LYNN – Mysterious messages touting Lynn?s positive side appearing throughout the city are leaving residents to wonder: Who is the Lynn Secret Poet?Whether they are taped to doors, left on city building stoops or hidden in branches in Lynn Woods Reservation, messages such as, “Good things do happen in Lynn,” and “I love you ? three words you should use more often!” are printed out in black font on 8-1/2 by 11 inch white paper and left behind by the anonymous self-named Lynn Secret Poet.Lynn resident Kelly Campbell had already been aware of the buzz the messages were creating when she found two on her daily walk in Lynn Woods, and immediately shared them on the Friends of Lynn Woods. “I actually felt really lucky to find one,” said Campbell. “I think it?s fantastic. I love that it?s a mystery, that no one knows who it is. It makes me want to find more.”After tracking down the Lynn Secret Poet via the Lynn Secret Poet Society?s Facebook page, the mystery messenger agreed to an email interview, in which the person chose a Gmail username of Ratonhnhaké:ton Kenway, the name of a character in the popular video game “Assassin?s Creed.”?The purpose is to be random and secret, kind words and poems that people stumble across,” wrote the Poet, adding that the point is that those who read the messages walk away from it with a “laugh, inspiration or a smile.” If the identity of the Poet is discovered “it would ruin the purpose.”The Poet wrote, in rhyme, “The goal is simple though not a quest/I want to see happiness and Lynn at its best,” adding later, “Words have been placed on here and there/In Lynn Woods, Austin and Central Squares/I see the effort put forth in keeping your yard well kept/I see your recently opened business with the sidewalk freshly swept.”After several messages and flowers were found at the downtown doorstep of Centerboard, a nonprofit social service agency that works to revitalize Lynn, special projects coordinator Carla Cheri said she wanted to host an art gallery showcasing the messages.?I feel like I might know who it is, but I don?t know who it is,” said Cheri. “I feel like I?ve met or come across this person for some reason.”Cheri said lately, the messages she was receiving seemed to be different font with a different kind of paper, leading her to believe the message of positivity had encouraged some copycats.?It think it?s so cool and I?m so happy someone is being positive about Lynn. I think it?s time,” said Cheri.Of the possible art show, the Poet wrote, “I would not object to it ? as the underlying reason for the Lynn Secret Poet is to spread good will and well wishes for our community.”Ranger Dan Small said he had no idea who the Lynn Secret Poet could be, but did offer his opinion on leaving the notes in Lynn Woods: “I hope they respect the fact that most of the folks who come to Lynn Woods want to see nature in as pristine a condition as possible considering where we are,” he wrote in an email Tuesday. “I hope that this poet will only leave a few poems out at a time and remove all of the ?old? ones in a day or two.”Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].
