Outreach: Suzanne Lummis' Stories and Poetry

Students from the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts (LFCSA) and the Living Museum Sycamore Grove are collaborating with Departures Youth Voices to document their exploration of the area and develop interactive tools that will become part of the Living Museum's community resources. Follow the students hereas they work with community residents and learn about the history of the neighborhood, urban planning, and placemaking.

Suzanne Lummis, granddaughter of Charles Lummis, is a renowned poet and the director and founder of the Los Angeles Poetry Festival. Ms. Lummis, like her grandfather, maintains ties with Highland Park. Recently she visited LFCSA to share stories about her grandfather, "Old Man Lummis," and to discuss the beauty and power of poetry.

Below some of the students share what they heard from Ms. Lummis.

"Suzanne Lummis is the granddaughter of Mr. Lummis. She was born in San Francisco, California, but discovered her passion for poetry at the age of nine in Mexico. Suzanne has a bright, and funny personality." --Cameryn Tucker

"Suzanne gave us special permission to call Mr. Lummis 'Old Man Lummis'." --Sophie Metzger

"Ms. Lummis told us about Mr.Lummis when he lived in Sycamore Grove. She also read us two of her poems, 'The Perfect Man' and 'My Worst Poem'." --Julian Cervantes

Excerpt from "My Worst Poem" by Suzanne Lummis

"When she was telling us about poetry she told us that you should use rhyme sometimes, patterns, no predictable rhythms, descriptive words and sometimes use lush language."
--Brittany Contreras

"In poetry use juicy words that pop out." --Greer Samuels

"Suzanne taught us about how poets get inspiration. She also showed us pictures of Mr. Lummis and told us stories about him! ... Since we are making art projects for Lummis Day we could do a poem project. We could even use one of hers!" --Cameryn Tucker