Poems on the Underground

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Mark Rothko, Underground fantasy subway, 1940.

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paceful waters of the air

under echo's branches

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peaceful waters of a pool

under a bough laden with stars

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peaceful waters of your mouth

under a forest of kisses.

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Frederico Garcia Lorca, Peaceful waters: variation.

(Translated by Adrian Mitchell)

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Poems on the Underground bring poetry to the wide ranging audience of passengers on the London Underground. In 2000, more than 3.5 million journeys were made each day.

New sets of poems generally appear three times each year and are displayed in advertising spaces within the trains. Contemporary and historical poems are included as the programme aims to give a wide variety of choice and style. Works from established and emerging poets from around the world are used. Readers who sample the poems on their way to work often want to read more. The ninth edition of the book, "Poems on the Underground", has sold more than a quarter of a million copies since it was published in 1999.

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