Horizons creative writing workshop presented its yearly poetry showcase at Chicago’s Intuit art gallery, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
Shelter-based families who have written poetry and prose shared their work during the June 18 evening showcase. Many shared the first poetry they ever wrote, as well as reflections of their experiences with homelessness.
Participating were residents from A Safe Haven South and A Safe Haven West, both transitional shelters for families. Senior Community Organizer Wayne Richard led bi-weekly writing sessions with the parents since last fall.
Booklets were printed featuring some of the poetry, with artwork by students from the Art Therapy Student Association at the Adler Institute. Other work is featured online in our Horizons Reading Room.
Horizons has been supported by grants from the Seabury Foundation.
A sampling of recent poems:
By Ronald Salley
If if was a fifth, I think IF would be drunk
If if could play ball, I think it would dunk!
If if had a name, I think IF would be mine,
If if had eyes, I think it’d tell time!
But for real, for real…
If if was a man, living in this land…
I think it would be forced to take a radical stand.
IF