Blackout poetry is the art of subtraction. Unlike traditional writing, which faces the "blank page" problem, blackout poetry begins with a wall of existing text, usually a newspaper or an old book page. By using a permanent marker to redact unnecessary words, the poet "uncovers" a hidden message within the noise.

It is a meditative process that bridges the gap between visual art and literature. The remaining words create a minimalist anchor amidst a sea of ink.