Poems in New Yorkers' Pockets

While the city's Poem in Your Pocket Day is a nice cause - putting a poem in your pocket tomorrow to encouraging literacy and poetry, capping off National Poetry Month - Gothamist noted one thing about one the program's sponsors, The New York Times. The only Times article we recall about poetry (before today's about the new Queens poet laureate, Ishle Yi Park; her own website) is the one about poets dying at younger ages than other kinds of writers (maybe because they are pathological). And that's just a bummer, no?

Mayor Bloomberg says, "Poem in Your Pocket Day offers all New Yorkers a unique way to celebrate and reflect on the beauty and power of language. We are proud to launch an initiative that celebrates literacy and poetry, and the meaningful role they play in all of our lives. I'll be carrying a poem on April 30, and I encourage all New Yorkers to do the same." Gothamist would like to know what poem Mayor Bloomberg is carrying - will it be about getting elected with voters who just don't understand? Or making lots of money? Or not being a dynamic speaker?

Poem in Your Pocket Day's website also has suggestions for poems, like Emma Lazarus' New Colossus and Walt Whitman's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry. And one of the PIYP Day perks is that the MOMA will be giving free admission to any with a poem; it's unclear whether or not "Roses are red" poems or limmericks count. There's also a poetry slam tonight at the Bowery Poetry Club.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 29, 2004 1:19 PM

Comments [rss]

U-nanimous

"the grain-sacks of my teats"

that's fabulous. I'll carry that one in my breast pocket, along with Ginsberg's Howl.

In fact, if you like Howl, get the recording of Allen Ginsberg reading it over music played by Kronos Quartet. It's amazing.

Julia

Feel free to carry this poem, a paean to friendship and change.

I feel like a turkey

filled with happy stuffins

when I see my favorite little

friend: shiney mister buttons.

Buttons is the saddest--

But don't tell him I told:

He misses his best buddy,

Mister button-hole.

He hasn't seen his bestie

Since I gained twenty pounds.

He grapples to my waistband

And tries to stretch around

the mountains of my tum-tum

or the grain-sacks of my teats--

he dreams about those looser days

while I squash him in my sheets.

Oh, button friend! I feel so bad!

I hear your tiny cries!

You miss your bestie oh so much--

Here-- you want a fry?

No? Ok, fine, be that way.

You round, ungrateful slut!

Ha! Ha ha! How's that for snug?

I've stuck you in my butt.

joe s

How long will it be until someone asks "Is that a poem in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"?

Kristen

I love everything about this. I would pick something by Keats or Zagajewski (my new fav)...

Jen

Yeah, I'm not reading the OP/ED section like I oughta. Thanks for the link!

ziegfeld

Times columnist Nicholas Kristof announced yesterday that he's conducting a short poetry contest about the Iraqui war and occupation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/28/opinion/28KRIS.html