Charlene Coates has won first place in the annual "Say What?" Poetry Contest, landing her the Feature Poet position for the 2003 Hessler Street Fair. "Charlene had words that were exactly what we were looking for," said Lee Batdorff, contest organizer. Speaking on her hints of anti-consumerism, "Her material is most appropriate for this kind of crowd." The "Say What?" Poetry Contest encourages creativity and recognizes young poets in Cleveland.

home work

this town is a mother
that says with a smile
'you should be like them'
ok, i will, but i already am

we know history
we will be the best we can
mostly to keep you proud
we know the definition

this town is a father
that says with a stare
'you can do better than that'
yes, i can, i will and i am

just for once, forget about
basketball, the football
trophy that you didn't get
and come to our little recital

you just might see us shine
and forget about the rust
the smoke that choked you
we are only trying to breathe

everything behind the door slams before you
somewhere else as we grow
in a place we were told, too small
we were just kids

we know the skyline like fingerprints
our yearbook, our alma mater
late traffic drives by as we pack
away for higher education.

 (:divend:)