Fresno County Public Library Poetry Contest: I Belong To Me

My thoughts are strong and clear
But you'll never understand them

I can fly like the wind
But you'll never harness me

I have the soul
But you'll never possess it

You desire what I have to offer
But you'll never have it

You can dream
But you'll never possess the dream

I belong to me

--Lynn N., Adult

High School Judge: Lou Standifer

Lou Standifer is an English Teacher and writer. I found poetry as an outlet in seventh grade and never stopped. Started writing Slam pieces in 2007 and eventually performed (and was lucky enough to win a few times) at the Inner Ear Beat Down Slam in Fresno. I also performed and featured at other events around the valley. I published a chap book with my colleague, fellow poet, and close friend, Drew Blanchard titled “You Mean You Don’t Live Here?” in 2012. I’m in my 12th year of teaching English. I spent a decade at Clovis High School and am now a very proud Central Grizzly! I continue to read and write poetry whenever possible. Poetry, language, and communication are the keys to everything great in this world.

Adult Judge: David Campos

David Campos is the son of Mexican immigrants, a CantoMundo Fellow, the author of Furious Dusk (University of Notre Dame Press, 2015), and the forthcoming American Quasar (Red Hen, 2021). His work has appeared in The American Poetry Review, Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, and The Normal School. He's the winner of the 2014 Andres Montoya Poetry Prize, and the Annual Prairie Schooner Strousse Award for the best group of poems in Prairie Schooner. He teaches English at Fresno City College. He lives in Clovis, California.

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I Belong To Me