Inspired by Janet Quinn – first black homecoming queen at Scott High School
We circle one another
Around around and around
We go
Where we stop no one knows
Only when we reach the center will we see her
Sister Sun
Knitting us together
Ever watching
Through sparkling beams
Shedding truth
Over our heads
Until we notice the brilliance
Shining crown
Pouring light over shadows
Illuminating hope Lori Lux Fearless Writers Intern 2020 -2021
Inspired by Art as Social Action
Once upon a time a young girl kept a notebook
Full of secrets and questions
Longings and swear words
She carried a piece of Harriet the Spy deep inside
And would sink down between the twin blooming lilac bushes
Sweet and full
Whisper notes to her paper
About the neighbors
Or the Catholics walking to mass next door at the big church with the Holy Water
She wondered about countless things
Desperately sought answers but did not believe her voice could be heard
Over the noise of the chaos
So instead she talked to herself through ink
Put her pet bunny in a doll stroller and walked
Notebook in hand
Pages labeled “inventions” and “stories”
“Poetry”
Told people she would be an author when she grew up
Now, she knows the stories are what she loved
The stories of the neighbors
And the devout
The stories of the drunk stepfather
And the lady who gave quarters on Halloween
The stories of the sister getting ready for prom night
Her hair growing taller with every spritz
The stories of black families losing children
And immigrant babies losing their mothers
The stories of women in prison because they aren’t like everyone else
Taking it all in
Her voice finally loud enough to be heard
Her heart finally full enough to believe
It all mattered Lori Lux Fearless Writers Intern 2020 -2021
Inspired by Janet Quinn – first black homecoming queen at Scott High School
First pt.1
I never thought about what this meant, to be the first. The first to graduate high school, the first not to get pregnant early and first to graduate college. I am the first there is still so much work to be done. I know when I write my story, people will be proud of me, because I am one of the first.
First pt.2
Here.. take my hand, I will guide you through this. It may be scary and things may get hard but just know it will be worth it. Many things will come stand in your way but you are unstoppable. Just take my hand and we can walk run this journey together. I will be the light at the end of the tunnel, your biggest support and your #1 fan. Come on.. take my hand so you can be the first. Then you’ll be able to hold someone else hand when its their time to be the first. Daija Banks-Fearless Writers Intern
Inspired by images from Ohio Writing Project
3:51 PM
another day spent being useless, another day without noticing the clock moving faster. Another day where the desire to be distracted overcome any sense of sanity. Time slips away from me as the fresh flowers in the crystal vase on my desk did. Once offering a feeling of content, they used to branch out of their jar, their stems green, young and cold. The flowers chatter amongst themselves. always plastered with a smile, busting with color. Lost in thought, caught up in wild imagination. I blink once again, look up once again, take in bright colors once again. Blink. The flowers are gone, the clock has moved, the day has changed. Blink. Friendships gone. Blink. I cant let more time deteriorate. Blink. This will forever be a burden I carry. All I want to achieve. Relationships I want to strengthen and pursue. Plans for the future. My plans for the future. How can I do this when I never have enough- Blink. Another day, no more time. No more time. Mishty Woof – Bowling Green High School
Fearless Writers Toledo 