If you know me at all, you probably know that Spoken Word poetry has a very special place in my heart. I think I have always found this medium to be interesting but it wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I truly started exploring it. Now, when I introduce others to Spoken Word, I feel an obligation to first introduce them to the really good stuff, the poems that get down to the heart of it and make you really think, or the poems that are just so clever in their word play and musical quality you can’t help but be drawn in. To me, this makes it easier to wade through the plethora of really awful poems knowing that there are gems truly worth discovering. Believe me, there are plenty of both.
The poems below are what I have used as my standard introduction for some time now. These poems really embody the of endless creativity in the form and its capacity to be a voice on some very important and meaningful topics. I also feel that I must warn you that many of these contain strong language and if you would prefer to skip those you may; I will label them so you can avoid them. However, I would encourage you to try and not let that be a barrier to some of the truly important messages shared by these individuals.
Here we go!
- The Period Poem by Dominique Christina
STRONG LANGUAGE
I always show people this one first. This is the poem that jump-started my exploration of Spoken Word and really reached me on a deep level. Basically, anytime I start watching Spoken Word I watch this one first to remind myself of what an inspirational poem sounds like. This poem is about menstruation and works to fight against the stigma of periods and functions of the female body2. Birmingham Sunday by Dominique Christina
This poem is about the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, AL in 1963 which killed four young girls. I feel this poem in my bones and it is music in my ears. Dominique might be my favorite Spoken Word artist and I think I can safely recommend anything she has ever done.
3. Accents by Denice Frohman
This poem is one that I found in the early days of my Spoken Word addiction and has really stuck with me ever since. It is a beautiful tribute to her mother and her Hispanic heritage. This is one that I go back to a lot when I find myself in need of a pick me up.
4. Pluto Shits on the Universe by Fatimah Asghar
STRONG LANGUAGE
Ok, so straight up, this poem has probably the most language of any poem I have ever come across. Fair warning. But I love this poem. For one thing the subject is just fun, when was the last time you heard a serious poem about Pluto? Also, I think this poem holds some deeper ideas that I can really connect with and I think it’s really empowering.
- Princess Peach Speaks by Megan Falley & Olivia Gatwood
STRONG LANGUAGE
If you like Mario Brothers and you like feminism this poem is for you. Period.
- Almosts by Bianca Phipps
The heartfelt, beautiful delivery is what really makes this poem for me. It also gets me right in the feels EVERY time.
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