Thanks to the work of young local poets, riding a bus around town will again soon be a little more interesting. Or at least a bit more literary.
For the second year, the Regional Transportation District will display poetry in unsold advertising space on buses, starting next month.
The young people’s work comes via the Poetry in Motion program, which is sponsored by the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and in partnership with local nonprofits, including the Lighthouse Writers Workshop and Art From Ashes.
This year, poems by four young poets have been chosen: Katie Foster, 16, Lena Novins- Montague, 10, and Claire Trainor, 13, all from the Lighthouse Writers Workshop; and Dominic Perez, 20, from Art From Ashes. The poetry will be rotated every few months among 800 RTD buses.
Last year, poetry by former Denver Poet Laureate Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado was among those featured on RTD buses.
Delgado, a poet, essayist and novelist, died in 2004 at age 73. He was named poet laureate by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and is considered one of the Chicano movement’s most respected poets and authors. His most recognized poem, “Stupid America,” resonated with Chicanos who were often discriminated against.
Poetry in Motion last year included work by Denver’s current poet laureate, Chris Ransick, and University of Colorado-Boulder professor Jake Adam York.
“The Poetry in Motion program allows Denver citizens to be touched by art in their everyday lives,” Hickenlooper said. “It promotes appreciation of poetry and provides support and exposure to local poets.”
Writing music and poetry has always intrigued Perez, whose poem “I Am the Dream” was selected for this year’s program. Perez wrote the poem within three minutes, said Catherine O’Neill Thorn, executive director of Art From Ashes.
“It came right out from his heart, and he didn’t have to think about it,” O’Neill Thorn said.
Works by Perez and the other three poets will be displayed on RTD buses beginning in April, to coincide with April Poetry Month activities.
At Art From Ashes, located in the Santa Fe Arts District, the mission is to empower youths who struggle with such issues as poverty and substance abuse by teaching them to express themselves through poetry without censorship or ridicule.
“It’s amazing what they’ll come up with,” O’Neill Thorn said. “The written and spoken word become effective and therapeutic healing tools.”
This story by staff writer Annette Espinoza appeared Feb. 12 in The Denver Post’s Spanish-language publication, Viva Colorado.
“I Am the Dream”
by Dominic Perez
I am the dream, breathing
but not yet walking.
I am the dream, thinking
but not yet talking.
I am the worldly dream,
I am the American dream.
Even my deepest dreams
have bigger dreams, dreaming
of smiles, new styles and fun.
I dream I am the dream to become:
Every pound of me, and I weigh a ton.
