BUFFALO, N.Y. — The very first permanent poetry periscope in North America was installed at the Nichols School on Thursday.
The green tube that resembles a periscope, peeks out of the ground. To use it, you crank the handle on the side 10 times, then use the button to select among 43 poems and songs.
English teacher Larry Desautels said he was first inspired to bring one of these to his school when he and his wife came across one in Ireland.
"We came across this thing coming out of the ground. We went up to it, we cranked it with all these poem names, and I teach and write poetry, so to me it was like really exciting. We just talked about this, and talked about this and said, we have to get one for Nichols," Desautels said.
The Periscope currently contains many poems read by the authors themselves, Larry says they study these authors in his class, so it provides the students with an excellent opportunity to listen to them read. The poems can also be changed out for other songs, stories, interviews or more poems. As it evolves Larry hopes the students can take some ownership over what is inside the periscope.
Creator Ondře Kobza said that his hope for all of his pieces are that they bring the community together. Now that the periscope is in Buffalo, he wants more people to commission them for their communities.
The poetry periscope is meant to be enjoyed all year round, no matter the weather.
"It's about hearing people and hearing sounds around you while you are listening to words. It's outdoors, and that's great," Desautels said.