I first encountered poetry in public on the New York subway. Along side of the usual signs for bail bondsmen and pain relief, I spotted a poem. I was pleasantly surprised and have continued to appreciate other times that localities place poetry in public spaces such as our local park.
But why is it there and what do the people who place it hope to have happen? I found a good explanation from the local town’s poet laureate Andrea Barton(at least fourteen Connecticut towns have one.)In her view, poetry can be used to build bridges among individuals from all walks of life. “I want to pull the community together using poetry,” Andrea says. “I see the world through poetry, and think it’s exciting to help others do that too.”
Her quote encouraged me after I had spent many years in a college classroom exploring poems with young people. Too often the love they had for rhythm and rhyme as children had been extinguished by high school. Here they seemed to learn that poetry had a “secret meaning” known only to the teacher. I had to do much “unteaching” to allow them to connect in their own ways to each writing, abandoning ones that didn’t ring true, treasuring those that did.
I often echo Marianne Moore when I encounter many contemporary poems “when they become so derivative as to become unintelligible, the same thing may be said for all of us—that we do not admire what we cannot understand.” But much poetry makes perfect sense to many people, putting thoughts and insights into words that provide connection and comfort. That poetry, placed in view of ordinary people, can enrich lives.
Saved By Words 
Anything that encourages the reader to seek out more is great. Too wordy and it tends to put a lot of people off!
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I’ve never been able to write poetry, but I can appreciate a good poem.
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I do agree. Poetry more than any other can deliver insights with a punch, in a single phrase. Some does require repetition – not work per se – to feel it’s meaning but once uncovered… sigh. Other poetry however famous is just so many words, signifying little.
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This is a wonderful post, Elizabeth. How do teachers teach poetry beyond rhyming? Unfortunately, after that, poetry seems to end. Shel Silverstein was a champion of poetry for the young, and poetry grew from there. I could speculate as to the demise of poetry beyond childhood, yet I want to cheer poetry, anywhere and everywhere. The subway is a terrific place.
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Loved this post so much. Having snippets of poetry in public spaces is such a delight.
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I agree that public poetry can enrich lives. It might also make people think about things they had never previously considered.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I enjoy writing prose but I am definitely not a poet. I do enjoy reading poetry as long as it is not so obtuse that I can take nothing from it. A good poet is a wonderful gift to the world. I enjoy public poetry as it is always a pleasant surprise to me and offers a a moment to take a break from the world around us.
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I think placing poems or extracts from poems in public places is a wonderful way to promote literacy.
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