Fight for Life

by Damien McClendon

after

F(I)ight for Life

by Denise Ziganti

All the big and little

creatures in cages

Thinking out loud

This must be how

it feels to be human

Denise Ziganti, Artist: My creation is representative of my constant striving to improve and grow. At two years old I am the black & white, caged bird unable to fly to freedom. My inner child gazes with wonder at the colorful bird in flight knowing there is more to gain if I find my voice and overcome my fears. Life is ever-evolving and continuous growth is a constant journey full of discovery.

Damien McClendon, Poet: Damien McClendon is a poet based in Cleveland, Ohio. A Youngstown native, McClendon moved to the Cleveland area when he was 13. He is a recent graduate of Kent State University, where he majored in Pan-African Studies. He now lives in Cleveland and works in schools and for non-profits doing community organizing that focuses on social justice issues. He is also a recipient of the 2018 Cleveland Arts Prize On the Verge fellowship for literature. McClendon’s work speaks to the experience of being a Black father, artist and teacher in one of the country’s most poverty stricken cities. Heights Arts’ Heights Writes Community Team awarded the Cleveland Heights Poet Laureateship to Damien McClendon in April of 2018. During his tenure he participated in and helped produce Heights Arts’ Ekhphrastacy Artist Talk and Poets Respond series, and performed various outreach programs in the community.

Please enjoy this video for Ekphrastacy April 2020 in Response to Members Show 2020:

To learn more about our current exhibition, Members Show 2020, click here:

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