I began the poetry fence at the corner of Dewitt and
E Windsor Avenues in Del Ray, Alexandria, VA in 2009
People pause under my holly trees where the sidewalk ends to read the word web that's been evolving for 17 years. It shares roots with Shel Silverstein's Poet Tree.
Who visits the fence?
Anybody and everybody
Whenever you need it 24 × 7
Over the years, I've thought of new ways to share poetry, literature, and edibles in my community
-
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
-
Fast food tomatoes
-
Window in the fence (fairy gardens)
-
Art & Whimsy
-
Poetry mailbox
-
National Poetry projects
-
Halloween poems
-
Poems for fairies
CHARTER #4289
The Little Free Library of Dewitt & E Windsor
Around the corner from the poetry fence.
It's a small book box for sharing books.
Take a book. Leave a book. Open day and night.
The first one in Northern Virginia.
SINCE 2009
Fast Food Tomatoes
In 2009, I started planting Sweet 100 tomatoes in the curbside mulched strip in front of my house – for summer eating.
Pick some Fast Food Tomatoes. You'll find them next to the Little Free Library.
ONGOING
Art and Whimsy
I share it for the community to enjoy. Some are occasional and some endure.
What earrings does the rake lady wear today?
If it's June, take a free Pride flag from the poetry fence.
PEEK INSIDE
The Window in the Fence
There is an opening between the outer public sidewalk and the inner private world of garden. Young children stop to play with the treasures there – and put them all in the hanging bucket.
When you peek in the fence window, maybe you'll be invited into my garden to see my fairy houses.
My Fairy Houses
Fairies make a home in an old wheelbarrow.
This fairy thinks a teapot makes the fairest home.
A gourd house is the
best!
National Poetry Projects
April is National Poetry Month
when poetry is springing up all around Del Ray
Avenue Poems
Since 2015, I've planted Avenue Poems in front of buildings on Mt Vernon and Monroe Avenues in Del Ray for April, Poetry Month.
Gumball Poetry
Since 2019, I've brought Gumball poetry by Del Ray poets to a local café or bookstore for National Poetry Month.
Proceeds go to a local homeless shelter.
Mini poetry fence for the Duncan Library
Since 2010, a mini poetry fence graces the local library during April, National Poetry Month.
I provide a pick-a-poem basket for kids, too.
Poetry mailbox
In 2019, I placed a mailbox filled with poems by the poetry fence.
Pick a poem from the mailbox – better than a fortune cookie.
Poems for fairies
I tuck them around in secret places.
Do you find poems for fairies in the tree roots nearby?
SINCE 2019
Halloween Trick or Treat
Since 2019, I've given out poems to kids with candy at Halloween.
Kids tell me they love poetry, and some say they write poems.
FIELD TRIPS
Kids groups visit
Girl Scout troops and neighborhood schools visit the fence, garden, Little Free Library, and fairy rooms inside my house, and I visited a neighborhood Montessori classroom to share poetry.
Stop by the poetry fence, and see it for yourself.
(Don't forget the Little Free Library.)