Students Strut their Stuff—I’ll be the Geezer Telling You Who They Are

 

The 2nd Annual Poetry (+Prose) Slam and Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday,  May 22 from 7 to 9 PM at the College of Lake County Lake Shore Campus, 1 North Genesee Street, Room 008 in Waukegan.  

I have inexplicably been asked to emcee this event which will recognize aspiring writers from Lake County high schools.  I couldn’t be more honored.  The event will include lots of impressive, fresh work by students.  I’ll read something and try not to embarrass myself in superior company.  The event is a community outreach project of the Tenth Dems Community Connection.  Hope folks in the neighborhood will stop by and give a listen.

As an example of just how good these kids can be, this is the first prize winner for poetry in last year’s contest.

Love Those; Love With

Love those who are weak

Love those who don’t belong

When you love with intention

Your love is strong

Love those who act

By force or by choice

Love those who speak

By silence or by voice

Love with full feeling

And with a goal in mind

For empty love could leave one’s soul

Recklessly behind

Behind in the time

Behind in the day

Behind in the moment

They watched you walk away

So love the angels

Love the troublemakers

For “love is fragile

And we are not it’s best caretakers”

Love those who leave you

Love those who stay

Because one day they will all be gone

No matter how they may

Through physical suffering

Or pain in the mind

Those who fought great losses

Those who sought great finds

Come forward

Listen to me please

Love with passion

Love with ease

Listen closely and carefully

When you hear me say

Stand by them; forever stay

Never ever walk away

—Crystal Hurtado