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Ten Years of Poetry In Motion - A Look Back

Ten Years Of Poetry in Motion

1992–2002

Poetry In Motion's Unique Masthead

Poetry in Motion Header

For Poetry in Motion’s 10th anniversary, we introduced new artwork for the masthead that features segments of the ceramic mosaic mural by Jose Ortega, commissioned by MTA Arts for Transit in 1996.

  • The mural’s title is Una Raza, Un Mundo, Universo –  (One Race, One World, One Universe)
  • See the complete artwork at the 2 5 149th Street station.
  • Find out more about MTA Arts for Transit at www.mta.info

Poetry In Motion Header

When MTA New York City Transit planned the Poetry in Motion program, a unique masthead that featured mosaic tile art from a number of subway stations was created. This design appeared on all Poetry in Motion bus and subway cards for the first nine years of the program.

Our sponsor

Barnes & Noble Booksellers underwrites printing costs for the program, and poetry readings at their stores promote the Poetry in Motion program and its two volumes of poems. We thank Barnes & Noble for its generous support.

Awards

Poetry in Motion has won awards that include:

  • The New York Press Club’s "Heart of New York Award" – 1994
  • The Municipal Art Society’s Certificate of Merit – 1994 (Awarded jointly to Poetry in Motion and Arts for Transit)
  • A proclamation from the Council of the City of New York that honored Poetry in Motion for its "invaluable contribution to the people of New York City" – 2000

Free Poetry in Motion posters available

Poetry Society of America
Attn: Poetry In Motion© Director
15 Gramercy Park
New York, NY 10003

  • Requests must be from schools, libraries and non-profit organizations
  • Put requests in writing on organization letterhead and send to the Poetry Society of America
  • Limit of three posters per group
  • Titles subject to availability

London's Poems on the Underground program began in subway cars in 1986. In 1992, New York City Transit followed London's lead and Poetry in Motion was born. Representatives from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Poetry Society of America collaborate on the selection of poems. A complete poem or excerpt by an established poet must be short enough to be readable on one of our subway or bus cards. The PSA secures rights to reprint the poems and arranges poetry readings to promote the program

The first four poems

Poetry in Motion debuted with: "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" by Walt Whitman, "Hope is the Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickinson, "When You Are Old" by William Butler Yeats, and "Let There Be New Flowering" by Lucille Clifton.

Poems Since 1992

To read poems that have appeared in Poetry In Motion over the last ten years, click here.