Young Writers Project is an independent nonprofit based in Burlington that engages middle and high school students from anywhere in the world to write, to express themselves with confidence and clarity, and to connect with authentic audiences. YWP publishes student writing every week in this newspaper; through YWP’s website, youngwritersproject.org, and monthly digital magazine, The Voice; before live audiences; and with other media partners, including vtdigger.org and vpr.net. YWP is supported by this newspaper and foundations, businesses and individuals who recognize the power and value of writing.
This week’s prompts:
Mundane: Write about something seemingly ordinary — a chair, a wall, a tack — and make it extraordinary;
Slam: What gets you really angry? What makes your blood boil? Write a slam poem about it.
Prompt: Mundane
Blue
The bright blue
perfectly contrasts
the tan of the cork board.
Gentle curves
outline the blue
of the tack.
I stop to admire
how the tack,
although dull,
pierces the cork —
a small object,
alone on the large board.
The object
once held a large note,
reading, “Out for lunch. Be back soon.”
The note no longer remains,
the tack holds nothing,
and he never returned from lunch.
Prompt: Slam
Your Lies
It was a normal conversation,
then you told your tale.
I said nothing at all,
just to see it derail.
Every time you speak,
a lie comes out.
You think I am fooled,
but I know without a doubt.
In the beginning, it was hard
to contain all my rage.
But now, I just watch
you on your little stage.
You say many things
impressive, if true.
But I know they’re not —
so go find somebody new.
We Rise
Do you think that history allows this?
The past is where it should be, in the past.
All reasons invalid, not there
and never have been.
Do you think that since I’d be knocked out if you punched me,
that allows you to feel superior to me?
Your need to assert your dominance over me brings out issues in yourself
that hurting me could never fix.
Step down from your pedestal
that all your ancestors built.
Recognize me, understand me, accept me,
because we’re rising stronger than ever,
ready to fight for what we’ve never been given.
Demean me now, I dare you,
’cause now you’re the villain,
and I have an army at my side,
ready for battle.