Poetry in Public: Places of Landing

Poems will replace advertising on public transit, enlivening commutes across King County.

Poetry in Public celebrates local voices by featuring poems written by King County residents in shared spaces. This year’s theme, Places of Landing, embraces the poetry of our daily lives. It honors the movements, places, and feelings that tell the stories of our days. Everyone can be a poet!

Featured Poet

Jennifer Cortés Arias

Seattle

Featured image for Pasos

Pasos

Mi cabello enredado evitando miradas, uno, dos pasos, esta es mi parada.
Al silencio lo releva mi olfato, el miedo se activa, uno, dos pasos, atravieso la salida.
Camino sobre hojas caídas, uno, dos pasos, el viento entona una vida tranquila.
Inagotables pasos, reconozco que estoy viva.

Steps

My tangled hair avoiding stares, one, two steps, this is my stopping place.
My sense of smell replacing silence, fear escalates, one, two steps, I cross the gate.
Over fallen leaves I’m springing, one, two steps, of a tranquil life the wind is singing.
Endless strides, I realize that I’m alive.

Original language: Spanish
Translated by: José Luis Montero

All 2024 Poets