Spoken Word

Last year, I planned an awesome spoken word unit. The students amazed me with their brave hearts, sharing so much of themselves in their writing.  This summer, I was inspired to visit the NuYorican Poet's Cafe in NYC.  I didn't plan to read any of my own poetry.  In fact, I didn't even bring anything with me, but there was this fundraiser for a group of kids attending the Spoken Word Slam competition in California, and a young girl trying to raise money for a film about struggling poets...For awhile, no one stepped up on the stage, and it looked as if the fundraiser would be a bust.  I used my phone to go into my Google Drive, and, lo and behold, I had some poems stashed in there...mostly drafts I'd never revisited or poems from my college year, but I only had to pick two.  A few others stepped up as well.  I didn't realize until after I got on the stage that this was actually a competition, and they'd be holding up scores for me after my reading.  No worries.  I wasn't the best;  I wasn't the worst . (I came in second.)  I can look back and say I did it, which is more than many people can say.  And, I got one of my favorite self-photos out of it.  :)

Starting September, I'll be hosting a small, local poetry reading in Lakeland, FL once a month.  I'm hoping I can expand it to include young people, after we're going strong.  Everyone needs a place for their voice to be heard.  :)