AfA Hosts A Successful, Whimsical Mad Hatter Tea Party

On August 27th, AfA had a WONDERful time at our first annual Mad Hatter Tea Party! More than 20 guests fell down the rabbit hole with us to enjoy live music, youth poetry, whimsical decor, and a fanciest hat contest. Participants also got to savor delectable treats and delicious tea from our friends over at Drip Denver. Hats off to all who came out to our event!

Members of Steampunk not only loaned us most of the tea service, but donated some tea, as well!

AfA’s youth intern Hibaq Osman performed two poems: one of which is called “Paper Moon.”

And makes a break for it

It’s a simple equation

Dreams and creation

I’m in love with the person I haven’t me

And that one place I’ve never lived

Please tell me how you can lead a life of 17 years and never live

Chained to a chain link fence

Woven by the hearts which you’ve torn from their place

It’s not a ‘whatever you think it is,’ darling It’s an arms race

And I swear, I scream at the top of my lungs

I swear

I will make a change to this world

I will change the voice of freedom

Bestow power amongst the girls

And I’ll make it to where color doesn’t matter

And race is just a four letter word

Where being queer is not weird

Where homophobia is absurd

Where society links arms with the misfit toys

And welcomes them to their island

Where the raped girl doesn’t cry when she sees her young boy

Because she wished his father’s actions didn’t define him

I swear

These faulty pieces do not define us

I swear the skies are so clear on the other side

I swear the sun will wake you up from this nightmare

And say “It’s okay honey, you don’t have to hide.

You’re absolutely fine right by my side”

Delicious Hearts and Spades sandwich cookies, courtesy of volunteer Lisa Schott Cheney-Philp