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As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and care for our community, Just Buffalo Literary Center has postponed a number of events, and we will follow the guidance of Buffalo Public Schools in terms of Just Buffalo Writing Center programming.

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Lit City Sidewalk Poems

We are celebrating the literary arts in Buffalo with poems under your feet. Look for spray-chalked poetry on sidewalks all over the city.

“new bones”
by Lucille Clifton

we will wear
new bones again.
we will leave
these rainy days,
break out through
another mouth
into sun and honey time.
worlds buzz over us like bees,
we be splendid in new bones.
other people think they know
how long life is.
how strong life is.
we know.

Installed outside the Lexington Co-op @ 807 Elmwood Avenue
& Freedom Wall

  • Lucille Clifton "new bones" sidewalk poem shadow Lexington Co-Op
  • Lucille Clifton "new bones" sidewalk poem at the Lexington Co-Op 2
  • Lucille Clifton "new bones" sidewalk poem at the Lexington Co-Op 3
  • Lucille Clifton "new bones" sidewalk poem at the Lexington Co-Op 4
  • Lucille Clifton "new bones" sidewalk poem at the Lexington Co-Op
  • "new bones" by Lucille Clifton at the Freedom Wall

“Here”
by Robert Creeley

What
has happened
makes

the world.
Live
on the edge,

looking.

Installed outside Broadway Market
& Delaware Park

  • Robert Creeley sidewalk poem "Here" at the Broadway Market
  • Robert Creeley sidewalk poem "Here" at the Broadway Market 2
  • Robert Creeley sidewalk poem "Here" at the Delaware Park's running trail
  • Robert Creeley sidewalk poem "Here" at the Delaware Park's running trail 2
  • Robert Creeley sidewalk poem "Here" at the Delaware Park's running trail 3
  • Robert Creeley Delaware Park red orange sidewalk poem "Here"

From Yabo:
by Alexis De Veaux

History is a black hole…
Like a goddess or god:
appearing differently or not at all.
Depending on which direction.
Imagine a history that was unheard,
not repeated,
A theory of darkness,
without light, color, shadow.
Succulent.

Installed outside MLK Park
& Colored Musicians Club

  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem Broadway
  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem Colored Musicians Club
  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem MLK Park
  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem MLK Park installation
  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem MLK Park 2
  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem shadow
  • Alexis De Veaux sidewalk poem MLK Park 3

from “Articulation of Sound Forms in Time”
by Susan Howe

Loving Friends and Kindred: —
…We must not worry
how few we are and fall from each other
More than language can express
Hope for the artist in America & etc
This is my birthday
These are the old home trees.

Installed outside Hoyt Lake
& Delaware Park

  • Susan Howe sidewalk poem from "Articulation of Sound Forms in Time" Delaware Park
  • Susan Howe sidewalk poem from "Articulation of Sound Forms in Time" Delaware Park with oak tree
  • Susan Howe sidewalk poem installation at Hoyt Lake
  • Susan Howe sidewalk poem Hoyt Lake
  • Susan Howe sidewalk poem from "Articulation of Sound Forms in Time" at Hoyt Lake

from “Take It or Leave It”
by Raymond Federman

I want to write
a book like a cloud
that changes as it goes
he said.

Installed at Japanese Garden

  • Raymond Federman sidewalk poem installation at Japanese Garden
  • Raymond Federman sidewalk poem at Japanese Garden 2
  • Raymond Federman sidewalk poem at Japanese Garden
  • from "Take It or Leave It" by Raymond Federman sidewalk poem at the Japanese Garden
  • Raymond Federman sidewalk poem at Japanese Garden 3

from City of Light
by Lauren Belfer

My city’s sky,
a gift from the
shifting currents
and ever-changing
winds of the
Great Lakes…

a blank slate
upon which
anyone
might write
anything
whatsoever.

Installed outside Buffalo Seminary
& Dash’s Market on Hertel Avenue

  • Lauren Belfer sidewalk poem installation at Buffalo Seminary
  • Lauren Belfer sidewalk poem at Buffalo Seminary
  • Lauren Belfer sidewalk poem at Buffalo Seminary
  • Lauren Belfer sidewalk poem at Buffalo Seminary entryway
  • Lauren Belfer sidewalk poem at Hertel Avenue
  • Lauren Belfer sidewalk poem installation at Dash's Market

“Wrong Star”
by Kazim Ali

Wrong star I chose
To sail under alone
I did not want
To be alone
Brought or abandoned
Those nights when
I did not know
Who could know
Am I invited
Do you remember
Which question
Needs answer

Installed outside Kleinhans Music Hall

  • Kazim Ali - "Wrong Star" sidewalk poem at Kleinhans Music Hall
  • Kazim Ali —"Wrong Star" sidewalk poem at Kleinhans Music Hall
  • Kazim Ali —"Wrong Star" sidewalk poem

by Carl Dennis

I’m glad…to be standing fifty yards
from the Coast Guard station
Barely half a mile from downtown Buffalo,
At the western edge of the Empire State,
Which might have taken more care of its shoreline
Had it been ruled, now and then, by an emperor.

Installed at Hoyt Lake
& Allentown

  • Carl Dennis sidewalk poem at Hoyt Lake
  • Carl Dennis sidewalk poem at Hoyt Lake stairs
  • Carl Dennis sidewalk poem in Allentown