Nichols School is delighted to announce the installation of the first permanent Poetry Periscope in North America. The creator Ondřej Kobza, was on campus for the inaugural ‘winding of the crank’ on August 22. 

The Poetry Periscope, also known as Poesiomat or Poetry Jukebox, is an innovative and enchanting way to experience poetry. Originating in the Czech Republic, this unique installation has made its way around the world, captivating listeners with its charming and accessible presentation of poetry.

Nichols English faculty and poet Larry Desautels was inspired to bring a Poetry Periscope to Western New York, during his visit to The Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen, Ireland. "We were strolling about town,” Desautels said, “and in the middle of a park, there it sat, inviting us to crank it and hear some poetry. What a perfect mid-campus attraction this could be for the Nichols School campus, I thought, one that would allow students and campus visitors to stop to hear a poem or two in their wanderings." Desautels has spent the last 44 years at Nichols, sharing his love of poetry and inspiring his students and colleagues to develop their own appreciation for the art–to feel the pulse of a poem, to scribble down and share a few lines of their own. 

Good poetry is best when heard, assuming the readers are aware of the lyrical rhythms and placement of words and phrases that the poet intends. Most of the poems on our playlist are read by their authors, and the rest by individuals who understand both the attitude and technique of the poets themselves. The selections will evolve over time as new suggestions and readings are added. 

This installation will enrich the cultural fabric of WNY, providing moments of reflection and inspiration for students, faculty, and visitors alike, as the power of poetry enhances their journey across the campus of Nichols School.

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