Just My 2 Cents Kawtar Karmouni

Victoria-Lynn Moscoso is a 20 year old Puerto Rican poet living in New York who is passionate about writing about the experiences of women as well as the intersectionality of being a Hispanic woman herself.

Her first poem, “Prayers pt. 1” was written on a random school night on a whim, and it explores the crosshairs between Victoria's identity as a queer woman and being raised as a decently devout Catholic girl. She hopes this poem can offer hope and solace to other queer girls trying navigate life as ex-religious or still religious and what that means for their queer identity.

The poem "Prayers pt. 2" is a continuation of sorts of "prayers pt. 1", yet it works as an independent work of writing about celebrating one's identity amidst people who do not want you too. The author also likes to think of this poem as a two in one love poem that can be interpreted as a love letter to oneself or to someone else, but most importantly it emphasizes the perhaps a little bit cliché but still true idea that love always wins.

The poem "Boricuas in New York" details Victoria's life living a fragmented identity as a Puerto Rican in the U.S. It makes personal the ramifications of gentrification and colonization and highlights the realities of many marginalized peoples.

Full poems here: https://telling-kick-977.notion.site/Prayers-Boricuas-in-New-York-Full-Poems-1c420dd2fac140b9af238b744a585674

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Qurat Dar is the City of Mississauga's Youth Poet Laureate and the 2020 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam National Champion. Qurat's poem was written for the immigrant kids, the queer kids, the misfits, everyone that had to grow up too fast. The poem is a tribute to all the sacrifices made to survive youth on the way to adulthood and an affirmation for those who wish they could have done things differently.

Full poem: https://www.notion.so/Wild-Youth-Full-Poem-47c74b8cea5a49308f5bf8db42623b50

Nisha Patel is an award-winning Indo-Canadian poet, the current Youth Poet Laureate of the City of Edmonton, and the 2019 Canadian Individual Slam Champion. Her love poem, Longing for You, is written for her soulmate. It takes us through snippets of memories and wishes, while being hopeful of the future the couple wants to build together.

Full poem: https://www.notion.so/Longing-For-You-Full-Poem-1fa1cc6d1cfa4a00b0410da1a9766e98

Pre-order Nisha's book, Coconut! 

Nisha's socials:

Website, Instagram, Twitter.

Aissatou Bah is a young Black Canadian poet with a globally published book called Black Girl Shine. Soil tells the story of a woman who is unsure of herself and does not know what the future will hold for her. Readers and listeners can expect to experience the uncertainty, hope and joy incorporated into this piece. Aissatou wrote Soil for the same reason she wrote Black Girl Shine; to uplift readers' souls. She hopes to inspire young women all over the world, especially Black women, to be comfortable in their skin and rise above the uncomfortable journey towards self-love.

Full poem: https://www.notion.so/Soil-Full-Poem-5c50ad0d07944b239c01f9fd085c7724

Order Aissatou's book, Black Girl Shine!

Aissatou's Socials:

Website, Instagram, Twitter.

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Angelina Leaños is the 2021 Youth Poet Laureate for Ventura County in California, United States. She is also a student at California Lutheran University and the youngest poet on the board of directors for California Poets in the Schools. Stargazer lilies have always been one of her favorite flowers since they remind her of her grandparents who used to grow them in their flower nursery for many years. She wanted to write a poem that centered around the image of these flowers while simultaneously honoring her grandparents.

Full poem: https://www.notion.so/Stargazer-Lilies-Full-Poem-0f9644c36ed54e2583c22f38b68e753c

Angelina's Socials:

Instagram, LinkedIn.

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Alysha Selvarajah is a 16 year old from Canada who enjoys writing poetry in her spare time. Her poem, Contemplation was inspired by the initial loneliness that she felt during the COVID-19 quarantine and how having more alone time caused her thoughts to overwhelm her. She wanted to write this poem with the idea of showing vulnerability and using it to express herself in a way that would allow her to be more in touch with her feelings.

Full poem: https://www.notion.so/Contemplation-9ce89bb9619d4b46a11e97722b1d619d

Alysha's Socials:

Medium, LinkedIn.

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