This is why you’ve been seing poetry popping up in strange places around east London

Do you live in or around Hoxton? If so, have you kept on catching glimpses of poetry where you wouldn’t usually expect to find it — on the walls of a railway tunnel, or the side of a coffee cup, or even a dog’s collar?

Well, now you know why. It’s all the work of the Ministry of Stories, a youth charity co-founded by Nick Hornby in 2010, which helps local children to develop their confidence and imagination through writing.

The organisation’s latest project is Unexpected Poetry, which since the start of April has been showcasing the work of youngsters aged eight to 15 in various spots on Hoxton Street and the surrounding area.

More than 50 poems are set to appear as part of the initiative — one poem, written by a child called Sabine, was written in the voice of the pencil case, and is hidden within a book at a local library.

Another, written by David, was laser-printed onto breadsticks and handed out as snacks to neighbours. And the poetic dog? That’s Cotton, who will be wearing a rosette around her neck when on walkabouts around the area, displaying the words of Marcel.

Rob Smith, director of the Ministry of Stories, said: “I am so proud of the work our young people have produced, from brilliantly funny to heart-stoppingly poignant. These poems will stop people in their tracks and encourage them to pause for a moment. Despite numerous challenges and having to work online, our writers have approached this project with so much hope and optimism.”

Some of the poetry displays lasted for just a few minutes, while some will stick around for weeks. And there are still more to come — so if you’re walking around Hoxton, be sure to keep an eye out.

And if you know a youngster who goes to school in Hoxton and wants to get involved, visit ministryofstories.org/community-labs.