Single sheets of paper, printed only on one side, broadsides offer a creative way to present poetry outside of books and journals. Historically, broadsides provided information about breaking news, official proclamations, government decisions, meetings, events, political resistance, social causes, products, and services. Often, but not always, they included (sometimes vivid) artwork.
Broadsides to distribute poetry (usually ballads) first appeared in sixteenth century England. During the twentieth century, broadsides became a vehicle smaller presses used to promote poets and their poetry.
I create broadsides that showcase my poetry against my photographs (although I have a few that feature others' work). Sometimes the photograph represents what inspired the work. Other times the photograph and poem work together to enhance the meaning of both.
When I first started creating poetry broadsides in 2015, I posted them to Pinterest. That platform has now gone over to the dark side, allowing images regurgitated by image-generating algorithms. Time to say "Bye."
I have now moved all my Broadsides to my
website where you can view/read/enjoy them without logging in or cleaning up cookies. (Click on the above Broadside to see a larger, more readable version.)
Single sheets of paper, printed only on one side, broadsides offer a creative way to present poetry outside of books and journals. Historically, broadsides provided information about breaking news, official proclamations, government decisions, meetings, events, political resistance, social causes, products, and services. Often, but not always, they included (sometimes vivid) artwork.