Poems inspired by the places that shape daily life in Lyons are now on display around town — the work of seventh graders at George Washington Middle School who spent April exploring the beauty hiding in routine.
The project, called “There’s a Poem in this Place,” asks students to find inspiration in their immediate surroundings. Poems about baseball hang in Stella’s. Verses about books are posted at the Lyons Library. A meditation on Hofmann Tower decorates Village Hall. Reflections on middle school life appear at GWMS itself.
“Every few months, the students in my class complete a project that allows them to put their learning out into the community,” said Eileen Cahill, a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher at the school. “This contextualization and real-world outlet for their work encourages a deeper connection to and pride in what they create.”
The assignment drew inspiration from a line in a poem by Amanda Gorman and the Academy of American Poets’ National Poetry Month activities. Students compiled a list of Lyons businesses and organizations where they wanted their work displayed, then created poster displays for each location.
The project encourages students to notice what they might otherwise overlook — the small moments and familiar places that fill their days.
“If you are reading this, look around your day and find the poem that exists,” the display reads. “There’s a poem in this place.”
Ten students contributed to the poster displays: Natalie Guerra, Araceli Jaramillo, Madalyn Nevarez, Sofia Medina, Axel Lopez, Isaac Cervantez, Leo Sanchez, Isaac Espinoza, Genesis Barrera, and Jeffrey Lozada.