Poetry Reading next Tuesday!

Wow, the response has been really overwhelming this year --we received over 200 poems! I've been so busy trying to get the anthology ready that I haven't had a minute to post on the blog. The reading is Tuesday, June 2, 7 pm, at the Westwood Library. The anthologies will be ready (keep your fingers crossed) and the poets will be presented with their copies. And hopefully, most of them will read their poems! Jayne Warren, who taught our poetry workshops this year, will read her early published poems, and also her latest work, which is included in the anthology. It's an inspiring evening, so don't miss it!

What is Purple?

Purple sounds like jazz at the coffee house
Smells like a new sharpie marker
Tastes like burnt broccoli
Purple is the bite from when you were two
I bet you anything if there was a word for the Loudest and most Obnoxious color,
Purple would win
Purple is coaxing someone to do the dare
The stack of rubbish on your floor
A glum Thursday when you fail the test
Purple is the long talk with your parents after your detention
The rusty bike sitting in the rain for the third night in a row

Julia Carlin, Grade 3

The deadline is past! The poems are in!

We received a record breaking 193 poems for our anthology! It's a miracle I can still type well enough to type this post. I'm working like mad on the book; the cover is at the printers; and plans for the reading are in the works. All I can say for sure is that there will be food and an appearance from a guest poet. Check back here for updates as we get closer to the date --June 2, 7 pm.

Miracle on the Diamond by Mark Bernardo

Miracle on the Diamond

The aroma of baked sunflower seeds
On the dugout floor
The pitch is releasing
I grip the bat
I have to think fast
The ball starts to curve
My bat meets the ball
I hear the reaction
I start running
The ball soars like a hawk
Excited fans rise
I dash for second base
Outfielders attempt
To catch the high ball
Rounding third base
The fans say, “Keep running!”
The ball thrown into home
I slide,
Safe, home run, six to five!

Mark Bernardo
Grade 4