Walk On Words Sidewalk Poetry Unveiled

PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale’s Walk on Words poetry contest winner was announced and the winning poem was unveiled in a ceremony at Poncitlán Square on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The theme for this year’s contest was Sister Cities, selected to celebrate the relationship with the Association of Sister Cities since 1974. The event was attended by a delegation from Poncitlán, Palmdale’s sister city in Jalisco, Mexico. 

“We are so privileged that the Sister Cities delegation is here with us for this special occasion,” shared Councilmember Austin Bishop. “We are proud that this public art piece demonstrates the diversity that makes Palmdale a great place to call home.” 

Zsanette Osawaru composed the winning poem in Spanish, representing the first Spanish language poem in the Walk on Words collection. The poem can be seen near a sitting area stamped in concrete along the park’s walkway. 

“It was a wonderful experience to create this poem for my community,” said winning poet Zsanette Osawaru. “It is exciting to know it will be here for years to come!” 

“It is such an honor to be here for this important day,” said Sister City Committee President Guillermo Cervantes on behalf of the delegation. “We hope to take this poem back and place it in our Poncitlán Square in Mexico.” 

Honorable mentions in this year’s competition included poems by Natalie Anaya, Yesenia Hernandez, Roxanne Joseph-Glenn, Esthela Gonzalez, Laura Onofre, Lorena Uriostegui, and Edwin Vasquez. 

The Walk on Words competition takes place annually during National Poetry Month in April as part of the City’s Public Art program. 

The Sister City Program was initiated by President Eisenhower in 1956 to build one-on-one community relations with cities in other countries so that people can cross national boundaries, build personal relationships, and form mutual respect and understanding of different cultures.

Photo 1: Councilmember Eric Ohlsen, District 4, contest winner Zsanette Osawaru, and Councilmember Austin Bishop, District 1 with the stamped poem in Poncitlán Square.

Photo 2: Contest winner Zsanette Osawaru, center, with family members, the Sister City delegation from Poncitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, Palmdale City Councilmembers Austin Bishop and Eric Ohlsen, back row from left, and Public Art Program Manager George Davis, back center.