Louder Than a Bomb 2013

Series produced by WBEZ

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Just in time for National Poetry Month, Chicago Public Media (WBEZ-Chicago) presents the latest series of studio recordings featuring finalists from the 2013 Louder Than a Bomb Teen Poetry Festival and Competition, including the heart-wrenching "Found Letters to My Granddaughter" and the viral successes "Thick" and "Ray" - all under 3 minutes!

Founded in 2001, the annual "Louder Than A Bomb" teen poetry slam engages schools and community organizations from all over the Chicago area. This friendly competition gathers the best and brightest young writers (age 13-19) from throughout the region with the winners going on to represent Chicago at the national level. Each year since 2005, WBEZ has invited competition Finalists into our studios to record their work.

We present to you 24 new pieces (each just 3 minutes long), exploring themes of race and identity, sexuality and body image, free speech, religion, gun violence, politics, national and international affairs. Enjoy!


Additional Files

25 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Heavenly Sin by Destiny McClendon
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2013
Caption: Destiny McClendon, Credit: (WBEZ/file)
Poet Destiny McClendon, 17, is a senior at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy and participated in Louder Than a Bomb for the first time t...

  • Added: Apr 12, 2013
  • Length: 02:50
Sex Sells by Brooks College Prep's Lyrikally Xplicit
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2013
Caption: Brooks College Prep's Lyrikally Xplicit, Credit: (WBEZ/file)
Sex Sells is a team piece about the objectifying stereotypes of women, performed by the poets of Lyrikally Xplicit from Gwendolyn Brooks College Pr...

  • Added: Apr 12, 2013
  • Length: 02:57
You Keep Going Back to Him by Antwon Funches
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2013
Caption: Antwon Funches, Credit: (WBEZ/file)
Poet Antwon Funches, 15, is a freshman at Simeon Career Academy and participated in Louder Than a Bomb for the first time this year. His piece "You...

  • Added: Apr 12, 2013
  • Length: 02:47
The Outfit by Mariah Starks
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2013
Caption: Mariah Starks, Credit: (WBEZ/file)
Poet Mariah Starks, 15, is a freshman at Simeon Career Academy and participated in Louder Than a Bomb for the first time this year. Her piece, "The...

  • Added: Apr 12, 2013
  • Length: 02:17
The Pursuit of Happiness by Writers Never Die of Simeon Career Academy
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2013
Caption: Writers Never Die, Simeon Career Academy, Credit: (WBEZ/file)
"The Pursuit of Happiness" is a team piece about addiction performed by the poets of Writers Never Die from Simeon Career Academy: sophomore Deandr...

  • Added: Apr 12, 2013
  • Length: 03:01

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