A poem about embracing the moment has earned Jessica Swanson an honor for the next school year. The Northview High School junior has been named that school’s first Poet Laureate. She was chosen by English department teachers after AP Literature students narrowed 16 student poems entered down to just three.
Jessica’s job as Poet Laureate will be to promote poetry in any way she likes during the 2013-14 school year. Northview faculty members will be asking her to come talk to their classes or write a poem for a special occasion.
Following is the poem for which Jessica was chosen.
Today…
I took today and cupped it in my hand
felt the clock push time in between my fingers
realized I had lost so many seconds
as they dribbled down the cracks
Had I been happy?
Could that balance out the moments I had wasted?
I know where I am headed
the Future
A lifetime.
But Now…
I am missing Now.
I keep trying to push forward
but chasing forward is running to death
I need to catch my breath
But I can’t breathe underwater.
