Wordsmiths holds annual poetry slam

Senior+Ethan+Brunke+earns+trophy+for+placing+second+in+the+annual+Poetry+Slam.+Brunke+presented+two+poems%2C+Campfire+and+A+New+Angel.

Submitted by English Teacher Andrew Reise

Senior Ethan Brunke earns trophy for placing second in the annual Poetry Slam. Brunke presented two poems, “Campfire” and “A New Angel”.

Elyse Osterberg, Editor-in-Chief
February 3, 2023

The eighth annual Wordsmiths of Berlin Poetry Slam was held on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Berlin High School Auditorium. A Poetry Slam is a poetry performance competition where contestants present two original poems. English teacher Andrew Reise has been in charge of the event every year as well as being a guest poetry presenter. 

“Though the Wordsmiths sponsor a number of different writing contests each year, this is our one live event. The purpose for the Poetry Slam is to offer local poets a welcoming public venue to have a voice, to showcase their poetic talents, and to receive positive recognition for their abilities,” Reise said. 

The judges are chosen from volunteers in the audience. Typically these volunteers are not experts on poetry. 

“The judges are given score sheets to help guide them, but ultimately I instruct them to ask themselves ‘Did it sound like poetry?’ and ‘Did it have a message that made me think, feel, or react?’” Reise said. 

Earning first place this year was sophomore Andrew Rozek who received a trophy and a small medallion for his poems entitled “The supposed Health of a Pomegranate” and “Termites”. 

“We share two poems in poetry slam, and while I like to leave the meaning up to the listener’s interpretation, one was themed around pomegranates and the other around termites,” Rozek said.  

Senior Ethan Brunke entered the contest with his poems entitled “Campfire” and “A New Angel” which earned him runner up. 

“Campfire was about summer nights with family outdoors and A New Angel was about grief and coping. Contrast in your two poems was encouraged,” Brunke said. 

Both Brunke and Rozek entered the Poetry slam to show off their work. 

“Not only is it satisfying to show your creative works to others, but you also get to hear wonderful poems from other talented people,” Brunke said. 

Rozek encourages those to enter the Poetry Slam and says it can be very therapeutic. 

“It’s a very good way to get your poetry out there. While it can seem scary, the crowd is often super small, but also very nice, allowing you a very good place to start in sharing your poetry,” Rozek said. 

The Supposed Health of a Pomegranate by Andrew Rozek

When I grabbed the pomegranate from the tree, I wanted to believe

That there would be sweetness beneath its skin

That this fruit would treat me right

As any fruit is supposed to do

For a fruit is supposed to bring you great health

It’d be logical for me to believe this pomegranate would do as such

But the more I turn it over in my hands

The more I study its character

The more I break down its identity

The less confident I feel that this is good for me

Alas, I agree with the pomegranate that it’d be best to open it up

After all, its inedible, save for the seeds inside

And its purpose is to be eaten

Grabbing a knife, I cut open the fruit

And recoil as I realize my suspicion was right

Maggots crawl around in the seeds

The stench of rot makes its way into my lungs

How could I let it betray me?

How could I let it have my trust?

I step away to catch my breath

And not a moment passes before I come to a conclusion

Never will I eat pomegranates again

Because I see now that this isn’t good for me

For maybe fruit will bring me great health

But that fruit shall no longer be pomegranates

And I hope that the pomegranate that brought me such woe

Will face retribution for endangering my wellbeing

After falsely promising that it would better my chances of survival

Termites by Andrew Rozek

A group of termites amasses

Beneath the stunning capitol building

Its walls are pristine white

With splashes of vibrant color

It couldn’t be described

As anything other than perfect

Even so, the termites gathered

They stared up into that stained glass

Waiting for the moment

That it would all come crashing down

And despite the violent winds

Incited by angry butterfly wings

The structure didn’t stir

Thus, the termites did what they knew best

In they moved

Digging their teeth into the structure

Beginning to tear

To shred

Opening up the outside walls

To reveal to the world

How flimsy the building was on the inside

A government built on uneven ground

With wood that couldn’t be described as more than a rotten joke

Asbestos flew off in the wind

In a last ditch effort to perish with pride

The citizens fled in fear

Knowing now that the supposed power of their perfect race

Was nothing more than idolization fueled by vanity

And in the end

As the building finally came crashing down

The group of termites left in unison

Only being able to discuss

How disgusting the capitol building had tasted

Campfire by Ethan Brunke

Warmth that spreads its arms through the air,

Tingling both your face and hair;

In nights that sting with bitter cold,

The fire keeps things bright and bold;

Swirling oranges, reds, a dancing flame,

A beacon of comfort this blaze became.

 

Cozied in a circle with a blanket or two,

Making smores, just one… or a few;

All who sit close enjoy the heat,

While munching on gooey treats so sweet.

 

Now all the world around you is chilled,

With friends and family near, your heart is filled;

As logs crackle and pop in a burning pile,

You can’t help but relax and smile.

 

Above, stars twinkle and the moon glows bright,

Your campfire appeases the chill of night;

With loved ones close, the puffs of smoke,

Like clouds on which you sometimes choke,

Drift off along the twilight breeze,

While the warmth still beckons; your mind at ease.

A New Angel by Ethan Brunke

Plenty of days spent together, happily enjoying the weather,

Smiles strewn across our faces as we journey to new places,

Basking in the summer sun, not thinking of what is to come,

Hoping for so much time forever, but now that is a never.

 

Crying over what once was, I hold close to your love,

“Why so soon?” I beg at night, heartache ringing in daylight.

Fathers come and fathers go, but mine faded away like snow,

Wanting and wishing only gets you so far, possibly he now is a star?

 

Since heaven called and you left in peace, only one thing is at ease,

My heart is broken, battered, and torn, the tears I cry help me mourn.

The love you left and gave still is here, in our hearts we will hear,

With you gone, nothing is the same, “Is this true heartbreak?”

 

In dearest memories I hold you near, remembering the golden years,

You have shown love above many things, in love, you died a king.

Dad I miss you every day, there are so many things I want to say,

God works in mysterious ways, but why take you, to our dismay?

 

An answer is unclear like smog, but I hope that one day it will unfog,

Watching from heaven above, I truly feel your presence, all your love.

Close in my heart, this is a start, love mending what was torn apart,

Family holds life together, bonds of memories and emotion last forever.