The opening line, “below the 3rd floor fire-blackened brick,” is captivating and a great way to start off the poem. Leah Niemchick, age 20
"Blue April," is full of concrete images; we can stay tuned and continue taking the piece in. Colin Butgereit, age 20
below the 3rd floor fire-blackened brick
& empty windows, torn curtains hanging,
He shows us the run-down building instead of writing "run-down building." Rachel Talen, age 21
Cope gives us a vivid sense of the setting. Patty Schlutt, age 14
The poet gives the impression that the building is lifeless. Ruth Ott, age 12
a young woman,
rag tied about her hair,
curls falling at her ears,
waves & calls to slicked-up goodtime Charley
who’s strutting thru the scraps,
I like "strutting through the scraps." How original because usually you strut when you are on a runway or in a fancy place and here he is in a black alley strutting in other people's trash. Aubrey Frey, age 12
giant ring on his pinky finger,
black & white tu-tones shining.
Somethng about this is so real, and I can picture it thoroughly. The characters are real-to-life. Aubrey Frey, age 12
he stops, tilts his hat, gazes above, shakes his head
& turns, heading thru the garbage cans
to the door leading to her darkened stairs.
It's interesting how this poem is situated over just a little time; it is talking about only a few moments. Aubrey Frey, age 12
The whole poem is very rhythmic, and I like the song-like quality of the phrases, pairing with the flashy images almost like a silent film. Kara Madden, age 21