by Christine, Chapman Branch

Where do I sign up? The teen page of the Library’s website has more information or you can click here for the Lit Loot information page/signup form. The signup form will ask you questions which will help us find a book that we hope you will like as well as pick out some fun treats and surprises for your box. 

Keep an eye on the Library’s social media for announcements about signups for the January and May boxes as well.

​

by Stephanie C., Main Library

The 11th & 12th Grade winners are:

Primal 
by Nikolas Lawvor (9th Grade)

In shadows draped, a tale unfurls,
Of vengeance brewed, a heart that hurls
Its fury forth, a tempest's might,
To claim its pound of endless spite.

A web he weaves, with twisted thread,
Each strand entwined with thoughts unsaid.
A labyrinth of cruel design,
To bring the one he loathes to find

The taste of anguish, bitter, sweet,
With every step, the plan complete.
No turning back, no second thought,
In darkened realm, revenge is sought.

But as the night draws to its close,
And fate's embrace becomes his pose,
A revelation, stark and clear,
Unveils the depths of heart austere.

Together now, their eyes meet,
familiar blood trickles sweet
Betrayal lines their faces
A once kindled love, remains in traces

No bit of guilt, no pang of woe,
No empathy to overflow.
A smile adorns his face, so sly,
As twisted pleasure fills his eye.

For in the depths of vengeance deep,
A soul emerges, void of sleep.
No burden weighs upon his chest,
For he has found his own bequest.

No remorse, nor sorrow's gloom,
Just satisfaction as he looms.
In this twisted dance he thrives,
Where vengeance keeps his spirit alive.

And so, the truth is now revealed,
As darkness smirks, its power sealed.

In that final moment, cruel and vile,
The corners of his lips upturn a smile.
​

"The Human Face"
Inspired by Le Visage Humaine by Antonin Artaud
by Theo L. Hammerschmidt (10th Grade)

THE HUMAN FACE

The face, not of me, not of you
The face, concerns of need or want die in that search
The face, always tried

Never thought, never caught that deep prussian blue
Never you, not you, not quite you, that's for sure
Never, always tried

The human face, that is for the painter to attempt
The human face, never once full of such contempt
The drawing, never works of art, never works of crude -
aesthetic simulations of reality, only expressions of -
truths possible through word and style
Not mine or yours, though
Not mine or yours, that I know

THE HUMAN FACE
​

Depression is a Lonely Man
by Emily M. McBride (10th grade)

Depression is a lonely man.
It sits alone calling out for a friend,
And for a moment that lonely man
Finds one, sits by its side, or, lays
Comforting that friend

But that comfort feels overbearing
And that friend Becomes claustrophobic
Hates the warmth of depression

That friend finds new
Friends, friends who are
Less protective, less manipulative

Depression hates the loss of a friend
It gets anxious and morphs into anxiety

Anxiety that is so crippling
That friends become bedridden

They reach out for comfort
Anxiety relishes into depression
But never entirely, it’s scared

It believes that friend will leave again
It tells that friend it will never be free

It’s controlling and holds on to that friend
With a death's grip until
You can’t escape
You go numb

Your friends with slowly
disintegrate themselves from your life

Fading into the background
Leaving you questioning
Who are you now?

A question that only
depression
has the answer to.
​

The Thin Blue Hammock
by Fay Raelin Sorensen (12th Grade)

In the summer, things seem to slow. The heat that’s so hot it makes your skin burn through your
clothes melts the hands of the clock in a strange sort of way.
Lying in the hammock, tangled in sweaty limbs, I could feel your heat through your thin black
shirt. Your foot dangled from the side of the hammock. Stripped of shoes, the tips of your white
socks brushed the cool green grass. Your arms were slung around me lazily, a loose embrace
made comfortable with familiarity.
Staring up at the branches of the tree as the thin blue hammock swayed gently, we were the
center of the universe.
For that golden moment, we didn’t have to worry about anything.
You weren’t being sent away to learn about guns and war and grownup things.
I wasn’t running away from angry words and a violent house.
Nothing occupied our minds except the lazy swaying of the thin blue hammock.
It was one of those perfect, time slowing summer moments.
You and me, lying in the thin blue hammock.
All the chaos leading up to that perfect moment—bony elbows jabbed into soft places and hair
being pulled by an unassuming limb—seemed like a distant memory.
Speedbumps that led to us lying in a thin blue hammock, the tips of your white socks brushing
the grass, and your arms slung around me.
For a long, long time we sat in that perfect moment together.
Just you and me
Lying together in the thin blue hammock.

