“This Poem is in Finish,” is a poem that Festival poet Charles Bernstein has written especially for CHF. A Secret Poem is a game developed by Erin Robinson that takes Bernstein’s poem apart. It’s your job to put it back together. A Secret Poem is part scavenger hunt and part word search, with crossword-style clues. You can find a game card on pages 92-93 of the CHF program guide or via the link below. We’ll also have game cards at select venues. Play for fun, for the chance to meet new people, and to win fabulous CHF prizes!
Download A Secret Poem gamecard
Clue in. Collect. Collaborate.
How do I play? Clue in Once you have your game card, start filling in the missing words. They are indicated by the numbered squares. Some words are only available as clues. Look for these crossword-style clues throughout the Festival: on pre-program slideshows; on our web site; on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed @Chi_Humanities. When you think you’ve solved a clue, go ahead and write the missing word right onto your game card. New clues will be revealed throughout the Festival.
Collect Some missing words only exist as stickers available at CHF programs. (This is the scavenger hunt part.) Look for sheets of stickers at CHF events on Oct. 16, Oct. 23, and Nov. 2-13. We’ll post the programs where stickers will be available on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed. Place stickers on corresponding numbered squares to fill in missing words. Tip: Stickers are limited. If you think you know a missing word from a clue, fill it in! You don’t have to wait for the sticker.
Collaborate Tip: Don’t throw away the stickers you don’t need—trade them, offer them to other festival-goers, encourage people to play the game, make a new friend. Team up with fellow festival-goers to fill in missing words. Post questions on Twitter with the hashtag #chfpoem. Submit questions or the finished poem to secretpoem@chfestival.org A Secret Poem FAQ's
Q: What kind of awesome prizes are there?
A: Good question! Prizes may include books written by our many talented speakers, CHF memberships, free passes to future CHF events, and maybe event a special prize whose secret will be revealed in November. (Now you’re really intrigued, aren’t you?)
Q:When does the game start?
A: We will make the first clues available on October 16, the day the Festival opens in Evanston.
Q: Can I play even if I only go to one CHF event?
A: Absolutely. We encourage everyone to collaborate in any way they choose, including through the use of Twitter, email, or just plain trading stickers.
Q: Will any CHF staff person or volunteer be able to help me with the game?
A: House managers, ushers and the staff at the ticket tables have their hands full and will not be able to help. Instead, look for cheerful CHF staffers wearing “A Secret Poem” buttons. They’ll be delighted to help you.
Q: I saw a clue but it made no sense. Help!
A: If talking to another festival-goer or “A Secret Poem” button-wearing CHF staffer doesn’t help, you can always send an email to secretpoem@chfestival.org. Or head to the CHF Hub at YOUmedia at the Harold Washington Library and ask one of our Hub Hosts for help.
Q: When is the deadline for finished poems?
A: All poems must be received no later than Monday, November 14 at 5 pm CST to be eligible for entry in the prize drawing.
Q: How do you determine who gets prizes?
A: Anyone who submits a correct, completed poem to secretpoem@chfestival.org is eligible to win a prize. Winners will be selected randomly from amongst the correct poems once the deadline has passed.
Q: How exactly do I “submit” a poem, anyway?
A: You have a few options: You can take a clear photo of your finished poem or scan it and email it to us at secretpoem@chfestival.org, or you can simply type the poem into the body of an email to secretpoem@chfestival.org. And game-savvy CHF staffers are available at most events to help if you have questions. (Look for those “A Secret Poem” buttons.)
Download a PDF of these rules and FAQ's.
Read the CHF blog post in which all game clues are revealed!
Read the CHF blog post about this program.
