About
Take a walk through Newark’s Riverfront Park searching for poems that tell the stories of the people who visit it! Listen to the poems by following the trail of photographs by photojournalist Ed Kashi that provide clues for discovering the poetry in and of Riverfront Park.
Poetry has long been a means of personal storytelling; PoemQuest tells the story of Riverfront Park through the voices of local poets commissioned by Newest Americans to interview visitors and share their stories through poetry. The poets asked questions designed to understand how visitors are connected to the park and to New Jersey—Where did your family come from before settling in New Jersey? What brought you here? What brings you to this park?
PoemQuest connects art to history through an interactive game that peoples the park with poetry. Once you play the game we encourage you to share your own poem about the journey that led you to Newark and your connection to Riverfront Park. Submit your poem
It is hidden in the park near the soccer field.
We are locating the poem. This may take a few moments.
Dania Rohani
Fifteen
Dilapidated heart
Mouth descends
In Latin, she means beautiful Cow-like coat
Unable to contain her happiness,
She searches for hands,
Warmth and treats
You look away,
From the Earth that Bella plays in
From the soccer field that held your dreams
From a being that stares back
Smiles of ineffable reflection
A reminder of a lover,
Your face, a reminder of who is no longer here
Fifteen and blossoming of a future,
Promised a rose garden,
Would you have stayed in school?
Your departure, a mystery
A few weeks and you’ll be homeschooled
What will your future say in adages,
Neff hat, purposeful on a cold day
Acne on your cheeks
Hallmark of youth,
You say goodbye,
I’m reminded of absence once more