My name is Bill Keys. I have written well over two thousand poems for people on the Pearl Street Mall. I sit with a 1917 typewriter and a sign that reads, “Poems about anyone or anything”. Passersby tell me what they would like a poem about, and I take five minutes to compose one. I take a picture of the poem and then take a picture of the person holding the poem. I have over four thousand such photos.
I have the very unique story of being the “Poem Guy” on the Pearl Street Mall. With few exceptions, every day this past spring/summer, I have had at least one repeat customer. They have come for all occasions: a pregnancy, an anniversary, sthe death of a loved one, etc. One women has gotten eight poems form me over the years. Another has the last line of a poem I’d written about her two year old daughter tattooed on her arm, in the font of my typewriter. I have a hundred and one soulful stories of poetry and the people of Boulder.
The Boulder Bookstore and I are teaming up to provide the community with personal poems for the Holidays. To keep the service available through the cold days of December, the owner David Bolduc is having me set up my typewriter on the second floor of the store. It is a fine collaboration of local business and local artist enriching the life of Boulder.
Come up and get a poem, or just say hello.
To learn more:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poems-While-You-Wait/270274563010206
