Quick Description
Players co-create a collective poem online. Each participant writes two poetic lines on a shared theme, revealing them together in a “waterfall” by pressing enter at the same moment.
How to Play
- Set the Theme
As facilitator, choose a theme for the poem (e.g., overcoming challenges, favorite teachers, hope for the future). Explain to participants that everyone will write short poetic lines inspired by this theme. - First Verse
- Ask each participant to type one poetic line into the chat. It can be simple, playful, profound, or abstract.
- Once they’ve finished typing, they wiggle their fingers in front of their camera (to signal they’re ready).
- When everyone is ready, the facilitator counts down: “3, 2, 1…” and on “1” all participants hit Enter.
- The chat suddenly fills with everyone’s lines at once — the “poem waterfall.”
- The facilitator then reads each line aloud slowly, giving space for the words.
- Second Verse
- Each participant now writes a second line, inspired either by their first line or by what they heard in the first verse.
- Again, everyone types but waits. Once all are ready and wiggling fingers, the facilitator counts down.
- On “1” everyone hits Enter together, creating a second poem waterfall.
- The facilitator reads this second verse aloud, giving it space and weight.
- Closing
The group can reflect briefly on the experience. The poem can be saved as a keepsake or shared afterward.
Notes
- Facilitation Tip: Emphasize that the lines do not need to be “good poetry.” Simplicity, playfulness, and honesty are welcome. This lowers the pressure and helps participants enjoy the surprise of collective creation.
- Encourage patience and attentiveness during the reading. Reading slowly honors the lines and lets participants feel their contribution has meaning.
- The “finger wiggle” is an important ritual cue. It keeps everyone engaged and makes the reveal more theatrical.
- Value and Outcomes: This activity is excellent for groups that are diverse in language ability, personality style, or confidence level. It gives everyone an equal voice, builds connection, and creates a shared artifact of the moment.
Variations
- Theme Twist: Instead of one theme, give participants a choice between two (e.g., “sunlight” or “shadows”) and see how the contrasts weave together.
- Single Round: For a shorter activity, just play one verse.
- Visual Layer: After the poem is created, ask participants to add quick sketches, emojis, or images in chat that reflect the poem.
- Performance Ending: Select a few volunteers to read the finished poem aloud together, line by line, as a finale.
Origin
I learned this activity from Maarten Joosen, who learned it from Kay Ross.
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Yes, the image of the Poem Waterfall was created by ChatGPT.