New literary plaques installed at Des Moines' Easter Lake bridge

A "pithy pomes" competition resulted in the installation of seven new literary plaques on the pedestrian bridge at Easter Lake last month.

• The contest name is colloquial speak, organizer John Morrissey told Axios. (They're really just prose poems or free verse.)
• Submissions were limited to 34 characters, or 17 on each line. Talk about Smart Brevity®!

Context: A writers' group associated with the Des Moines Public Library sponsored the competition.

• An anonymous donor paid for the winning plaques.

Of note: While the competition is over, individuals can become bridge plaque sponsors by purchasing commemorative plates along several metro bridges.

• Polk County ($130).
• Des Moines ($200).