Announcing the Word Play Way Shortlist Poems!

Congratulations to the three poets whose poems have made it to the final shortlist for the Douglas Park poetry mural and Word Play Way installation. The final shortlisted poets are Ariel Walton, avery r. young, and Jupiter Dandridge.

Each of these poems celebrates the legacy and future of Douglas Park and/or the North Lawndale community. Jupiter Dandridge, avery r. young, and Ariel Walton each root their words while also soaring into possible futures, and we're grateful to have the opportunity to share their word. Congratulations and thanks to our finalists.

Check out the final three shortlisted poems below. Our next post: the winning poem! Stay tuned for final news and future launch events, featuring each of the shortlisted poets!

The Shortlist:

Every house on Cullerton
Jupiter Dandridge

looks like a castle
On the porch I sit underneath my Great Grandmother
in the same spot as everyone who came before me
& it’s so hot that the moon
is just the sun sleeping
So kids pick up silver smiles off the sidewalk
& throw them at each other
In the alley
all my friends jump on mattresses
with shoelaces for wings

Peace and Love
Ariel Walton
Is what rose and will rise
as the seeds also known as children grow
Hearts filled with purity and hope
the future is what we’ll come to know
Less hate and more love
no fighting and more hugs
The very light that will shine on the darkness
healing each wound until we all progress
The very unity, in the word community
there is no I, only we
Together we’ll overcome all adversity
a unit, united we stand
Hearts exuding pure love and light
until we raise the vibration of our great land
North Lawndale

From This Stone
avery r. young

From this stone, springs forth a wonder/land
with room for all kinds of flowers to bloom. 
Violets, lilies, and even flowers too big for hands.  
Even flowers with thorns and fragrance that looms.
From this stone, a mountain of monkey-bars and swings.
A mountain of looping slides that will nest laughter.
A mountain with a crossword puzzle in the crosswalk, among other things
that will reside with pride for many years after
we grow wings to fly away from North Lawndale
or acquire eagle claws on our toes to stay planted.
From this stone, issues a love-well
And a joy that heaven has granted.