Poetry Machine
Since spring of 2015, Yvonne has been stocking toy-vending machines with her published poems. It began with one machine in her neighborhood. She added a second machine in 2018 at Women and Children First Bookstore. The proceeds of both machines are donated to an arts organization called Arts Alive Chicago.
Book buyers continue to be surprised and delighted by the verses they receive for their two quarters, with subjects ranging from childhood to death to nature. A visitor from Houston posted on Facebook: "In addition to picking up some cool reads [at Women and Children First], I saw the coolest thing ever: a poetry vending machine! I purchased this poem entitled 'Little Moon' by Yvonne Zipter. I have read it several times. What a gift! It cost me 50 cents, but I know it cost Yvonne much more to write."
Cyd Smilie, president of Arts Alive Chicago, has said: "Her words create pictures in your heart when you read them, and because of her generosity, her words also create pictures in our community. The sales of her poetry nuggets continue to fund supplies and programming for Arts Alive Chicago."