Winners of the Second Annual Teen Poetry Contest Announced

Thanks so much to all of the teens who submitted poetry for this years contest. The winning entries are as follows:

Second Annual Bob Giannetti Prize for Poetry
Emily Marra, Grade 8

Untitled

Hands reach out to imprison
Bodied self and forever feel and speak,
For one
Slows, time in the mind’s grace
The pulse quickens
And air is none
For our time is fled
And no longer is
She watching (waiting)
For as the branches of oak and willow
Bow to the raven,
We shall see no longer
Heart’s flutter

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For all to one shall tear her
Soft flesh from her corpse
Trees shield the moon from the
Pulsing violence below-
Her child’s murder
Soft flaxen hair intertwines with grass
Its protector
A wolf sings a soft song in the distance
Mourning the loss of a pack
Here, she shall sleep
Swathed in the night’s black and the moon’s struggling rays
The she-wolf mourns her now.
As she mourns all

Untitled

When all was quiet and all was still,
The lone lost song
Of herself broke free
In horrible, terrible, sweet bird-song
Alighting from the branch,
She flew on silver wings
Into the cruel sun,
Unforgiving and blinding
The horrible, beautiful silver-song
The last piece of her now-marred beauty
It breaks on frail soft note,
And she is gone and left,
Here where none of her silver beauty
Could bear to stay.

First Place, Beatrice Preti, Grade 10

“Staunch as the Stars”

Once upon a time
As raconteurs often say
There lay a little hut
Beyond the hills, tucked away

In this little hut, behold!
A trio, oh so queer!
A lion, a bear and a little girl
Who held the others so dear

Such friendship as they had
I wot you ne’er saw
Love and joy and laughter reigned
‘Neath this little roof made of straw

They had dwelt together
For years which numbered two by three
Since that great storm so long ago
No other human life did they see

But they were happy—so content!
To live and love in peace
Between the girl and her pets
The friendship could ne’er cease

One day, however, our little girl
Became silent, and acted queer
No words she spake, no gestures made
To her friends she held so dear

For she had seen—out in the distance
Something she had seen not in years
A fire! Burning, oh so bright
Brought back so many dreams and fears

Love like none she had e’er felt
A family, hers, and a hug so warm
Things we oft take for granted
Left our girl yearning, forlorn

She was not young six years ago
Her years, eleven, then
But how that fire inside her burnt
Such a longing! Such a yen!
For family! For love! For her human friends!
Though she loved her animals, true
Might she see them again—just once more?
She would find out before night was through

Our little girl then set out
With her animals close behind
Towards that ever distant fire
To see what she could find

However, on her travels,
For it was very dark,
She tripped, and fell into a deep hole
The reward for not being hark

“Help! Help!” cried she
But none could hear her voice
None save her animal friends
In the matter had a choice

But, alas! She told them not
To whence she was going
And, as her voice grew hoarse
She realized what a tangled web she was sewing

“This will ne’er do,” thought she
And she thought and thought some more
While her friends sat on top of the hole
And wondered what was in store

Days and nights passed—one, two, three
‘Twas not a soul in sight
The girl in the hole, her friends right above
Kept vigil all day and night

Then, as the sun rose on the fourth day
Big, bonny, and bright
The girl and her friends were lifted up
By a force with a great might

A cool breeze whistled past them
As they ascended to the sun
Not a soul in sight
There was nothing—no one

They were lifted to the zenith above
Up high, into the air
And placed among their ranks in the stars
The girl, her lion, and her bear

Now, as I gaze into the sky
And carefully study my chart
I now know the story of
These constellations I know by heart

Ursa Major, a big bold bear,
Looks kindly at me here
Through it is enormous—oh so big!
I know have naught to fear

Leo, a lion, shakes his mane
As he journeys across the sky
Haven’t thee e’er thought it queer
A lion is allowed to fly?

