How Does This Work?

I first set up my little poetry table on August 4th, 2023 at a Night Market event at the Pictou Waterfront. By September 5th, I had attended four different events (six days total), wrote 94 poems, and made countless beautiful connections with people! I have stumbled across a calling that I didn’t know I had!

One of the questions I get, even after someone reads my sign, is: “How does this work?” It goes like this…

1. Choose The Topic

What do you need a poem about today? I have written poems on a VERY wide range of topics and to varying degrees of seriousness. I have written poems on Pink Elephants; Rainbow Unicorns; The Colour Purple; Peaches; and even a love poem from one dog to their neighbour dog. I have also written poems about friendship new and old; love and romance; grief and loss; the quiet life; and what it means to grow into yourself, to find purpose and contentment. When you give me your topic, I will chat with you for a few moments and take some messy point-form notes (with my fountain pen, of course). I’ll often start by asking if there is a particular reason that topic is on your mind today and then we’ll go from there. You can be as general or specific as you’re comfortable sharing with me!

2. Get a Poem

It takes me on average about 10 minutes to write a poem—that is, if someone else doesn’t come to the table to request one in the meantime! I will often pause to receive another request, chat and take notes, and then pick up writing where I left off. I try to provide a realistic idea of wait times and may have to turn people away if I have a queue in my notebook and the event is drawing to a close. While your poem is being written, you’re encouraged to browse the other vendors at the event! I compose your poem directly onto my manual typewriter, no rough drafts! As I like to say, “Typos are free.” Even though I may write on similar topics from time-to-time, I try my best to make each poem a completely unique expression of you and the details you’ve shared with me. When the poem is complete, I stamp it with my logo at the bottom and set it aside for you to pick-up at your convenience. I do not photograph the poems I write. And I don’t allow others to read your poem if they ask to see examples of my work at the table. Your poem is personal and sacred, and I value that very highly. It is the only copy that exists—on paper, in the real world, ink-on-page. If you choose to photograph it and share it on social media later, you are welcome to tag me, but that is all your decision! You can read your poem while standing at the table, or you can take it away with you to read later. You can read out loud, or you can read silently, or you can request that I read it to you. Tears are respected; handshakes or hugs are accepted. This is a safe and special place we have created!

3. Pay What You Decide

What I’m doing is technically busking, so in the true buskers’ style, you choose what to pay me for your poem. I have been paid anywhere from $2.00 to $50.00 for a single poem. Some people pay before they get their poem, and some pay after—I don’t have a preference! How much you pay does not affect the length or quality of your poem. And I put just as much thought into my poems for children as I do for adults. I have a little jar for cash, but I can also process card payments through my Square reader (the only none-analogue part of my set-up). I am grateful for all the support of my work! I also get encouraging comments from passers by, or some who want to take a photograph of me at my table, others might stop a moment to reminisce with me about typewriters, or young people who have never seen a typewriter before want to watch it in action—it is all part of why I love poetry busking so much!

I hope to see you at my next event!

 --Susan