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GR Public Library gets spiny with teen poetry this spring break

K_to_the_ukla
Nathan Kukla
4/06/11 10:15am
culture news
The Grand Rapids Public Library is hosting their first Teen book spine poetry contest this spring break.
Spiny Poetry

Spiny Poetry /Grand Rapids Public Library

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Teen book spine poetry contest

April is poetry month, and this week, the Grand Rapids Public Library is opening the doors and shelves for the first Teen Book Spine Poetry Contest.

Teens are invited to visit their local library branch and wax poetic by stacking poetic. All contestants, age 12-18, must use the titles on the spines of the books to craft their verse.

Lay down your literary skills vertically or horizontally and make sure it is epic.

The library’s marketing and communications manager Kristen Krueger-Corrado explained the contest is an extension of Teen Poetry, a program the library has offered for several years as part of its online teens section.

The library receives teen poetry submissions from around the world with topics ranging from a sense of belonging and growth to relationships and community.

“The human condition is universal,” muses Krueger-Corrado.   

So be it profound, be it witty, be it a little Seussical and silly, any and all are welcome to visit a local library and test their pentameter by stacking up a verse.

The library staff will take pictures of the creations which will be posted on the libraries website. Each location will be awarding a $10 Celebration Cinema gift card for the winning entry. 

Of course, monetary awards pale next to the glory of being the sultan of symmetrical superlatives.

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Comments

dennetmint By: Denise Cheng (dennetmint) on April 6th, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Pretty sure you'd take "Sultan of Symmetrical Superlatives."

K_to_the_ukla By: Nathan Kukla (K_to_the_ukla) on April 6th, 2011 at 10:38 pm

Age and my standing as a citizen journalist does give me a slight advantage.
Perhaps I will challenge the winners to compete for the coveted title of "Venerable Virtuoso of Verbiage".

K_to_the_ukla By: Nathan Kukla (K_to_the_ukla) on April 28th, 2011 at 10:54 am

Check out the winning poems here.
http://www.grpl.org/blog/?p=12765

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