Putting the Punk Back in Poetry
By Michaelyn Logue
Sierra Poetry Festival inaugurated a new Nevada County Youth Poet Laureate program last year, and welcomed Joey Henry into the role. Raised in a creative household in St. Louis, surrounded by the words and art of her father, Henry began writing short stories at elementary school, and poetry at junior high. At sixteen she moved to Nevada City to finish her last two years of high school at Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning (SAEL). A regular finalist for Poetry Out Loud in Nevada County, her teacher, Marika Beck, and poet-in-residence, Poet Laureate Emerita Kirsten Casey, both recognized the power in Henry’s voice.
“SAEL’s creative and accepting atmosphere resulted in spectacular poetry by the students. Joey was an immediate standout, sharing poetry that was sophisticated and insightful. She is also kind and approachable, as well as a gentle poetic leader in class. I knew that Joey would be an excellent representative of youth in our community, as well as an exceptional writer and artistic role model,” reflects Kirsten Casey on Henry’s recent appointment.
The role of poet laureate is an important one, and particularly for Joey Henry, who is paving the way for local youth to share their voices in a space that is eager to hear them. “My teachers heard what I had to say and read what I was writing, and encouraged me. If I hadn't received that support then I probably wouldn’t have done anything with it,” shares Henry. “I now want to be that voice of encouragement for other young people. It’s a big growth exercise, writing and sharing your thoughts and opinions with others. I want them to be excited about it, and to know it’s fun!”
As an ambassador for poetry, the Youth Poet Laureate lends agency and nurtures a valuation for poetry as a means of creative expression. Joey Henry believes that nothing bad can come from poetry, and has used this ethos to kick start her tenure by supporting teen open-mics, reading at local punk shows hosted at Nevada County Madelyn Helling Library, and incorporating teen focused zine making as part of her community-based approach.
“I think right now, especially for young people, uncensored speaking is so important. I love the punk scene because it’s a place where people can truly be themselves and express themselves. I love that there’s room for joy and anger and that it’s good to be loud and messy. I think a lot of that mirrors itself in poetry and in creative expression generally. No matter what way you use poetry, it's going to be good for you and for others. It’s important to make noise and speak, and yell, and write and I think it’s a good place to start.”