The day we went to Dodge Poetry Festival

For the fourth time, the largest poetry event in North America came to New Jersey's largest city when the 30th Anniversary Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival returned to Newark. For four days Newark’s vibrant downtown Arts District was transformed into a poetry village featuring some of our most celebrated, diverse and vibrant poets and spoken word artists.

And, on Friday, October 21, nine poetry-loving students along with Ms. Geyer and Ms. Willsey travelled to Newark to spend the day amongst the poets and the hundreds of other students who were attending the festival from all parts of the country.

One of our talented students, Kimberly, shares these thoughts with you about how the day started...and ended:

"Even though the day started off with rain dimming the mood, all the students were able to connect through their love of poetry. Some highlights of the trip were listening to poets Sam Sax, Fatimah, and Marilyn. Their poetry was so raw that you were able to feel their pain in your heart. A couple students also so bravely rose to ask the poets' questions even though they didn't or almost didn't get the chance to! All the students enjoyed lunch together - thanks to Mrs. Geyer's husband for treating us! Even though the restaurant could have been run faster with snails, the student used the time to enjoy each other's company and bond in different ways! As everyone got up to leave after lunch, the slow service suprised us with an apology of chocolate cream shots for the whole table! The day ended with tired faces but with bright smiles and students' eyes inspired to write more poetry of their own!!"