One Way of Looking at Wallace Stevens

I

Wallace Stevens camefrom Reading, Pennsylvaniaand lived for 40 yearsin Hartford.

II

Mr. Brennanlived his entire lifetimein Wallace Stevens' adopted city.

III

Wallace Stevens wasa V. P. at the HartfordA & I.

IV

Mr. Brennanran the elevator whereWallace Stevens worked.

V

Wallace Stevens didn't drive.He walked two milesto work each day.

VI

Wallace Stevensdaily rode Mr. Brennan's elevatorup to his office.

VII

Wallace Stevensused to say,"Good morning, Mr. Brennan."

VIII

Mr. Brennanwould reply, "Good morning,Mr. Stevens."

IX

Mr. Brennan's claim to glory—he & Wallace Stevens"were on speaking terms."

X

Thirteen markers will traceWallace Stevens' daily trekfrom his home on Westerly Terraceto work on Cogswell Street.

XI

A stanza fromWallace Stevens' poem"Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird"will be etched upon each stone.

XII

Wallace Stevens' memorial pathwill end outside the buildingat the foot of the stairs,

XIII

where Mr. Stevens worked—short of the lobby,far from the elevator.