How we can start creating a graphic poem!

This is a part of some graphic poetry workshops I recently held. I would like to share three examples of how we can approach and start creating a graphic poem. Once you start creating one, you will flow and feel sparks in your brain!

RHINO Poetry recruited about ten poets to highlight poems by our poets of color: poems of love, courage, anger, jubilation, and resistance with graphics until September 9, 2020. You may see the project through our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The following graphic poems are from the project.

The assignments are to read and understand RHINO Poetry's published poems, then add graphics. There are several ways to approach this. Today’s quick exercise is to create a first sketch graphic version of your poem. (We will show it later during our workshop.) 
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Example 1
​Process:
#1) Decide which words become images or remain words. Maya Marshall's original poem is attached. The circled parts were translated graphically.
#2) Create collage. ​

Example 2
Process:
#1) All words are on the paper.
​#2) Images are also added.
Poem: "Dap" by Cheswayo Mphanza.

Example 3
Process:
#1) Select the most vivid/heated phrase(s).
#2) Add images.
Poem: "Bull's Eye" by Luisa Igloria, Poet Laureate of VA.
Graphics by Chloe Martinez & her daughter, Amina.

You may enjoy reading my past articles about "How Graphic Poetry Helps Us Progress the Story Telling Technique and the Creative Process of Its Own Editing".

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One simple way to improve observing habits after graphic poetry exercise

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Can a graphic poem have a line break?

Why didn’t I write down whole poem in a graphic poem?

​My editing technique has developed after a collection of graphic poems

Where to publish graphic poems