Here Nicholas Godfrey reads his winning poem “When Simplicity Dies.”

FAITH LAPIDUS: Lena Reyna is a student in Stockton, California. She will graduate from the two-year college, San Joaquin Delta, in May. San Francisco State University has already accepted Miz Reyna for the fall. But she is waiting to hear from two other schools, including her first choice, the University of California at Berkeley. Lena Reyna says her parents introduced her to poetry at a young age.

LENA REYNA: “I had an Edgar Allan Poe coloring book [laughs] when I was like five. And, as well as Shakespeare and theater in the community.”

This is Lena Reyna reading part of her winning poem, “The Weight of Words in Reverse.”

(LENA REYNA)

FAITH LAPIDUS: The Library of Congress is planning to post the winning poems as an online collection on its Poetry for the Mind’s Joy Web site. Perhaps a future Poet Laureate is among the student writers.

LENA RENYA: “I want to continue putting poetry out there. I think it’s a very powerful form of expression. There was a time when poetry was really cool…and I want to bring that back again.”

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STEVE EMBER: This program was written and produced by Caty Weaver. Brianna Blake was our reader. I’m Steve Ember.

FAITH LAPIDUS: And I’m Faith Lapidus. You can find a link to the Library of Congress’ poetry site at voaspecialenglish.com. You can also comment on our programs. Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.