A txtickle from txtcafe
I must admit to being a bit square when it comes to today’s yoof culture and the complicated txt code used on mobile phones. I still stick to the Queen’s English on the whole.
Not so award winning poet and author Silver who has penned two poetry books on this theme and I am giving them a plug on behalf of my friend, Simon.
These are Silver’s golden rules:
txt commndmnts
1. u shall luv ur mobil fone with all ur hart
2. u & ur fone shall neva b apart
3. u shall nt lust aftr ur neibrs fone nor thiev
4. u shall b prepard @ all times 2 tXt & 2 recv
5. u shall use LOL & othr acronyms in conversatns
6. u shall b zappy with ur ast*r*sks & exc!matns!!!
7. u shall abbrevi8 & rite words like theyr sed
8. u shall nt speak 2 sum1 face2face if u cn msg em insted
9. u shall nt shout with capitls XEPT IN DIRE EMERGNCY
10. u shall nt consult a ninglish dictnry
Silver believes that txtese brings poetry to life for young people. I can see why it is fun for them, that it may be the only verse they appreciate. But art is subjective and I know it will never replace our literary heroes. However, I guess it won’t be long before it is taught in schools and set as an exam question:
Silver says: “For many people, poetry is often perceived as being a bit boring or requiring masses of footnotes or other explanations to understand it. txt café is about turning poetry on its head, making it accessible to everyone and getting more young people to think about reading or writing poetry for pleasure.�
Now if this is your cup of tea then you must visit txtcafe, an online creative community. You can even take part in a cuplet competition if your creative juices are flowing! Or do you think it is a load of txticles! Oops!! My first rude word on my blog.
Truly the Apocalypse is upon us.
Writes Mr Pedant who insists on grammar etc in his text messages….
Here’s my best shot:
It’s hip, it’s hot
Let’s giv it a shot
It’s funky stuff
Can’t get enuff
Txt poetry
Is the destiny
Of r yoof
It’s cool, not uncoof
See you l8r allig8or…..
I see you know it all, I’ve got a lot to learn.
I definitely go along with number 2.