PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

Armed with a vintage Smith-Corona typewriter, Haley Clancy dreams for everyone to have one of her personalized poems hanging in their home. Born in Alabama, the 22-year-old moved to Pittsburgh as an infant when her father, Lakendrick Clancy Sr., was drafted by the Steelers. Clancy began rhyming at age 8 and now can craft a short poem for anyone in just 5 minutes. She has been selling poems since she was 17 and has self-published her first book, “A Little Hope.” She is also working on a poetry-based online shop. You can find her clacking away at many events around the ’Burgh, including the indoor Farmers’ Market Cooperative in East Liberty this winter or at @a.poemspurpose on social media.

We wanted to know: What is Haley Clancy’s Best of the ’Burgh?

What’s your Pittsburgh “hidden gem,” a place that you love that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
“The Strip District … I feel it is the home and history of our Steel City. As soon as you turn onto the one-way portion of Penn Avenue, [your] eyes must wander and take in all of what you see, hear and feel.”

If you could only eat one local meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Birria tacos (with chips and guacamole) from Baby Loves Tacos

If Pittsburgh had a theme song, what would it be?
“‘Jorja’ by [Pittsburgh-based rapper] Benji. — or my poem songs, coming out [on Spotify]!”

What’s the annual tradition that you wait for every year?
“I love writing poems for people who dress up [or] identify as furries more than anything … I love that Pittsburgh has done this since I was 14. I am usually down there accidentally during this event, and it brings me great joy.”

Favorite Pittsburgh appearance in a movie or on television?
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

What’s your unpopular Pittsburgh opinion? What is something you think about the city (or a famous aspect of it) that won’t win you any friends?
“I believe Pittsburgh has the nicest homeless people. A lot of them just need some help. If you would ask them what they had to write poems about, they would want to always write yours.”

Where’s the first place you take out-of-town guests?
The Strip District

You get one Incline ride with any Pittsburgher, living or dead. Who is it?
“Mark Cuban — and [I would] tell him all about my business, a poems purpose.”

If you could bring back one Pittsburgh place or restaurant that’s no longer there, which would you pick?
“How the Strip District felt before COVID-19 … [It was] so beautiful being 16 and selling poems there. I don’t know how to explain it.”