Looking through my recent post on the subject of blog spam, I was struck by the appealing rhythm and imagery of the nonsense text I quoted at the end. Spammers insert these random pieces of text to try to fool software looks for terms and phrases commonly seen in spam (in order to identify and delete it). Some of these snippets have an almost poetic quality to them. Almost.
But although machine-generated blurbs are almost poetic, they lack the human touch that’s needed to turn the almost poetic into poetry.
That’s where I come in.
I’ve collected the best of the nonsense text from my spam filter to create “Spam Poetry”. It’s a little like “refrigerator magnet poetry” except that the raw materials are delivered to you free and the end result doesn’t have to share space with your kids’/grandkids’/nieces’/nephews’ art work. Here’s my first effort:
Somebody Knows Something
A Spam Poem by Mark Roberts
Somebody knows something
Puzzle quest review of awesomeness seeks for a Clifton
It is smooth to receive
Don’t be afraidCurrently the most powerful enhancement device for men
Gas and steam turbines require particular attentionSex with a friend
Genital herpesBiometric Scanner provides wet fingerprint recognition
Be realistic – you always wanted itTo sort the insightful
Can sometimes get challengingThe FastSize Extender is currently the most powerful traction
Best antecommunion
This oak could have been around in AD800Evidence from the dreadful!
Respect for your notice!Don’t be afraid
Somebody knows something
I’m getting fresh material delivered to my inbox every day, so you can look forward to many further installments in this series. And, years from now, when I receive my Pulitzer Prize, you’ll be able to say, “I was there at the beginning!”
Don’t let it go to your head, OK?
