poetry pathway chattanooga

Welcome to the
Democracy Speaks Civic Poetry Pathway!

Democracy Speaks Civic Poetry Pathway is a public poetry and history trail that opened June 28, 2026 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It features poetry by local poets about freedom, justice, community, and the many voices that shape our democracy. There is also the opportunity for park visitors to submit poetry of their own.

Congratulations and thank you to the 16 poets who were commissioned to create poetry for the Democracy Speaks Civic Poetry Pathway at Renaissance Park. Click each link to experience the poetry and consider submitting poetry of your own!

• Stop 1 – “River Cache” by Amber Hickey
• Stop 2 – “Burdens” by Cheikh “CJ” Diakhate
• Stop 3 – “Middle Ground” by Cody Simon
• Stop 4 – “We Shall Overcome” by Desiree’ “Dezigner” Green
• Stop 5 – “Chattanooga National Cemetery Speaks” by Kelly “Stormy Poet” Williams
• Stop 6 – “How Long” by Mirabelle Soufer
• Stop 7 – “Garden Variety Democracy” by Philip Luckey
• Stop 8 – “Lacked Intolerance” by Vander
• Stop 9 – “Abby Crawford Milton” by Peggy Douglas
• Stop 10 – “Eleanor and Mary” by Sylvia J. Greene
• Stop 11 – “Rooted In Zion” by Kweens Crown
• Stop 12 – “Just A Song” by Marcus Lee
• Stop 13 – “Nineteenth is a Doorway” by Naomi Setliffe
• Stop 14 – “The Land Remembers” by N’nako Kande‘
• Stop 15 – “Garden of Eden: The Watauga Longhunters and the Battle of Kings Mountain” by
  R. N. Letterman
• Stop 16 – “America: A Nation of Mistaken Identity” by Kenneth Allen Basham, III

Thanks to the project leaders and review panel for their support of this program:
Carmen J. Elliott
Marsha “The Poetic Diva” Mills
Coach Laura Brown
Ian Seaton
Linda Moss-Mines

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Democracy Speaks Civic Poetry Pathway, please email us at PoetryPathwayCHA@gmail.com.

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