ACW Programs Manager Tyler Barton said this was part of the 8th year of ACW’s Poem Village project. This is a village-wide public art installation held during National Poetry Month which aims to beautify Saranac Lake during mud season by filling the village with poems by North Country people of all ages and experience levels.

Barton said ACW published 170 poets this year, 50 of whom were students of various ages. Students from Northwood School, Norwood-Norfolk Central School, and Petrova Elementary took field trips to Saranac Lake this spring to find their poems and visit ACW for either a collaborative writing workshop or a celebratory reading.

Barton said 30 kids from Petrova sent in poems. Below are three of them.

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Connor McQuinn, a 4th grader at Petrova Elementary, reads his poem, “Helping Homeless People,” which was included in ACW’s Poem Village 2023. The poem is installed in the window of the Hotel Saranac. (Provided photo — Tyler Barton)

Helping Homeless People

By Connor McQuinn

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I found a homeless man as I was walking.

I went home and got my money.

Bella Webb-Brown, a 4th grader at Petrova Elementary, reads her poem, “Boom,” about why she’s not allowed to use the microwave anymore, which was included in ACW’s Poem Village 2023. The poem is installed in the window of Sylvia’s Tailoring on Broadway. (Provided photo — Tyler Barton)

I went to the store.

Helping people brings me joy!

I got some clothes at the store.

I gave them to the homeless man.

I felt very happy!

Helping people brings me joy!

I got a lot of money.

I went back to the store.

I bought everything from the store.

Helping people brings me joy!

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Boom

By: Bella Webb-Brown

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My mom took us out to Red Fox

The next day I was craving more

So I went to devour it

I put it in the microwave for 3 minutes

It went BOOM like the Fourth of July — BOOM

BOOM and it went BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

BOOM I took it out

The microwave was smoky

I was banned

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Gummy Bears

By: Isaac Evans

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A one colored bear

A sweet, soft, squishy colored bear

A fruit tasting, sweet, soft, squishy colored bear

A smelling sweet, fruit tasting, sweet soft, colored bear

I am like one

I am fun like a gummy bear