Congratulations are in order for High School West junior, Michael Raimondi, who earned a “2024 Honorable Mention” for his poem at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. 

Michael's poem,“Chicken Noodle Soup” honors Michael’s mother who passed away in February 2023.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.  

Below is Michael's poem.  

 

Chicken Noodle Soup

I love chicken noodle soup.

Specifically my mom's chicken noodle soup.

It cured my sickness during those cold winter months.

It comforted me in times where I felt lost and alone.

I wrapped my arms around that bowl of love, comfort, and compassion.

She poured her heart into making me a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

Though, when I made a bowl of chicken noodle soup for her, it wouldn't cure her sickness.

Whether or not I poured my love into it, chicken noodle soup wouldn't heal her.

She often didn't like the taste.

Why didn't she like it?

Because cancer didn't like it.

Cancer didn't care for the love, comfort, or compassion of a home cooked meal.

Cancer couldn't be cured with chicken noodle soup.

 

-Love, your bubula