Spoken Word Artists Have The Most Guts | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

Spoken Word Artists Have The Most Guts

You may not understand what they really are saying, but you can comprehend and appreciate it.

22
Spoken Word Artists Have The Most Guts
Wikimedia Commons

Spoken word is a form of art where a poet will not only read but also recite their work with passion and emotion. A message is delivered through how the artist says the words and not just through the words itself. I know for a fact that reading versus hearing a poem makes you feel two very different things. I own both Neil Hilborn's and Olivia Gatwood's books, and although their work is amazing, it doesn't beat hearing them deliver it themselves. (If you don’t know these artists you should look them up.)

Spoken word artists, without a doubt, have the most guts. I truly believe that spoken word is the most exposed form of art that exists. All other art forms can hide behind their music, their hands, their equipment, or their instruments.

Musicians can get away with hiding behind their instrument.

Painters hide behind their brushes and easels.

Athletes are almost always on a team. (You may wonder, sports are an art? Well, If you put enough passion and work into something you love, it’s your very own expression of art.)

This isn’t to discredit the work of these artists, because everyone is blessed and talented in different ways. Many of us cannot even begin to understand the work it takes for each one of those skills. Even with all that work, they are not as exposed as as these poets. All they have is their voice and their words. No music, no teammates, It takes a lot of nerve to get up and recite your, sometimes very vulnerable, work with sentiment and conviction. To so publicly expose what means the most to you takes a lot of guts. They have all my respect.

They have all my respect because I’ve written poetry with the intention to be spoken word; and yet, I do not have the nerve to say any of it out loud. I’ve tried when I’m alone in my room. I’ve thought about how it would sound and how it would be delivered. But each time, I choke. I choke because it’s not something I can’t do. I cannot stand up and display everything, as part of me started writing because I couldn’t find a way to put together what was going on through speech. Though I love it and I love writing, I don’t think I’d ever be able to stand up in front of a bunch people and pour my heart out.

So, yes, they have all my respect. I’ve put myself in their shoes, and I must say they’re a pretty terrifying pair. It’s more than a 'Mr. Tough Guy' could ever do. If you ever scroll past a spoken word video on Facebook, scroll back up and dedicate two minutes of your life. You may not understand what they really are saying, but you can comprehend and appreciate it. They are putting themselves out on the line to share with the world something they love – which more than most people do every day.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

139128
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

33363
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

30216
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments