“Womb” by Zinnia Hansen
September 14, 2021
Do you remember when that tickling in our stomachs had a name? It was called God. The flowers bloomed to God’s rhythm and we danced in our underwear. Our families burned weed and bras and incense an...
SAL/ON
A Blog of Seattle Arts & Lectures
Category: Youth Poet Laureate
“[Untitled America Poem],” by Maia Pody
April 22, 2019
[Untitled America Poem] If great means impressive then yes though I’m easily impressed by American dream teen movie queen bees preordained aspirations and silverware sets six generations needs more ...
“Emotionless Thoughts,” by Amr Awaad
November 21, 2017
Emotionless Thoughts Rhyming is my nature and words are my dreams Because everything I say doesn’t look but it sees The future’s right in front of us but people are blinded By the harsh facts, so ...
“Fruit Stand,” by Lily Baumgart
November 20, 2017
Fruit Stand Carve red into me, use your whole arms to entangle my body. I want to feel protected and warm, blue-warm like a star nearing expansion. I’ve been told I’m not humbled enough. I want yo...
“Black Courage” by Maven Gardner
November 9, 2017
Black Courage There are wolves in wolves clothing Telling the weak That the sheep are the ones to fear, You are that sheep baby boy. Courage runs in your blood, So you will be tapped into.
What’s It Like Being Youth Poet Laureate, Anyway?
November 7, 2017
By: Lily Baumgart, 2017-18 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Simple answer: amazing. When I was announced as the 2017/18 Youth Poet Laureate, I was in shock.
“Do Not Forget” by 2017 YPL Ambassador Namaka Auwae-Dekker
June 8, 2017
Do Not Forget My name is more than Just a name It is a proclamation A declaration of prosperity My name is dead ancestors breathing fresh air My name carries the near dead Tongue of my lineage to shor...
“Our Parents are a Lost Cause,” by 2017 Youth Poet Laureate Lily Baumgart
May 22, 2017
Our Parents Are a Lost Cause I told you to take our mother into your timeless hands. It takes effort for her to move her lips, so let her tell you that she loves you, let her ask you how school was, a...
“For Black Boys,” by 2015-2016 Youth Poet Laureate Leija Farr
March 29, 2017
For Black Boys Delicate Black boy. Solider, plum painted spirit, deep rooted, dreamer. I can tell from the oceans on your bed that you’ve never been told you were beautiful. Mother didn’t ...