Erasure Poem, Poetry, Theme Prompt

Got The Blues: An Erasure Poem

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for David’s Weave Written Weekly
where Shaun asks us to write an erasure
poem. This is my first attempt and it was
great fun. Thanks for the prompt, Shaun!

I have chosen “The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes

Image by Me & Gemini

“The Weary Blues”
by Langston Hughes

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
     I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By thepale dull pallor of an old gas light
     He did a lazy sway . . .
     He did a lazy sway . . .
To the tuneo’ those Weary Blues.
With his ebony handson each ivory key
He made that poor pianomoan with melody.
     O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune likea musical fool.
     Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man’s soul.
     O Blues!
In a deepsong voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—
     “Ain’t got nobody in all this world,
       Ain’t got nobody but ma self.
       I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’
       Andput ma troubles on the shelf.
” Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more—
     “I got the Weary Blues
       AndI can’t be satisfied.
       Got the Weary Blues
       Andcan’t be satisfied—
       I ain’t happy no mo’
       And I wish that I had died.”
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He slept like a rock ora man that’s dead.
This poem is in the public domain.

This is my “erasure poem”:

Drowsy, rocking to a mellow croon.

The pallor of light, a lazy sway o’ blues.

Ebony on ivory made moan.

Blues swaying to and fro.

A musical fool.

Black man song, a melancholy tone

I heard moan:

“Got nobody but ma self and ma troubles!”

He played, then he sang:

“The blues! I got the blues!”

And far into the night he crooned that tune.

The stars and the moon stopped playing

and went to bed

while the blues echoed through his head.

He slept like a man that’s dead.

Image by Me & Gemini



NAR©2026
#W3


Nancy’s Notes: Erasure poetry, also know as blackout poetry, is a form of found poetry wherein a poet takes an existing text and erases, blacks out, or otherwise obscures a large portion of the text, creating a wholly new work from what remains.

This is “Good Morning Mr. Blues” by Otis Spann

W3 Prompt #197: Wea’ve Written Weekly

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.    

47 thoughts on “Got The Blues: An Erasure Poem”

    1. Thanks very much, David. Jazz musicians know how to make their instruments moan better than any other. I’m so pleased to know you enjoyed my poem and those specific lines in particular.

      This appeared to be an intimidating challenge before I started; once I got into it, I had a great time working on it. Excellent suggestion by Shaun. Thank you for bringing it to us. ♬♡

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. Wow, this is great! I’d never even attempt something like that.

    As for the track, I love it. It took me back to my bistro days where a pianist/vocalist called Big Al used to entertain my customers with exactly that style of music.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. To be there listening to Big Al while enjoying a tasty beverage! What a treat!

      I never wrote an erasure poem before, Dear Keith. If this old dog can learn a new trick, you can, too! It’s a challenge but great fun. Thanks so much for your generous and encouraging comments.

      Like

      Reply

    1. This was my first attempt, my friend. It was a challenge but I enjoyed it tremendously. I find it hard to believe you are a “dismal failure” at any poetry writing! Give it a go when you are rested and your mind is clear.

      Thank you for your lovely comments and new music to enjoy 🥰 ♬

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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