Lines Of Questioning: Poetic Inquiries

Hey everyone! So, it's the end of November, and you know what that means, right? NaNoGenMo time! I always seem to have a million ideas, but not enough time to make them a reality. This year was no different. I was trying out this cool concept using Allison Parrish's Gutenberg Poetry corpus with a 'diastic' method. The idea was to step through and pick lines, but, honestly, the output just felt like a random collection of words. Not really the vibe I was going for.

I wasn't sure if my backup plan would be any better, but hey, gotta share something, right? So, here it is: Lines of Questioning — a book of poetic inquiries, all pulled from the Gutenberg Poetry corpus. Basically, I grabbed every sentence in that corpus that ended with a question mark and then generated chapters. The chapter lengths matched the first 10 numbers in a Fibonacci sequence. Pretty neat, huh? Let's dive a little deeper, shall we? This should be a fun ride as we explore the world of poetic questioning. This project is all about the art of asking questions, a core element of poetry, and using digital tools to give a new perspective on classic texts. I tried to focus on the structure and the way this project came together, making sure that it would be accessible for anyone who wanted to try it out. The goal here is to make this project not just a collection of lines, but a new way to interact with classic poetry, which is a great experience.

The Genesis of Questions

So, the main focus here is Lines of Questioning, and I wanted to explain a little more about how it came to be. It started with the idea of playing with the Gutenberg Poetry corpus. It's a goldmine of old poems, and I thought, "What if I could build something cool using those?" The diastic method I originally tried was interesting, but it didn't quite capture the poetic essence I was aiming for. So, I pivoted. I decided to build a project around questions. Why? Because questions are the heart of inquiry, and they're a powerful tool in poetry. They make you think, make you feel, and can open up new worlds of thought. I went through the entire corpus, found every sentence that ended with a question mark, and from there, I built the framework for my book. It was a simple idea, but it was effective. Using the Fibonacci sequence to determine chapter lengths added a unique structure. The Fibonacci sequence, with its mathematical beauty and connection to nature, gave the project a sense of order while adding a layer of creative flair. It was my way of merging art and structure, making sure that the final product was as aesthetically pleasing as it was conceptually sound. This approach let me create a project that was not only thought-provoking but also had a unique rhythm and flow.

I aimed to create a project that makes use of the digital era, yet keeps the spirit of classic poetry. I used code, but I made sure the goal was to showcase poetry, with its beauty and power, rather than just the technology itself. The main goal here was to inspire you to think about how you might interact with classic texts, maybe in your own future projects.

A Sample Peek

Let's take a look at a sneak peek, shall we?

Chapter 15 Swearing? Medicine? A god? What their parentage? Is not Freiligrath a bard? And they who lead, who hold the van? Who, therein, would not consume his soul to ash-heaps in that rich perfume? Is it a clan drinking, or a wedding feast, for here we have no banquet where each man brings his share? O Hand divine that for a sign didst bend the rose-red bow, betokening wrath was no more Thine with mans Cain-branded brow-- what now, O Lord, shouldst Thou accord to such a shameful brood? And seest thou not how in the very earth sulphur is gendered and bitumen thickens with noisome stench?--What direful stenches, too, scaptensula out-breathes from down below, when men pursue the veins of silver and gold, with pick-axe probing round the hidden realms deep in the earth?--Or what of deadly bane the mines of gold exhale?

Pretty intriguing, right? This is just a sample, but it gives you a taste of the kind of questions the poems raise. You can feel the sense of curiosity and exploration throughout the book. What I find most exciting is the way these questions, plucked from different poems, come together to create a new, almost conversational flow. The book becomes a conversation with the reader, always asking and inviting you to consider these lines. Each chapter is a new question and it is followed by a collection of other questions, which are just as interesting. The questions are about the world around us and the nature of human existence, with some that may even challenge you. I wanted to make sure that the final product would be more than just a collection of random questions. It's a way of exploring themes, feelings, and thoughts in the poems, but also a way of seeing the world in a new light. These samples help show the project's unique way of mixing old and new. This blend of styles keeps readers interested while at the same time opening up the world of poetry for them.

The Code Behind the Questions

Alright, so here's a bit about the code that made it all happen. I worked in a Colab notebook, and let's just say it's not the cleanest piece of code I've ever written! It's a bit of a mess, but hey, it works! You can find most of the important bits in this gist. Basically, the notebook loads up the Gutenberg Poetry corpus, finds all the question-marked sentences, and then starts building the chapters using the Fibonacci sequence for line counts. It's a pretty straightforward process, but it gave the project a unique, unexpected rhythm and shape. Now, while the technical side is important, I think it's even more important to focus on the concept and the final product. It's easy to get lost in the code, but remember, the main goal is to create something interesting and valuable. The code is only the tool, and the poetry is the final aim. The key here is not about the code itself, but about the idea that it can bring to life. This project shows how you can mix technology with art, and get a new perspective on classic texts. It's a chance to experiment and learn, and it helps show what you can do when you combine coding with creative writing. The messiness of my notebook just makes the whole experience more human, showing that creativity is more about your ideas than the perfection of your code. It's all about making something cool and original. Don't be afraid to experiment, and show what you're capable of.

Why This Project Matters

Why does this project matter? Well, for me, it's a way to explore poetry from a new angle. By focusing on the questions, I can invite the readers to think and wonder about these poems. I hope that the final product inspires you to create your own works of digital poetry. This project is a chance to dig into old poems, and also discover new ways to think and feel. This project is all about exploring the human experience through the art of questions, the heart of human curiosity. It’s an invitation to explore the human experience, and all the possibilities that questions open up. It is a testament to the fact that the art of poetry is timeless and that it can be reinvented by modern digital tools. I believe there is an interesting relationship between poetry and technology. The project is an attempt to use these technologies to push the limits of creativity and exploration. By diving deep into the art of questioning, we are able to dive into the core of human curiosity and creativity.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, folks! My NaNoGenMo entry for this year. Lines of Questioning is an exploration of poetic inquiries, made with the help of the Gutenberg Poetry corpus. I hope you enjoy it and get inspired to dive into your own creative projects. I encourage you to see how technology and poetry can come together in your own creative exploration. Don't be afraid to try new things and push the limits of what you can do. Always be curious. Keep asking questions. Keep creating. Until next time, keep exploring!