Sidewalk Love Poems
Audio Clip
Sidewalk poems are written in chalk on streets—sometimes during poetic celebrations or community events, other times more unstructured and graffiti-like. I’ve written a few myself, though not directly on the pavement!
In this post, I’ll share a real set of sidewalk poems found on the street near my summer home in Medford, Oregon, followed by a few of my own sidewalk-style poems from years past.
First, you’ll find a poetic intro, then the Medford sidewalk poem (somewhere between classic sidewalk poetry and graffiti, as it wasn’t officially sanctioned). After that, I’ve included photos of the sidewalk poems, my chalk-inspired pieces, and background information provided by Copilot on related poetic forms—found poems, concrete poems, sidewalk poems, blackout poems, and erasure poems—with links for further reading. I wrap up with a few final thoughts.
Enjoy!
Sidewalk Love Poems- Love on the Street
The other day
I came upon
The following sidewalk poem
On a street in Medford, Oregon.
My wife said
They had a fight.
I asked,
Do I need
To do sidewalk
Love poetry.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
For you?
She said,
No need.
It is obvious
On your face
That you love me.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Medford Sidewalk Love Poem (August 2025)
😍 Always
😍 True love
Twin Love
♥️♥️♥️♥️
Twin 😍 love
Come home
♥️♥️♥️♥️
Don’t give
up on us
meant to be
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Meant to be
For the Best You ever Had
I 👩❤️♥️♥️♥️👩 You
I miss you.
I love You
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
♥️♥️♥️
Come home
I miss you
Come Home
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Bobo
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Jen 4 ever
My Sidewalk Love Poems
I was lost
And you found me.
You walked out.
of my dreams
And into my life—
And that made
All the difference
In the world.
My love is waiting,
Waiting for me
To return
From this trip.
She is the
most beautiful
Woman
in the world.
Have you seen her—
My Angela Lee?
Tell her I love her.
Tell her.
I will be home.
I am coming.
back to her.
Co-Pilot Backgrounder
📚 Found Poetry
Found poetry is created by rearranging existing texts—from books, articles, speeches, or even street signs—into poetic form. It’s like a literary college.
- The poet doesn’t write original words but selects and reshapes existing ones.
- Found poetry includes several sub-categories: blackout poetry, cut-up poetry, and erasure poetry.
🕶️ Blackout Poetry
Blackout poetry is made by blacking out words from a printed page (like a newspaper or book) to reveal a new poem.
- Uses a black marker to obscure unwanted words.
- The remaining visible words form the poem.
- Often emphasizes visual design and minimalism.
Example:
Tyler Knott Gregson:
“In my solitude I became aware of lack.
Lie near me in the starlight, quiet and free.”
Learn more:
- https://writers.com/what-is-blackout-poetry-examples-and-inspiration
- https://poemanalysis.com/genre/blackout-poetry/
✂️ Cut-Up Poetry
Cut-up poetry involves cutting words or phrases from printed texts and rearranging them to form a new poem.
- It originated with the Dadaists and popularized by William S. Burroughs.
- Can be random or deliberately arranged.
- Often resembles a language collage.
Example:
Robert Lee Brewer (using Slaughterhouse-Five):
“All this happened, ‘Poo-tee-weet?’
The war parts were talking.
One guy I knew was green and coffin-shaped…”
Learn more:
- https://wordwool.com/cut-up-poem-type/
- https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/cut-up-method-or-technique-poetic-forms
🧽 Erasure Poetry
Erasure poetry is created by removing or obscuring parts of a preexisting text to reveal a new poetic work.
- Similar to blackout poetry, but it may use crossouts, cutouts, or digital editing.
- It can be political, symbolic, or deeply personal.
Example:
From Radi Os by Ronald Johnson (erasing Paradise Lost):
“Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree…”
Learn more:
- https://poets.org/glossary/erasure
- https://www.poetryfoundation.org/education/glossary/erasure-poetry
🧩 Concrete Poetry
Concrete poetry (also called visual poetry or shape poetry) uses typography and layout to form a visual image that reflects the poem’s theme.
- The shape of the poem is as important as the words.
- Often resembles objects like trees, wings, or animals.
Examples:
- Easter Wings by George Herbert (shaped like wings)
- The Mouse’s Tale by Lewis Carroll (shaped like a mouse’s tail)
Learn more:
- https://poemanalysis.com/poetic-form/concrete-poem/
- https://artincontext.org/concrete-poetry/
- https://becomeawritertoday.com/concrete-poem-examples/
🚶 Sidewalk Poetry
Sidewalk poetry is poetry displayed in public spaces, often on sidewalks, driveways, or parks. It’s designed to delight and surprise pedestrians.
- Created with chalk or etched into concrete.
- Often part of city art programs or community projects.
- Combines literature and visual art, sometimes with illustrations or creative lettering.
Example:
From Saint Paul’s sidewalk poetry contest:
“Though I worry that everything I held true and firm as rock
Will crumble under my feet—
I can’t forget: no paper, pen, or marble engraved
Can change the fact of my heart…”
Learn more:
- https://www.readpoetry.com/sidewalk-poetry/
- https://artsmidwest.org/stories/midwest-sidewalk-poetry/
- https://www.stpaul.gov/DocumentCenter/View4/80449.pdf
🎨 Graffiti vs. Sidewalk Poetry
🧱 Graffiti
Graffiti is visual art or writing created on public surfaces, often without permission.
- It can be tags, murals, or street art.
- Associated with urban culture, political expression, or territorial marking.
- May be illegal, depending on location and intent.
Learn more:
🚶 Sidewalk Poetry
Sidewalk poetry is legal public art, typically short and reflective, created to enhance public spaces.
- Created with chalk or concrete etching.
- Aims to delight pedestrians, not deface property.
- Often city-approved and part of organized initiatives.
Learn more:
- https://www.readpoetry.com/sidewalk-poetry/
- https://artsmidwest.org/stories/midwest-sidewalk-poetry/
⚖️ Key Differences
Medium:
- Graffiti: Spray paint, markers
- Sidewalk Poetry: Chalk, concrete etching
Legality:
- Graffiti: Often unauthorized
- Sidewalk Poetry: Usually city-approved
Purpose:
- Graffiti: Visual impact, identity, protest
- Sidewalk Poetry: Reflection, inspiration, public art
Tone:
- Graffiti: Bold, rebellious, expressive
- Sidewalk Poetry: Gentle, poetic, contemplative
Audience:
- Graffiti: Urban passersby, subcultures
- Sidewalk Poetry: General public, pedestrians
Final Thoughts
Note: The Medford sidewalk poems were chalk-marked on the street—not spray-painted—and likely not sanctioned by the city. So, they linger somewhere between sidewalk poetry and graffiti—a little rogue, a little romantic.
Whoever left them, I hope the message landed. And best of luck to the couple behind it. As an incurable romantic, I fully endorse this kind of public love. The world could use more of it. After all, love makes us bold—it makes us scribble mad sidewalk poems in the middle of the night.
Have you stumbled across a chalked confession or a poetic whisper on the pavement? Or maybe you’ve penned one yourself? Share your sightings, your verses, your stories. Let’s turn sidewalks into storyboards—one love poem at a time.
microsoft dictation trials found poetry
Blessed with Love Publishes Love Poems
City Limits Publishes Love Poems
Rush Limbaugh Is Dead Long Live Rush Limbaugh
(Blackout. erasure found Poem)
Substack
Substack Podcast
Medium
Medium
Wattpad
Spotify
The End
