Young Newnan poets honored by Boys & Girls Clubs

Ashanti Melson and Jamison Philips, young poets from Newnan, have been selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta to perform in the annual “Power of Words” event. 

They will be performing their poems “My Mother” and “When Will It Be Your Turn?” on stage at the prestigious Woodruff Arts Center. Held Thursday, April 23, during National Poetry Month, hundreds of community supporters and leaders are expected to attend. 

In addition to being chosen to showcase their work at the event, Ashanti’s and Jamison’s poetry will also be published in the Marel Brown Creative Writing Book – an anthology recognizing the best and brightest young writers from Boys & Girls Clubs across the city. 

“We know that art and writing programs get kids and teens excited about learning and impact their academic success on a much broader level,” said Daryle Smith, executive director of Newnan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club.  “In addition to teaching the importance of creativity and self-expression, programs like this reinforce fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and public speaking that youth can use in the classroom and beyond.”

The poems;

“My mother”

My mother is my life

Sometimes we fight

But that is ok because were very alike

I love her so much

That is true

Ashanti Melson

Age:9

“When will it be your time?”

When the wind suddenly stops and the

Sun goes down, where will you be?

What would happen when there is no one around?

How would you handle it?

What will you do?

When your time comes, how would you handle it?

Will you be strong or weak?

Will you pray or weep?

When your time comes, will you know?

The fact is, no one will ever know.

When the time comes – say you lived a good life.

Embrace the people that you come across

Learn how to love the ones that may not have loved you

Never be afraid of when your time will come.

Jamison Phillips

Age: 14