Innovative poet Winston Plowes has launched a new poetry experiment involving the making of “strange and wonderful short poems” via text messages. People are being invited throughout August to take part by texting POET followed by their name (or pen name) to  07768 108 262 – in return they will get back a string of words. The challenge is to reply with what you think could come next, in your own words. Winston will curate the poems and the results will be displayed both online and in Hebden Bridge library to celebrate its full reopening. The scheme is supported by Calderdale council.

Winston said: “As usual from me it is a little different, but it’s actually a development of something I did for National Poetry Day in 2012. I’m delighted to have funding for this through Calderdale Library Service.”

The guidelines include: All numbers will be kept confidential and will not be stored or passed on to any other party or used for any purpose other than this project. You may use a pen name, nickname or your own name. Your name and words may be displayed in public and/or published online or in print.  Your contribution may be rejected if timed out or for any other reason. Contribution does not guarantee inclusion in the project.  The Texperiments number will become obsolete after the project. You can opt out at any point by texting STOP. Texts will be charged at the standard national rate.