Virgo, the virgin, smiles daintily
As she watched me gaze at her in awe
Her silver wings, her plaited hair
Make her the grandest lady I e’er saw

The stars watch over me
For I know their tale
And they’ll watch you, too, my friend
This story for thee will ne’er fail

 

First Place, Najia Khaled, Grade 8

“what, exactly, is poetry?”

if poetry is meant to be vast, limitless;
to reach, immeasurable (as all good poetry)
from horizon to horizon
is the sky not poetry?

if poetry is the bittersweet sigh
of the shackled soul,
the desperate yearning for freedom,
the easing of the strain of a purposeless existence,
what can be more poetic
than the rain?

if poetry bares the soul, lifts guileful masks
of flesh and bone,
cushions the spirit like the warm velvet
of the night sky,
like a mouth forming the name of a lover
(in heartfelt whispers dulcet as honey)
then your lips
are poetry.

why bother with the steel trappings
of words and syllables,
why create a punishing wall of letters and language
around my mind,
when every moment in your arms
rings with the sweet silver bird’s-song
of poetry?

why put pen to paper, when my eyes
(and yours) thrill with what words
cannot say?

whenever did a butterfly pinned to a corkboard
have the resplendent, untranscended wonder
of a whisper of wings (surprise!)
against the sapphire cloak
of the sky?

Why place my heard under the sterile-oppressive-claustrophobic
Microscope of words
When my very self
is poetry?

Second Place, Jennifer Robbins, Grade 8

“Time Flows”

Time flows at the same speed everyday
It can neither go faster or slower
So I can’t speed it up to see you sooner
And I can’t slow it down to speed more time with you
So I must wait until the time comes when I see you again
And I must appreciate every second I have with you
Even now, time is flowing at the same speed

First Place, Michael Fiorica, Grade 7

“Tranquility”

Tranquility is a soft beautiful pink like
A sakura tree’s blossoms or
A glistening pearl. It quiets the soul
To a whisper. It gives all those
Who find it
A quaint and peaceful smile.

First Place, Jorian Holka, Grade 7

“Inside This Book”

Inside this book are worlds never imagined
A journey for the reader
Inside this book, kind faces in bright places
But in the dark you must beware
Inside this book, its heart pumps adventure
Suspense
Love
Laughter
And the reader finds that his role
Inside this book
Is to imagine the unimagined
Love the unloved
Discover the undiscovered.

Second Place, Michael Fiorica, Grade 7

“Love can be:”

A pale pink like two lips meeting
Warm like a sweet embrace, when two become one
Cool like a soft rain
Sounds like a soothing lullaby
Smells like a dozen fresh roses
Looks like a twinkle in the eyes of a lover,
The laughter of two brothers,
Or
The smile of a new mother
Tender as a child’s hand
And slow like a long walk

PIRATES!

PIRATE PARTY WITH THE VILLAGE RECREATIONAL CENTER! May 11^th at 6:00 p.m. Come dressed as a pirate and be prepared for stories, games, crafts and treasure.

RIGHTS DENIED Book Discussion Series at the Lewiston Public Library

The third session of the “Rights Denied” series, centering around the theme of basic human and civil rights, will be on Tuesday, May 12 from 6:30 -7:30 PM at the Lewiston Public Library. Sharon Green, Reading Coordinator at Niagara University will discuss Warriors Don’t cry by Melba Pattillo Beals.

The groundbreaking 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision determined that separate is not equal; it led to the dismantling of segregation in America’s public schools.  However, segregation did not disappear overnight, and resistance to integration was sometimes vehement.

Ms. Beals was one of the “Little Rock Nine,” the first African American students to integrate a formerly all-white high school.  This integration in Little Rock, Arkansas, didn’t occur until the 1957-1958 school year, which was a harrowing year for Melba and her eight African American classmates.

These nine students faced angry mobs in the streets, mobs that included students and parents.  They endured verbal and physical harassment throughout the school year.  They looked to teachers for help, yet some turned their backs.  They had to be escorted by National Guard troops.  Their families were threatened with job loss, alienation, and violence.  They struggled to have normal teenage lives.

Equal access to education did not come easily.  Melba’s account of the Little Rock Nine will shock you.  But her heroic endurance, her pride, and her desire for education will inspire you.

The program is free and open to the public. To register, contact the library at 754-4720. This event is made possible with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Center.

“The Writer’s Craft”

Local author Norah Perez will present a series of creative writing workshops each Saturday in May. Drawing upon her experiences as a scriptwriter and novelist Mrs. Perez will offer help and guidance to those interested in various aspects of writing. She will answer specific questions about the publishing business, and offer advice and practical guidelines to aspiring writers.

