The TypePoetry Project is underway!

If you’ve visited the Safety Harbor Library or SHAMc lately, you’ve probably noticed the typewriters.

(No, you haven’t traveled back to 1965.)

Ed Derkevics, who runs SHAMc Alive every month, and is often sitting with one of his typewriters at Cafe Vino Tinto, has organized TypePoetry in collaboration with SHAMc and the Safety Harbor Public Library. Ed wants everyone who visits either place to take a few minutes and sit at one of the typewriters. 

“I want this to be all-inclusive,” he said. “I want everyone to get involved. I want the whole community using the typewriters.”

A group of kids watched as he was setting up a  typewriter at the library recently. “They didn’t know what it was,” he said. “I had to explain that life was a little slower back then, when it was used.”

If his project goes as planned, it will become a snapshot of the community after about a month. He invites people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. And he wants you to know that you don't have to be a published poet or intellectual. This is about having fun.

There are stacks of 3 x 5 index cards near the typewriters at both locations and Ed hopes the community will use the cards to share their thoughts, words of wisdom, poetry, and stories about typewriters. Please remember to leave your name and contact information on the back of the card because he may publish them as a compilation in the future.

There are others in the Harbor who love typewriters, too. Mary Cummings is organizing a Type-in at the library on October 23^rd. Bring your own typewriter or use one provided and join us beginning at 6 p.m.

“There isn’t room for revision when you use a typewriter,” Ed explained. “You’re in the moment and you have to choose each word carefully. When I sit in front of a typewriter I don’t worry about making mistakes. It’s an intention and it’s a great way to focus on your thoughts. 

“What I hope is that people will capture a moment, a thought, a flash of brilliance, and share it with us.”