Poetry Without Pants

Poetry Without Pants: Written When Nobody's Looking is the second volume in an evolving series of books created by ShiftPoetry¿, a program designed to use freewheeling writing (poetry in the broadest sense aka writing without rules) to get to a better place in life. ShiftPoetry¿ is bibliotherapy - using words to heal, to understand problems, to find solutions. Journaling and memoir writing are forms of bibliotherapy but ShiftPoetry¿ is faster, more spirited, encourages group participation, allows for deep self-awareness but it is also gratifying and at times even lighthearted - and fun.

Poetry Without Pants began as a companion piece to Volume One - ShiftPoetry¿ in the Time of COVID-19 An Anthology of Healing Poems and a Workbook to Help You Write Yourself Well. In Volume II people write more lightheartedly, even "absurdly" about life behind masks, with social distancing, and Zoom meetings (from classes to meet-ups) largely viewing other people "from the waist up".


What lurks below the Zoom screen? Pajama bottoms? Scanty underwear? Crazy shoes and sox? Alter ego gear? And what lurks from within one's spirit and soul? And, what has being generated and lived through "when nobody's looking?" ShiftPoets, like a good portion of society, were being quarantined, sequestered, either alone or with a "pod" of only one or a few other folks. Alone time brought out creativity and craziness - all reflected in poems in Volume Two. Very different from the work in Volume One.


Poetry Without Pants is presented in three parts.


Part One resembles Volume I - in that it offers prompts, inviting pages on which to create, and sample poems from 28 authors written in response to thoughtful and provocative prompts. Authors wrote "Boxers or Briefs" and many other poems addressing "Zoom Wardrobe", including a poem by that name. "What Do I Write When No One is Looking?" reflected on secrets and unique thoughts that bubble up in sad, singular, insecure times. Other entertaining, triggering and stimulating poems include "Maskinista" - about our new fashionista way of life behind masks, and the self-explanatory "Alone is Fine With a Good Bottle of Wine".


Part Two features diverse work from 14 highlighted ShiftPoets including not only pandemic poetry but other work generated by folks who have adopted a ShiftPoetry approach to solving problems in their lives across the board.


Part Three introduces a new kind of over the top ShiftPoetry we have anointed SchtickPoetry - Satire, Spoof, and Parody. Poems reflect on the madness of these times including a teacher's lament in "Zoom Teaching", some traveler's laments, "Flying First Class During a Pandemic" and "Outer Space is Looking Good" - and other reflections including "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah" and "How Come I Have To Wear Pants". There are a few political statements including a tiny zany play "Civility Presidential Style 2020". And so much more.


For more information check out ShiftPoetry.com