Transport for London (TfL) has launched its latest series of Poems on the Underground, as the 40th anniversary celebrations continue. This new winter collection features six poems and will be displayed across London Underground and London Overground and Elizabeth line trains.
Customers are invited to join live poetry readings at Covent Garden station on Thursday 12 February, to mark the six new poems launching with readings from poets Blake Morrison and Jason Salkey.
February’s poems feature a mix of international poets and contemporary British writers, many of which deal with the moments of profundity that can be found as we move about the mundane moments of our day-to-day lives. Kobayashi Issa’s haiku, featuring calligraphy from Yukki Yaura, celebrates the coming of spring and the way the world suddenly comes alive after being frozen.
The new winter poems:
Blake Morrison’s “Narcissus”: A contemporary piece by the acclaimed British poet references the Greek myth in a modern, urban environment
Jonathan Davidson’s “A Short Piece of Choral Music”: A moving reflection on the simple reassurances found in family and the quietude of a kitchen evening
Jane Hirshfield’s “Da Capo”: A poem of renewal and “starting again,” using the metaphor of a simple meal to signify healing
Kobayashi Issa’s “Haiku”: A celebrated work featuring original calligraphy by Yukki Yaura, capturing the sudden awakening of a frozen world
Rachael Boast’s “Syzygy”: A philosophical exploration of the moments where we commune deeply with our surroundings
Mircea Dinescu’s “Myopic Painter”: A poem from the renowned Romanian poet (translated by Adam J. Sorkin and Lidia Vianu) that reflects on love
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:
“Covent Garden is a wonderful setting for our ongoing celebration of Poems on the Underground’s 40th anniversary. The readings bring together international and contemporary work which reflects London’s diversity with poems that help us dwell on the magic of everyday moments. The poems can be seen on display across the network for all to enjoy, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”
Mark Evers, who oversees customer insight, strategy & experience at TfL, said:
“This latest collection of Poems on the Underground beautifully captures those quiet, profound moments that occur even in the middle of a busy commute. We hope our customers enjoy these latest set of poems and our 40th anniversary celebrations throughout the year.”
Customers can now see some of the first 100 poems at selected stations, continuing the expansion of the project beyond train carriages. Poems are featured at Heathrow, Seven Sisters, St. John’s Wood, and Westminster, and will also release a free “40 Poems for 40 Years” leaflet at stations across the network.
Customers can view the poems and learn more about the project by visiting tfl.gov.uk/poems, or visit the archive of the project at poemsontheunderground.org.
