“When you’re little, people tell you that you can be whatever you want and follow your dreams,” freshman Amara Grajewski said. “When you get older, you realize it’s not that easy.”
It all started in seventh grade: that year, Grajewski found her passion.
The Diatribe (a local poetry group) came to advise and work with Grajewski’s English class at Crossroads who later held a school-wide poetry slam.
Following that, The Diatribe invited Grajewski to a poetry camp.
The camp was held for this first time this past summer, put on by the Diatribe and held at the Boys and Girls Club downtown. While at the camp, participants learned about upcoming competitions and improved their writing.
“[The Diatribe is] very personable, you can tell that they really care,” Grajewski said.
Since her experience at camp, Grajewski has competed in several poetry competitions- even winning a few, including one at Fountain Street Church.
This year she was invited to perform at The Diatribe’s Grand Showcase in Grand Rapids, which took place on October 6, with her previous winning poem, End of the Yellow Brick Road.
“I write about things I want people to be aware of,” Grajewski said.
Grajewski’s writing is heavily influenced by things that matter to her and the social injustices happening in the world. Her poetry consists of racial issues, the struggle of growing up and finding who you are as a person.
“The stage was a lot bigger, there was a lot bigger of an audience than I thought it was going to be,” Grajewski said.
The showcase was not rehearsed and the speakers were required to prepare themselves on their own time.
Following her performance at the Grand Showcase, Grajewski explained that she was very grateful for the experience and opportunity.
The End of the Yellow Brick Road poem and video of performance:
The End of the Yellow Brick Road
