About the Project 

Curated by Ryan Strand Greenberg, Kensington Healing Verse is an evolution of Trapeta B. Mayson’s 2020–2021 Philadelphia Poet Laureate project, Healing Verse Philly Poetry Line.

The Workshops

Throughout 2021, Philadelphia Poet Laureate Trapeta B. Mayson held poetry workshops with East and West Kensington residents, elementary school students, and individuals impacted by substance use and housing insecurity. These workshops used poetry as a tool for sharing, listening, and reflection about community, daily life, and new pathways to healing for the Kensington Community.

The Artwork 

The participants’ poems capture memories, challenges, and aspirations of life in Kensington that were combined into a group poem reflecting a shared vision for community and healing. This collective poem was transformed into a neon sign and lifted to the rooftop of 2400 Kensington Avenue to serve as a beacon of strength, hope, and healing for the residents of Kensington.

Write your own healing verse by submitting here.