The sessions to be offered are- “The Power of the Short Story” on May 2; “Finding Your Story” on May 9; “Creating a Character” on May 16; “A Writer Listens; The art of Dialogue” on May 23; and “Memoir Writing #2” on May 30. These two hour sessions, from 1pm to 3pm, will include author readings and discussions, and those attending will be expected to participate in short writing exercises and critiquing.

Anyone interested in writing for self-expression or for personal enjoyment is welcome to attend. Participants should bring basic writing materials (note books, pen, pencils, etc.) but laptops will also be permitted.

The Lewiston Public Library is located at 305 South Eighth Street in Lewiston. The events are free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 754-4720 to register or visit www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org for more information.

This series is made possible with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center.

“Don’t Count Your Chickens”

by Maria Zawistowski

Joe the Farmer looked out over his farm one day
At the barn, the crops, the bales of hay.
The sun shone brightly in the sky,
The chirping birds fluttering by.
Spring had sprung on this glorious day.
Easter must surely be on its way.

The people of the town would start their preparing
From the Easter buffet to what they’ll be wearing.
Little girls in spring dresses and frilly new hats
While boys in their suits dream of baseballs and bats.
The markets will be stocked with goodies to buy
Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and Peeps – oh, my!

Back on the farm the excited hens were all you could hear.
To them Easter was the most special day of the year.
Eggs for decorating and Easter egg hunting was what life was about.
When you’re a chicken on a farm there can be no doubt.
With pride and self-importance the hens strutted around
Excitedly clucking their joyous sound.

Then one sad day Joe the Farmer called a meeting
Of all the hens he had just finished feeding.
“As your employer I’m sorry to say
Your services will no longer be needed after today.
The economic downturn has hit even here.
I can’t afford to pay you for your Easter eggs this year.”

The hens all gasped not believing their ears.
How could they be fired after all these years?
They went from laying to laid off in the blink of an eye.
The hens clucked and fluttered and started to cry.
“You must be joking,” they said as they clutched their pink slips.
Farmer Joe sadly and simply replied, “Do chickens have lips?”

“Advancements in technology have made your eggs obsolete.
Everyone knows plastic eggs just can’t be beat.
And why fall victim to unpredictable weather
When a virtual egg hunt is just so much better.
In a global economy you must be willing to change
Think out of the box and rearrange.”

The hens all worried as their nest eggs depleted
Want ads and job hunting left them very defeated.
It’s hard to network and to stay in the loop
When you’ve spent your life in a chicken coop.
They finally gave in- there was no way to stop it
They all took jobs at a local nonprofit.

There’d be no government bailout for Farmer Joe.
No tax breaks or bonuses would he know.
They foreclosed on the farm; Joe lost all that he had.
The whole situation was very sad.
Throughout all of this he’s made a discovery:
It takes a long time for an economic recovery.

“RIGHTS DENIED”

This spring, the Lewiston Public Library will be offering a series of book discussions called “Rights Denied.” The series of four programs, led by Sharon Green, Reading Coordinator at Niagara University, center around the theme of basic civil and human rights.

The first program, to be held on March 24^th and starting at 6:30, will feature the book Escape From Slavery by Francis Bok. This true story shows how, incredibly, slavery still exists in the 21st century.  A former Sudanese slave, Bok was captured in 1986 at the tender age of 7 and enslaved in northern Sudan for ten years.  As a child, he endured regular beatings and ridicule, ate rotten food, and witnessed atrocities.  Finally after ten years, he managed to escape to Egypt and eventually to the US, where he now lives.  He now works to stop injustices in Sudan.

Other titles in the series include All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein on Tuesday, April 21; Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals on Tuesday, May 12 and The Whole World was Watching: Living in the Light of Matthew Shepard by Romaine Patterson on Tuesday, June 23.

The program is free and open to the public. To register, contact the library at 754-4720. This event is made possible with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Center.

Check out Mid-Winter Recess activities @ the Library

The words Mid-Winter Recess have many meanings for kids in school. For some it means a mini-vacation, with no homework and tests. For others it can mean sleeping late. Did you know that Mid-Winter Recess could also mean going to the library? If you are looking for something fun and maybe even educational for kids and teens during Mid-Winter Recess then stop by the Lewiston Public Library for a variety of programs for children, teens and families beginning Tuesday, February 17^th.

