Back in March, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – East Liberty sponsored a creative writing contest to encourage teens to express what their face says to the world. The prize was lunch with Sharon Flake, Pittsburgh resident and author of The Skin I’m In, Money Hungry, Begging for Change, Bang! and other great books for children and teens.
The winner was announced and the prize was awarded in May. This photo was taken at Tana’s Ethiopian Cuisine, where Gerard Doswell-Hardrick, author of the winning poem, shared a lunch with Ms. Flake; Gwen Moulton, Teen Specialist at CLP – East Liberty; Karen Gelston, Gerard’s Communications teacher; second place winner Josie Nolting; and Josie’s father. Gerard’s poem is below.
-Karen
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What Does My Face Say to the World?
That look,
That special, happy, funny look I always have on my face.
I’m a very silly person.
People think.
Do they know who I am?
Do they know what is inside?
They must not, but it’s ok.
I know, I know what’s inside.
The truth…
only the deepest, most painful truth there is.
The only thing people say to get away from trouble.
When they think they’ve escaped it…
they just only make it worse.
Do you know now what my face says to the world?
Well, don’t judge a book by its cover.
My face is a lie.
Gerard Doswell-Hardrick
8th grade
Pittsburgh Montessori
Filed under: Quick Flix
this is a great poem or thing you wrote i think it was very smart and i loved it