As the wonderful winners of this year’s #NYCPoetweet contest demonstrate, New York’s ability to inspire remains undiminished.
Not only is this National Poetry Month, but today is New York City’s 12th annual Poem in Your Pocket Day, when New Yorkers are encouraged to write their own poem or borrow one from their favorite poet. All you need to participate is to carry a poem and share it with your friends, family, classmates and colleagues today. (You can see where to celebrate today here.)
Since 2010, Metro has partnered with the city to promote this special day by hosting the #NYCPoetweet Twitter poetry contest. From April 1-8, New Yorkers and Twitter users from across the country tweeted their best original rhymes, verses and haikus using #NYCPoetweet. Hundreds of poems were entered into the contest, and New York City’s first lady Chirlane McCray – herself a published poet – selected this year’s winners. You can check out a video of her reviewing the finalists on her blog at flonyc.tumblr.com.
1. Ines @locaines
Complacency / is the opposite of love and I’ve been waiting / so long for someone to split an avocado with.
2. Daniel Carlton @ImDanielCarlton
Fullmoon white blends with street lights tonight. Through window blinds streams. Harlem, half dreams
3. Scottt Raven @ScotttRaven
Dept. of Health fights grime / If you C something / try and get at least a B- next time. #gradepending
4. America @america123
Scrape the shovel / Slosh the puddle / Slap this winter down / Click-clack the heel / Sing-song the sax / Stir this summer town
5. M M De Voe @mmdevoe
Birdsong under scaffolding / green shoots in blackest dirt / hello, first bare leg of Spring / take my yellow cab / I’ll walk today.
