Spoken Word Poetry Article

          What is poetry? Poetry can be defined in several different ways. Perhaps the only thing that comes to mind when the word poetry is thrown about is Shakespeare. But it is so much more than that. It is an expression of thought. It’s an opportunity for an ordinary person to speak their mind in a creative manner. Spoken word poetry is one of the most common types of poetry. There is no limit when it comes to performing or writing poems. It can be inspiring, depressing, humorous, or just down right dumb, yet it never fails to be superior.

 

            Shane Koyczan, a well-known spoken word poet, catches the world’s attention with his inspirational poem “To This Day” when he performs it on Ted Talks. Koyczan pulls on the heart strings of the audience when he tells the story of what it is like to be young, different, and insecure. As well as telling the story's of others, he also gives the audience a look at his past. He tells the crowd to “look a little closer, stare a little longer” until they find something they love about themselves. This poem is particularly inspirational although there are other types of poems are just as high-quality and well spoken as Koyczan’s.

 

            In the poem “The Impotence of Proofreading”, Taylor Mali uses intelligent humor to prove to each person that “proofreading your peppers in a matter of the utmost impotence.” He uses numerous clever examples of mistakes that can occur when we rely on spell-check to fix all of our mistakes. Though this poem can be difficult to take seriously, Mali does an excellent job at getting his thoughts across to everyone in the room and anyone that may choose to listen to it.

 

            “Pretty”, a poem by Katie Makkai, can also be considered as an inspirational poem. She takes the time to present to the audience that the word pretty is just a word. It is just a word that should not define a person. As well as saying that to the audience, she also says that when she has a daughter she will tell her that “the word pretty is not worthy of everything [she] will be, and no child of [hers] will be contained in five letters.” Makkai uses her unique perspective to prove that no one will ever be pretty, but instead they will be pretty amazing, or pretty intelligent, but never just pretty. Makkai, Mali, and Koyczan all rise to the expectations of all spoken word poets.

Battle of the Brands

     It has happened again. Another teenager lost their life last Friday in the Orchard Park Shopping Center in Kelowna. After a new shipment of clothes came into American Eagle last week, a war broke out between young teens trying to buy new shirts that looked extremely similar to the ones they were wearing. But what was different about them? Well, the new tops cost $80 more than the Wal-Mart brand and had a small eagle logo precisely placed on every shirt. Who wouldn't want that?

When the doors to the mall opened last Friday, the young girl fought her way through the crowd in attempt to reach the front of the line. During the cramped dash to American Eagle, the victim tripped and was trampled by over one thousand people. Everyone was so focused on getting the expensive new brand name clothes that no one noticed the young girl lying motionless on the mall floor. But I guess it is not their fault for not noticing. That tiny logo in the corner of a shirt, that they were so desperately running for, can define a person for the rest of their life.

It’s great that brand names have become so important for the youth. Without Lulu Lemon, American Eagle, and Abercrombie and Fitch, the world would be filled with clothes that don’t have a stitched on logo displaying to everyone how much that person paid for their outfit. It is lucky that there was only one death during these past three weeks. With name brands like these, there should normally be at least one death a week.

Writing with Detail- Funeral Feels

     The chiming of the church bells pounds in my head as my family and I walk through the doors. The smell of flowers quickly surrounds me as if I am being wrapped in a blanket of overwhelming scents. I can hear stories of my grandpa flowing from families and friends. "He was a good man" is constantly being thrown around within conversations. As we sat in our seats, the chestnut brown bench is smooth and strong. It is not only holding my weight, but supporting every emotion that is about to pour out of me. The ceremony begins. As soon as I see my dad and three uncles carrying in my grandpa's casket I am no longer able to contain myself. My vision blurs and tears rapidly fill my eyes. Without any hesitation they start running down my cheeks and the salty liquid approaches my lips. It has come time for my family to step up to the casket to see my grandpa one last time. He looks as good as ever. The suit he wears is nicely pressed and it looks as if there is almost a slight smile upon his face. This is my final goodbye.

Cliches and Dialogue

     George looked up from shoeing the horse to see the outline of Curley's wife in the doorway of the barn. They were alone.
   
     "What're you doin' in here? It's six in the mornin'. Shouldn't you be held up with Curley somewhere?" George snarled.
    
     "I just came to find a snack. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?" Curley's wife replied sarcastically.
    
     "Well there ain't any apples in here! You of all people should know that by now. Now scat, I got stuff to do."
    
     "Now I don't get it, I would bend over backwards to help you fella's on the ranch but ya'll seem to hate my guts. What did I ever do to you?"

