Literary Programs

The City of Alexandria’s Poet Laureate program was established to promote appreciation of poetry as an art form; to encourage creative writing and reading of all forms of literature; and to promote literacy through poetry.
Page updated on November 13, 2025 at 8:59 AM
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DASHing Words in Motion

DASHing words

 

Now in its 12th year, "DASHing Words in Motion" is an annual contest held in collaboration between the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH). Open to writers ages 16 and older who live, work, or study in Alexandria, the contest welcomes original poems that showcase your unique voice, creativity, and connection to the city. 

The poetry contest’s theme stems from DASH’s mottos, “Keeping Alexandria Moving” and/or “Driving Alexandria Safely Home,” as well as from everyday scenes such as bus stops, neighborhoods, roads, and various modes of local transportation. Writers may also reflect on the sense of community, shared spaces, and the human connections we form as we travel from one place to another. Winning poems will be published and placed on DASH buses and trolleys for the 2026 National Poetry Month. 

"DASHing Words in Motion" launched in 2014 and has highlighted our region's poets and creative writers and has placed poetry on dozens of Alexandria’s buses each April to celebrate National Poetry Month. 

Submit your poetry HERE. Submissions are due by Friday, January 16, 2026. 

Past Winning Poets and Their Poems

Poet Laureate: Cristi Donoso

Cristi Donoso headshot

Maria Cristina (Cristi) Donoso is an Ecuadorian American poet, writer, editor, and translator. Her poems, essays, and stories have been published by or are forthcoming in Pleiades, Waxwing, The Journal, The Cincinnati Review, The Threepenny Review, Best Small Fictions 2024, and others. She is a former PEN/Faulkner Writer in Residence and previous editor of Folio Literary Journal and a finalist for the 2024 Akron Poetry Prize and the 2024 Gatewood Prize.

Born in Quito, she now lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Cristi's work often explores migration, girlhood, grief, and motherhood. She loves to write about the role of art in personal and public life, and advocates for accessibility in educational, literary, and creative spaces. 

Cristi's professional career includes 14 years as a pediatric speech-language pathologist. After receiving her B.A. in French Language and Literature along with a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, she received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. She also received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from American University, Washington, D.C.

 

Works by

Poetry

Spring in Alexandria City

Virgilance

Why Jazz?

Alexandria, Ever-creating 

Readings

RecFest, Saturday, May 3, 2025, Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue

Wear Orange Rally, Moms Demand Action, Friday, June 6, 2025, Market Square, 301 King Street

Jazz Fest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street

Alexandria's 276th Birthday, Saturday, July 12, 2025, Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street

About the Poet Laureate Program

In 2004, then-Councilman Ludwig Gaines proposed the designation of a Poet Laureate for the City of Alexandria. In response, a steering committee of citizens and City staff was established to develop a protocol for selecting a Poet Laureate. On April 25, 2006, City Council received the proposal submitted by the steering committee. Following a public hearing on May 20, 2006, City Council unanimously approved the establishment of the Poet Laureate program.  

In 2007, The City of Alexandria's Poet Laureate program was reestablished to promote appreciation of poetry as an art form; to encourage creative writing and reading of all forms of literature; and to promote literacy through poetry. 

Former Poets Laureate