Write Your Block

NORTH PHILLY YEAH!

Mapping Philadelphia, one poem at a time

Write Your Block

NORTH PHILLY YEAH!

Mapping Philadelphia, one poem at a time

Frank Sherlock, former Philadelphia Poet Laureate, created Write Your Block as a way for Philadelphians to explore their neighborhoods via poetry, charting—and sharing—their communities through their own words. The result: A map of Philadelphia that is not rivers and parks and streets, but ideas and memories and dreams for neighborhoods through the people who know them best. Below, one such poem, from one Philadelphian.

Submit your own neighborhood poem here.

NORTH PHILLY YEAH!
by Angela Hankins
Know Who You Are: A North Philly Don

(written to inspire and uplift residents in N. Philadelphia)

As long as you know who you are
You’ll be a step ahead!

Being you is the only path

you really have to tread!
Dealing with your loved ones,
co-workers, friends or lover.
Just be you and you’ll be sure

to more than just get over.

Never need you hover
below your expectations -
Underneath your dreams!
Your unique self it seems
propels imagination
and gives you a sense of strength –

Power like a King -

Confidence immense –

Be who you are!
Baby please -
Do not change a thing!

You will love results of

what being yourself can bring.
If our roads are altered
by some circumstance of living -
that we cannot control or change -

or makes us just stop giving

Our best –
Our honest heartfelt best

effort to possess success.

Know who you are!

Just be you -

and you will do that best!

Header Photo: Flickr/Tony Fischer

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at [email protected] or call (609)-602-0145.

Photo and video disclaimer for attending Citizen events

By entering an event or program of The Philadelphia Citizen, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with The Philadelphia Citizen and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event premises.