This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a Poetry Jam. I had been to one other before that day at my high school, but the experience I had this recent time was a lot more different. I remember receiving the email invitation the night before the event; people were being invited to watch featured artists perform, but there was also an invitation for those who wanted to share something of their own. That Wednesday at school, I was a nervous wreck. Speaking in front of a group of people wasn't what made me nervous, it's something I had done before in groups like Mock Trial, Leadership, and Band, but I had never shared my passion with anyone so openly.
The Poetry Jam held at my high school during my senior year was something I tried to play off as mere "participation" in front of my peers. I was afraid of the comments I'd receive for saying I had a passion for poetry. It definitely wasn't the "popular" thing around school. As a result of that, I kept so much of the poetry I had written through the years away from people, and some poetry I even threw away because I didn't have faith in my passion for it.
So, when I received the invitation for the Poetry Jam on Wednesday, I felt my heart race. I had multiple conversations with myself about whether or not I was going to go through with it. When the time was closing in for the event to start, I walked around the area for a solid thirty minutes. I kept looking at the entrance and then then at the exit, and so forth until I finally decided to step into the room. I took a seat and waited for my name to be called.
When I was up in front of everybody, sharing the poem I had written, I caught sight of a girl looking straight at me; her eyes were red and watery, her hands were to her chest, and she had a smile on her face. I felt a connection, I felt heard, and I felt at home oddly enough. I recited my poem, took my seat, and felt a genuine emotion of contentment. I felt proud for being able to share my passion with complete strangers. As the night progressed, more and more people went up to share something of their own, they went up with the same passion that I did.
I found myself completely engrossed in every performance, I found it incredible. It was absolutely beautiful to see people express themselves in front of strangers. It was absolutely beautiful to hear words spoken with such passion and love. It was absolutely beautiful to watch other people engage themselves so deeply in the performance. Being a part of that event was surreal.
I know that there's a lot of people out there, many in my generation, that don't express themselves. People hold back for different reasons, but going to that Poetry Jam made me realize how beautiful it was to not hold back. There is so much freedom and serenity in finally allowing yourself to use your voice. So, if you have a voice (hint: we all have one) then please don't hold back. In any form of art or simple communication, express yourself. No one else will do it for you.
