Category Archives: Poem

Stand Up for Avra Valley!

Posted on March 25, 2018 by

Stand Up for Avra Valley! Midst a scenic desert valley a freeway is planned to flow more useless sprawl and chaos whose outcome we all know This Sonoran panorama is a treat for jaded eyes seducing all who view her … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, art, charities, cities, civics, civility, deserts, environment, geography, historic preservation, history, humanity, infrastructure, land use, nature, peace, pictures, placemaking, planning, Poem, politics, pollution, recreation, spatial design, sprawl, sustainability, topography, tourism, transportation, Travel, urban planning, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Poets of the pavement – local places with Poet Laureates

Posted on July 23, 2017 by

The list below identifies those cities, towns, villages, townships, shires, and counties which have a designated or appointed poet laureate.  It is meant to include only those with an active poet laureate position or which are searching for someone to … Continue reading →

Posted in art, cities, culture, entertainment, geography, humanity, literature, place names, Poem, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Urban planning portrayed through art

Posted on March 12, 2016 by

As urban planners we most often tend to think of our profession being depicted to the outside world in fairly basic textual and geographic terms. Either it is the written word in somewhat legalistic prose, or it is maps representing … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, books, cartoons, cities, civics, Communications, culture, film, history, humanity, inclusiveness, land use, literature, movies, music, new urbanism, pictures, placemaking, planning, Poem, spatial design, sustainability, Television, theaters, tourism, Travel, urban planning, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blue Waters: An ode to Lake Michigan

Posted on August 18, 2015 by

BLUE WATERS (An ode to Lake Michigan) by Rick Brown ____________ Sacred blue waters Beckon to me Wherever you are Come to the sea * Crystal blue waters Welcoming me Marvelous vistas For reflective retreat * Blessed blue waters Smile … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, fun, geography, health, humanity, Love, nature, peace, pictures, Poem, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Poem – “At a crossroads”

Posted on April 15, 2015 by

At a crossroads This way, or that That way, or this Forward or back Which way to go North or south East or west Everything in between On the compass   Turn left or right Answer yes or no Decisions, … Continue reading →

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The poetry of a spring bike commute

Posted on April 8, 2014 by

Spring Morning Commute By Rick Brown   Wheels spin round and round Traversing the paved terrain They roll in cadent unison Along the paved bike lane   Fresh air breezes past me As fragrances abound Spring charms once dulled senses … Continue reading →

Posted in Active transportation, art, bicycling, bike sharing, Biking, civics, civility, climate change, Communications, culture, environment, fitness, fun, geography, health, humanity, infrastructure, land use, nature, new urbanism, peace, placemaking, planning, Poem, product design, recreation, seasons, spatial design, sustainability, third places, trails, transportation, Travel, urban planning, weather, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The joy of celestial cycling

Posted on October 25, 2012 by

One of the most pleasant  aspects of bicycle commuting is the opportunity for riding in the pre-dawn hours during the fall, winter, and spring. Granted, one has to keep their eyes on the road, trail, path, or whatever you are riding upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Active transportation, art, Astronomy, bicycling, Biking, climate change, culture, entertainment, environment, fitness, fun, health, Love, nature, Outer Space, peace, Poem, seasons, sustainability, trails, transportation, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guiding lights of the night

Posted on October 16, 2012 by

I had a breathtaking view of the stars at 6:15 this morning while walking my dog, Relay, including a marvelous shooting star. Shortly afterwards, I jotted down these poetic verses. Enjoy! Guiding Lights Evening star At dusk’s fading light Guide us … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Astronomy, Communications, culture, entertainment, fun, humanity, nature, Outer Space, peace, Poem, skylines, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The “grand” prize for fusing art and economic development

Posted on October 8, 2012 by

This is a slightly revised post from the same story I wrote for Rust Wire, that was published earlier today. Enjoy! I had my first opportunity to attend ArtPrize in Grand Rapids on September 29th. My oh my, have they ever hit … Continue reading →

Posted in Active transportation, adaptive reuse, advertising, architecture, art, bicycling, charities, cities, civics, Communications, Cuisine, culture, diversity, economic development, economic gardening, economics, Economy, education, entertainment, entrepreneurship, film, fun, geography, historic preservation, land use, movies, music, new urbanism, North America, placemaking, planning, Poem, revitalization, skylines, spatial design, Statistics, third places, tourism, transportation, Travel, walking, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Timepiece of the heartland”

Posted on October 2, 2012 by

A poem I wrote in 1996 about one visual, but disappearing aspect of the Great Plains – the farm windmills. Timepiece of the Heartland Time is an abstract wonder Both cyclical and seasonal But in our nation’s heartland It’s measured … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, climate change, culture, energy, environment, geography, historic preservation, history, land use, North America, placemaking, Poem, tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment