sepoisepoi

Sepoisepoi is a fictional term used to describe a collaborative, constraint-based form of micro-poetry that appears in online literary communities. The concept emphasizes collective creation, brevity, and a performative cadence, with authors contributing alternating lines or short fragments to a single poem.

Form and technique: A sepoisepoi piece typically consists of 6 to 16 brief lines posted in sequence by different contributors. Each line often depends on a shared constraint, such as a fixed syllable count, a recurring keyword, or a visual cue that links lines. The sequence is designed to be read aloud, and transitions between lines are a central element of the work’s rhythm and texture. Attributions or markers may indicate which participant drafted each line, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the piece.

Origin and diffusion: The form is described within fictional online networks and zines as emerging from a loose elder of digital poets in the early 2010s. While there is no single founder, sepoisepoi spread through community journals, microblog platforms, and collaborative anthologies, where writers experimented with form, voice, and temporality.

Reception and interpretation: In the imagined literary scene, sepoisepoi is viewed as an example of emergent authorship and collective creativity in the digital age. Critics often highlight its emphasis on spontaneity, cross-voicing, and the aesthetic of restrained expression. The form is discussed in interlinked showings and faux-academic write-ups within the fictional ecosystem.

See also: Collaborative poetry, constraint-based writing, micro-poetry.

Note: This article describes a fictional concept created for illustrative purposes.