Leap Into Life
First, slam poetry. A few weeks ago I made a spontaneous decision: deciding to slam poetry at my Middle School Talent Show in front of four grades---three hundred plus people. Crazy, I know. To make things even more.... let's say, exciting.... my poem basically "slammed" half the Middle School (maybe you remember how judging people is most middle schooler's favorite pastime). It was about judging people. Somehow I also managed to work in a snowy field (yay!). In case you don't know what slam poetry. It is original poetry with an emphasis on performance and emotion. If you've never heard of it, I recommend you watch it on youtube. Here, I present to you the transcript of my original slam poem Not Just a Field. The bus pulled up at a snowy field Doors opened No one got out But knowing we might never pass the same field again, I got up Walking down the bus's aisle Eyes glare, muttering why Why get out at a snowy field It's just a field Disputed with a sigh How some will never understand where real truth lies And finally the fresh cold air The snowy field I came to see Yet even my eyes were wondering why Why I stood and stared at just a field You're staring, I know Each of your eyes on me Thinking and wondering Because I'm the sweet looking, quiet girl I'm not the type to be up here In the field Snow and ice Plain and barren Not worthy of our limited time Or is it Beneath the fallen snow, is there more? Mud and grass The hope for spring and what it brings The memory of summer and what summer brings And hanging in the air are words Words spoken here Laughter laughed here Songs sung here A chorus of a thousand voices overlapping in the echo Floating too in the air are memories Memories that I for one cannot retell But others can relive Remember, re-cherish First impressions made in seconds were proven wrong in the same amount of time Because all those true things we fail to see Those judgements we make before we truly know Were like the field The field we judge Are like the people The people we judge It's not just a field And I am not That girl (cue shocked silence) And after reading that, I bet you really want to write slam poetry, right? So here are my top tips/ steps for writing slam poetry-keep in mind that I am only a novice.
Second, spine poetry. I discovered spine poetry today, thanks to my mom! It's simple, easy, and quick, plus you'll never be at a lack of inspiration. Basically, spine poetry is using the book spines as lines in a poem. Grab all the books you can find in your house and play around with them. My mom (@LaneyNielson) and I (@SaltareIntoLife) have been tweeting pics of it all morning (#spinepoetry)! It's fun and totally worth doing so give it a try! Both forms of poetry (slam and spine) are unique but both have the same goal.... self expression. In honor of National Poetry Month, grab some books or a notebook and pen and craft some poetry. And when you do, share it with someone. Celebrate self expression AND National Poetry Month! P.S. Last Sunday was my one year blog anniversary! Thanks so much for reading and following (box on the side of the page to follow- it takes ten seconds to get posts emailed to your inbox!)! I really appreciate all my readers!
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