Joel Wilson, who is originally from Gainford near Darlington, has been writing street poetry on a typewriter in York city centre since last October
– taking any topic given to him by a stranger and turning it into a poem in a matter of minutes with topics ranging from fruit to existentialism.
His decision to take to the streets was born out of a lifelong love of poetry itself and a chance encounter with another poet who encouraged him to give it a go.
Joel said: “I’ve found life beautiful in a melancholy way and poetry is just an expression of how beautiful I find life. I really like sharing that with people and that’s what drives me out onto the street.
“I met someone who did street poetry sometimes in York and he said that I should try it sometime. He was just passing through, he’s now in Mexico City doing poems actually, so we compared poetry, had a very long talk and he convinced me to give it a try.
“From the start, I just loved it. I graduated about three weeks ago and I’ve had more time to write since then, so I’m out more, but it was hard balancing it around my degree.”
Whilst previously in King Square, in front of what is now Oliver Bonas, Joel moved up to Low Ousegate stating that it wouldn’t feel right to remain in his previous spot blocking access to the shop.
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