Have you seen the travelling poet on King’s Square in York?
Joel Wilson, a third-year law student at the University of York, can often be found writing poetry on a typewriter on the corner of King’s Square – all for strangers!
The concept is that people can come up to Joel and ask him to write a poem – about anything they like – and Joel will then write the poem on the spot and give it to them.
The receiver of the poem can then pay what they like.
“I do it because I love poetry,” Joel told YorkMix. “I’ve always loved poetry, and I like to spread that love.
“I think poetry is something that not a lot of people know about, but you shouldn’t write it off. It’s absolutely brilliant, and if I can encourage as many people to get into it, I’ll be happy.”
The general reaction to his poems varies, according to Joel.
“People like them generally – I really do like to make it personal. I really like it when it makes an impact on people.
“I’ve had people cry, I’ve had people laugh – it depends on the poem.”
Though his literary inspirations are Ginsberg and Bronte, Joel was inspired to start writing poetry for strangers after meeting a travelling poet who encouraged him to bring it to York.
And he’s taking his poems from Old York to New York next year, as he’s touring the East coast of the United States with his poems.
“It’s a big adventure,” said Joel. “I’ve never been outside of Europe before – so that should be fun.”
Make sure to catch Joel and ask for a poem at King’s Square before his stateside adventure!