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O, Miami Spreads Poetry To The Most Unexpected Places

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate, a local organization focused on literature is bringing poetry to South Florida.

At the famed Cuban restaurant, Versailles, people young and old gather for their coffee and pastelito.

"Everyone comes here, they know it. It's the heart of the city," said Christina Ramos, from Yo Amo 305.

It's the cafecitos that keep hearts beating but instead of the porcelain cups you're used to, this month when you grab your drink, you'll read a poem or two thanks to "Hialeah Haikus" -- poking fun at Miami's unique vernacular using the traditional Japanese art form.

You saw that guy bro?
He's looking at me all hard
You don't know me bro!

"When you read them, you just immediately get it. But you kind of have to understand the culture," said Ramos.

If you're not a fan of the Hialeah Haikus, you can find more poetry throughout the Magic City during April in places you'd never think to look.

It's part of O, Miami's Poetry Festival with a mission of allowing every resident in Miami-Dade County.

"It runs 30 days, where we try to bring as many projects and events to different parts of Miami with the goal of exposing as many residents to poetry," said Melody Santiago Cummings, of O, Miami.

An election year means yard signs are a staple of the South Florida landscape but the poets and artists have instead decorated their signs with introspective sayings, rather than advertising the candidate they favor.

With phrases like "This life & no other" or "If you had a choice you would lie without thoughts in the
long grass" are meant to make people think.

Come have your poetry ailment diagnosed and get a prescription at the Poetry Health Fair hosted by Jackson Memorial Hospital. Poems fit inside hundreds of prescription bottles, offering up hope and happiness.

"When you come to a hospital, chances are you're not having the best day. So, in that respect, it gives them something entertaining, a little hopeful to look forward to when," said JMH's Teresita Figueras Negrete.

Whether it's on a prescription, a coffee cup or a lawn sign, you can find poetry, prose and haikus everywhere. Just make sure you're looking out for the words.

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