Should We Write Manuals in Poetry?

What? Write manuals in poetry? Where on Earth did you come up with that nutty idea?

How to Make a Shoe: A Poetic Manual by Jno. P. Headley, Jr.

Remember when I introduced Project Gutenberg? Well, I’m a big fan, and I’ve used it many times for work or simply for reading. At one point when searching through it for a non-fiction passage, I came across a most surprising manual called How to Make a Shoe.

I, of course, expected a rather dry manual of prose and step-by-step instructions. Perhaps, a diagram or sketch included if I were lucky. I did not expect poetry.

Granted, it’s not the best or most moving poetry you will ever read. Most of it is, in fact, step-by-step instructions written in verse – an idea that tickled me so greatly when I found it that I made a note of it and liked it much better than it probably deserved.

But it’s a poetic manual! Doesn’t that boggle your mind?

It makes me want to know more about the author! What made him think of this? Why poetry?

I haven’t been able to find anything more about the author than other links to the books. So besides the little introduction in the book, there’s nothing to assuage my curiosity.

*sigh*

I’ll simply have to amuse myself by picturing modern directions written in poetry.

Like IKEA Manuals in Poetry

Rest assured,BJÖRKEN-lover, this job will be a breeze!
You’ll simply need a philips, a flat,
And a hammer if you please.

Be sure to lay a cloth down first,
Lest you make your corners crack,
And if these directions fail you, call –
We’ll put you back on track!

*giggles*

Imagine a poetic manual written in twenty different languages (or however many they usually do). Isn’t that a fun thought?

It’s probably a good thing I didn’t find this while working in tech support…

Tech Support in Poetry

If your wireless is not working,
See if the option’s on.
If your computer’s set – not shirking,
Then, we’ve only just begun.

Next, find the modem in your house,
The lights should be aglow.
If no lights are to be seen,
There’s the culprit, and your foe.

Yeah… it’s hard enough to get people to listen to prose. I’d totally get fired.

What do you think? What manual would people want to be in poetry? (Or not mind, anyway…)

More importantly – what other prose could we turn in to poetry?

-Em