【ALL OUT: AJ RAVAL】

Poetry and ALL OUT: AJ RAVALsex have always shared an inextricable bond. The passion, the lyrical use of language—is there anything better than a love poem to get a young maiden (or man) to go out with you? Now, the bond between dating and sweet, sweet words is getting more intimate than ever: Grindr has hired its first poet in residence.British writer Max Wallis, who explores modern interpretations of sexuality in his work, has been commissioned to produce poetry for the gay social networking app's forthcoming digital platform "Into."

SEE ALSO: Winkd is a dating app where LGBTQ people are not an afterthought

Wallis' poetry will look at sex and what it means to be gay in 2017, but his poems won't be limited to the world of dating and hookup apps."The topic is as much gay experiences in general as [it is] the app. But, as [Grindr] is part of that experience, it will be a source of inspiration to an extent," says Wallis."The first poem, 'Remnants,' is about what you leave behind physically and psychologically after sex; one of the next video poems will be about social media," Wallis continues.

Mashable Trend Report Decode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means. Sign up for Mashable’s weekly Trend Report newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

According to Wallis, "Remnants" is partly inspired by Emily Dickinson; it speaks to the ways we cling to what's left behind from a sexual experience (think messed-up sheets and cigarette butts).Wallis will produce a video poem each month which will be flashed in the app as well as published on Into. He'll write the poems in free verse, and each video will thread into the next, feeding into a wider narrative about what he describes as "the gay experience."Wallis will also play a character in the videos; viewers can expect to see his character on dates with two different men. Grindr has yet to confirm a release date, stating "a few things are still in the works for the new platform." Wallis plans to shoot the second and third films this Sunday. "Poetry is about distilling an experience. If there's a platform for the gay experience, and to celebrate that, all the better," says Wallis.This isn't the first time a writer has been appointed to an unconventional residency. Alain de Botton was commissioned in 2009 as writer in residence at Heathrow Airport, spending a week-long stint in the middle of Terminal Five's departure hall. Currently, Minnesota's Mall of America is also looking for a writer in residence. "The truth is, there is no 'proper' subject for poetry," writes Wallis. "All of life is its subject. Nothing should be out of bounds."

---

Featured Video For You

---

Famous faces recite poem about refugee crisis in powerful video

---

Topics Books LGBTQ

• Entertainment
• Science
• Social Good
• Games
• Shopping
• Tech
• Deals
• Digital Culture

• NYT Strands hints, answers for April 23
• You can now pay for things with your sunglasses because what could go wrong
• The chat app war between Microsoft and Slack heats up
• Terrifying face gadget promises to keep your conversations private in public places
• What's Thermal Throttling and How to Prevent It
• This new podcast from the 'Serial' team is going to be your next obsession
• Everything you need to know about Cara Delevingne's new coming
• Samsung The Frame TV will be available this spring
• Today's Hurdle hints and answers for April 23, 2025
• Here's how winter storms like Stella get their (unofficial) names

• There was almost a casualty in the nightly war against evil at Disney World's live show
• Lyft looks to attract new riders with free Starbucks
• OnePlus forced to move 6T launch date because of Apple's event
• Churros shop lures Pokémon trainers with the 'Pikachurro'
• Apple could be working on a new health
• Bow down to badass Simone Biles
• This scientist keeps winning bets against climate deniers
• Google Maps releases real
• See the exact moment Chad le Clos regretted provoking Michael Phelps
• Why I’m only reading books by women this year

• NYT Connections hints and answers for May 10: Tips to solve 'Connections' #699.
• Samsung The Frame TV will be available this spring
• Trump never has to buy sunglasses again because Obama's photographer will shade him forever
• Wondering what people did during the blizzard? Hooked up, obviously.
• Waymo data shows humans are terrible drivers compared to AI
• Samsung The Frame TV will be available this spring
• Only those with dirty minds will appreciate this Ed Sheeran hashtag
• In case eggplants are too subtle, Grindr releases more, um, expressive emoji
• Musetti vs. Diallo 2025 livestream: Watch Madrid Open for free
• A British store is launching cafes where people can chat about mental health

• The Baffler’s May Day Round Up
• Prince William's dad dancing is the internet's latest obsession
• A Fire on the Mountain
• Apple could kill almost 200,000 apps with iOS 11
• How to Squeeze the Most Out of Your iPhone's Battery
• Emulator allows iPhone to run Windows XP
• Why you saw swastikas appearing on Twitter accounts everywhere
• A Fire on the Mountain
• Better Buy: Previous
• Prince William's dad dancing is the internet's latest obsession