This Doesn't Even Look Like A Poem!

In this episode of diVERSES, we sit down with poet, playwright, and novelist Stacy Nathaniel Jackson to explore the concept of Space Activation. When a standard line break or prose poem isn't enough to convey your message, how can you use typography, negative space, and visual layout to "prime" your reader for a different consciousness?We dive deep into the "eye test" of poetry—how a poem feels before you even read the first word and how the placement of the word continues to impact how we feel as we read—and discuss why poets are, at their core, designers.In this video, you’ll learn:What is Space Activation? Stacy defines his unique approach to making the page a canvas.The Syntax vs. Semantics of Space: How intentional layout can create irony, harmony, or disruptive silence.Practical Creative Exercises: Simple techniques using margins, justification, and "blackout" vs. "eraser" poetry to transform your work.The Artist’s Challenge: Why the frustration of working with non-standard tools (like Word) is actually part of the creative process.Zagging in a Zigging World: How breaking traditional academic "rules" can help independent poets find their own unique space in the art world.Featured Artist: Stacy Nathaniel Jackson is a multidisciplinary writer who explores the intersection of language and visual form. His work challenges the traditional "corporate poetry" systems and encourages writers to claim their own titles and aesthetics.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Space Activation 01:30 - The Aesthetic of the Bay Area & Visual Poems 03:00 - The "Eye Test": How space changes feeling05:00 - Syntax vs. Semantics: Playing with Intention 08:00 - Techniques: Margins, Justification & Compression 12:45 - Blackouts vs. Erasers: Guiding the Reader 15:30 - Drawing with Words: Visual Poetry Examples 17:45 - Dancing with the Corporate Poetry System 20:00 - Final Thoughts: Where can you go where no one else is?Connect with diVERSES: Subscribe for more deep dives into the craft of poetry and conversations with artists who are redefining the verse.#Poetry #VisualPoetry #diVERSES