks

"Science Fiction is not what you think it is; it's not even what most practitioners and critics of science fiction think it is. Science fiction is a poetry; not figuratively speaking, but actually. Give me 14 minutes of your time and I will convince you of this notion."

Poetry: Siri: A Coping Mechanism

"Siri: A Coping Mechanism" by Patrick Roche

"Performing for Princeton during semifinals at the 2014 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. This poem was awarded Best Persona Poem at the tournament, and Princeton placed third overall."

Poetry: To the Boys...

"To the Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter" by Jesse Parent

[ Previously: OCD ]

Jesse Parent has a very special message for the boys (and girls) who may one day date his daughter. Now his epic poem, published by Button Poetry, has gone viral!  It's funny and moving, and a great bit of listening for National Poetry Month.

Poetry: A Wizards Staff

"A Wizards Staff" by Patrick Rothfuss from WorldbuildersInc

Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind, reads a giggle-inducing poem he wrote when he was a kid. 

Poetry: The Nerd Poem

"The Nerd Poem" by Victoria Bautista & Nick McLellan from Ouwriteclub

Does poetry belong on a blog devoted to art?  If it puts a smile on your face, why not?