Thursday, July 16, 2009
Poetry Slam
So the first thing i can say after getting home from the poetry slam is WOW! I was firstly very impressed with a number of students in our class with their ability to actually 'get into it' while reading their poems. For me, it doesn't really matter how much i try to prepare myself, once i actually get up in front of everyone, i seem to lose it. Whether its shaking or talking too fast or sweating or all of the above. I have done a couple poetry readings before but for some reason this was quite a bit more nerve racking. I know self esteem may play a little bit into it, because after hearing a bunch of the speakers before me, i was thinking there is no way i can top that let alone come close to it. I actually am a poet and have been writing for years now, but there is something about having to read or "perform" it that just scares the hell out of me. If it were up to me, poetry would be my major (yeah i love it that much), but i don't really think there are any careers, jobs, etc. that that would do anything for. I was excited about reading a poem outloud... until i heard it had to be performed as a poetry slam. I have taken creative writing classes and read my own works outloud with no problem but i guess i don't have the personality for a poetry slam. I took all the right precautions this morning: didn't eat too much, drank plenty(gatorade/water), rehearsed plenty, typed and printed out my poem , and even triple spaced my lines to prevent me from reading too fast. Didn't help me dammit :)
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You know I was thinking the same thing about the poetry slam. It wasn't as bad as what I thought it would be though. I think everyone did an awesome job. It takes alot to stand in front of people and read a poem that you wrote. My first reaction was what everyone would think of mine, cuz we definately had poems all across the board today!
ReplyDeleteHaha I agree totally with no matter how much you prepare you are still nervous. I told myself when I stood up to just not be nervous, get up there and have fun with it! Yet when I got up there I knew I was shaking and I was trying so hard not to! I had a lot of fun at the slam though and even though everyone was nervous... everyone did FANTASTIC!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone was nervous, not just you. As far as being a professional poet, sure, hallmark and american greetings are always looking for card material. You should check into it. How about a web based business that you sell your poetry to guys who can't write it themselves? There is nothing more powerful than the written language.
ReplyDeleteI was so nervous that morning. Even though I had read and reread my poem many times it did not help. I still got up there and freaked. I always seem to have trouble looking out into the audeince, for some reason looking at the people watching makes me more nervous. I was very impressed with everybodies poems though, I felt very undereducated. Even through all the nerves it was fun.
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