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Textual Experiments

In this experiment, all four LLMs were given the same prompt: "Write a prose poem that uses slashes instead of punctuation, that approaches the experience of spring coming, a man walking the dog early in the cold morning, before anyone else is awake, and themes of quiet and embodiment!"

Experiment 1: Claude Poem

the earth holds its breath in these moments / before the thaw comes in earnest / frost still crisp beneath my boots / and the dog's eager panting clouds the air / we are the only living things stirring / except for the brave crocuses pushing through half-frozen soil / their purple heads bent like monks in prayer / my fingers ache inside wool gloves / but something in me knows the warmth is coming / like the way birds know to return / my body remembers other springs / other mornings / the quiet street belongs to us alone / each footfall echoing off empty porches / dawn barely scratching at the horizon / and my dog stops to investigate something I cannot smell / his whole being alert and present / while my mind drifts between seasons / between sleeping and waking / between the person I am in darkness and the one I become in light / the mail truck will come later / children will wait for buses / but for now the world is all potential / all breath / all beating heart and muscle and bone / moving through space like prayer

Experiment 2: ChatGPT Poem

The air bites with the last sharp teeth of winter / his breath clouds / ghosting ahead like an impatient companion / the leash taut between hand and paw / the dog sniffs at frost-tipped grass / a curious archaeologist of smells left by the night / nothing stirs / not yet / the world is suspended / between the dark hours and the first light / clouds bruise the horizon / faint purple / a suggestion of day’s arrival / the man’s hands stiffen / fingers curled tight against the cold / but his body moves anyway / familiar steps / the crunch of shoes on frozen soil / a rhythm born of countless mornings like this / and yet / something feels lighter today / the earth softer / the wind slower / as though the world itself is loosening / unfurling / promising / the dog pauses / ears perked / nose pointed toward the edge of the field where dew glints like new stars / and the man breathes / deep / the air still cold in his chest / but alive / alive in a way that speaks of change / of greenness hiding beneath the frost / of silence waiting to break into birdcalls and bees / his muscles warm as he bends / scratches the dog’s ears / a fleeting moment of shared warmth / shared knowing / the leash slackens / and they walk on / together / into the pale and waking spring.

Experiment 3: Google Gemini Poem

mornings like this / quiet / crisp / the dog yanks at the leash / eager / the world still asleep / frost-kissed / the air sharp / the ground damp / a new day / a new year / the man and the dog / a pair / moving through the neighborhood / silent / the only sounds / their footsteps / their breath / the dog's panting tongue / a rhythm / a beat / a dance / of life / against the backdrop / of a sleeping world

Experiment 4: Microsoft CoPilot Poem

Spring whispers through the frost-laden air / I step out / the world still wrapped in the quiet of dawn / my breath mingles with the mist / my dog at my side / paws padding on the dew-kissed ground / the street littered with yesterday’s party debris / discarded cups and wrappers / echoes of laughter and dog droppings left behind / the sky blushes with the first light / trees stretch their limbs / shaking off winter’s slumber / each step a conversation with the earth / the cold nips at my cheeks / a reminder of the night’s chill / yet the sun’s first rays warm my skin / my dog sniffs the air / sensing the subtle shift / the world begins to wake / but for now / it is ours alone / a sacred silence / a breath shared between us / man and dog / heartbeats in sync / walking the edge of night and day / spring’s gentle arrival / a symphony of stillness / a dance of life unfolding / quiet / beautiful / in the early morning light

Visual Experiments

Experiment 1: Visual Interpretation of Poetry

Click through these images, generated with Dalle-2 through ChatGPT, that illustrate a line of Emily Dickinson's poem "I heard a fly buzz - when I died -".