23 Comments

Oh my gosh love that first attempt at a black out poem 🤣 so real. Also loved hearing your story about teaching in Baltimore!!! Funny we are on the same wavelength about Blackout poems this month.

Expand full comment

I love this. And the idea of taking something apart and rebuilding better. Also, the story about your foster son is so sad. By email. How painful and sterile.

Expand full comment

I love this post. And Kate Baer. And Frank.

Expand full comment
Apr 9Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

I’m over our culture’s obsession with DNA: Love makes a family. I’m so sorry about the loss of your son to a system that fails to embrace “family” in all its many forms.

Expand full comment
Apr 8Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

This whole post hit me hard in the best way. I want so much to give that new teacher you were a hug, because I remember my own back to school nights and parent conferences when I knew that too many of my students weren't getting what I wanted them to, what they needed to--especially the Franks in my room. And I was working so, so hard. I want to give Frank a hug, too. What a testament to his strength and imagination his writing in that book was! And I now feel inspired to try some blackout poetry of my own. Thanks for such a wonderful post.

Expand full comment
Apr 7Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

Love it! I want to try this with students now.

Expand full comment
Apr 7Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

Thank you! I feel inspired by you and Frank! Will definitely be trying some black-out poetry soon. Maybe even in class…

Expand full comment
Apr 7Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

I love how worn your little pink book has become. 😊 Blackout poetry is such fun. Loreley and I did it with the book club kids recently, and they did great.

Expand full comment
Apr 7Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

Mary, I love this! This is good inspiration for me. i’ve never done a black-out poem, and now I want to try it out. Sending good energy your way for the storytelling event!

Expand full comment
Apr 7Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

This post is so much fun. I Am looking forward to integrating this into my writing and my life.

Expand full comment
Apr 7Liked by Mary Hutto Fruchter

Great post Mary. And I’ll be there to support you at Pivot.

Expand full comment

I love this. And Frank! Thank you for sharing this ☺️

I wrote a blackout poem recently called ‘Dear Parent/Guardian (of a child with additional needs) based on a service rejection letter..

https://open.substack.com/pub/angedisbury/p/dear-parentguardian-of-a-child-with?r=2qii2&utm_medium=ios

Expand full comment