     George hesitated and turned away. "You didn't do anythin'," he said softly, "now just leave me alone alright?"
    
     "Yer cute as a button, did anyone ever tell you that?" Curley's wife said seductively. "Yer much cuter than Curley ever was."

     "I don't know what yer tryin' to do here but I'm not so sure I like it. 'Spose Curley comes looking for you. He'll be madder than a wet hen if he finds you in here talkin' to me."

    Curley's wife began to scream. "Forget Curley. I'm sick of him always tellin' me what I can and can't do!" She shrank into the corner and began to cry. "It's always his way or the highway. There ain't ever an in between."

     George moved closer to her and sat down. "I'll tell you what. If he walks in, I'll take the fall for you bein' in here. I'll say I asked you to help me with the horse or somthin' like that."

     "Can I ask you somethin' George?" Curley's wife began, "Why havn't you taken a swing at Curley yet. I mean, he attacked for best friend for god's sake! Why don't you hurt him? And on the topic of yer so called best friend, why do you keep puttin' up with him? He seems like a pain in the butt to travel with."

     "Two wrongs don't make a right. Plus, I'd say Lennie did a pretty good job at givin' him a taste of his own medicine. And Lennie, well he's a weird guy. He sure does get on my nerves but I don't think I could live without him."

     Curley's wife began to get up. "You know George, I'm glad I got to talk to you. Oh and just thought I'd let you know, a little bird told me that you're almost as popular as Slim. Congrats." She moved closer, kissed George softly, and walked out.

     "Well what do you know," George murmured happily to himself, "sometimes the early bird really does get the worm."

    

I Have A Dream

     I have a dream that one day my cat will not scratch every person that walks through our door. I have a dream that our guests won't hide in fear when they see him coming near. I have a dream that one day he will let strangers pet him without getting attacked. Part of his anger might come from the fact that he has had a cone on his head for the past year, but he has been this way for much longer than that.

     He used to be playful. He used to be friendly. He used to chase the laser pointer no matter who was controlling it. Well not anymore. Now all he does is sleep. Now all he does is curl up on the couch and growl at strangers who walk by. Now he won't chase the laser pointer, but instead, he will stare bitterly at who ever is controlling it.

     Don't get me wrong. He is a very lovable cat. There are still some times when he will cuddle up with his family and be peaceful. There are still some times when he will chase a bouncy ball down the hall and try as hard as he can to bring it back. There are still some times when he will roll around on his back begging us for attention.

     Unfortunately, visitors fail to see this side of him. They see him as hateful and vicious. They see him as burden in our house. They see him as an unpleasant cat to be around. Even though others have a negative perspective towards him, I love him and wouldn't give him up for anything.

Definition of Ciara

     Ciara Dacosta has many figures in her life that define her. They range anywhere from real-life human beings to fictional characters. Her role model throughout her life has been Shania Twain. Listening to Shania's music never fails to lift her spirits. Her incredible music talent and amazing personality displays everything that Ciara looks up too. Although not a movie from her own generation, Ciara is infatuated with the movie Grease. She lives her everyday life as Sandy, a quiet girl who knows what she wants and does what it takes to achieve it. Achieving an unimaginable relationship with her brother is a top priority. Ciara and her brother have a unique relationship that can be compared to the famous cartoon characters, Bart and Lisa Simpson. Perpetually, they annoy one another and have short-lived arguments, but at the end of the day there is no way that they could imagine life without each other. Likewise, imagining life without her mom is unthinkable. They share a relationship like Lorelai and Rory Gilmore from the well-known television show, The Gilmore Girls. Attached at the hip, Ciara and her mom share a relationship like no other; they communicate everything with each other and keep little to no secrets. Noticeably, Ciara can compare her life to many different fictional and non-fictional characters. She lives a marvelous life that she wouldn’t trade for anything.

The Beatles

     Born on July 7th, 1940, Richard Starkey, known as Ringo Starr, was the drummer in The Beatles. He sang lead vocals in many of their songs. He also wrote and co-wrote some of their songs including "What Goes On" and "Don’t Pass Me By". He struggled with several illnesses during his youth, but by age 17 he had cofounded his first band. He later joined The Beatles in 1962, replacing Pete Best, after their success in Germany. After The Beatles break up in 1970, Starr released many singles and albums recorded with former Beatles members. Starr was also an actor whom starred in Beatles' films, hosted television shows, and children's television series. Starr is still alive today touring the Pacific Rim with his band Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.