A collective writing experiment

A poem, written
one day at a time.

One shared poem. Anyone can leave a word.
Together, we choose what comes next.

A little less hurry.
A little more wonder.

The poem so far

Opening the page…

Opening the poem…

Every word has its own day.

Today’s page

What comes next?

Today’s word is chosen in

— : — : —

A new day begins at 00:00 UTC

01

Leave a word.

Read what came before. Find a word that opens a door, changes the weather, or simply belongs.

One English word, up to 24 characters.

One suggestion and one vote per day.
No account needed. Just a word.

02

Choose the next.

Give one word your vote. You can change your mind until the day closes.

Today’s suggestions

Gathering today’s words…

A small pause before the next possibility.

    Suggesting a word does not cast a vote.

    The art of taking our time

    A small daily ritual.

    1. I.

      One word from you.

      Offer one word each day. It can continue the thought or gently lead it somewhere new.

    2. II.

      One choice, together.

      Vote for a suggestion, including your own. The word with the most votes joins the poem at midnight UTC.

    3. III.

      Something to return to.

      Come back tomorrow. Another word, another possibility. Nobody knows the final line.

    The days behind us

    Every word
    has a day.

    The words we chose, and the quiet days in between.

    The archive is opening…

    A record of the poem, one day at a time.

      A few things to know

      Between the lines.

      What exactly is Slow Poem?

      A single poem written collectively, one word a day. Anyone can suggest a word and vote for what comes next. Each day’s winning word becomes part of the same unfolding poem.

      How is the daily word chosen?

      Voting closes at 00:00 UTC. The suggestion with the most votes is added to the poem. If two or more words tie, the one submitted earliest wins. A suggestion needs at least one vote to be chosen.

      Can I vote for my own word or change my vote?

      Yes to both. Suggesting a word does not automatically vote for it. Choose any suggestion to cast your vote, and choose a different one to move your vote before the day closes. You can submit one word per day.

      Do I need an account?

      No. Participation is anonymous and remembered in this browser using a cookie. Your daily suggestion and vote stay with this browser; they do not follow you to another browser or device. Please keep to one suggestion and one vote each day.

      What happens on a day with no votes?

      The day stays blank in the archive, and the poem waits. We do not invent a winning word. The following day opens with a fresh set of suggestions.

      What can I submit?

      One English word, up to 24 characters. Internal apostrophes and hyphens are welcome, as are a full stop, comma, question mark, or exclamation mark at the end. Choose thoughtfully, and leave out personal information, links, and abusive language.