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Poetic Pieces

By J.D. Samuel


Murals offer inspiration to poets, artists, musicians

Sometimes it's hard for writers, poets and musicians to come up with new material. But in Philadelphia murals offer artists a source of vivid inspiration. The city is home to more than 26,000 murals, according to More Philadelphia Murals and the stories they tell" by Jane Golden, Robin Rice and Natalie Pompilio.

The murals are Philadelphia's contemporary core. They offer nuances to the every day travels of urban life. They represent the voice of the people in different moments, expressed through artistic storytelling and with grace. While the murals serve as a multi-faceted source for artists, they also represent an inspirational source for the people of Philadelphia as a whole. In Sonia Sanchez's poem "Ten Haiku (for Phila murals)" she describes the universal power of the city's murals.

After illuminating local children playing before murals and the historical roots the murals evoke, Sanchez describes the freedom and sense of inspiration that murals showcase. She says, "in the open/ alley a galaxy/ of dreams." This articulates that a mural can transform a simple alley or corner building with imagination. At the poem's end, haiku 10, Sanchez declares: "even in the/rain, these murals/ pause with rainbows." And it's true. For the artist, poet and musician, one can look up at mural as it rains, and see a specific story beginning told. Whether the mural represents a part of a neighborhood, a historical figure, an artist's life experience or a part of nature, there is much to consider for a person seeking or stumbling upon inspiration.

In one Philadelphia neighbor, a simple array of butterflies transforms an old brick row house. The mural defines the building, which neighbors mounds of uncultivated earth and piles of rubble. The brightly colored butterflies transform the building with hope and a sense of perseverance.
Murals offer hope. In a city with more than 500 murders per year in 2007, the murals represent a sign of resistance. The murals declare that the people, artists, musicians and poets will not accept violence, conformity or injustice. There will be change. There will be a recording of our historical roots, present life and unknown future.

Poets, artists and musicians should pause at a mural and consider its historical and cultural significance in Philadelphia. The city's open canvas of mural artwork is a great source of information that should be embraced as much as possible.


J.D. Samuel is president of sia delphi poetry, a small press and
production company. For more information visit www.jenpoetess.com.