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Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
The news from Broad Ripple
Brought to you by The Broad Ripple Gazette
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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v02n08)
700 Mile Prisoners Walk Begins In Broad Ripple
posted: Apr. 15, 2005
It was a beautiful clear Saturday morning when I met Joseph Foster at the Ripple Bagel & Deli for an early lunch.
Joseph Foster is accompanied on the Monon Trail at the start of his walk to Wisconsin.
Joseph enjoyed the last bagel sandwich he will get for some time, strapped on a nearly 40 pound backpack, then said goodbye to each of his co-workers at the Bagel Deli. The next stop was the Monon Coffee Co., two blocks away on Westfield Boulevard (see this issue's HotSpot Report), to say goodbye to his friend and partner in poetry Kaiton Slusher.
Joseph said goodbye to Ripple Bagel & Deli owners Ken and Susan Richman.
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Joseph and three friends entered the Monon Trail from the parking lot of The Bungalow. I walked along with them, taking pictures, up to the White River bridge.
"The purpose of this trip," explained Joseph, "is to raise awareness and money for the Poetry in the Prisons program. It is intended to raise awareness in others, but also in myself. For forty days I will be secluded, not within prison walls, but I will be by myself with lots of time to think about the prison walls within my own life."
The 700 mile journey started in Broad Ripple and will end in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. Richard Vonnegut, president of the Hoosier Rails to Trails Council (www.indianatrails.org), created the route that follows established trails like the Monon, ghost railroads, and even some active rails. "The active rails will be exciting," anticipated Joseph. "I can imagine the energy of a train flying by me."
Richard thinks that Joseph will be the first person to walk the Nickel Plate line from start to finish.
Keeping a journal along the way, Joseph will periodically email his experiences for a series of updates in the Gazette. "The people I met on past trips were very friendly," recalled Joseph. "They would invite me into their homes so I could use their email to write home."
The trip is scheduled to end in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, in time to attend a week-long gathering of artists, poets and musicians at Robert Bly's 31st annual Conference on the Great Mother and the New Father (www.greatmotherconference.com).
In 2003, Joseph Foster created Poetry in the Prisons to bring poetry to the incarcerated. With the help of a small NAPT (National Association for Poetry as Therapy, www.poetrytherapy.org) Foundation grant, the project has grown to include four paid poet instructors working at three Indiana Department of Correction facilities: The Indiana Women's Prison, The Boys School in Plainfield, Indiana, and The Craine House on 34th Street.
Poetry in the Prisons is temporarily operating under the not-for-profit umbrella of the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, and is working alongside a community of Indianapolis artisan-entrepreneurs at The United States of Mind, located at 40th and Boulevard Place, (www.unitedstatesofmind.org) to further develop a poetry and performing arts community for those released from prison.
Joseph is planning poetry readings to share some of his poetry created during the walk. These would likely be held at United States of Mind this summer. The Gazette will keep you informed of the progress of the trip and of future Poetry in the Prisons events.
Joseph with manager Kelly Gerard and Ken Richman
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A stop at the Monon Coffee Co
Joseph and friends begin the 700 mile walk to Wisconsin on the Monon Trail.
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