Slam What?

     What do Shane Koyczan, Sarah Kay and Katie Makkai all have in common?

     They are slam poets. Now, most people may not even really know who these gifted people are. These people are part of the brilliant world of Slam Poetry. For those who don't know, a poetry slam is a competition where poets gather and perform and recite their original poetry. Members of the audience are selected at random to judge both the performance and the poem on a numeric scale of one to ten. Now, one may think to themselves: "What is so interesting about people reciting poetry?" But these poems aren't anything like those "roses are red, violets are blue..." poems, or just a piece of writing that rhymes like most people seem to associate "poetry" with. In fact, since slam poetry is spoken word poetry it's entirely different than just a regular poem. Slam poetry often resembles a speech, but what's different about them is not only the way it is written (often with rhythm or rhyme) but the way it is presented. These three poets use poetry to express themselves. They use words to create and inspire. But most importantly, they do not just stand on the stage and recite. They perform, and engage the audience. They have a gift, and they deserve to be known.

     Katie Makkai recites a poem called "Pretty". She uses the power of her voice to tackle an issue many young girls can easily relate to. A question that fills, or at one point has filled up their minds like a thick, black cloud of lethal smoke; "Will I be pretty? Will I be pretty? Pretty? Pretty." This poem is inspirational, and Makkai does an excellent job of showing the world that the word "pretty" is nothing more than "a five letter word." Many young girls at younger and younger ages find themselves "stung-stayed with insecurity"; Over analyzing and questioning themselves, as if their entire lives depend on whether or not they have "porcelain skin", Disney princess hair, or the body of a Victoria Secret model. She makes it clear that the word pretty is "unworthy of everything [girls] will be." The poem has a strong, clear message: that pretty is just a word that has no significant meaning. Where's the happiness in life if one spends their entire time trying to do everything to make themselves "pretty". Learn how to wear joy, and discover that pretty means nothing if not immediately followed by words like "intelligent", "creative" or "amazing". One should never settle for "merely 'pretty'."

     Sarah Kay performs a beautiful poem called "If I Should Have a Daughter". In the poem, Kay talks about positivity, and things she will say to her future daughter. She makes it clear that "this life will hit you, hard, in the face. Wait for you to get back up just so it can kick you in the stomach. But getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air." She uses an extended metaphor throughout the poem. That one day her daughter will realize that "wonder woman isn't coming. But when that day comes, she will realize that "she [won't] have to wear the cape all by herself." Or that when one day when she'll "step out of the phone booth and try to fly [...] the very people [she'll] want to save will be the ones standing on [her] cape." But nonetheless she won't be alone. And even when life gets her down, she will realize that "those are the very days [she] has all the more reason to say 'thank you.'"The theme in this poem is beautiful, it's positive. The poem itself is inspiring, and it reminds the audience that "this world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily, but don't be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it." And that even when life becomes difficult or unbearable, there is always a lesson to be learned, and beauty to be found.

     One of the most powerful and influential spoken word poets is a man named Shane Koyczan. His words reach into the reader, and pull out emotions like no other poet. Beauty doesn't begin to describe Koyczan's writing. Shane is best known for "To This Day" a poem he wrote about the bullying he faced as a child. But there is more to Shane than just "To This Day". "The Crickets Have Arthritis" is a poem about a nine year old boy who he meets during a short hospital stay. The boy is visibly sick, and he "doesn't have to ask what he's got- the bald head with the skin and bones frame speaks volumes." Ultimately, this young boy changes his life, with his smiles and his patience. A patience he'd "never seen in someone who knew they were dying." Beautiful isn't a strong enough word to describe this powerful piece. The poem has a tenacious message- that courage is often found where no one is looking for it. Koyczan, before building a relationship with the young, wise boy, was "afraid of a fifty-seven pound boy, hooked up to a machine." But as the story goes on, the young boy helps him find courage, and "bravery in this world." He learns that "there's 6.5 billion people curled up like fists protesting death, but every breath [people] take has to be given back."

     Spoken word poetry is powerful. It opens hearts and it opens eyes. It allows for the audience to see things in new perspectives, and learn things about themselves. Makkai, Kay, and Koyczan are extremely talented artists, and their talents deserve to be shared with the world. Slam poetry is beautiful. It's an art. And it never ceases to touch the hearts of the audience.