Poems2go (P2G) extends poetry’s public arm, reaching people in everyday spaces, attracting them with highly crafted, digestible poems that are easy to tuck in a pocket or share. P2G resides at 38 venues in 12 states, including cafés, bookstores, and libraries. It is a free, quarterly publication comprised of poems printed on loose leaf 4” x 6” paper. Nearly 8,000 poems are consumed quarterly. P2G has been found on subway seats and pinned to trees. Poems, interviews, and articles are also shared on P2G’s website, Twitter, and Facebook. Christine Jones (Founder) and Sarah Lain (Managing Editor) are responsible for its publication, management, development, and distribution; volunteers also support individual venue distributions. P2G is fiscally sponsored by Lesley University. The Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry, Billerica Arts Council and The Massachusetts Cultural Council have all generously sponsored P2G with grants.
Ten poets are featured every three months and multiple copies of their poems are printed on 4″x 6″ loose-leafed paper and distributed to selected cafes and/or bookstores (see Where to Find p2g) available for patrons to peruse and take 2 go.Poems2go hopes to provide poetry that is a reflection of a poet’s deep listening of the world around him/her, that broadens our perspective as readers to gain a greater understanding of interconnectedness, and a sense of our place in the collective whole.
Christine Jones 