The Poetry Contest

Jack and I were judges in a poetry reading contest at a bilingual high school (Gimnasium) last week.

This was an event open to grades 9-12 and these kids were the finalists of each of their high schools. There were three judges, the two of us and a Scotsman who is a cop in Budapest. We were seated prominently in the front of the room (why didn't I dress up more) with the 17 contestants all seated in chairs. Surprisingly, there were an equal number of boys and girls.  As I have mentioned before this country really appreciates poets and poetry.  Each child had to recite a compulsory poem and a poem of their own choosing.  We had scoring sheets and were directed to give three separate scores for their pronunciation, interpretation of the theme and dramatic effect.  Here is the compulsory poem, I think that it is quite thought provoking.

                 WHICH ARE YOU?  Ella Wheeler Wilcox

There are two kinds of people on earth today
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.
Not the sinner and saint, for it's well understood,
The good are half bad, and the bad are half good.

Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.
Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span
Who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.

Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.
No; the two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift and the people who lean.

Wherever you go you will find the earth's masses,
Are always divided in just these two classes.
And oddly enough, you will find too, I mean,
There's only one lifter to twenty who lean.

In which class are you?  Are you easing the load,
Of overtaxed lifters who toil down the road?
Or are you a leaner who lets others share
Your portion of labor and worry and care?

Considering they were reciting in a language other than their mother tongue, I was really impressed with the performances. We awarded a tie for first place, a second and third prize.  The kids were polite and appreciative.  I am sure that I will never have this opportunity again!