Seniors at the Renaissance Academy recently transformed their thoughts about food into poetry.

Award-winning author and poet Remica Bingham-Risher visited the school to encourage student to write and to share her personal story, including her poem “Marchers Headed for Washington, Baltimore,1963.”

Inspired by her grandmother, the poem begins “On Sunday – the amen-scent of fresh meat, apples bearing nutmeg, collards simmered vinegar-sweet.”

“Food is linked to memories,” Bingham-Risher told the students.

The poem, in her first book “Conversion” published in 2007, was inspired by her grandmother, who played an important role in the historic 1963 Civil Rights march in Washington, D.C., led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Bingham-Risher asked her how she managed to participate in the march while raising seven children and living about 30 miles away.

“Every day for a week, I cooked and cooked for people walking to the march,” she replied.

“I wrote this poem for her,” Bingham-Risher said. “Remember, some of the people who are ordinary live extraordinary lives.”

Students in Dr. Lois Warner and Eric Burnley Jr.’s English classes read several food-focused poems and passages as part of their English unit, “Your Future Path and The Art of Storytelling.”

The opportunity to hear firsthand from the author helped students better understand her intent and provide a unique insight into poetry writing, Dr. Warner said.

The senior English class is designed to help students become better communicators and learn something about the current literary world, she added. “This visit helped students reach both goals.”

Students became increasingly engaged as Bingham-Risher shared her life story and talked about food.

She asked them to write down their favorite foods or dishes. “Who prepared the food and where was it eaten?”

“Why was it so good?” “Do you have any comfort foods?  “Do any foods make you think about where you come from and why?

Then she asked them to use their notes to create their own list poems of 10 to 20 lines, beginning with “I am looking for what will fill me.”

“Write so we can taste it!” she enthusiastically advised.

Some shared their poems out loud, describing comfort foods, including jerk chicken alfredo, chili, shepherd’s pie, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, soy sauce wings, macaroni and cheese, and even fried frog legs.

Oakley Martinez said she likes to write poetry. She began her poem with “Beef alfredo with creamy white and cheesy sauce, cooked meat seasoned simply with garlic and onion powder” and included a fond memory.

“Banana and peanut butter sandwich for the laidback fishing trips with my old man on the lake.”

Bingham-Risher’s poem about her grandmother’s role in the civil rights march was amazing, Oakley said. “She is inspiring.”

The Phoenix, Arizona, native has roots in the area. Both of her grandmothers lived in Norfolk before moving north. She graduated from Old Dominion University and is currently the director of Quality Enhancement Plan Initiatives.

Her works include a memoir, “Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books and Questions That Grew Me Up” and “Room Swept Home,” a collection of poems including historical and family photographs.

The recently published book has received accolades and is a finalist for the Library of Virgina Book Award.

Middle and high school literary coach Aleshia Dunning thanked Bingham-Risher for volunteering her time. The experience showed the importance of “bring real and authentic,” she said.

Director of Alternative Education Anthony Smith said providing real-life opportunities for students is essential.

“Students benefit from seeing people in our community doing great things,” he said.