Last week, I found myself getting out of class early (one of the highest of all college blessings), but rather than rush home, as is usually accustomed, I decided to pop by a poetry slam taking place on my path to the bus.

The slam was put on by Santa Cruz's Kinetic Poetics Project (KPP), a self-professed "eclectic group of spoken word poets who hold open mic poetry slams and poetry writing workshops." I had been to a couple slams hosted by KPP before, as I am friends with a poet and organizer in the group, but had not stopped by for a long while. But after a stressful week, I decided to take my extra hour of free time to relax in a way other than vegging out in front of the TV during brief reprieves from homework and class. I am very glad I made this detour.

I only stayed for about an hour and a half (dreaded "work" was calling my name), but I was able to sit down and let go during that period, hearing others philosophize and ponder on observations big and small, heavy and light, from their surroundings. Some of the experiences were frightfully familiar, articulating a feeling I had lived but have yet to fully grasp, and others I was only able to approach through the perspective they were enlightening me with.

While I thoroughly enjoyed myself as an audience member, and was happy for the mental stimulation that didn't come across as taxing due to it's artistic packaging, I was most impressed by the performers. These students, in most ways, are just like me, living the daily grind, but in those repetitive steps they are able to see and pick out beautiful symbolism, meaning, and impact.

Another quote from KPP describing their aim is: "Words are liberation. Come experience poetry (life)." To me, this explains exactly the encounter I had; a moment of freedom in which I was able to experience byway of others' direct experiences and their subsequent artistic filtering. In other words, it seems that most importantly, KPP inspires budding poets to write and share their stories. It brings together a number of different communities to share, create, and appreciate poetry. This acts as an educational medium through which students can learn about the world around them via the perspectives and experiences of their peers.

If you're interested in getting involved in a little spoken word yourself, or just want to stop by to increase your creative thought processes, the next slam is coming up on December 2nd at the Cowell Fireside Lounge. Sign-ups start at 7:30pm and the show goes on at 8pm.

But wait! This slam and its predecessors (and successors) serve not only to provide a little art in the daily drudge of life as a student, but also to select poets to form a UC Santa Cruz Slam Team. This team of 16 poets will go on to compete at the KPP's 13th annual Spoken Word Festival, which takes place from Jan. 29th to 31st this coming year. From there, only five poets will continue on to represent UC Santa Cruz at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) taking place this spring in Austin, Texas.

So come on down to get some food for thought whilst supporting the arts on your own college campus!