(Above) Pedestrians reflect on a poem by Ezra Pound that decorates a subway entrance on State Street.

September 30, 2012 – The cacophony of State Street will have competition starting on Monday. Throughout October, the Chicago Loop Alliance will present an unprecedented public display of poetry in visual and audio form.

From Wacker Drive to Congress Parkway, both sides of State Street will be decorated with poetry – by or about Chicagoans – on banners, planters, news racks, and CTA subway entrances.

The display celebrates the 100th anniversary of The Poetry Foundation’s magazine, Poetry, which introduced many to Carl Sandburg, Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and U.S. poets laureate Kay Ryan and Robert Hass. The Poetry Foundation is located in River North.

CLA’s privately funded, year-round light and sound installation, Lightscape, meanwhile, will broadcast audio recordings, according to a recent news release, “that highlight the diversity of Poetry’s authors, the rich history of the magazine, and its deep connection to the city of Chicago.”

The Chicago Loop Alliance estimates 220,000 people walk down State Street every day.

(Left) Lightscape, the year-round exhibit on State Street. Photos obtained from Chicago Loop Alliance. Click on images to view larger versions.