By Ava Durrell

It鈥檚 not every day local youth get a chance to show off some of their own original works.

But the Inspired Word Caf茅 in 琉璃神社 allowed students just that on the weekend, at an event called 琉璃神社 Youth Spoken Word Showcase. Students from four schools in 琉璃神社 were given the opportunity Saturday night to read some original spoken word and slam poems.

For some, the poems were lighthearted and funny; one young poet spoke about her connection to her broken headphones. But for many others, the topics of inadequate education and personal struggles, which included depression and anxiety, took centre stage. For the poets listening, many sympathetic feelings escaped in the form of snaps (poetry鈥檚 form of clapping).

It was a unique and powerful night, as youth talked about issues that were meaningful and relevant. More than half of the poets talked about troubles in the education system.

While nights like these are few and far between, there is a ton of fantastic poetry being produced by 琉璃神社 youth, and all we have to do to encourage more of it, is embrace it.

Ava Durrell is a Grade 11 student at KSS and a youth writer for the 琉璃神社.