Each year, Literary Arts publishes an anthology of the student work created in our Writers in the Schools workshops and Verselandia!. The anthology’s title is chosen from one of the published students’ works. This year, the line comes from the poem “Lily’s Concert” by Nova Chen. You can read it below.
“Lily’s Concert” by Nova Chen
- Leave your house quietly, even if your thoughts are loud and won’t calm down.
- Wear a green dress, because it is Lily’s favorite color—and somehow, it makes you feel closer to her before the concert even begins.
- Bring your ticket, your every persona disappears, real you is there.
- Follow the streets and light, arriving here is paradise.
- Find your seat slowly, like a cat walking on the bridge.
- Sit with strangers, you don’t know their names, but somehow, everyone feels connected, because you are all here for her.
- Lily’s lyrics and voice feel clear and honest. Her singing shows freedom and strength. After the twists in the melody, the music becomes calm with her lyrics. When you listen to her songs, you may feel that even after a lot of sadness, you can still become free and find yourself.
- Powerful, joyful, loving, playful, interested, thankful, all from her, can you believe that? She brought it to us.
- Walk back, you are like an animal that has just learned to walk, you must leave behind someone you love. However, take a small piece of the night with you, hold a special gift, and love every moment from life.
The Literary Arts Student Anthology will launch on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Portland Book Festival. Stay tuned for more information!
