Claudia Ann Seaman Award
Crescendo - Inspired by Rita Dove’s “Soprano”
Kaylee Morris
Seattle, Washington
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences
Poetry
When you alter
the intensity
of your tone, watch
the crest of
the wave as
it builds,
preparing to pounce
headfirst onto land—
but the thrill isn’t
in the
ascent
nor the tension
(fortissimo,
vulnerability, strain)
releasing
as voices waver
and grasp
for air, fish
sending bubbles to
the ocean’s surface…
how do we determine
ferocity from fragility,
which dominates, which
tries to swim but
ends up drowning?
EDITORIAL PRAISE
If you have not yet read Rita Dove’s “Soprano”, now is the time—“Crescendo” emulates “Soprano” incredibly skillfully, but conveys something new all the same (and I’m grateful to the author for introducing me to both). The quick, lilting rhythm and powerful, clarifying last lines make this poem worth several rereads.
Kaylee Morris, an 18-year-old high school senior, attends Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences and will graduate in 2021. She is a passionate jazz vocalist, dancer, actress, and artist. Morris has always enjoyed creative writing but just began focusing on poetry this year while taking a Creative Writing class under the instruction of poet, Lauri Conner. Morris plans to go off to college next year and study environmental policy and education.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR