Pick a Poem: Typed or Written - 2021 Collection Kevin

In this review of Pick a Poem: Typed or Written, the reviewer finds a focused, yearlong experiment in form and method that will appeal to readers who enjoy craft and context. The collection documents poems from 2021 split into two distinct production modes: pieces created by typing in the first half of the year and pieces written by hand in the second half, with a planned meeting point around late June and early July. The single biggest reason to pick this volume is its intentional structure: the author uses production technique as an organizing principle to surface differences in tone, process, and subject across the year.

Key Features

• Yearlong structure: The collection follows the full 2021 calendar, giving readers a sense of progression and seasonal change across the poems.
• Dual production modes: Poems are deliberately split into typed and handwritten halves, allowing comparison of how medium affects voice and immediacy.
• Alphabetical framing: The typed sequence begins and ends a to z while the written sequence is reversed z to a, offering a playful structural constraint that shapes reading order.
• Midyear meeting point: Poems converge at the end of June and start of July, creating a natural pivot where differences in method and mood intersect.
• Contextual authorship: The author explains that each poem reflects what was on their mind during its creation, adding personal grounding to the formal choices.

Who It's For

This collection is best for readers interested in craft, experimentation, and process who appreciate seeing how form and production affect poetic outcome. Students of contemporary poetry, workshop participants, and anyone curious about constraints like reversed alphabetical order will find useful examples and talking points.

Readers looking for a highly polished, themed anthology tied to a single formal school or for narrative-driven long-form poems might prefer a different purchase, since this volume emphasizes variety, method, and reflective snapshots across a year rather than a single continuous narrative.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Distinct division between typed and handwritten pieces provides a clear experimental frame for comparison.
• Alphabetical and reversed ordering is an original constraint that gives the collection cohesion and curiosity value.
• The midyear convergence creates a noteworthy structural moment that highlights change across the year.

Cons

• Readers seeking thematic unity or a single dominant voice may find the shifting modes and styles less cohesive.

Specifications

Title	Pick a Poem: Typed or Written
Author / Brand	Kevin A Tracy Jr
Year of poems	2021
Structure	First half typed (a to z), second half handwritten (z to a)
Midpoint	End of June / beginning of July convergence
Source notes	Poetic forms list referenced for styles

Our Verdict

Pick a Poem: Typed or Written is a thoughtful, process-driven collection that rewards readers who care about how production and constraints shape poetry. It offers strong value to craft-focused readers and workshops because its split modes and alphabetical framing make for clear comparisons and discussion points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the poems arranged chronologically?
The poems follow the 2021 calendar with typing beginning in January and writing ending in December, so progression through the year is reflected in the order.

What does typed versus written mean here?
Typed pieces were produced on a keyboard in the first half of the year; written pieces were composed by hand in the second half, creating different textures and impulses.

Is there a common theme across the collection?
The collection emphasizes method and moment rather than a single narrative theme; the author intended the poems to reflect what was on their mind as each piece was made.