Tuesday, November 30, 2010

IPYPIASM

Yes, it's that time of year again - "International Put Your Poem In A Shop Month" kicks off again tomorrow on it's third year out.
(God I've been blogging too long - aren't these crazes supposed to wear off after awhile?!)

The premise is this:

December is the month to spend time away from loved ones, stressed to the max, under artificial lighting, gratingly cheerful music mushing through your brain, counting your pennies in shops filled with sparkly shiny things that you cannot afford, fighting your way through the car parks, clashing trolleys with anyone who dares to stand in your way...
Why not this year, try and give something back to those wonderful places where we spend so much of our lives, longing for rubbish that will clutter up our homes and only make us worry that we will end up crazy and alone on a mountain of wrapping paper with no one left to talk to, and our insurance costs crushing our meagre remaining spirit.
So here's the plan: Take a poem, any poem, yours, or someone elses, just a poem that you love. Keep the poem short enough that someone can read it during the browsing process - 4 - 6 lines. Stick it up in a shop. Either on the noticeboard of the shop, as was the fashion in year one of this project, or on a shelf. This is the hard part - take a picture of your poem as it embarks on its new life inspiring the tired shoppers, brightening the lives of weary shop lifters and reluctant security staff. Let me know when you have the picture posted, so I can report to the eager IPYPIASM followers here as the action happens.
Good Luck Everyone - the last few years of intrepid poetry placement can be viewed here and here.

12 comments:

Titus said...

No, no, not dying out! I love this one. Hmm, Glasgow tomorrow...

Niamh B said...

Glasgow would be the perfect place to launch! and would keep us going until I find a camera that works!

Kat Mortensen said...

You know, I wasn't looking forward to Christmas shopping at all, but NOW you've given me something to enjoy. I guess I can't put my anti-Christmas shopping poem, "Maelstrom" on a shelf. That might go over like a lead balloon.

Kat

Kat Mortensen said...

That's anti-Christmas-shopping, by the way, NOT anti-Christmas!

Emerging Writer said...

HEre http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/2009/12/international-put-poem-in-shop-month.html and here http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/2009/12/same-poem-mash-bit-in-different-shop.html
I printed mine on a postcard but I have a new printer now and I don't know how to do it...

Louise said...

Can't get to any shop! Snowed in! But might escape soon.

Words A Day said...

Great idea...never heard of it before. My local centra will be in for a treat(?!)...

Niamh B said...

Kat, looking forward to your installment!!
EW, you could hand write?! I know it sounds crazy, but it just might work
Poor Socks - was reading about it on your blog earlier, sounds awful
Thanks Words, just be sure to collect the relevant evidence for our perusal!

Emerging Writer said...

What? With a pen? What a concept. Plus I'm petrified of getting caught. They have hand writing experts and everything

Gerry Snape said...

Oh, oh, oh, I'm excited. I shall have to think about where I want it to be. And which one to put where I want it to be!! Thanks for this ...love the idea.

Domestic Oub said...

What?? Has it really been a year since the last the IPYPIASM????

Oh, even in my pitiful state I'll try and give this a go.

Niamh B said...

EW - I'd say most people would recognise your poetic style at this stage as well, so anonymity mightn't be an option.
Go on Gerry, looking forward to seeing the results!
Oub - use the kids, get them to decorate the poem and ask for permission to put it up, they're so cute they'd get away with it!