Poems embedded in concrete in Waupaca
Main Street is undergoing a facelift and included in its new look are 16 poems embedded in concrete.
More than 200 poems were submitted by nearly 100 authors and judged by three published poets for the chance to have their poem molded and hardened in the sidewalk along Main Street.
Sponsored by the Poetry Committee of the Waupaca Arts Board, visitors to the north end of Main Street can find some of the finished products sprinkled along the sidewalks. The rest of the poems will be embedded as the sidewalks under construction are completed in the coming weeks.
“The process for placing the poems in a sidewalk is fascinating,” said Anita Olson, chair of the Poetry Committee. “A sturdy metal mold was made for each poem and pushed into the cement at just the right time. Each mold cost nearly $500 and is one of a kind, just like the poem.”
After all the poems are embedded, the letters in cement will receive a coat of black stain for easier reading.
“This was a great project,” Olson added. “City Engineer Justin Berrens and his crew, members of the Poetry Committee and all the poets who submitted their works should be proud.”