Spoken word is an art form that is barely recognized for its impact. With each magnetic verse and each graceful word, these poems hit you straight in the heart with the gravity of its meanings. If you are a fan of spoken word, then this is the article for you. If you aren't a fan of spoken word, take the next 15 minutes or so and watch these, I guarantee you will fall in love with this underrated style of poetry. Here are ten of the hundreds that are out there on the Internet that tug at my heartstrings every time I press play:
1. Buffet Etiquette
Hieu Minh Mguyen illustrates a gripping poem about Western assimilation and how much it hurts that he's being taken away from his youth, how much he can't help but watch it happen to himself, and how much it breaks his heart that he can't change any of it. It's always a bitter realization when you realize how much of yourself has left you and how much you find yourself wishing it was still there.
2. Shrinking Women
Lily Myers delivers this haunting poem with courage and poise. Her delivery on the idea of how men and women are portrayed in a family give me goosebumps. "You have been taught to grow out; I have been taught to grow in," she says to her younger brother, who doesn't realize yet the impact of her position in the family or, even less specific, her position in life and where that puts her in the world.
3. Dear Straight People
Denice Frohman is unquestionably an amazing poet. Her words, often served with humor, wit, and a spoonful of reality, will hit you with a brick. Whether you're exactly the type of straight person that she's talking about for most of the poem or you're a straight ally, or you're not straight but you totally are nodding frantically at the screen because every word she's saying resonates with your soul, this poem will make you feel something. Let it. (This poem does contain some NSFW language.)
4. God In Code
Sam Cook is one of the most empowering poets in this form of art. HIs acknowledgment of white privilege and the way it's perceived from the eyes of white people and POC. He acknowledges the recklessness of the thought that the careless put in and their ignorance when it comes to God, faith, systematic racism, and oppression, and acknowledges the fact that those who don't view it like this should view it like this. And then, maybe, change their mindset about it.
5. The Drug Dealer's Daughter
Siaara Freeman's passionate and intense free verse gave us a view on how being brought up a certain way can change so many things about a person -- some beautiful and some not. She artistically carries her strong, melodic voice to convey her pain and her strength at the same time about her life entwined with her father's impact on her. After all, pain and strength together make a powerful combination. (This poem does contain some NSFW language.)
6. Friend Zone
Dylan Garity, a voice whose familiar to the poetry stage, engages his charm and wit into his words. Yet, his performance strikes a nerve with every person who has ever resented someone who has complained about being in the friend zone. His most impacting line: "As if the only reason to be a good friend or a decent f*cking human is if you get something in exchange," will have you with chills. (This poem does contain some NSFW language.)
7. What Kind Of Asian Are You?
Alex Dang shatters stereotypes (or rather, the problems that we often usually run into when dealing with stereotypes) in this emotive piece. He not only questions these labels that people put on him and his culture, but also the bitterness that he feels when he realizes those who call him out on stereotypes are the same ones who have no idea what it is like growing up the way he did and the individuality he feels he has to mold into everyday.
8. Like Totally Whatever
Melissa Lozada-Olivia, an amazing performer, fully indulges into breaking the idea that maybe women, like, actually do not still, like, in this day and age get to speak for themselves? Lozada-Olivia delivers this excruciatingly emotional poem, and will immediately strike a nerve with anyone that has ever been put into the same situation or position in life as her. She gets it. Now, the question is...do you? (This poem does contain some NSFW language.)
