I love slam poetry; I have loved it for a very long time. No, I am not talking about the "slam poem" from 22 Jump Street. I love the poems with more meaning with a message behind it. Luckily, the culture of spoken word poetry is growing and every month more communities are hosting poetry slams. You can find videos covering the Internet, with topics ranging from feminism to disabilities. You have probably encountered Button Poetry on some sort of social media, even if you did not notice, as it is one of the largest collections of spoken word out there. Perhaps you have seen Neil Hilborn's poem "OCD," which describes his experiences with his disorder, and how they had affected his relationship with the girl he loves. Or maybe you've encountered Kait Rokowski's "How to Cure a Feminist," which covers many issues of feminism with humor unmatched. Both poems have been circulating on the Internet recently, along with countless others.

Currently, most slam poetry has been focused on sharing events the poet has experienced with others. It's one of the great outlets for creative people, young and old, to relate to one another and their audience. Slam poems have a power behind them that written word can sometimes lack. They are an art form of their own, allowing words to flow in and out. Slam poems can be performed by a singular person, or by a group. Each form has its own persuasiveness that just adds so much to the poem itself. Some slam poets add hand movements or stage a scene with a partner, while others let their words go as they stand at the microphone with no movement whatsoever. No matter the stylistic choices, what is really emphasized in slam poetry, though, is the subject. This can range from a variety of things, from love, like a poem called "When Love Arrives," to bullying, like "To My Childhood Bully." Each subject has a meaning for the writer and through their reading often has a meaning for the audience. You may not care about someone's love life, but through a poet's reading, you might.

Poetry slams are one of the most moving and entertaining experiences I have ever encountered. Most of the time they are an emotional roller coaster ride of ups and downs, varying from a poem pushing for change to a hilarious piece on chickens. Some slams have themes which tie each poem together, while others are more of a free for all. Most are judged, with winners at the end. However, interestingly enough, slam poetry is often considered equal no matter how it is portrayed. By this I mean, a humorous poem often holds just as much merit as an emotional one. As long as a real, raw emotion is being put out there in the world, slam poems have meaning and are respected. No matter what, if you go to a poetry slam or even just watch one online, I promise you it will be an experience like nothing else.