Do not get stuck on terms, labels or definitions
Terms, labels + definitions cannot be trusted
Know that the term “experiment” is dangerous
Know that everything is an experiment
Make it new
Stop saying make it new
Regard the term “experiment” with doubt
Do not regard the term “experiment” with doubt
Remember: 150 years ago the term “experiment” had a negative connotation
Refresh your memory: Today the term “experiment” is seen as valuable
Focus on failure + uncertainty; it is valuable
Resist!
Do not be predictable or complacent
Be predictable and complacent only if time rewinds
Blame experimental poetry rules on US culture and society
Know that US culture and society is unsteady so brace yourself all you experimental poets
Accept that failure is no longer belittling
Fail in a poem and win a prize
Experiment and be regarded with high praise
Move outward
Break fixed linguistic habits
Write a poor sentence
Go in a new direction
Do not follow any other poet — everyone is lost
Write in a new field of possibility
Go wild or go home
Be unsure of the I
Socialize with language
Use poetry to perform
Make language move
Take a lot of risks
Form risks
Make your form a risk
Renew
Be a cultural phenomenon
aliwriteblog 
This feels like a nice summary piece for the semester, it has elements and themes we’ve been talking about from all of the different works we’ve read and discussed. I think that what this really nails for me is that sort of one step forward/one step backward sort of thing that comes with experimental literature because of how broad the definition is. Anything can be it if viewed a certain way, and something could not be included for similar reasons. You achieve that back and forth with the way the lines flow, making a statement and then contradicting the statement. With how authoritative the voice sounds, it feels like this code for action should be spoken in front of artists at some rally or used as a Ten Commandments for writers.
-Adam
LikeLike
Superbly written contradictions. Very tight insight. Well liked familiarity. Do it yourself. Do it right. Don’t follow others. They’re all lost. Truest of any truth. Blaze your own path. With a smile. Let it rip. Dive in the deep end. Run in the shallow end. Great perspective Ali!
LikeLike