A few months ago, I learned about the Lansing Sidewalk Poetry Competition, a project that would help celebrate the different neighborhoods of Lansing with poems. The winning poems for each area (Old Town, REO Town, the Stadium District, and the Eastside) will be etched into the sidewalk in those parts of town.
Poetry was one of my favorite genres to write in, from high school through college and grad school. Since then, though, I haven’t found the inspiration or opportunity to write poems. I work best with an assignment, and being able to bounce ideas off of classmates and teachers to really fine tune the writing.
I entered the contest with hopes that my poem would be etched into the sidewalk of Old Town, my chosen area of inspiration. Sadly, I found out last month that my poem wasn’t chosen. But either way, it was a great opportunity to use some writing muscles that have gone soft, and in the end I have a poem that I really like. I also feel it accomplishes the hope and goal of the competition: to share a connection to an area, embracing its history and personal significance.
I love Old Town, and can remember feeling like it was a world away when I was at MSU. Now it is a favorite destination to go with family and friends. I wanted to write about how Old Town has evolved over the years, and including elements of the jazz and blues festivals.
Here is my poem.
Rebound
Stefanie Pohl
This old girl’s got
a fresh coat of paint.
Witness her limbs stretching
in a saxophone strut,
turn your head to see
the flush of color pouring
through her alleyway veins,
all blue beneath the skin,
and watch as her grand heart,
broken and resuscitated,
pulses life into the avenue
with a steady bass beat.
Header photo: Old Town Lansing