All alone in the universe.
​

Our Light
by Kellen Hunnicutt (12th Grade)

Every night, I laid in my blue bedroom, gazing up at plastic stars that dotted my ceiling.
The lightbulb above my desk was the sun, and the glow-in-the-dark planets and stars made up
my very own solar system. I could jump up and hit Saturn’s ring off, sending cosmic energy
clattering to the carpet – I held enough energy to split apart galaxies.
In this dark room, I could think forever.

Where I lived, dusk was not taught, only implied in my grandparents’ house,
in the awkward aura we collectively embodied when we witnessed blinding brightness or
rainbows. Little did I know there was glistening gleam and glare in my blood, in my heart, in
every breath I took, echoing outward from glowing lungs.

I caught a glimpse of illumination in the mirror, sitting in a lump on my tongue,
like a chunk of glass reflecting the sun. I shut my mouth tight and tried to forget but I could not
fall asleep, not with luminescence searing the inside of my mouth like hot stew. I stared up at the
stars, and silently thought about kissing you on your soft lips, becoming light.

I tried to stay close-lipped, but this blaze did leave my insides, leaping out despite
holding on tight to my tongue: a girl witnessing when I googled “what to do when you can feel
light burning the inside your body and brain?” She just smiled, didn’t care at all.

I let out light on purpose for the first time to the first sparkling person I met,
someone sunshine. I did it over text because I didn’t want to see a reaction. But they cheered for
me, and I radiated starlight in my smile. I began to spark like fireworks and everyone welcomed
my orangey warmth. I shined like clementine sunsets brimming in twinkles,
admitting I wanted to kiss gold.

There were three more people who I needed to embrace in luminescence.
I convinced myself it had to be tonight. Every detail is burned into my mind: the bratwurst and
mashed potatoes we ate, the drums crackling in my throat, the thought that I might choke on the
blaze blistering my tongue.
Oh, but I was brave.
I opened my mouth and released like a deep exhale
and the whole room flickered for a moment in silent shock.

My sister didn’t even know what light meant, Dad had to explain it to her.
Mom held me as we cried, and I began to sparkle all over, my skin fading into transparency,
shimmering the energy beating and bumping in my blood, in my heart, in my veins, in my lips.
I opened up wide and now I live in illumination and spend my time smiling and cuddling and
playing in your radiance.
Looking around I realize I am surrounded by people who love me, regardless of light, who make
me feel safe and mesmerizing in my star-like wonder.
I know I’ll kiss you again tomorrow,
My boy.

It Is Not Goodbye; It Is See You Soon
By Keila Torres (12th Grade)

Tears fall
As the train zooms by
Will you promise to call?
I’m terrible with goodbyes...

I’m wide awake
I gently lift myself off my bed
And for their sake
I whisper instead

“Why did you sleep on the floor?”, I said
No reply, are they dead?
I nudge one
And again the answer is none

I squeeze myself in between
And suddenly legs fly around
Oh, you should have seen
Kisses and hugs kept me ground

I look over at the door
The bright yellow dress
Too hard to ignore

I remember that today
Is the day

I don’t remember
That today is THE day
The last day

I make pancakes
One takes a seat, then the other
“Ow my back aches!”, says one
She takes a pancake, then another

The bright light sweeps in
As the room fills with rose perfume
Some blush on her skin
And loud music in my room

It is time

And this is the time
I will never forget
Oh it would be a crime
To forget

We dance
We eat
We sing
We run

We do everything as one
We do everything we had never done

It is time

We drive to the station
The dreaded train station

It is time
We walk
We stand
We watch
Hand in hand
As she walks in
As she walks away
Forever

It is time

“We don’t want you to leave”, we say
“I don’t want to leave either”, she says

The doors close shut

It is time

We don’t say goodbye, we say see you soon

But how soon is soon?

We don’t know, so we cry
​

by Stephanie C., Main Library

Young poets and aspiring wordsmiths are invited to enter The City Library’s Third Annual Teen Poetry Contest!

This year’s theme is “All Together Now.” Local teens entering grades 9–12 in the Fall are eligible to submit their original work. Winners will receive a cash prize and a chance to read their work at a live event happening on July 29th at 1PM. Winning poems will also be shared on BiblioBoard and the Library’s Teen Blog.

The submission period goes from May 1–July 15. Winning poems will be selected by a panel of librarians, teachers, and other community members. 

For more information, please visit slcpl.org/poetry

Happy writing!

​

by Lexi, Day-Riverside Branch

Did you know that it is not a requirement for teachers to help you prepare for the ACT Test?
It's actually something all students are supposed to work on independently.
But guess what! It doesn't need to be independent - come join our ACT Study Sessions at the Library!

