Student’s winning poem a first for Lyricist book

BUIES CREEK – Campbell student Jacob Berger won “honorable mention” in the North Carolina College Media Association’s 2012 Statewide College Media Awards for his poem, “Encased,” which was published in the Lyricist, a Campbell University publication.

The award was announced recently at the awards event hosted by North Carolina A&T University. According to communication studies professor Michael Smith, Berger’s poem marked the first NCCMA award for the Lyricist in the publication’s history.

“I often write, but only have shared it with my close friends and family, which is why I am so grateful for the Lyricist for giving me an opportunity to share my poems to a wider audience,” said Berger, a native of New Haven, Mich. “I even more so love to hear and read the writings of others such as my friends and family. That is another reason why I enjoy the Lyricist so much.”

Berger, a fan of poetry from the Romantic Era who is leaning toward majoring in English, appears on Page 9 of the 2012 Lyricist with his poem, “Encased.” 

Madison Helman served as editor for the 2012 edition, and Victoria Berger served as assistant editor. Poems, short stories and artwork from more than 40 Campbell students appeared in the publication.ENCASEDby Jacob Berger
If my heart were a rose,
In a magic, glass case
No petal would be loath
To dwindle from its place
What needs life wants death
And magic can’t preside
Over life which resides
In, not a dome, but a chest
For my love of beauty,
I am cursed
Yet, from the love of beauty
I am saved
Am I an untamed beast
When the strongest part of me is caged?
My heart is a rose
In a magic, glass case
The transformation, I suppose
Isn’t slightly out of place