Congratulations to our One Book One Town Writing and Mixed Media contest winner: Maddy.
One Book One Town Writing and Mixed Media Contest – High School Writing Winner
Congratulations to our One Book One Town Writing and Mixed Media contest winner: Locked by Piper.
Locked Hello, How was your day they said, With their ear to ear bright smile I answer with a lie I reciprocate that smile, ‘good’ The tough friend can’t tell people the truth The tough friend is embarrassed to show friends the truth I’m the tough friend The friend that can’t be weak The friend that hides everything under a pillow The same pillow I whimper under twice a year Speechless. I write, I open the document that carries my secrets The document that feels like a friend I trust, Poetry. It all works, Behind the locked door, In the one place I feel I can express myself Alone I feel safe to share, Nothing leaves the page The nights cry I form my tears into verses The verses that will always be concealed The mascara running down my face Dripping on the pillow, Flip it over, no one cares, that's what I feel everyday, Hidden, Hidden, is what I feel They say talk to someone, Who can I talk to except for the poem page in my phone My emotions fill But like a full glass It has to spill soon But I can push it deeper I can’t let anyone know Even though, the poems grief, Begging to be let free but I’m not ready They're safe here I can’t be known as the weak friend In the open air people can judge. Friends spill their glasses, tell me their secretes, Knowing they won’t get anything in return And they can’t tell I’m broken in, From the mask covering myself I always have a smile on my face, Still I keep theirs private In fears that one day I’ll open up, Mine won’t be the secret of my life anymore, It will just add to the story of my life, But hidden is my life, The life I know, The life that is viewed as safe The phone dies, the poems locked The secret no one can hear, Locked. Locked from fear of no one understanding the pain, The page poured my emotions on last night. Locked away I rise with the sun, As I read the stanzas back The words flow The page got my point The page that gets me the most,
One Book One Town Writing and Mixed Media Contest – Adult Writing Winner
Congratulations to our One Book One Town Writing and Mixed Media contest winner: A KWeen Dethroned by KWeen.
A KWeen dethroned: What brings me joy, also disrupts my peace. My expressions of dance often tire my feet. In song, my voice is heard yet my lyrics are bleak. If I am to be made strong, why am I painted as being weak? In a most critical time in the world, my options still seem oblique. When will it be my time to express myself unharmed and freely? How can the world be free to roam, when we have to pay to live? How can we be equal when most don't have the resources from the tree of knowledge; What do you suppose I feed my kids? Why do I seem to gain a fool's wisdom while inheriting senseless self destruction? Is this what this whole isolation is about? If so, it's a concept I'm not in love with. Do I pray? What's the point? Do I complain? Who will listen? Do I explore finding another way? I'm just drained. Go away, maybe I'll stay in my bed today and accomplish absolutely nothing. KWeen
One Book One Town Writing and Mixed Media Contest – Adult Mixed Media Winner
Whether you missed it the first time or want to watch it again here are the event recordings!
Thank You!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in last night’s One Book One Town author program! We are so grateful to Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam for taking the time to share their wise and uplifting words with us about Punching the Air. We’d also especially like to thank our community partner, Fairfield University, for hosting this virtual event. Check back soon for a recording of the evening!
What Are You Reading?!?
Fairfield Public Library has a new podcast! The staff at the Fairfield Public Library love to read and our new monthly podcast will showcase what we are reading and what we are looking forward to in the near future.
In our first episode, we talk about our 2021 One Book, One Town selection, Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam. You can listen below. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes!
https://anchor.fm/fairfield-public-library/episodes/Ep–1-OBOT-2021-Punching-the-Air-eql6d4
Have you read Fairfield’s 2021 One Book, One Town “Punching the Air” by Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam?
If not, there’s plenty of time to read the book before our virtual author event on March 2 at 7:00 pm.
Visit the link to register: https://bit.ly/2MkCnV8
Reserve a copy of the book today: https://bit.ly/38Yz1Q0
#OBOTFairfield2021
VIRTUAL ONE BOOK ONE TOWN AUTHOR EVENT WITH IBI ZOBOI AND DR. YUSEF SALAAM TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 7:00-9:00PM

This is the signature event of Fairfield’s One Book One Town 2021 celebration! Join us for a wonderful evening with the authors of Punching the Air, Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam. The story of a tragic event leading to an unjust imprisonment and the impact it has on family and community, Punching the Air shows how strength can be found in the power of art and poetry. Ibi Zoboi is a New York Times bestselling author; Dr. Yusef Salaam, of the Exonerated Five, is a poet, prison reform activist and inspirational speaker.
Registration for this virtual event is required. Attendees will receive login information prior to the event. Please call (203) 256-3160 with any questions. Sign up here: https://fplct.librarymarket.com/events/virtual-one-book-one-town-author-event-ibi-zoboi-and-dr-yusef-salaam