Opening Reception For The Poetry Garden In Wayland

WAYLAND, MA—Did you even know there was a poetry garden in Wayland? We didn't, either.

But The Poetry Garden was actually established over spring and summer of 2016, and is a perennial garden that also contains original poetry by Wayland residents displayed on artful placards created by local craftspeople.

The opening reception for the garden with a reading by the prize-winning poets is scheduled, rain or shine, in the Poetry Garden next on Wednesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. Even for those who cannot make the reception, the poems remain in the garden to enjoy.

The garden is located at the boat launch by the Wayland Town Beach on 20-30 Parkland Road.

Jon Saxton is the treasurer for the Wayland Cultural Council, which funds local arts and cultural efforts.

"We have provided funding for the Wayland Poetry Garden for the last two years," said Saxton.

Saxton explains that an annual poetry contest is held and the winning poems are displayed in the garden. A nationally recognized poet serves as the final judge for the contest. To honor the prize winners, a poetry reading is held in the garden to celebrate the opening of the garden. In addition, the winning poems are eligible for publication in an online poetry journal to reflect the spirit of the Poetry Garden. At the end of the season, a closing ceremony is held with music, poetry, and planting of bulbs for the following season.

Photos submitted