Kwantlen creative writing student Mark Funston crafts new sounds using old poetic forms. His style of sonic poetry is a cousin of slam poetry, and Funston likes to add his own twist using traditional forms such as the villanelle or the triolet. Each has a unique internal rhyme scheme that adds to the “sonic” qualities of his work. Photo by Jeff Groat

[audio: SonicPoetry.mp3]

Ever since the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, people have been tuned into the world of contemporary poetry after Shane Koyczan’s “We Are More” performance. Kwantlen Student Mark Funston isn’t a slam poet, but his work is like Koyczan’s in that its author’s voice breathes it to life.

Sonic poetry is the name Funston uses for his work, and it is phonetically charged with both old and new style. By playing with classical poetic forms, with rigid rhyme schemes and structures, he is able to add an extra layer to his work.

Funston has completed his minor in creative writing at Kwantlen, but is not considering launching a career as a professional poet.