At the beginning of this year, I re-discovered my love for poetry via Tumblr. Specifically, I found many fulfilling poems on this page and went so far as to buy the author's poetry books. Due to this rebirth of poetry into my life, I have started writing a lot more poetry - much of which is inspired by spoken word. Without getting too much into the details and history of spoken word, I am presenting you with my favorite spoken word or "slam poetry" pieces. I hope that this new year, you too may (re)discover an old (or new!) love of yours.
1. "This Type Love" - Shihan
“I want a love that makes me need to change my cell phone calling plan to something that allows me to talk to her longer 'cause in all honesty, I wanna avoid one of those high cell phone type bills type love"
2. "How to Love Your Introvert - Kevin Yang
“Just because I do not wear my heart on my sleeve for everyone to see does not mean that it beats any softer than yours...just because I cannot commit the act of small talk does not mean that I do not have huge things to say”
3. "Why I Love You" - Shanelle Gabriel
“You still think our anniversary is the 10th of May; it’s the 9th…of March”
4. "Social Anxiety at 130 BPM" - Aaron Burstein
"A good time is the most honest thing in the universe, so why do I feel like the only liar here?"
5. "Give Me a Chance" - Beau Sia
“If you need a Chinese Jay-Z, a Japanese Eminem, or a Vietnamese N*SYNC, please consider me! 'Cause I am all those things and more”
“I am an appropriated culture at my core”
6. "Dandelion" - Perre Shelton
“Until the day she realizes, a flower as beautiful as her does not belong in a rosebush”
7. "Friend Zone" - Consequence
"So when I see your number, I let the machine answer 'cause the only friends I need are Rachel, Ross, and Chandler”
8. "Self Conscious" - Kanye West
"Couldn't afford a car so she named her daughter Alexis [a Lexus]"
man running in forestPhoto by 
