Words on Wheels hits Bloomington Transit

The Matrix, a literary arts group that strives to promote poetry and art in the community, teamed with Bloomington Transit to bring poetry to public transportation. Words on Wheels is a poetry contest that provides the public with a more interesting bus ride and gives poets an opportunity to express themselves. \nLora Wagers, a member of the Matrix editorial board, said she was anxious to get Words on Wheels underway. \n"The purpose of this program is to get people involved in poetry and literacy and to give them a better experience," Wagers said. \nThe contest was open to the Bloomington community and IU students. There were two age categories: 18 and older and 17 and younger. There were no restrictions regarding topics for the poems.\nKenya LeDay, a customer service representative for Bloomington Transit and judge for the Words on Wheels contest, said she was eager to get involved. She said she loves reading poetry and thought the contest would increase community involvement.\n"I thought Words on Wheels was an excellent idea that would get the community involved," LeDay said. \nOne of LeDay's favorite poems was written by a young boy saying goodbye to his mother, who was dying of cancer. She said she enjoyed reading every poem but admits her favorite poems were written by young children. Judging the poems was not easy, LeDay said.\nPhil Metres, a graduate student and recent winner of the Words on Wheels contest, said he was excited about his involvement. \n"Words on Wheels brings poetry into public spaces where regular people can enjoy poems," Metres said. \nHis poem, "Safety Instructions," was intended to poke fun at poetry and entertain his readers. \n"I wanted to write a familiar poem which makes fun at the complexity of poetry," Metres said.\nWagers said she was pleased with the outcome of the event. \n"We didn't expect so much community outpouring," Wagers said.\nMetres said poetry shouldn't be confined to the library.\n"Poetry should be part of our daily life and should be liberated from books," Metres said. "It's our duty as poets to make it happen"