Poem of the Month-Dear Future Mayor, For Toni & Lori

Dear Future Mayor,

(For Toni Preckwinkle and Lori Lightfoot)

 

Dear future mayor,

You silenced all the naysayers,

Win or lose,

Individually or collectively,

Stand tall and claim the “victory,”

For re-writing the windy city’s history

And changing the status quo

Of century-old politics

Here in Chicago,

 

By advancing in the mayoral race,

You have given power

A different face,

                                                 
                                                  Cloaked in chantilly lace,

Inspiring women,

Inspiring women of color,

Baby boomers,

And future generations,

Changing the trajectory

Of their life station,

Instigating

New conversations,

And your story

Becomes our glory,

And in its unfolding

You confirm that our voices deserve

To be heard,

So no matter what the outcome,

When all is said and done,

After April one,

It remains resoundingly clear,

That there are no “losers” here!

© 2019 Jennifer Brown Banks

 

 

 

Image credit: Wikimedia commons

Getting Down to "Business" With Toneal Jackson

 

Join Poets United as we celebrate National Women's History Month with a workshop on how to turn your writing passion into a profitable business, with guest speaker Toneal Jackson.
Toneal is an accomplished writer, author and local bookstore owner.

This informative and fun workshop will be held @ The Beverly Library 1962 W. 95th Street, Chicago on March 16, 2019 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Come out and have your ideas and questions addressed.
Refreshments will be served. Event is free to the public.

To learn more about Toneal visit her website:
http://weareaps.weebly.com/toneal-m-jackson.html

Poets United Celebrates Milestone Anniversary

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."--John Keats

According to a recent report by the National Endowment of the Arts, poetry is more popular than ever before. Worth noting here is that "the number of poetry readers in the United States has nearly doubled in the past five years, from 6.7% of American adults in 2012 to nearly 12% in 2017."

Translated? 28 million people picked up a poem and discovered its beauty and depth; the highest level since the first SPPA was conducted 15 years ago.
The surge has been partially attributed to social media.

But let's rewind here...
Long before poetry became "popular" and cool, Poets United was on the scene giving this ancient art form its due recognition. We always knew poetry had "swagger!"

Since 1994, Poets United has penned poetry, performed it, published it and promoted it to diverse, local and national audiences. So we couldn't be more pleased to see poetry take root and flourish.
Particularly, during today's times.
A day and age where words have great weight, healing power and the ability to connect.
We're glad to have played some role in this evolution and growing trend.

IN CLOSING...

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your past and present support.
We look forward to a fun-filled, informative year of activities intended to enrich and inspire you.

If you'd like for Poets United to come out and provide a workshop, participate in a "Spoken Word" event, or organize a fundraiser for your school, business or organization, please get in touch
@ 630-373-2754.  There are a few available spots for the 2019 calendar.

Wishing you peace, progress, prosperity and more poetry!


Jennifer