A BANAL COLLABORATION

I am writing to seek your help in a collaborative banal poem. I am interested in accumulating a list of “banal” sentences or phrases, which do not attempt to be ironic or humorous. I would prefer them to not be self-aware. Just a remark, perhaps an observation, a reminder, a caution, a concern, and so on.

I have been intrigued by what becomes marked as “banal,” as “trivial,” and the unseen hierarchy, the scaffolding, of what is important.

About a month ago on Facebook, and unbeknownst to him at the time, Ben Friedlander captured what I’m speaking of, when he remarked:

“Lot of lawns in the neighborhood getting their first mowing today.”

This is what I would like to see, something in this register. One un-ironic sentence per person.

I will post the poem and list of contributors here on Esther Press.

Contributors already include Suzanne Stein, Kevin Killian, Julian Brolaski, Lara Glenum, Michael Burkard, Laura Sims, Anna Moschovakis, and more.

Thank you for your help.

James

Send to wagnerjjj AT yahoo.com