You'll find yourself alongside students from West High, SLCSE, PHA, Hunter High School (and more!), working with college tutors to get a better grasp on your English, Math, Science and Reading sections. If you attend twice you get to keep an ACT Study book for your very own! The University of Utah's Bennion Center volunteers have a clear grasp on all things ACT and will help you with the parts of the test you want to focus on most. 

We always have snacks and would be thrilled to help you achieve your test goals  Study Sessions run from January 19th-April 9th. Registration is available but not required! 

We meet on Thursdays at Marmalade 3:30-5pm and on Saturdays at Day-Riverside 1-2:30pm. 

Visit slcpl.org/events for more details.

by Christine, Chapman Branch

Helpful equipment to bring with you when visiting Salt Lake City’s haunted spots: a pen and paper to track your observations, voice recorder, camera, flashlight, extra batteries, and a mobile phone for emergencies. As you gain more experience and interest, you may wish to invest in video cameras, digital laser thermometers, even electromagnetic radiation detectors!

Locations that traditionally have more paranormal activity include: battlefields, forts, cemeteries, schools, and houses. If you’ve completed the scavenger hunt and would like to continue your investigations, start with some of those locations. 

Before you go: do some research on your location. What is its haunted history? This will help prepare you for potential challenges and learn about any reported paranormal sightings in the area. Check out the location during the day so you will be familiar with it. 

Never investigate alone! It’s safer and more fun to work with a partner or group. And as an added bonus, if you see something interesting, you will have witnesses!

Be respectful of property owners and spirits. Always ask permission to conduct a paranormal investigation and never trespass after hours or on private property. Talk to the spirits, let them know you mean no harm, and ask permission to take pictures. When you leave, thank them and ask them not to follow you. Leave the location as you found it. 

Follow your instincts. If you feel like taking a picture of something, do it. If you feel an overwhelming need to leave, follow that instinct. 

​

by Stephanie C., Main Library

On Saturday, August 13th, a gathering was held at The Main Library to celebrate the winners of The City Library's 2nd annual Teen Poetry Contest. 

The contest invites students entering grades 9-12 to submit a poem of 500 words or less. This year's theme was "Oceans of Possibilities." 

Three awards were given in each category (9th/10th Grade and 11th/12th Grade), 1st, 2nd, and Honorable Mention. 1st Place winners received a $100 prize, and 2nd Place winners received a $50 prize. 

Five of this year's winners were able to attend on Saturday to read their poems. The 2022 9th & 10th Grade winners are:
​

The 11th & 12th Grade winners are:
​

You can read all of the award-winning poems in The City Library's digital collection on BiblioBoard, and we've also included them here below. 

Congratulations to all of the winners and participants of the 2022 Teen Poetry Contest!

​Dive Through Crystal
by Erika Prasthofer (10th Grade)

Dive through crystal, pyramid-spike
ripples of tourmaline blue and teal refractions.

Swallow glassy gurgles, splintering
the throat; let apexes and edges clank,

pinch to shard, crackle, peel fleshy drapes
from their adhesion to grenadine.

Shingling downward, each pastel, cloudy-tart
ceramic, stretchy remnant piles up, clingy

textiles in the windpipe.
A gasp in salty water gushes

assortments of polygon webs of flesh
outwards, provoking whirlpool current flows,

tweedling the webs as though within a vacant,
pale dreidel that rectifies to threads, frail

twines that sink, settle:
coral’s dust, misty flush.

Drown breath in beauty, bitter ultimatum.
Respiration perished in rhinestone particle,

absence of suspension and subtle drift,
a pulse meant to sift

across this vast microcosm
of bubbles, blubber, and barnacle.

Is there hope that printed ink on modern parchment
is natural, sharp, intricate enough to inhale, inject,
sting, and swallow through even the buzzing,

dingy conscience? ...where sensation tends to suffocate,
leaking to cement across rectangular shield glass,
flat, sleek, black until flashing skips of imagery--

a different kind of blue projection
than the ocean or the diver’s sapphire studs--
a blue bound to shed the throat, the voice

of sentimentality and instinctual conviction,
the entrance of energy and fuel to heed,
to a state of elasticity, indifference: to numbness.

Mahogany and glossy-amber locks,
golden-rouge, chalky-metallic luster

are chopped like seaweed root
from snail, conch, and oyster prick--

from basalt and serpentine,
from surface-churning havoc

of the sailor’s rudder.
They tickle her ghostly, whitened cheek

and arise, hanging
midway in slanted wavers, ruffling

across water’s turquoise, a gradient
that’s sun rim skims azure

with split ends and abrasions
where dandruff falls like ashes.

