Slow Poetry

What is a slow movement without poetry? What is poetry without slowness? A slow poetry movement (SP), as defined by poet Dale Smith in June 2008 at Possum Ego, is characterized be the following:

• SP contributes to systems disruptions by generating an open source platform for self-reflection in contexts where such meditations are more frequently discouraged.
• SP perhaps could salvage ancient technes of poetics in order to create imaginative approaches to living locally.
• SP embraces greater consideration of the compositional process and the poem’s value to audiences beyond supportive coteries.
• SP takes seriously the current impact of global financial crises and oil supply shortages and seeks to produce texts that address our predicament as individuals reliant upon diverse systems.
• SP promotes irrelevance, but in less aggressive ways, perhaps, than others.
• SP provides a method of observing slower movements of thought and conversation with diverse minds in other fields to help extend reflection on our situation today as global systems come under increasing attack from outside and within.