CHALK poetry scrawled along the length of Regent Street has been welcomed by passers-by after artist Danny Lake began his work.

Over the last few weeks a series of poems, with subjects ranging from Palestine to meditation and bird droppings, have been turning heads on the street.

Danny, 29, originally from Swindon, has been taking his work to the streets of nearby cities at the same time, including Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea.

He says the general reaction has been largely positive, and that within a matter of days the work will be washed away.

“The whole aim is to get poetry out there and get people talking about it,” he said. “First of all it is non-permanent, so there is no lasting damage. Part of the aim is just to appeal to people, especially busy people in a place like Swindon as they are going to work. Even if they just stop for a few moments, that is a respite from some stressed-out lives.

“I write all sorts – some are just poking fun at minor things in everyday life, others are looking at the bigger political issues. I have been doing a few about Palestine, and I am trying to get people to talk about the nature of defence in relation to the situation out there.

“Others are more spiritual in nature. Some are about meditation, and that is something I have got more and more involved in over the last few years.

“I have been doing poetry since 2006, but that was just sitting in my room jotting stuff down. I have had so many people stop and ask about it.

“The reaction varies from town to town. Swindon is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of place. Most people who stop to read it love it, but others walk past and talk about what a mess it is. I just tell them that as long as they read it first I will take on board their comments.

“A lot of people tell me it is more of a Bath thing because they have so many street performers, but as far as I’m concerned it is more of a Swindon thing. There is a lot of art and culture here.”

Danny said he has had some interest from police and council officers, but insists he is not breaking the law.

“I wait for the rain to wash it all away, and that way it will all be gone before someone can come along and deface it,” he said. “The police have been very clear on every occasion, objections have been raised but nothing happens. You are only breaking the law if you cause distress or harm, and this is only temporary so is not criminal damage. It’s just a case of bending the rules a little.

“It’s simply a nice space where culture can be created. I have created paths through some of the poems, and the interesting thing is that those who follow the paths will keep their heads down and won’t read them. The ones who stray off the path will be interested and stop to look at a few.”