Poet Expats Coffee Nights

Following is a poem composed by one of the City of Pleasanton’s current Teen Poet Laureates, Kyle Mular.  Kyle is a senior at Foothill High School and is very passionate about creating more awareness of this often underappreciated literary art expression.  His goal is to help revive the literary scene for his generation by inspiring creativity and enriching readers.  One of Kyle’s projects as Teen Poet Laureate is to organize high school age poetry reading evenings, called “Poet Expats Coffee Nights”.   The upcoming event will be held at Inklings Coffee on Main Street in Pleasanton on Tuesday evening, February 21st from 7:00-8:00pm.   The coffee and snacks are great there, so be sure to get a little something to enjoy during the meeting.  These are free for attendees (teens only!), though space is limited.  Kyle encourages RSVPs via e-mail to indesque@gmail.com, and let him know if you would like to read one of your own poems for everyone to enjoy!  If you are interested in more information about the City’s Teen Poet Laureate program, contact Julie Finegan at jfinegan@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

Here is Kyle’s poem, entitled “The Debt”

>> What would you like?
>> Life, sir.
>> Ahh huh.
>> I’ve been here for an eternity. My credit is good, right?
>> It is.
>> 100 sound good?
>> No.
>> 98?
>> Try again.
>> 95?
>> You’ll get 85.
>> Really? That’s awfully blunt
>> Your credit score speaks.
>> Take it or leave it. Too many trips below, I see.
>> It’s not my fault, sir.
>> It never really is, isn’t it?
>> Germs, guns, and steel…sir. You’re well acquainted, surely.
>> Somewhat.
>> How about…92?
>> You’re pushing it.
>> I need time to be great, sir.
>> No, you don’t.
>> What?
>> Rock Stars die before 30
>> Music? I don’t understand
>> Then again, they mostly take the express way I still don’t understand
>> sir.
>> Poets too. Just throw themselves into the wheels of riverboats.
>> You’re quite cynical, sir.
>> Say another word and it’ll be a still birth.
>> Oh my.
>> You’re going to get 85 and you’ll like it, so help me.>> Oh alright. I’ll pay it back. I promise.
>> Don’t promise me, son. Everybody who takes, pays.