The Nonsense Leg
My nonsense bit is something of an ode to classic musicals and Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky (and, by extension, Mac’s Fictionwocky). Ignoring the obvious Jaberwocky references, how many musicals can you find in the paragraph below?
Momerath? Wherefor art thou, fair creature? Where hast thou hidden thyself from the burning gaze of the sun? Flibbertigibbets and will-o’-the-wisps adorn your bright brow, now taken from mine sight. Vorpal, your dancing, escalades and parapets into the purpling evening skies. With just a little bit of luck, I shall gaze once more upon your divine countenance, Bali Ha’i, Bali Ha’i!
Instructions
Leg 8 – The Nonsense Leg: Write a microfiction as Dada nonsense. You can invent words and chants. You can make the piece bark, cough, wobble, repeat itself, telegraph its own demise, or else.
It can be prose, poetry, or prose poetry. It can also be sound poetry. As an example of Dada’s sound poetry, check Hugo Ball’s Gadji beri bimba and Karawane. They are seemingly random, but still very much musical, with words coming out not as meaning but as pure sound, effect, or else.
The piece doesn’t have to be entirely nonsensical. The amount of meaning vs nonsense you infuse is up to your comfort zone.
Make the Beast choke on language!
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