December 13th Write on the Dot at Savin Bar & Kitchen

Write on the Dot 12/13/12, a set on Flickr.

Teen Writer Showcase Recap & Video

Reprinted from GoLocal MetroBoston...

The 1st Teen Writer Showcase presented by Write on the DOT featured six Dorchester teenagers reading from their original poetry and spoken word at the Fields Corner branch of the Boston Public Library on November 13th. Representing Codman Academy, Cristo Rey, and The Harbor School, the teens read poems about riding the T, overcoming violence, love poems and persona poems (one written from the point of view of a soldier returned from Iraq), an Ekphrastic poem (based on a painting by Brazilian artists Os Gêmeos), and poems written on-the-spot on iPhones. 

A walk-up audience of over 25 library patrons (many of them no older than the students themselves) listened, and occasionally participated, as the young writers also discussed their writing processes, the influence of Dorchester as a setting for their writing, and their reasons for writing. 

Prior to the event, writers and attendees enjoyed a delicious variety of pizzas donated by Tavolo Ristorante (located just down Dorchester Avenue near the Ashmont T Station). GoLocal MetroBoston assisted in the donation, and the librarians at the Fields Corner public library also contributed cookies and refreshments to put a sweet touch on the evening. 

It was inspiring to see so many neighbors drawn in by the words of the young writers (and the scent of sausage slices, to be sure, but they all stuck around for the poetry). Writing gives our world back to us, naming the struggles we face and the oft undetected truths that sustain us. Shawntell, Nia, Kameron, Tito, Shaheem, and Kortaysa delivered just that.

It was equally uplifting to find collaborative community with GoLocal MetroBoston, BPL, and Tavolo’s: partners who support education, youth development, and the arts.

Write on the DOT's next reading is Thursday, December 13th starting at 6:30pm downstairs at Savin Bar & Kitchen. We’re asking attendees to bring new or lightly used books to donate for a book drive in partnership with WriteBoston.