Creative Writing · Personal Reflection

End Youth Violence Arts Contest Poem (Top Ten Finalist)

Herminia Chow

Reasons why I’m posting my poem here:

  1. Publicity is publicity. Bad publicity is still publicity. Good publicity is great publicity.
  2. I haven’t posted poetry in a long time for several reasons. Main reason? I’m not a proficient poet. Never will be.
  3. On the other hand, I am a top ten finalist so this isn’t the worst thing you’re about to read if you choose to.
  4. The message (end youth violence) is one I advocate and support completely.
  5. Finally, I still can’t come up with a decent title and I was hoping this blog post would give me some inspiration. Hasn’t happened yet.
End Youth Violence Arts Contest Poem By Herminia Chow
Announcing the ninth of 10 finalists in our End Youth Violence arts contest! Artists under 21 years old were encouraged to submit art in any media aiming to eliminate youth violence. York Region poet Herminia Chow wrote her poem to illustrate the impact of violence on people of any gender or race. She is hopeful for a future where youths don’t need to resort to violence. Untitled Poem by Herminia Chow

This is the contest: End Youth Violence

You can find this on their Tumblr-York Regional Police where the image is bigger and thus, easier to read.

By the way, I stole the caption from YRP since they said it so wonderfully. I am “hopeful for a future where youths don’t need to resort to violence” because why would you, when you have words?

61 thoughts on “End Youth Violence Arts Contest Poem (Top Ten Finalist)”

      4. There you go being awesomely sweet again. Thank you. I already checked it out and commented with my not-so-helpful thoughts. 😛 Ah I didn’t even know this character blog tour existed until now. I’ll make good on that wish.

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  2. Congratulations for entering the contest! Your words show your heart–fed up, confused, lonely in the fight, clueless and tired of it. Think of the people reading your poem–whether you win or not, your words will make a difference. Just because you dared to put them out there. So glad you posted it!
    Elouise

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    1. Oh thank you Elouise. I am glad I entered. Mhm, you hit upon just about every emotion I wanted to portray. I agree, I strive to make a difference in one person’s life using my words. That’s why I’m a writer. Winning is not important. However, the message is. I appreciate it!

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    1. I think I like it better when you don’t comment on my blog posts. Just kidding. 😀 You had that one coming. We? You’d help me go after the judges? Haha, that isn’t such a bright idea considering Nadine Williams, members of the York Regional Police, and a youth representative are on the panel.

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      1. Hmmm. Fine. I’m not commenting anymore. 😦

        Oh. Wellllll never mind! But I hope you win. And I think you should share more poetry on here. 🙂

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      2. Thanks. If I don’t win, I’m blaming you. 😛

        Okay I’ll keep that in mind. I think you should comment more so we can get to know each other. Remember that conversation? 😉

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  4. Wow! This is AMAZING! Officially impressed – great job! And John, stop being mean to my Olympic partner, we’re about to whip everyone’s butts on our ice cream challenge and you’ll be sorry, because we’ll be famous … and stuff 😀

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      1. Let’s take the cough out, You’re MEAN JOHN!!! No strawberry ice cream or milkshakes for you. Loving your Count Dracula laugh btw – you should copyright it 🙂

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      5. 😀 The less he knows the better, besides we’ll just recruit his future wife Jen, & he’ll be like putty in our fingers! *Evil cackle required here 😉

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      6. Right right. We can totally use her to our advantage. Man I love the way you think. You are a true mastermind. See this is why we’re going to rule the universe together. Muhahaha. 😀

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      7. 😀 😀 Exactly. Mr John won’t even know what hit him. Hmm, I wonder if he’s reading our comments because we wouldn’t want to give him a heads up, but then again may be has better things to do with his life than stalk our conversation. What am I saying? What could possibly be better than the ramblings of 2 geniuses such as ourselves?

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      8. I was wondering the same thing and then I figured he’s probably busy stalking his future wife. If he was reading any of this, I’m sure he would have said something by now. Oh well. He’ll be taken by surprise either way. That is the best rhetorical question ever. 😀

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      9. Yeah – occupied us for a whole five minutes 🙂 You’re right, Mr. Guillen would have definitely come up with some snide kickass comeback if he were reading this, he’s going to gravitate here one day and go WTF? They’ve dedicated an entire gazillion comments on how to bring me downnnnnnn 😀 😀

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      10. I just thought about the possibility that he’s secretly reading all our comments and planning his own way of taking us down. Then again, he’s not intelligent enough to pull that off. 😉 Plus, we’re both brilliant so we’d be prepared for anything he’s ready to throw at us. At least we didn’t start this conversation on his blog… 😀

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      11. Haha! Yeah, considering my foot in mouth disease, I am actually surprised that I didn’t start this conversation on his blog 😉 Thank you for helping me out of that one, ah, what would I do without you?

        What could John do to us poor little things anyway, wouldn’t that be against his anti weightlifting violence motto anyway? 😀

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      12. Ahahaha. Did I just plant an idea in your head? Whoops.

        Yep he can’t lay a finger on us. Besides he’s not going to make the trip up north to destroy me for planning to destroy him. 😉

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  5. So happy to hear you entered the contest, and congrats for being in the top ten 🙂 That alone should take you out of the “non-proficient poet” category. I think you are very proficient. Cheers 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much. I’m happy to be able to share this success with my fellow bloggers. 😀 Haha we’ll see about that. Mmm I love hearing your opinion on everything because you’re always right! Cheers. 🙂

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  6. This is so amazing it made me tear up. Im writing a youth violonce eassy as im typing its hard to let my emotions out. Reading this really helped me! This is amazing i love it your an amazing writer an ill let you know how my eassy goes

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  7. I LOVE THIS POEM! I was searching for a poem that touches upon the various issues surrounding violence, yet encourages hope for a better tomorrow. This is it! I would like to read this poem at my church’s Stop the Violence program. I will give you credit, of course, and plug your blog to the listeners. Hope you don’t mind.
    You are really doing awesome things. Don’t ever stop! Your poem really moved me.

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