By Neil Corbett – Maple Ridge News
In a high school auditorium, dark but packed with teens, the young poets walked up on stage and into the spotlight, and unflinchingly bared a bit of their soul.
Their offerings ranged from touching to hilarious, and the audience rewarded their efforts.
Westview’s second poetry slam expanded this year, and included writers from Thomas Haney, Maple Ridge and Samuel Robertson – 27 poems in all. The writers were from Grades 8 to 12.
Hannah Eby was one of the emcees of the slam with Elia Matour., and was also a participant who won an honourable mention. A sample of her work:
“Because life has made a few things clear, in every single person, we have to fight for what we hold dear. Because the sun does not refuse to shine, after a single night of rain, and the tide of an ocean does not give up, trying to kiss the shores again.”
Sharmaine Ventura got a rock star ovation for her hilarious poem “Beyonce.”
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