Lake County's Board of Supervisors meeting on April 22, 2025, featured a poignant tribute to National Poetry Month, led by Brenda Marie Yeager, the county's poet laureate. Yeager expressed gratitude to the board for recognizing the power of poetry and its role in community advocacy.

During the meeting, Yeager shared a deeply personal poem titled "Kintsugi," inspired by a friend's traumatic experience with the justice system. The poem addresses themes of resilience and the need for awareness surrounding issues of assault and child abuse, coinciding with April's designation as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Yeager emphasized the importance of educating jurors to ensure justice for victims, highlighting the emotional weight of her friend's story and the societal responsibility to support survivors.

The poem's title references Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, symbolizing healing and transformation. Yeager's verses poignantly illustrate the struggles faced by survivors, urging listeners to recognize the evidence of trauma and the complexities of victimhood.

The meeting also included comments from community members, reinforcing the significance of addressing these critical issues. One attendee shared her own experiences, underscoring the importance of vigilance and support for those affected by abuse.

This gathering not only celebrated poetry but also served as a call to action for the Lake County community to engage in meaningful conversations about justice and support for survivors. The board's commitment to incorporating poetry into their meetings reflects a broader initiative to foster dialogue and awareness around pressing social issues.