When people first hear about spoken word poetry, they think of someone standing on a stage reciting a poem, but it's so much more than that. It's a raw form of storytelling and enables people to express themselves using words, gestures, tone of voice and passion. I love it because it's intensely personal. Spoken word is different from the Internet where you can read poems, blog posts or articles by nameless, faceless people; it is about human connection and about slowing down to hear someone's story. It's also incredibly diverse. People from all age groups, levels of skill and backgrounds participate. It's an incredible medium with which to share experiences, open up about a hard topic or to widen the perspectives of the audience members. That being said, here are 10 of my favorite spoken word pieces to get you started and 10 reasons why you should watch them
1. They inspire: "Mother of Dragons" by Tai Weinman
If you only ever watch one piece of spoken word poetry, watch this one. It has a striking message, and Tai is a true poetess, weaving metaphors and allusions throughout that really illuminate her message.
"If the whole world is praying for sons, give me every girl."
2. They're free-form: "Choose Your Own Adventure" by Brenna Twohy, Alex Dang, Doc Luben and Leyna Rynearson
Group poems always have interesting dynamics, and this one is my favorite. I had never seen a choose your own adventure poem before, but this piece just proves how freeing spoken word can be and that it's more than just reciting words
"Every morning starts with a dark room and an ominous door, and there is no such thing as not choosing."
3. They describe events or ideas in new ways: "A Letter From Cancer" by Kevin Kantor
If you only ever watch two spoken word poems, watch this one. I've watched it over and over again, and every time I'm in awe. Kevin's mannerisms, gestures and tone of voice will twist your insides, make you feel uncomfortable, sad and angry all at once, and leave you speechless.
"Listen to this music, this mutation so orchestral. This spreading, so symphonic. Split cells two by two by four. Watch our love swell."
4. They pull you into someone else's memories: "Mrs. Ribeiro" by Sarah Kay
If you've heard anything about spoken word poetry, you've probably heard about Sarah Kay. She is the closest thing to a celebrity the spoken word community has, and for good reason. While other poets can sometimes feel inaccessible, Sarah is so down to earth and uses her words to comfort, provoke, waken and sympathize in masterful ways. Check out her TED talk about writing or her other incredible poems on YouTube.
"She knew every student by name. Visited every class room. Spoke to us like we were scholars, artists, scientists, athletes, musicians. And we were."
5. They reflect your own experiences: "Shrinking Women" by Lily Myers
Lily Myers crafts a poem something I had only felt before and had never been able to put into words; about my hesitancy to omit and to take charge. This poem is so relatable to a lot of women. I've found that naming a fear can give you the courage to face it and that's exactly what "Shrinking Women" does.
"I have been taught accomodation. My brother never thinks before he speaks, I have been taught to filter."
6. They teach you about others: "Cuz He's Black" by Javon Johnson
As a white female, the experiences of black males is something I'll never be able to understand, but Javon's words and his passion gave me more insight and broadened my perspective more than any blog post or news story has been able to do.
"It's about how poor black boys are treated as problems well before we're treated as people"
7. They combine humor and truth: "Friend Zone" by Dylan Garity
This poem keeps you laughing for the first half and then hits you hard with truth, a winning combination. While the title may sound light, it deals with the much heavier subject of rape with incredible honesty.
"We all know the statistics: your rapist is more likely to be someone that you know. The Bogeyman, the stranger in the alley is real, but not as real as we are."
8. They raise awareness: "Into the Dark" by Will Giles and Tui Scanlan
"Into the Dark" deals with suicide, shame, failure, death and masculinity. Giles and Scanlan's poem, mixed with lines from the song, "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie will break your heart.
"When they end their life, we feel the ripple turn to riptide. For some of us this is not peer pressure, it is long awaited permission."
9. They can bring healing to the writer and to the audience: "10 Honest Thoughts on Being Loved by a Skinny Boy" by Rachel Wiley
Rachel is so honest in this poem and really connects to human nature. While I don't identify with a lot of the experiences she has had or the insecurities she's dealt with, I could see bits of myself in this piece, and I recognized a lot of my own prejudices.
"I say I am fat. He says, 'No. You are beautiful.' I wonder why I cannot be both."
10. They can be encouraging: "Finals Week" by Stefan Vandekooy
This poem can redirect your focus and correct your perspective. It asks us, why do we see school work and tests as something only for us, when the point of a degree is to be able to help others? It points out just how temporary exams and grade A papers are.
"Your degree is not for you. It's for those who are hurting."