When do we suffer, halt the envy,
expectation towards numbness
and illusory emotion and color?

Maybe I will dive through crystal, pyramid-spike
ripples of tourmaline blue and teal refractions:

through nothing but a sheet of paper, memory,
and a dose of hyperphantasia

to sew, stitch, string beauty, mahogany locks,
with the needle of the dolphin

through the surface gems,
and it is then that one may take a gasp,
breathe heavily again.
​

​Love Song
by Samwise Risley (10th Grade)

Sing me a song of want my siren
Sing me a song of needs
Sing me a song of all I love
Then pull me beneath your seas

Tell me of all that which I hold dear
Show me the things I love
Sing me your song from deep below
And I’ll listen from above

Help me to soften a hardened heart
And show me what I desire
Then pull me down to deepest seas
To join your siren choir

I’ve been out at sea for far too long
I long for something new
Tell me the things I should do next
My fate is up to you

Sing me possibilities
Of all that I could do
Let me learn from your age-old song
And I’ll gladly leave with you
​
Devour me under the crashing waves
Drag me to the depths that you haunt
For I’d rather regret that which I never did
Than to never have known what I want

​My Once Endless Ocean of Possibilities
​by Lucy McKillen (9th Grade)

The possibilities
Everything is open and on the tip of my finger - beckoning me forward like the open
ocean
My choices, my decisions - like the moment before I plunge into the cold salty water
The things then forced unto me
The pressure - the weight of all of the water on top of me as I'm being pulled down,
           down, down
Being perfect
The ocean of possibilities, My ocean of possibilities now their ocean of
           possibilities
New possibilities - the darkness and limit of my previous choices
Not possibilities, challenges
Not challenges, a duty
The vast endless ocean turned into a small dark enclosure
My endless ocean of possibilities
Now my burden
Of people
Not people, family
Not family, my controllers
My once infinite ocean turned into a small pond of solitude to carry myself forward with
           people looking toward -
Their ocean of possibilities

In Another World, the Titanic
by Sanskriti Negi (11th Grade)

In another world, the Titanic,
Peaceably sailed away,
Past the ice and dust and rock
And lived to see the day.

In another world, the Titanic,
Never left its English shores,
The great ship was deemed unfit to sail–
And would sail nevermore.

In another world, the Titanic,
Was never thought nor conceived,
So large a ship, so large a thought
A beast of a different breed.

In this world, the Titanic,
Sailed far away,
Never made it back home,
But it is where it will stay:

Beneath the icy ocean
Breathing beneath the waves,
A Rotting, sinking metal corpse,
Did it recall the glory days?
​

Setting the Sea to Find Me
by Keila Torres (11th Grade)

I wake up to see the sun’s rays
To feel the rough crashes of the sea
And touch the soft sand beneath Me

How long have I been here?

How did I get here?
My ship is nowhere to be found,
And my belongings just lay on the ground

Is this my final destination?

I do not know.

I look around

Trees span for miles
And I spot a folder of files

I pick it up, open it, and in a blink of an eye
I’m trapped under a bright blue sky

Dragged down, and down, and down

I do not put up a fight
I’m calm and alright

I hear voices telling me to drown, drown, drown
But I can breath just fine

In fact, I take a deep breath
And feel it through my spine

I’m not scared
And I realize

I didn’t have to set the sea
Because the sea is Me
​

Ocean's Muse
by Indigo Armstrong (11th Grade)

I’ve come, as many others
Looking to the seas, as they rush outwards
Stumble inwards, and endless cycle as they chase their own inspiration
Their muse to spark that motivation, The sun departs floating down as to let sleep take
the dove
As the moon rises above, the best light in the sky
It glints in the waters as waves reach up trying to fly, I still stand in my lonesome
The sand wedges itself between my toes, I dream to achieve that undying motivation
Many people get lost with no inspiration, wishing for such motivation
The ocean goes on not in desperation, not for fame, to gloat, to achieve
It is unaware of itself unable to see it’s glory, unable to leave
Getting lost in our woes
I came to find to find my muse, yet I find I am at a loss
Toss, tossing stones into the waters It becomes clear
As the sun arises coming near, The sea cannot refuse
I however, I refuse to rely solely on the motivation the muse can provide me
I will not forever go outward only to fall back and never fully be, I use any motivation yet
Determination, will be what I rely on
The ocean holds endless possibilities, yet forever will follow towards and away from the
shore
Such a bore, I will wield motivation that comes my way
Yet wield my determination to slay, no more pointless remedies
I see my vast possibilities before me a different sea on it’s own, the determination I can
use

​