Post-Self-Evident Poem
This poem was written too late
to be included in the book.
Spontaneous Generation Poem
This one just happened.
This Space Available Poem
Your poem here:
Self-Promotion Poem
This poem was written
for the sole purpose of
self-promotion.
I am not trying
to say something important,
or even interesting
with it;
the point is simply
to say something,
anything really.
It doesn’t concern me
that you like this poem
provided you talk about it,
and when you do so
that you not neglect to mention
that I am the one
who wrote it.
Wikipoem
Anyone can edit this poem
as they see fit.
It hardly matters if the result
is good or bad,
misleading or accurate.
The main thing is to make people feel
that their contribution is meaningful
somehow.
Antisocial Media Poem
I refuse to tell you about it.
Diptych
The preceding two poems
could very well be considered
a diptych.
Poem in Search of a Blurb
This poem is
desperately seeking someone
to blurb it.
But not just anyone:
preferably, a poet
with visibility, name recognition,
and a reputation certain
to highlight and enhance
my own.
That is not to say
that inexperienced or lesser known poets
should not apply:
perhaps they could choose
a different, less challenging poem
to begin with,
before taking on more demanding pieces
such as this.
There is no pay involved,
naturally,
but the blurber will have the satisfaction
of seeing their name associated with mine,
and can take comfort in the knowledge
that I will be happy to blurb or otherwise promote
their next production
if I have the time.
Now with 25 % More Poetry Poem
As originally written,
this poem had only four lines.
In order to give readers
more perceived value for money
I added this fifth verse.
Supersized Poem
This poem
is rather large.
Nanopoem
This poem
is quite tiny.
Diptych II
That’s right,
another diptych.
Expired Poem
This one’s no good to read anymore.
Surveillance Poem
This poem is being written
in front of a surveillance camera.
I dedicate it to the security professionals
observing me write it.
Full Body Search Poem
To read this poem,
simply rub it
all over your body.
Enhanced Interrogation Poem
To find out what this poem might mean,
cover it with a cloth
and pour water on it
until it says something.
Subprime Poem
This poem means considerably less today
than it did when I first wrote it.
Homeless Poem
If the sight of this poem troubles you
or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way,
you can always try turning the page
and pretending you never read it.
Closed Caption Poem
[POEM SOUND]
Visual Poem
Unhip Poem
Is that possible?
Uncool Poem
I have no time for idiots
that don’t read poetry,
but will gladly make time
for idiots that do.
For an Avant-Garde Poetry
Well, as Duke said to Mingus
when the latter suggested
they collaborate on an LP
of avant-garde music:
“Why should we go back
that far?”
Diptych III
The preceding two poems
wouldn’t really be considered
a diptych.
Freeway Poem, Present Tense
This poem is being written
at 80 mph on the 105 East.
Having transitioned onto the 110 North
I add this stanza.
In a minute,
I’ll take the 5 North to the 2 North
and get off at Verdugo.
The poem will end
when I get to Martha’s.
Dichtung und Wahrheit Poem
The conjunction notwithstanding,
the two actually have very little
to do with one another.
Afterword
The book goes on even if it’s closed. – Alejandro Zambra
These poems demonstrate the above truism – written after the 2011 publication of Self-Evident Poems, they are very much cut from the same cloth. They appear in English here for the first time, but were included in the French translation of the work, published as Poèmes évidents in 2015. Both editions are available via the links below:
- Self-Evident Poems
Los Angeles: Seismicity Editions, 2011. - Poèmes évidents
Translated by Frédéric Forte and the author. Postface by Jacques Roubaud. Bordeaux: Éditions de l’Attente, 2015.
Many and mysterious are the paths poems may take in their post-lives. Sincere thanks to Jonas Pelzer for opening this one.
– Guy Bennett
Los Angeles, December 2019
Credits
Poetry
Guy Bennett
Design & Development
Jonas Pelzer
Type Design
Philipp Koller of BurrowThe digital edition of Post-Self-Evident Poems was published by Jonas Pelzer in January 2020.
Social Media Poem
I encourage each and every reader
to share this poem via their favorite
social media site.
Simultaneous posting to more than one site
and/or to high-traffic blogs
would be particularly appreciated.
Of course the poem itself
will not be any more interesting than it is right now,
but at least more people will know about it.