 

Wednesday, 2/18 – Wii – 12:00-4:30 play games such as tennis, baseball, boxing, laser hockey, and pose mii. Registration is required.

 

Thursday, 2/19 – Family Game Day 12:00-5:00 Spend an old-fashioned day at the library playing board games- we even have “Twister!” Play games with your family or against others.

 

Friday, 2/20 – Guitar Hero 12:00- 4:30 Use your “whammy bar” to activate your “Star Power,” after all, you don’t want to get booed off the stage.

 

The Library is more than a place to get books! It’s also a fun place to enjoy a family film… for FREE! Our monthly schedule includes film favorites for the whole family. Registration is not required and children under 8 years old must be accompanied to the movie by a parent or adult caregiver.

 

Tuesday, 2/17 – Family Movie Night @ 6:00pm.  “Kung Fu Panda.” Fight alongside the  panda, Po, who must somehow become a Kung Fu Master in order to save the Valley of Peace from a villainous snow leopard, Tai Lung.

 

Saturday, February 21st @ 1:00.  Saturday Movie Matinee. “Wall-e.” Come join the adventure as Wall-E, a small waste collecting robot, inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

 

Bring your blanket and we will supply popcorn and drinks! See you at the show!

 

All of these Library programs are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, please call Ann Siejka, Children‘s Clerk, at 754-4720 or E-mail asiejka@nioga.org

 

 

 

THE ENLIGHTENED MIND

“THE ENLIGHTENED MIND” (Fundamentals of Buddhism)

The Lewiston Public Library will be hosting a new series of programs on the fundamentals of Buddhism called “The Enlightened Mind: Meditation for Beginners.” Presented by wei bo, a Buddhist teacher and the self-proclaimed “Zen Master of Lewiston.” The three week series will take place on Wednesdays, January 14, 21, and 28th at 2pm in the library’s community room.

In these programs your host, wei bo, will take you on a journey to the farthest reaches of the Enlightened Mind. The first program, “What is Meditation?” will discuss the benefits of meditation and how it can improve your physical and mental health. The second, “The Tao Te Ching,” will show how to master the “flow” of life so you do less and accomplish more. In the last program in the series “Living outside the box,” you will learn how to break the bonds of social conformity so as to live life with more power, grace and style…and to have fun doing it!

Participants will be examining and exploring the ancient path to enlightenment through meditative practices and procedures used for 2,500 years.

The programs are free and open to the public. Please wear comfortable clothing. All ages are welcome

Zen Meditation Series

The Lewiston Public Library will be hosting a new series of programs on the fundamentals of Buddhism called “The Enlightened Mind: Meditation for Beginners.” Presented by wei bo, a Buddhist teacher and the self-proclaimed “Zen Master of Lewiston.” The three week series will take place on Wednesdays, January 14, 21, and 28th at 2pm in the library’s community room.

In these programs your host, wei bo, will take you on a journey to the farthest reaches of the Enlightened Mind. The first program, “What is Meditation?” will discuss the benefits of meditation and how it can improve your physical and mental health. The second, “The Tao Te Ching,” will show how to master the “flow” of life so you do less and accomplish more. In the last program in the series “Living outside the box,” you will learn how to break the bonds of social conformity so as to live life with more power, grace and style…and to have fun doing it!

Participants will be examining and exploring the ancient path to enlightenment through meditative practices and procedures used for 2,500 years. If you ever wanted to know everything needed to live a totally integrated, productive and yes, HAPPY life, this program series of lectures and demonstrations is for you ! They are informative, transformative and FUN! You will be changed…if you dare…

The programs are free and open to the public. Please wear comfortable clothing. All ages are welcome. For more information contact the Library at 754-4720 or visit www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org. The Library is located at 305 S 8th Street in the Village of Lewiston.

Movie Night @ The Library

Attention Movie Lovers! Miss Ann is asking for your help! She needs
suggestions for movies to show on the Tuesday Night Movie Night and the
Saturday Matinees. She requests that they be family appropriate and no
higher than a PG rating. The suggestion box will be in the Children’s room
Beginning December 13th.