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Poetic Pleasanton
A spark of young talent

"match"

by Vivienne Chen

you were always the match

igniting my parched, wooden frame

raised me from the dust

a light, dancing flame.

but without you

I'm fading

embers die away

fine grains of me

floating

flickering

falling

ashes in a tray.

Haiku workshop

To spark your interest in a short form of poetry known as Haiku, we are holding a workshop with an internationally known Haiku master, Jerry Ball, a former professor at Las Positas College. The program is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 23 at the Century House, 2401 Santa Rita Road. Inspired by the first buds of spring, here is one of my haiku:

Bluebirds sing for spring

daffodils lift their young heads

to listen and wait.

Details on the "Keep it Short: A Haiku Workshop with Jerry Ball" are available at www.civicartsliterary.org.

The Pleasanton Teen Poets Laureate were the rock stars at a January visit to Pleasanton Middle School. Vivienne Chen of Amador Valley High School and Foothill's Nick Quan spoke to the students about why they write and the benefits they get from writing. They also read some poems and gave background on what prompted them to write them. After our visit, the three of us went to a downtown coffee shop and wrote two poems. We all wrote on the same theme of "matches." The results from the 15-minute exercise were remarkable. We'll share Vivienne's poem, "match" this month and Nick's poem, "Hot Flood" in March. To honor their selection as Poets Laureate and to recognize their efforts in reaching out to other students, the City Council will welcome the teens at the start of their March 16 meeting. Teens will read their "Match" poems at that time.