The Scottish Poetry Library (SPL) has commissioned six of Scotland’s leading poets (including laureate Edwin Morgan) to compose love poems suitable for text messaging, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Ananova tells the story.
SPL director Robyn Marsack says, “There is a vast swathe of people aged between 18 and 35 who do not think poetry has a lot to offer them. Looking at all the people texting furiously on the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow, we thought of using mobile phone technology to make them reconsider.” Marsack also said the poets were intrigued by the challenge of writing within the constraints of 140 characters, including spaces.
The poems can be downloaded from the Scottish Poetry Library website and sent anonymously on February 14.
Oh Boy
I can’t even tell you where my wife would kick me if all I did for that stupid holiday was sent her a text message. Wait, did I say stupid? Must’ve slipped out. It’s a time to celebrate my love of short lived yet expensive gifts she’ll never remember.